The Fine Homebuilding Podcast - Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Latest Episodes:

#749: IKEA Cabinets, Insulating Post-Frame Buildings and Double Sheathing Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Randy and Ian help Patrick address listener feedback about RTA cabinets and shim screws before talking about the best way to insulate a post frame building that's being converted to living space and the pros and cons of an extra sheathing layer under steel siding. Tune in to Episode 749 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

How IKEA cabinets hold up in the real world
The best way to insulate a formerly unconditioned outbuilding
Should you have another sheathing layer on top of exterior insulation

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 749

➡️ Buy tickets for the 2026 Fine Homebuilding Summit — use code "Podcast15" for 15% off

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#748: A-Frame Scaffolding, Leaky Stucco, and Garage Floor Insulation Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Dan Kolbert says to use the tools that work best. Mike Guertin offers advice for site-built scaffold. Jordan asks about fixing leaks behind stucco exteriors. Greg wonders if he should insulate the floor of his garage shop. Tune in to Episode 748 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

Altering the size and height of Mike Guertin's A-frame scaffold system
How to track down a leak behind stucco and how you fix it
Should you insulate a concrete shop floor and how

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 748

➡️ Buy tickets for the 2026 Fine Homebuilding Summit — use code "Podcast15" for 15% off

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

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#747: Lab Grown Lumber, Controlling Humidity, and Exterior Insulation Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Matt Puntin says that helical piers are a game-changer. Patrick and Greg alert us to lab-grown lumber. Brad asks about controlling humidity in a beautiful, old brick house. D_Dart wonders which is the right exterior insulation.

Tune in to Episode 747 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

The potential benefits of lab-grown lumber
How to control humidity in an old brick house in a mixed climate
Which rigid insulation is right for adding exterior continuous insulation

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 747

➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

#746: Steam Humidifiers, Hydraulic Drivers, and Changes in Construction Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Ken describes the efficiency of common residential humidification systems. Bob reminds us about concrete igloos. Miranda asks the Podcast what has changed in residential construction since the first episodes. Grant talks about a new category of quieter impact driver called hydraulic or oil-impulse drivers.

Tune in to Episode 746 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

The energy consumption of steam humidifiers
The pros and cons of hydraulic impact drivers
Changes in residential construction over the last 10 years

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 746

➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

#745: Gaseous Water, Garage Insulation, and Using AI for HVAC Sizing Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

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 a garage ceiling that's made from poured concrete.
The challenges of sizing heating and cooling equipment

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 745

➡️ Get your tickets for the FHB Summit!

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#744: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 11 Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

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
Building a "fine" home on a tight budget
The difference between cabinet saws and portable job-site saws

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 744

➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

#743: Building Science Overload, Old Bricks, and Shim Screws for Doors and Windows Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

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 feedback and answer their questions. Tune in to Episode 743 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

Getting overwhelmed with Building Science
Do dusty bricks in a masonry building mean trouble
The pros and cons of Top Star shim screws for doors and windows

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 743

➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

#742: Clear Finishes, Site-Built Scaffolding, and Foundation for a Wet Site Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

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 Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

Durable, easy-to-renew clear finishes
Mike Guertin's A-frame scaffolding
Building a modular home on a wet site using helical piers

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 742

➡️ Learn about Right Sizing Mechanicals with Allison Bailes

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#741: Stolen Tools, Ducts in Plenum Trusses, and Bowing Foundation Walls Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

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 trusses to keep HVAC ductwork in the conditioned space
Fixes for cracked and bowing block foundation walls

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 741

➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

#740: Wooden Nails, Strengthening Joists and Rebuilding Squeaky Stairs Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

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. Seth wonders if plywood laminations can be used instead of dimensional lumber to sister rotten floor joists. Scott asks for advice on rebuilding squeaky stairs in an 1880's brick rowhouse.

Tune in to Episode 740 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: