The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Justin, Brian, and Matt discuss the upcoming Remodeling Show and Deck Expo, an upcoming podcast episode with a master-class woodworker, working with wiring and conduit, and approaching work as a craftsman.

Three listener questions ... and the guys offer crown molding tips and clapboard siding advice. Plus, Justin's eye safety tale and ... "the nerdery never stops"!

The guys talk about the ideal work set-up vehicle, bad roof vents at two sites, poor building material supply experiences, and insulating rim joists.

In this episode, the guys talk about Matt's reasons and plans for building a cabin, or maybe a cottage. Justin leads a discussion on steel framing, and what happens to a steel-framed house in a fire. Exterior insulation and commercial building influences on steel framing are also a part of the conversation. Plus, metal plates in Rob's basement remodel, and Rob hijacks the podcast to talk about fix...

Working alone vs. managing staff on site -- and what happens when OSB gets wet -- are two of the topics discussed by editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid in this episode.

Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink returns to the podcast after a week off. He reports on his "staycation," in which he worked on his garage/workshop. He strapped batts to the hip-roof and then air-sealed it all with rigid-foam insulation. Then he used a lift to put up drywal and used compounds to fill the gaps. He used a drywall texture tool to add texture to the walls and ceiling, and then pai...

Cellulose insulation, PVC dormer trim, working alone, dryer venting, and special offers are on the agenda in this podcast episode with Matthew Millham, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid.        

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham and design editor Brian Pontolilo join FHB editor Justin Fink in this podcast episode. The guys tackle a reader question on rot on the fascia board of a flat-roofed back porch. Plus, a follow up to the drywall in Justin's garage, Brian's work at his house, and Matt's new place.

In this podcast episode, host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. The guys tackle reader questions on siding durability on a sloped lot and more. Plus, running conduit, yard clean-up, and hauling sheetrock.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham and design editor Brian Pontolilo join FHB editor Justin Fink in this podcast episode. This episode features listener questions, focusing on load-bearing beams, choosing pipe, and what to do with an unused dryer vent. And Brian has strong opinions about water penetration through siding.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham joins FHB editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid in this podcast episode. Matt's a new editor at FHB, as well as an Army veteran and a recent grad from the State University of New York's residential construction program. Plus, straw-bale construction, DIY rim-joist insulation, and OSB vs plywood.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Brian talks about his recent visit with South-Dakota-based master carpenter Ben Brunick. They discuss Ben's honest, do-it-the-hard-way technique, including how he softens window glazes, but not old paint. Plus, more on Rob's roof renovation. The guys also talk about roo...

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Patrick McCombe joins FHB editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid in this podcast episode. After a bit of an absence from the show, Rob gets grilled on his 1940's Cape remodel, taking a deep dive into removing his old three-layer roof, and the home-made scaffolding he used for the job. Plus, copper wiring vs. aluminum -- and new basement supports in a...

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Patrick McCombe joins FHB editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo in this podcast episode. The conversation ranges far and wide over plaster, batteries, small homes, and nailers. Plus, #KeepCraftAlive!

In this podcast episode, another Texan joins host and editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo — Jeremy Martin, a builder in Austin, Texas. Jeremy has done everything from finish carpentry to managing on-site construction, interfacing with architects and designers, and running sales, marketing and financial operations. He's a realtor. He holds the highest level of certification from th...

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by design editor Brian Pontolilo and a special guest — Brent Hull, the founder and owner of Hull Historical. They talk about Brent's books, his show, and his efforts to #KeepCraftAlive.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Topics for this show include modern cabins, small homes, roof vents, and building a foundation on piers.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Rob shares his plans and progress as he works on the unfinished attic space of his Cape-Cod-style home. A listener asks about the real value of energy efficiency, which turns out to be ... well ... complicated. Also, another listener asks about vermiculite, and whether...

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. They have advice for a listener who is remodeling a mountain home in California where it snows — but HARD! Listeners also ask about sheathing and wall technology, garage foundations, and more.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Brian talks about his visit to a house in Austin, Texas, that uses an automated, app-activated system to control lights and shades. He explains how a remodeling firm keeps their jobs on budget, with four project managers juggling one or two projects at a time. Plus arch...

In this podcast episode, editor and host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Patrick McCombe. They take the entire episode to argue about the best way to spend $2,500 on tools.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. The guys respond to a listener who takes them to task over their lead paint stripping advice. Another listener asks about Rob's dormer build, sizing his dormers to look appropriate given the design of his house, but also having a large enough clearing to meet code for e...

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. They talk about their own projects: Justin's porch, Brian's involvement with the American Institute of Architects, and Rob's basement. Other topics covered in this podcast: countertops, oil finishes, lightning strikes, fence posts, roofing, grouting, and building a hous...

In this podcast episode, Host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Patrick McCombe. They tackle listener questions on painting vinyl siding, farmhouse style homes, and a brick chimney repair.

In this podcast episode, Fine Homebuilding editor-at-large Kevin Ireton joins editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo for conversation that explores a key question: "We know how to build better, so why aren't we?" After 20-plus years of advancing building science, Energy Star for homes, and green research, we have the know-how to make homes more energy efficient, comfortable, durable,...