The Fine Homebuilding Podcast - Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Latest Episodes:

#179: Redundant Housewrap, Hybrid Timberframes, and an End to Vented Crawlspaces May 10, 2019

Show notes

The Fine Homebuilding editors offer their opinions on adding two layers of Typar, suggest affordable alternatives to a building a full timber-frame house, and wonder why anyone thinks it's OK to build house on top of a mold farm.

Patrick, Matt, and Rob start of the episode by digging into the details of their own projects, including a custom metal project, a modest garden shed, and cabinet choices for a closet. Then it's on to some constructive feedback about educational and business resources for tradespeople before tackling the typical assortment of construction questions.

#178: Interview With Home-Building Guru Mike Guertin May 03, 2019

Show notes

Mike and his apprentice Addison Oliveira stop by the Fine Homebuilding studio for a chat with Patrick about getting started in the trades, advancements in construction over the past few decades, job-site safety, and more.

We are very fortunate this week to have one of our favorite people, Mike Guertin, in town to join in on the podcast. Many of you may know that Mike is one of Fine Homebuilding's most prolific contributors, and with good reason: he is extremely dedicated to advancing construction methods, and equally determined to share his knowledge and experience with as many people as possible. Among other things, you will hear about how he got his start in home building; what it was like writing articles in the early days of Fine Homebuilding Magazine; and, in an interesting aside, his experience with transplanting rhubarb.

#177: Three Design Solutions for Remodeling a Cramped Bathroom Apr 26, 2019

Show notes

Fine Homebuilding design editor Kiley Jacques joins the podcast this week to talk about the bathroom-design challenge she tasked three architects with for an upcoming magazine article.

Patrick, Matt, and Kiley talk about their own kitchen and bathroom remodeling plans before digging into listener questions about unvented bath fans, custom-milled interior trim, whole-house designs, and strange dormer layouts.

#176: When Are Compromises on Quality Materials Worth the Savings? Apr 19, 2019

Show notes

The Fine Homebuilding editors swap stories about some of their own spring projects before–among other things–debating the pros and cons of affordable alternatives to fine-homebuilding products.

In this week's podcast, one listener asks if he should break the budget if he really wants to do a top-notch remodeling job; plus, a non-builder listener confirms that builders and remodelers are clearly not the only professionals who give free estimates; and another listener send us photos of some brilliant job-site furniture that a bunch of contractors cobbled together.

#175: Stair Stringers, Laser Levels, and Duct Design Apr 12, 2019

Show notes

The Fine Homebuilding editors offer advice about framing new stairs for a deck, choosing the right level for a whole-house construction project, and figuring out how to upgrade an old HVAC system for efficiency and comfort.

Patrick kicks off this week's conversation with an update on his trial of Spray & Forget mold remover to clean up the grungy siding on his house, then Rob contemplates some interesting architectural follies he saw on a local country road. Matt gets us into a more technical topic–one contractor's peculiar way of insulating the underside of a house built on piers–before the crew jumps into answering a few listeners' emails.

#174: How to Level a Sagging Floor Apr 05, 2019

Show notes

One podcast listener wonders if he should jack up his drooping joists or if he can just create a flat floor using tapered sleepers over the old subfloor.

On this week's show, Patrick, Matt, and Rob talk about rigid fiberglass insulation, saving energy with low-flow shower heads, and siding details on houses with garrison-style overhangs, before answering listeners' questions about leveling floor framing, bringing the grade up for an accessible entrance, and what books to read to become a better builder.

#173: Interview at JLC Live with George Caruso from Benjamin Obdyke Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

The Director of Innovation from this manufacturer of moisture-management products talks about how getting feedback from customers is an essential to making materials that meet today's home-building needs.

#172: Interview at JLC Live with Ulrich Dahne and Holger Binder from Stabila Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

The Fine Homebuilding editors talk to the CEO and sales director of this world-renowned 130-year-old manufacturer of high-quality measuring equipment about why the simple spirit level is still popular in a world of lasers and digital displays.

#171: Interview at JLC Live with Caleb Morris from Viewrail Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

The Fine Homebuilding editors chat with Caleb about how his family business made the transition from a traditional stair parts supplier to a leading manufacturer of custom metal floating stairs and modern railing systems.

#170: Is There Really a Skilled-Trade Gap? Mar 29, 2019

Show notes

One listener wonders why he's not seeing much demand for experienced carpenters in his part of the country.

Inspired by details unearthed during the renovation of a local 19th-century home, Patrick, Justin, and Rob dig into the history of high-quality house design and discuss Jonathan Hale's book, The Old Way of Seeing. Then it's on to listener emails, starting with feedback about the trade gap, where one builder asks why the work everyone is talking about is not materializing where he lives. Another listener tells the story of his company's experience losing money by overdoing a big job estimate, and he suggests devising a clear job-estimating plan that strikes a balance between efficiency and due diligence. Of course there are also listener questions to answer, including how to tell stucco lathe from skip sheathing, whether or not to make an addition more airtight and watertight than the original house, and how to safely detail an at-grade entryway.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast – Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected