The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Dack says we should reconsider our endorsement of LP SmartSide. Josh suggests we come up with a better name for water vapor. John wonders how to insulate his concrete garage ceiling. Keegan shares a tale sizing a heating and cooling system using AI.  Tune in to Episode 745  of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  The environmental tradeoffs of engineered wood siding How to insulate...

Welcome to the Fine Homebuilding podcast, our weekly discussion of building, remodeling, and design topics aimed at anybody who cares deeply about the craft and science of working on houses. In  Episode 744 , our best-of show, the Podcast crew revisits some of their favorite segments. Tune in to Episode 744 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  How to asses leaks behind stucco Bui...

John says that listening the FHB Podcast has him mildly terrorized. Bob wonders about using a post and manufactured earth anchor for raising his bat house. Paul is concerned that his old building's bricks are unsound. Zak asks if we know about Top Star shim screws. Special guest Josh Edmonds and Ian Schwandt discuss Josh's Fine Homebuilding Summit class before helping help Patrick address listener...

David describes an audacious tool thief and shares insights into the best clear finishes.  Tom asks Ian if he can provide sources to further his research about trade craft and guilds in Colonial America. Anna wonders is she can safely change the design of Mike Guertin's scaffold. Chris seeks advice about building a modular house on a wet site in Texas.  Tune in to Episode 742 of the Fine Homebuild...

Randy and Ian help Patrick address listener feedback about rampant tool theft and softening hard water without brine. They answer questions about running ductwork in a slab-on-grade ranch house and foundation fixes for bowed block walls.     Tune in to Episode 741 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  How new tools don't necessarily have the appeal of old favorites   Using plenum...

Casey Knips joins Grant and Patrick to talk about his FHB class on hanging complex interior doors before the whole crew addresses listener feedback and answers their home building questions. Austin alerts the FHB Podcast team about nails made from wood fiber and nailers made for driving them. S eth wonders if plywood laminations can be used instead of dimensional lumber to sister rotten floor jois...

Vince says we spent a lot of time not answering his question. David thinks it has been too long since FHB covered igloos. Steve wonders how to insulate and air-seal the bump-out breakfast nook that's showing signs of water entry. Grant was shocked to learn a current project is framed without studs.  Tune in to Episode 739 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Controlling humidity...

Ian, Randy, and Patrick address listener feedback about training to be a GC and the safety and sustainability of two-part DIY spray foam kits. They answer a builder in North Carolina who's considering SmartSide engineered siding as an alternative to fiber-cement and FHB Forum poster who is adding an LVL beam to strengthen his second-floor floor system. Tune in to Episode 738  of the Fine Homebuild...

Grant, Ian and Patrick address listener feedback about felt WRBs and building your own interior doors. Then they tackle questions about affordable entry doors and installing and living with Ikea kitchen cabinets. Tune in to Episode 737  of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Building your own interior doors for odd-sized openings Options for affordable entry doors Pros and cons to...

Brian and Ian help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions. Brian talks about interesting things happening at FHB and Ian describes what he'll be covering at his class during the fine Homebuilding Summit.   Tune in to Episode 736 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:  Tool theft in the US, UK, and Canada and its effect on trade workers The pros and cons to clea...

Brian, Ian and Patrick talk about plans for the 2026 Fine Homebuilding Summit. James shares his advice for insulating and air-sealing attic knee walls. Chris wonders if window manufacturers should be teaching installers how to flash windows. Heather asks how to detail a slab on grade foundation with interior stem wall insulation. Ian seeks advice on addressing a previous owners questionable upgrad...

Ian and Grant help Patrick Adress listener feedback and answer their questions about ventilation for a small apartment building and the best way to fit doors when the floor slopes around them. David discusses bath tub drains in Japan and Taiwan. Will shares tips for airtight windows with tight fitting extension jambs. Greg asks about ventilation for his four-unit apartment building. Jim wonders if...

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...