The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Rob, Colin, and Patrick hear from listeners about rainbow pigments and bargain power tools before taking listener questions about exterior paint jobs, crawlspace ventilation fans, and calculating the length of basement lally columns.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to smart-home system designers Aaron Stallings and Michael Oh about how to integrate smart-home technology in both new builds and retrofits, choosing the right gear, and what home technology can do for you.

Brian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about rainbow shingles and log homes before taking listener questions about adding overhangs, repairing wood trim, and roof insulation ratings. They also hear from home builders in Australia.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to longtime Washington, DC-area remodeler Mike Patterson about how to find good projects and clients, trusting your intuition, and the basics of business.

Brian, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about FHB Anniversary interviews and hated home features before taking listener questions about raising a ceiling, fastening to concrete, and air-sealing versus insulating.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Aaron Cash, president of Garage Living Franchise Systems about how a franchise business works, opportunities for making garages more livable, and how one goes from business school to running a garage construction company.

Hear highlights from past episodes of the podcast in this compilation of some of our favorite discussions and listener questions.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Jacob Racusin about New Frameworks's unusual business model, expanding the market for natural building, and how somebody just decides to start building with straw.

Kiley, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about tarps and building-science texts before taking listener questions on insulating garage doors, staining cedar shingles, and improving the performance of an uninsulated slab.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Jacob Racusin, Director of Building Science and Sustainability at New Frameworks in Burlington, Vt. about New Frameworks's unusual business model, expanding the market for natural building, and how somebody just decides to start building with straw.

Rob, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about long lead times and proper tarping before answering questions on HVAC air distribution, installing and flashing deck ledgers with stucco siding, and fixing butchered floor framing.

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Austin, Texas, Architect Peter Pfeiffer about building in hot climates, how to spot problem clients, and doing research on your own house.

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about spiral duct and stucco walls before taking questions on exposed exterior headers, insulating Mansard roofs, installing hardwood flooring, and blending indoor and outdoor spaces.

Host Rob Yagid suggests that John's worker-owned cooperative, which equally values people, the planet, and the bottom line, is a model for what architecture and construction firms could and should be.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to rating field inspector Noah Lawrence of Building Efficiency Resources (BER) about helping HERS raters, navigating a new utility grid, and what it's like living in a tiny house.

Matt, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about tilt/turn windows and living with imperfect work before taking listener questions about effective tarping, leveling a ceiling, and fixing cracks that keep coming back.

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Christi Weber, Director of Design and Lead Designer for TDS Custom Construction about the benefits of a design/build model, the problems with American housing, and the appeal of 60-in. ceiling fans.

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about insulating walls without sheathing and on-demand water heaters before taking listener questions about building a long-lasting skate ramp, heating a shop, and fastening drywall.

In this two-part Pro Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Paul Torcellini, an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, about home efficiency, moving to a renewable-energy utility grid, and how Paul built a net-zero house for his family.

Rob, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about business books for contractors and pool kits before taking listener questions about shop-ceiling heights, Foamglas insulation, and home-energy efficiency.

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Paul Torcellini, an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, about home efficiency, moving to a renewable-energy utility grid, and how Paul built a net-zero house for his family.

After 20 years in a corporate job, this lifelong craftsperson took a leap of faith to start a business doing the work that he truly loves, and he's never been happier.

Brian, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about good-looking gate hinges and real-world budgets before taking listener questions about living with your own work, lowering a basement floor, and the best way to fit and prep doors.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to stereotomist Pat Moore about how he learned the ancient building technique of sterotomy from guild-trained French timber framers.

Patrick, Kiley, and Rob hear from listeners about DIY insulation vacs and AV gas for generators before taking questions on nasty crawlspaces, polished concrete floors, and hiring your first employee.

In this second installment of a two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Mike and Patrick discuss the perks and headaches of owning a small business, the future of plumbing and heating, and dealing with problem customers.

Patrick, Rob, and Brian hear from listeners about cool roofs and acoustics before taking questions on wall assemblies for basements, conditioning a woodshop, and air-sealing with liquid WRB.

Hear about the ups and downs on one builder's path to creating a sought-after company with a reputation for executing the highest quality work.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to plumber Mike Lombardi about the perks and headaches of owning a small business, the future of plumbing and heating, and dealing with problem customers.

As part of FHB's 40th Anniversary, regular listener Ian Schwandt interviews longtime FHB contributor John Carroll.

Hear about the challenges and rewards of being a builder focused on sustainable, resilient construction in a region of the country not traditionally known for energy-efficient homes.

In this two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to former FHB editor and carpenter Kevin Ireton about staying healthy, game-changing tools, and the direction of American housing.

Rob, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about sturdy fences and clean energy before talking questions about long-lasting porches, upgrading flush doors, and increasing the span of a basement beam.

In this two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to former FHB editor and carpenter Kevin Ireton about staying healthy, game-changing tools, and the direction of American housing.

Matt, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about energy-integration experts and ICC lawsuits before taking questions on converting a hog barn into a music studio, reducing costs in a new build, and the effectiveness of indoor-air purifiers.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder and remodeler Dan Kolbert of Portland, Maine about Pretty Good Houses, good clients, and the virtues of trade work.

Brian, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about power-grid efficiency and attic delta-Ts before taking questions about bad plumbers, bowed foundation walls, and boosting the energy performance of a brick cape.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder and remodeler Dan Kolbert of Portland, Maine about Pretty Good Houses, good clients, and the virtues of trade work.

Brian, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about job-site safety and fence posts before taking questions about thermally broken slabs, construction training for Spanish speakers, and strengthening foundations in seismic zones.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams about how paint colors get their names, how color trends emerge, and what comes after a decade of gray.

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about cutting down doors and using hybrid trucks for power, before taking listener questions about matching new floors to existing stairs, heat-pump water heaters, and good books for builders.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to engineer Sandra Hyde from the International Code Council about International Building Codes, the code process, and why code language is so hard to understand.

Brian, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about storm windows and putting dishwashers in weird places before taking questions about insulating walls without sheathing, the best way to build a fence, and how to make cancelled basement windows watertight.

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder Fernando Pagés Ruiz about what's wrong with American housing, making the switch from musician to home builder, and what it's like to build outside the U.S.

GBA senior editor Kiley Jacques talks with architect Emily Mottram and builder Dejah Leger about the advantages of being a woman in the industry.

In this two-part, Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Twin-Cities carpenter Brian Campbell about being a more efficient carpenter, honing your skills, and finding interesting work.

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about going all-electric and not messing up historic houses before taking listener questions about becoming a high-performance builder, fixing a leaky apartment, and planning a new home.

In this two-part, Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Twin-Cities carpenter Brian Campbell about being a more efficient carpenter, honing your skills, and finding interesting work.

Matt, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about lead dangers and storm windows before taking questions about insulating a brick ranch with board sheathing, supporting a short section of countertop, and cleaning mossy roofs.

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Ben Scott of Maple Ridge, British Columbia about the craft and challenges of building cabinets and he shares tips for building Baltic birch boxes and installing slides and hinges.