The Fine Homebuilding Podcast - Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Latest Episodes:

#719: Construction Robots, Oscillating Multitools, and Spray-Foaming a Victorian Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

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 of oscillating multitools and the best cordless multi-tools
The benefits and risks of insulating old houses with spray foam

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 719

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#718: Electrification, What Kind of Windows, and Uncomfortable Bonus Rooms Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

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 pretty good house
Fixing comfort problems in above-garage living space

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 718

➡️ Sign Up for Gary Striegler's eLearning Course 'Mastering Essential Jobsite Tools'

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#717: Best of FHB Podcast, Volume 10 Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

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 Building Code
The best way to build a post-frame building
Effective collaboration between buiders and architects

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 717

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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#716: Shop Foundations, Steam Showers, and Sealing a Brick Crawlspace Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

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 embodied carbon
The right way to build and detail a steam shower to control water vapor
Sealing and insulating a crawlspace in an old house

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 716

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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#715: Affordable Tools, Motivating Trade Workers, and Whole-House Dehumidifiers Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

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.

Tune in to Episode 715 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

Advancement and incremental raises for new trade workers
The utility and cost of smart vapor retarders
Where to put a whole-house dehumidifier

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 715

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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#714: Lead Paint, Exterior Insulation, and Deck Ledger Condensation Control Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

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 paint risks with architectural salvage
Introducing exterior insulation to inexperienced crews
Does an insulated band joist dry behind properly-flashed deck ledgers

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 714

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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#713: Insulation Problems, Septic Systems, and Slowing Thermal Bridging Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

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 workmanship causing problems with efficiency upgrades in the UK
Why septic systems are poorly marked and lack monitoring technology
The newest stud meant to slow thermal bridging

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 713

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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#712: What Clients Want, Heat During Construction, and Enclosure Retrofit Sanity Check Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

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 clients having trouble caring about what they can't see
Pros and cons of common temporary job site heating
Rebuilding the shell of a house you're living in

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 712

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

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#711: Training Ex-Military for Trade Work, Questioning Carbon, and Where's the Sheathing? Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

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 about:

The Department of Defense's Skill Bridge Program
Decarbonizing houses and the proliferation of data centers and AI
Boosting the energy performance of houses without sheathing

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 711

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

➡️ 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.

#710: Windows With Exterior Insulation, Double-Stud Walls, and Basement Remodeling Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

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 in to Episode 710 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: