UnBuild It Podcast

Lots to consider from frame to finish in terms of materials and connection to main structure. The boys agreed that--for bulk water management--attaching the deck ledger to the main structure should be done either for lateral stability only or with the ledger spaced out from the main structure. Pete's Resource(s): 1. FPL Deck Guide: https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/pdf1997/falk97d.pdf (dat...

Space conditioning loads can be managed by building professionals through building enclosure and mechanical system efficiency--easy-peasy. But what about the loads determined by occupants and their behavior: domestic hot water, appliance, lighting and plug loads? The boys load up to tackle all kinds of issues and loads connecting energy efficiency and thermal comfort; connecting generation and dis...

From environmental footprint and slump tests to value-engineered footings and post-tension slabs, the boys do some solid coverage of concrete in buildings. While Pete suggested this topic, Steve goes from skeptical to the leader on all things concrete. Pete's Resource(s): 1. Concrete carbon footprint: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/reducing-concretes-hefty-carbon-footprint   2....

Listener Wes asks about radiant barriers (Pete goes way deep on this one...); listener Chris G wants to know if there is a "perfect" (ala Joe Lstiburek) shower wall (with Pete responding he had just taken a shower that had a "perfect" wall); listener Howdy (dubbed so by Jake 'cause we did not have his name) from Climate Zone 3 asks about  new construction, unvented roof as...

Listener Steve C--mitered corners on cladding (plus "Trust But Verify" t-shirts!); listener Jason L--detailing Huber ZIP-R at window openings; Listener Dan--worry over window details with ZIP-R; Listener Jeff (who buttered us up with his love for UBIP)--cavity fill rockwool or CCSPF in retrofit and if CCSF can it be the WRB/can new OSB sheathing be the WRB? Pete's Resource(s): 1. Tr...

Suzanne from Bozeman asked such a great question it gets a SECOND podcast but this time focusing on how far is too far when remodeling in general (instead of just an addition). Tons of cool issues but here is a "gem" from each of the boys. STEVE: Consider re-design before adding new design. How well are existing spaces being used? Maybe reconfigure/repurpose as the most efficient remodel...

Featured in this episode--from Suzanne in Bozeman Montana: When renovating, how far should you take performance improvements, on the whole building, on just part of it, or an addition? What about going from the inside versus the outside? What about dealing with windows?  The overall UBIP response? Do as much as you can, in as much of the building as you can, WITH the same control layer priorities:...

Window weeps are the drainage system for the Insulated Glazing Unit (IGU), protecting the vulnerable seals that sit at the bottom of the IGU. Do all windows have them/need them? Are they meant to handle interior condensation as well as exterior leaks? Should they drain to the face of the frame (visible) or to the bottom of the window frame (hidden)? Pete remains sad, curious, and even a bit disgru...

The BS of BS--the bullshit of building science--is Steve's way of characterizing sound building science gone haywire in totally screwy application. Examples include paralyzing worry over vapor diffusion as a way that buildings get wet, insane levels of exterior insulation in below-grade walls, using only financial payback when comparing double- and triple-pane windows (ignoring thermal comfor...

In this week’s UBIP, Jake Bruton is joined by a small group of builders to discuss training. Follow along as Jackson Andrews, Luke Mann, and Shane Durkin talk about the ins and outs of training in the building industry. To find out more about these guys; https://www.instagram.com/jake.bruton/ https://www.instagram.com/rangelinehomes/ https://www.instagram.com/jacksonandrewsbuilding/ https://www.in...

Join the boys and Randy Williams, Northern Built Pro, live from day 3 at the Huber booth at the International Builders' show.

Join the boys and Chris Vegas, Technology Director Huber Engineered Woods, live from day 1 at the Huber booth at the Internation Buillders' show.

In this week’s UBIP, Jake Bruton is joined by a small group of builders to discuss conflict resolution. Follow along as Jackson Andrews, Luke Mann, and Shane Durkin talk about the ins and outs of conflict resolution in the building industry. To find out more about these guys; https://www.instagram.com/jake.bruton/ https://www.instagram.com/rangelinehomes/ https://www.instagram.com/jacksonandrewsbu...

Three great questions UBIP-answered: proper insulation of slab-one-grade perimeter and the entire slab; managing moisture at the ridge in unvented roof assemblies; proper detailing of the bottom edge of wall sheathing where it meets the concrete foundation system. Since these three are a bit hard to cover--even for the UBIP boys--with just words, good time to check out Pete's Resources below....

In this week’s UBIP, Jake Bruton is joined by a small group of builders to discuss finance. Follow along as Jackson Andrews, Luke Mann, and Shane Durkin talk about the ins and outs of finance in building. To find out more about these guys; https://www.instagram.com/jake.bruton/ https://www.instagram.com/rangelinehomes/ https://www.instagram.com/jacksonandrewsbuilding/ https://www.instagram.com/bui...

Jake and Pete host retired building scientist/mold expert/pulmonary physician, Nathan Yost. Yes, the older and wiser older brother to Pete. Jake and Pete take full advantage of Steve's absence to get the strongest and most focused discussion with Nathan. Long story short: Nathan connects the building science, the biology, and the medical perspective on mold and its management. Pete's Res...

In this week’s UBIP, Jake Bruton is joined by a small group of builders to discuss contracts. Follow along as Jackson Andrews, Luke Mann, and Shane Durkin talk about the ins and outs of contracts. To find out more about these guys; https://www.instagram.com/jake.bruton/ https://www.instagram.com/rangelinehomes/ https://www.instagram.com/jacksonandrewsbuilding/ https://www.instagram.com/buildpatrio...

At the heart of this issue is the new acronym, TFF--Temporarily Fully Functional. That would be everyone because no one gets around the loss of function as we age. It's not a question of if but when. How well should our homes support the loss of function? Maybe high-performance homes that are just as "UD-ready" as they are "PV-ready" (UD for Universal Design/PV for Photo-V...

In this week’s UBIP Jake Bruton is joined by a small group of builders to discuss Preconstruction Contracts and getting paid for project planning. Follow along as Jackson Andrews, Luke Mann, and Shane Durkin debate the differing ways that each of their firms operates during preconstruction. To find more about these guys; https://www.instagram.com/jake.bruton/ https://www.instagram.com/rangelinehom...

No touchy-feely stuff here--this is a hard-core business discussion. Good business means BOTH building professionals and clients listening not simply hearing. Wait, what is the difference between listening and hearing again? Listening describes an intentional activity; you are actively trying to hear and process something. Hearing is not intentional; hearing is something that just happens, whether...

In this week’s Unbuild It Podcast Jake Bruton is joined by a small group of builders to discuss their Ah Ha moments in their careers. Follow along as Jackson Andrews, Luke Mann, and Shane Durkin chat with this, the first in a multi-part series Jake and the guys filmed. 

Our industry-led improvement of building performance with insulation--completely ass-backward from a building science perspective. Doesn't mean insulation is not important; just means we need to take care of other business first (see the 1st three in this series: water, air, vapor). And just as important as insulation and energy efficiency is thermal comfort, complicating things a bit more. T...

Holy Smokes--Steve and Pete agree that vapor control is not about a single layer! While this may be the most technical discussion in the Love/Hate series, it still includes plenty of Jake and Steve building science band names. Pete's Resource: GBA's "Vapor Profiles Help Predict Whether a Wall Can Dry" Pete Townshend - Let My Love Open The Door

The LOVE--from Pete's nearly romantic relationship with blower doors to Steve's fascination with theatrical fog--and then the HATE--from Jake's intolerance for any builder who does not know what a blower door is to Steve's complete frustration with confused spaces ("You are either inside or outside every space in your buildings--there is no in-between"). Three blowhar...

The first in a series of four episodes on the control layers. This approach is trademarked, WTF, Steve Baczek. Expect to hear about flush modern designs, open-joint claddings, and spray testing. We hope you love and not hate this series... Pete's Resource: Building Science Corporation's Enclosures That Work - https://www.buildingscience.com/document-search?term=&field_doc_topic_tid=A...