The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Grant and Randy help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions. Grant gives an update on current editorial assignments and travel. Randy shares what's going on at Green Building Advisor and current building investigations. Tune in to Episode 733 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Theoretical and real seasonal moisture accumulation in double-stud walls  Starti...

Vince and Chris share thoughts on maintaining comfortable indoor humidity. Benoît considers strengthening his outbuilding with spreading kneewalls. Anna wonders what interior air barrier is right when drywall is off the table. Tune in to Episode 732 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Humidifying interior spaces without creating condensation   Fixing a 1 1/2 story building with...

Marc describes the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jim thinks that complex heating and cooling systems require coordination between trades . Corey asks about the right order to paint new walls and trim. Mike and Andrew ask for more discussion of asphalt felt water resistive barriers.   Randy and Ian help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions.       Tune in to Episode 7...

Paul shares an update on his septic system saga. Mike Guertin asks Ian about impact drivers. John asks about insulating the knee walls and roof of his Cincinnati-area Cape. Jim is building a ranch-style house and asks about using plenum trusses to hide heating and air conditioning ducts. Ian and Randy help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions.  The crew shares updates on cu...

Matt doesn't think robots and AI will make us live like the Jetsons. Mike updates us on his owner/builder house and making a career change to construction. Miranda is looking for advice on air-sealing and insulating the floor of a house partially built on piers. Ian and Randy help Patrick address listener feedback and answer the construction building science questions.   Tune in to Episode 729 of...

Ian and Randy help Patrick address listener feedback about storing tools and stuff. Brett is designing a whole house ventilation system and asks about the right way to duct his system. A Fine Homebuilding web member inquires about closed-cell foam insulation installed behind walls covered with nickel-gap paneling.     Tune in to Episode 728 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   H...

Scott shares his thoughts on whole-house dehumidification. Ian asks about light fixtures and tile waterproofing for a Euro-style bathroom. Sean wonders if a crawlspace vapor barrier will make his mudsills wet.   Tune in to Episode 727 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   Using an ERV to help distribute dehumidified air   Waterproofing Euro-style bathrooms   Crawlspace vapor barr...

This week on the Fine Hombuilding Podcast, listeners write in about heat-pump performance and ask questions about using asphalt felt for a WRB and maintaining comfortable indoor humidity. FHB senior editor Patrick McCombe is joined by Green Building Advisor editor Randy Williams, Fine Homebuilding technical editor Mark Peterson, and producer Cari Delahanty.   Tune in to Episode 726 of the Fine Hom...

This week we're excited to bring you a very special episode from the floor of the 2026 International Builders' Show in Orlando, FL! FHB editorial director Brian Pontolilo, GBA editor Randy Williams, and FHB technical editor Mark Petersen are joined by Daniel Sutton from VERSATEX Building Products to discuss strategies for low-maintenance exteriors.   Tune in to Episode 725 of the Fine Homebuilding...

Chris says home heating and cooling systems should be simple. Colin's friend is wondering how to know if he needs his furnace flue relined. Tom says that building planners and designers should be doing more to make houses resilient in a warming climate.   Tune in to Episode 724 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   The benefits of keeping HVAC systems simple   Furnace flues and m...

Kerry shares his thoughts on spray foaming old houses with advice for getting it right. A Fine Homebuilding Forum poster wonders about framing walls and attaching sheathing with construction screws. Andrew asks about the best way to build a lakefront cabin accessible only by boat.   Tune in to Episode 723 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   Using closed-cell spray foam insulati...

Richard describes inexpensive data loggers for monitoring indoor air quality.  Kerry asks about adding casing and extension jambs to fiberglass windows. Martin wonders about improving the comfort and safety of his internal garage and the living space above it.  Grant and Ian help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions.   Tune in to  Episode 722 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcas...

Chris shares a news story about recently-introduced window-mounted heat pumps. Mason describes the joy that comes from using top shelf tools, even if it's once or twice a year . Alex asks about installing spray foam under roof sheathing and exterior roof insulation.   Tune in to Episode 721 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   Window-mounted retrofit heat pumps  for rooms and ap...

In this special water and humidity control episode,  Evan and Austin describes their whole house dehumidification strategies. Jake asks about insulating his bath fan ductwork to prevent water from dripping through the grill. Stephen wonders why the walls in his Upstate NY cabin are wet.     Tune in to Episode 720 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   How to integrate a whole hous...

Ian, Randy and Patrick discuss home projects and address listener emails about attracting young trade workers, the best cordless oscillating multitools and improving the comfort and energy efficiency of an old house in a mixed climate.       Tune in to Episode 719 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   The future role of robots and AI in house building and renovation   The utility...

Ian and Randy help Patrick respond to listener feedback about the best way to help clients and home electrification before taking questions about window construction and improving the comfort of a badly-built bonus room above a garage. Tune in to Episode 718 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Improving envelopes before new heating and cooling systems  The right window for a pre...

In this best-of show the crew talks about cantilever decks, peel bond primers, the model Existing Building Code, post-frame buildings and effective collaboration between designers and builders. Tune in to Episode 717 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Rebuilding cantilevered decks with rotten joists  Evectively controlling peeling paint without full removal  The model Existing...

Ian, Randy, and Patrick discuss home projects before addressing listener feedback about embodied carbon in new builds and Saddam Hussein's palaces before they taking questions about building steam showers and the right way to seal and insulate a brick crawlspace.   Tune in to Episode 716 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   Reducing the use of concrete in new builds for lower em...

An anonymous listener outlines their company's strategy for attracting and retaining new hires. Josh reminds fellow FHB Podcast listeners about tool-lending libraries. Dan asks about the need for smart vapor retarders. Tim shares his experience dehumidifying his house with a simple system.   Randy and Ian describe home projects and help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions....

Dan Kolbert raises a lead paint red flag. Jeff wonders if a Bonfig wall is better for inexperienced crews. Andrew wonders if an insulated band joist behind a flashed ledger can dry. Grant and Mike Guertin help Patrick talk about editorial and home projects before addressing listener feedback and questions .       Tune in to Episode 714 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   Lead p...

Ian, Grant and Patrick address reader comments and inquires. They first hear about extensive problems with foam insulation in the UK. Then they ponder why septic systems haven't kept up with the times. Finally they talk about the newest and previous versions of studs meant to reduce thermal bridging        Tune in to Episode 713 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   Poor workmans...

Doug says homeowners and home buyers worrying about the wrong things isn't new. Chris asks if reducing carbon in houses makes sense with AI's voracious energy consumption . Spenser wonders about ways to temporarily heat his job sites. Zach describes his comprehensive plan to redo his house's building envelope.     Tune in to Episode 712 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:   Why c...

Grant learns about military veterans joining the local construction workforce with help from the Department of Defense.  Josh Salinger and Grant help Brian address listener feedback and questions. They also talk about Josh's new Fine Homebuilding course called A Homeowner's Guide to a Durable, Efficient, Comfortable Home .     Tune in to Episode 711 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more a...

Responding to an attendee who wants to share his experience at the Summit, Brian asks Ian and Randy what they liked about the event, and what they didn't. The crew shares their preferred details for installing windows in walls with continuous exterior insulation and opinions on insulating double-stud walls. We try to help a listener who is refinishing a basement that's been refinished before. Tune...

Accountant Austin shares thoughts on trade work. Ian's smoke detectors are waking him up at night. Will wonders if his windows are detailed correctly. Brian and Grant help Patrick share listener feedback, answer their questions and talk about housing affordability. Grant discusses an editorial assignment that looks at affordable windows. Brian describes his trip to Austin to learn about 3D printed...