UnBuild It Podcast: Recent Episodes

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How do you design a home for floods, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, or ice storms? In this episode, Steve, Jake, and Pete explore what it really means to build for extreme events—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Drawing from real-world experience, Steve and Jake discuss how high-performance homes can be adapted to withstand the specific hazards of a site’s climate and geography. From flood-resistant foundations and safe rooms to wildfire resilience and high-wind detailing, the conversation focuses on matching building strategies to the level of protection each client wants to achieve.

The discussion also highlights an important philosophy: building professionals aren’t there to judge a client’s concerns—they’re there to understand the risks, explain the tradeoffs, and design solutions that meet the client’s goals.

Whether you’re building in a floodplain, earthquake zone, hurricane corridor, or wildfire-prone area, this episode explores the principles behind resilient, durable homes designed for the unexpected.

Pete’s Resources:

FEMA Breakaway Walls Guidance

FEMA Safe Room Design Guide

FEMA Flood Openings in Foundation Walls

Simpson Strong-Tie High Wind Construction Guide

FamilySafe Storm Shelters

IBHS Home Disaster Guides

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Three listener questions lead to three very different building science discussions—from cold-climate roof assemblies to aging-in-place design and innovative foundation systems.

The episode begins with a Climate Zone 7 tongue-and-groove ceiling question, comparing ZIP sheathing and smart vapor retarders for airtightness and moisture control beneath a vented attic. From there, a question about zero-threshold exterior doors expands into a broader conversation about Universal Design and designing homes that remain accessible throughout every stage of life.

The final discussion explores alternatives to traditional concrete foundations, including wood-based and prefabricated foundation systems. Steve and Jake weigh in on whether they would actually build with these systems, while Pete introduces an intriguing below-grade SIP foundation from Extreme Panel Technologies that was new to all three hosts.

Three listener questions, dozens of practical takeaways, and another deep dive into the details that shape better buildings.

Pete’s Resources:

Climate Zone 7 T&G Ceiling

• SBA – ZIP Ceiling
• SBA – Smart Vapor Retarder Ceiling

Universal Design & Aging in Place

• Build Show – Forever Home Series
• European Exterior Doors
• Automatic Drop-Down Door Seals
• The Universal Design Project
• Mississippi State Barrier-Free Design Guides

Alternative Foundations

• Extreme Panel Technologies Foundations
• CCA Treated Plywood Specification

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How much can a building affect human health—and what happens when occupants become highly sensitive to their environment? In this episode, Steve and Pete are joined by retired building scientist and pulmonary physician Nathan Yost for a thoughtful discussion on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and its relationship to building performance.

Nathan shares insights from decades of experience working with clients dealing with chemical sensitivities, along with more recent medical understanding surrounding pregnancy, hormonal changes, and biochemical sensitivities. The conversation explores where building science intersects with health concerns, how indoor environments can influence occupant comfort, and what building professionals should consider when designing for sensitive individuals.

Steve also shares examples from recent projects where MCS concerns led to major changes in materials, specifications, and interior design decisions. The discussion even ventures into the controversial topic of electromagnetic fields and so-called “dead zones,” highlighting the challenges of balancing occupant concerns with evidence-based building practice.

It’s a fascinating conversation about the overlap between buildings, health, and the limits of what construction professionals can realistically control.

Pete’s Resources:
Helping People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Medical Conditions Building Professionals Need to Know About
Prescriptions for a Healthy House (4th Edition)
NIH – Electric & Magnetic Fields
BuildingGreen – Building Design and EMF

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Four listener questions. Four very different building science challenges. One highly technical episode.

Steve, Jake, and Pete tackle a collection of building puzzles that span foundations, roofs, wall assemblies, and moisture management. The discussion starts with expansive soils and why successful construction often depends on engineered foundation systems designed to accommodate soil movement. From there, the crew examines attic radiant barriers, where they work best, and why climate matters when evaluating their performance.

The conversation then shifts to a cold-climate stucco retrofit involving exterior rigid insulation, reinforcing a core building science principle: prioritize the four control layers in the right order—water first, airtightness second, drying potential third, and thermal control fourth. Finally, they unpack the risks of a “diaper wall” assembly, where moisture-sensitive materials become trapped between low-permeance layers, and discuss how weather protection and airtightness can reduce those risks.

A highly technical episode packed with practical problem-solving, building science fundamentals, and real-world application.

Pete’s Resources:

• Post-Tension Slabs for Expansive Soils
• Evolution of Foundation Design for Expansive Soils
• ORNL Thermal Performance Evaluation of Attic Radiant Barrier Systems
• Building America Solution Center – Attic Radiant Barriers
• EPA Moisture Control Guidance
• GBA – Vapor Profiles Help Predict Whether a Wall Can Dry

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Do certifications, standards, and professional credentials actually lead to better buildings—or just more paperwork? Steve, Jake, and Pete tackle one of the more uncomfortable questions in the building industry: why so many standards fail to consistently produce better outcomes in the real world.

The conversation ranges from ASTM standards and manufacturer testing to architectural credentials and industry certifications, questioning where standards genuinely help—and where culture, habits, and resistance to change become the bigger obstacle. Steve makes the case that the industry’s biggest challenge may not be technical at all, but cultural.

The crew also digs into one of Steve’s standout ideas: “chase friction.” Instead of accepting inefficient details, weak processes, or recurring failures, the goal should be to constantly look for the points of resistance that reveal where buildings can improve.

It’s an opinionated discussion with a few disagreements along the way, but the central takeaway is clear: meaningful progress only happens through rigorous education—for both building professionals and clients alike.

Pete’s Resources:

• Treasure of the Sierra Madre clip
• ISO Construction Quality Standards
• Construction Education & Certifications
• Chasing Friction Article

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Can ZIP-R panels work on a roof—and should they? Steve, Jake, and Nick Sabol from Huber’s Technical team dig into a topic that’s getting a lot of attention in the field.

This episode breaks down the full set of considerations behind putting insulated sheathing on the roof deck: structural loading, fastening and shear, hygrothermal behavior, condensation risk, and long-term durability. The crew looks at where the idea makes sense, where it doesn’t, and what you need to understand before trying it on a real project.

It’s a detail-heavy conversation that connects theory to field conditions—exactly where most “good ideas” succeed or fail. And for Pete’s top resource on this one? Call Steve.

Pete’s Resources:

• ICC-ES Report 1473
• Roofs & Attics: The Building Science of “the Lid”
• Huber Technical Support: techquestions@huber.com

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Do wildfire zones actually change how rainscreens should be detailed—and where does conventional thinking fall short? Nick Sabol from Huber’s Product Engineering team is back with Steve and Pete to continue the deep dive into wall details that actually work.

This episode focuses on rainscreen strategies in wildfire-prone areas and challenges the assumption that every risk requires a completely different assembly. The discussion also highlights Steve’s perspective on using materials like ZIP sheathing in unconventional ways—prioritizing performance and continuity over tradition when it makes sense.

From fire exposure considerations to air barrier continuity, the conversation connects real-world risk with practical detailing decisions. It’s a continuation of the Part I discussion, with a sharper focus on where building science meets evolving conditions like the Wildland Urban Interface.

Pete’s Resources:

• ICC Harmathy’s Ten Rules
• US Fire Administration – Wildland Urban Interface
• IBHS External Sprinklers for Wildfire Defense
• Build Show – Air Barrier Continuity (Wall to Ceiling)
• Build Show – Air Barrier Continuity (Ceiling)

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What are the most critical wall details for managing water and air—and where do builders get them wrong? Nick Sabol from Huber’s Product Engineering team joins the crew for a technical deep dive into exterior wall assemblies that actually perform.

Pete, Jake, and Nick focus on two of the most failure-prone areas in construction: bottom-of-wall-to-foundation connections and window rainscreen detailing. The discussion breaks down how to properly manage bulk water, maintain continuous air control, and integrate systems so they work together instead of against each other.

Along the way, they introduce RAINA (Rainscreen Association in North America) and highlight why rainscreen strategies are becoming essential for durability across climates. It’s a detail-heavy episode with practical takeaways for builders, designers, and anyone serious about building enclosures—plus, for better or worse, no Dad joke this time.

Pete’s Resources:

• Huber ZIP System Bottom-of-Wall Details
• Above-Grade Foundation Wall Waterproofing (GBA)
• Huber Technical Support: 1.800.933.9220 | techquestions@huber.com
• RAINA (Rainscreen Association of North America)
• Must-Know Window and Door Flashing Details

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How much load can insulation actually carry—and are we over-engineering residential buildings without realizing it?

This episode goes deep into the structural and thermal realities behind common building materials. The crew breaks down compressive loading on rigid insulation, long-term creep behavior, and how these factors influence slab and foundation design. From there, the conversation expands into thermal bridging challenges in wood and concrete assemblies, and how innovative framing systems like EcoSmart and Tolko aim to improve performance.

Along the way, they question a core assumption in residential construction: are we solving problems that don’t actually exist? The discussion highlights where engineering matters—and where it may be overkill.

And in true UnBuild It fashion, Steve closes things out with an unexpected design tangent involving beehives.

Pete’s Resources:

• Compressive Creep Behavior of EPS Geofoam
• BSI-059: Slab Happy
• BSI-118: Concrete Solutions
• EcoSmart Studs
• Tolko Wall Framing

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Climate drives building performance. In the first episode of a three-part series, Pete, Steve, and Jake explore why climate matters so much in building science.

Steve kicks off the discussion with a simple analogy: Would you pack the same suitcase for Minneapolis in February, Honolulu in March, and New Orleans in July? Of course not. Buildings work the same way. Design decisions about insulation, vapor control, air barriers, and drying potential all depend on where the building lives.

The conversation walks through how climate zones influence building enclosure strategy and why national research from the Building America program has shaped modern high-performance construction. And of course, no climate discussion would be complete without Joe Lstiburek’s “Perfect Wall,” one of the most influential concepts in applied building science.

This is the first of three episodes exploring how location shapes building design. Next up: Site and Extreme Events.

Pete’s Resources:

• Building America Solution Center – Climate search
• PNNL US Climate Map Guide
• BSC Enclosures That Work
• BSC BSI-001 The Perfect Wall

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Is social media helping the building industry—or hurting it? Matt Risinger joins Jake and Steve as the Three Social Media Amigos to roast Pete, the resident social media skeptic, and unpack what online platforms really mean for builders, architects, and building science pros.

The conversation draws a sharp line between the dark side of social media—misinformation, marketing noise, and ego-driven content—and its best potential: real information transfer, community, and better buildings through shared knowledge. It’s entertaining, honest, and occasionally brutal (especially for Pete), but it also raises serious questions about how we learn, teach, and influence in a digital world.

The takeaway? Social media can either amplify expertise or dilute it. The difference comes down to intent, integrity, and how we use the tools.

Pete’s Resources:

• Information Transfer in Social Media (ResearchGate)
• Matt Risinger – The Build Show
• Jake Bruton
• Steve Baczek
• Pete Yost

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Who really matters most on a building project—and can the team actually work together? In this episode, the crew digs into the five “gears” of the building process: designers, builders, manufacturers, consultants, and building owners or users. The big question is whether any one of those gears is more important than the others—or whether good buildings only happen when they all mesh.

Steve cuts straight to the chase, sharing how he really feels about consultants (that would be Pete) and, in particular, energy modelers. The discussion gets lively, honest, and occasionally spicy, but the takeaway is clear: the best-performing buildings come from integrated teams that respect each role and work together from the start.

It’s a candid look at collaboration, friction, and why integrated design isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential if you actually want buildings that perform as intended.

Pete’s Resources:

• GBA Integrated Design
• WBDG Engage the Integrated Design Process
• BuildingGreen – Integrated Project Delivery
• GBA Residential Commissioning
• ORNL Free WUFI Versions

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Are vented crawlspaces really a bad idea—and can you actually over-insulate a window frame? The crew gets fired up tackling two topics that refuse to die in building science conversations.

First up is crawlspaces. The boys dig into a bit of U.S. crawlspace history, what vented crawlspaces were originally intended to do, and why they so often fail to perform as hoped. They walk through what crawlspaces should and should not do, and why climate, moisture, and enclosure strategy matter far more than tradition.

Then Steve takes the lead on one of his favorite “dumb ideas”: over-insulating window frames. While improving window performance absolutely matters, the discussion makes the case that, except in very cold climates, obsessing over frame insulation can introduce new water-management risks—and distract from much bigger thermal priorities elsewhere in the enclosure.

Classic UnBuild It: strong opinions, real-world building science, and a reminder to focus effort where it actually moves the performance needle.

Pete’s Resources:

• Building America Solution Center – Crawlspaces
• BSI-115: Crawlspaces – Either In or Out
• LSU La House Crawlspace
• GBA Q&A on Window Frame Insulation
• Pete Yost on Thermal Buck

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Can ERVs actually dehumidify a home? And does it ever make sense to use a dehumidifier in a vented crawlspace? Two listener questions spark a lively—and slightly ruthless—discussion that leads to one of Steve’s classic lines: “Suck it up, buttercup!”

The crew digs into how moisture really behaves in dry climates, what ERVs can and cannot do when it comes to latent load management, and why dehumidification strategies that work in one climate can be completely wrong in another. They also unpack the challenges of managing moisture in vented crawlspaces and why adding equipment isn’t always the right answer.

Along the way, the conversation takes an important turn into floodplain construction, with a great discussion—and a must-read resource—on FEMA breakaway walls and how they intersect with moisture management and durability. Plenty of tough love, plenty of building science, and lots of useful takeaways despite the rough ride.

PETE'S RESOURCES:
- "Dealing with Moisture of Construction" (GBA)
- Do ERVs really manage interior sources of moisture? (GBA Q&A)
- "Understanding & Measuring Humidity" (GBA)
- "Household Sources of Moisture" (GBA)
- "Design & Construction for Breakaway Walls" (FEMA)

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Windows are one of the most confusing—and consequential—components of a high-performance home. In this episode, the crew takes a deep dive into window and glass selection, aiming to make things clear without letting your eyes glaze over.

The discussion covers dual-pane versus triple-pane insulated glazing units, IGU numbering conventions, and the relatively new i89 coating—including what it means for thermal performance and condensation risk. They also unpack the difference between center-of-glass values and full-window NFRC performance numbers, and why those distinctions matter when making real design decisions.

One gem of a takeaway sums it all up, with Jake quoting Steve: “The windows, the envelope, and the HVAC are one line item.”

Pete’s Resources:

• Cardinal Glass Technical Guide (2025 Version 3.1)
• BA 0402 “Singing the Blues in the Key of Low-E”
• A Review of Advanced Architectural Glazing Technologies
• Efficient Window Coverings

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A detailed look at smarter HVAC ducting, better airflow, and what it really takes to manage appliance exhaust and makeup air in high-performance homes.

The boys dive into the how and why behind HVAC duct layout, register placement, and whole-house airflow. They break down how interior design, enclosure performance, and mechanical systems must coordinate—because ducting isn’t just about energy efficiency. Thermal comfort and indoor air quality matter just as much.

They also get into makeup air, kitchen ventilation, and what happens when houses get tighter and appliances get stronger. Lots of building science, lots of clarity, and (of course) a little UBIP chaos.

PETE’S RESOURCES:

• Green Basics – GBA Integrated Design
• Building America – Ducts
• Building Science “The Perfect HVAC”
• ACCA Technical Manuals
• Mechanical Kitchen Ventilation Study
• Makeup Air Systems Example (Fantech)
• IQAir Visual Pro Monitor

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What does it really take to grow as a young builder today? Jake and Steve bring in Risinger Build’s Managing Partner, Tim Hill, for a fast-paced, experience-packed conversation full of practical advice for builders looking to level up their craft, business, and mindset.

Jake and Steve give Pete the boot for this one—and for good reason. Tim joins them to share real-world insights on everything from building capital and managing budgets to client communication, niche-building, and avoiding the projects that drain your time and sanity. Across the episode, there are a “baker’s dozen” takeaways that every young builder needs to hear:

1. Build capital each year.
2. Have honest, direct conversations about budgets.
3. Meet clients in person for budget discussions instead of relying on email.
4. Remember that builder or not, you’re in the customer service business.
5. Cost projects accurately, not optimistically.
6. Use the job you’re on to improve the next one.
7. Market your own work and own your story.
8. Don’t take projects just because you feel you have to.
9. Show clients the cool things happening on-site every day—they care more than you think.
10. Think and act like a building professional, not just a carpenter.
11. Trust your gut and say no to the wrong projects or clients.
12. Find your niche instead of trying to be everything to everybody.
13. Don’t let your business consume your entire life.

A ton of wisdom in a single episode—and a must-listen for builders on the rise.

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A deep dive into cathedral roof design and insulation strategy. The team compares solid-sawn rafters vs. scissor trusses, smart vapor retarders vs. poly, and discusses optimal roof pitches. You’ll learn when to vent from the topside, from below, or go unvented entirely—and why those choices matter.
In the last 10 minutes, the crew unpacks one of building science’s trickiest topics: 6-sided containment of air-permeable insulation—and how it impacts attic R-values and energy performance.

PETE'S RESOURCES:

1. GBA "Five Cathedral Ceilings That Work:"

2. BSD-149: Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates

3. "Convection in Loose-Fill Attic Insulation - Measurements and Numerical Simulations"

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Seriously? These 3 clowns are sages? The discussion includes how to select the "right” school. How much should a school include building science compared to learning it on the job? And what about even just the 4 control layers? And all three of us stand squarely with Steve: if you want to design buildings, get out on the job site first, second, and last over the course of your prep and your years on the job. And then take what you learn at the site to improve the information transfer you accomplish with your drawings!

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• The architecture school Steve went to
• Pete taught for Keene State in building science (briefly)
• ACSA (Assoc of Collegiate Schools of Architecture): cool resource including a Quiz that leads you to schools that reflect what you want out of your architecture education
• NICHE Building Science and Technology Graduate Programs in America
• BuildingScience Newsletter: sign up by scrolling to the very bottom of their home page

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All of us in the industry have projects--likely early in our careers--that we just either cringe about or wonder how the heck we got away with that one? The boys wax nostalgic about stories of their naivety over the years, turning them into valuable lessons learned. Actual building topics include spray foam, sill sealer, combining blower door & IR imaging, slab-on-grade insulation, and rainscreens.

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• "Foam-In-Place Insulation: 7 Tips for Getting Injection and Spray Foam Right:"
• "Sources of Household Moisture" (GBA blog)

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Installing windows is getting more, not less, complicated. Pete lobbies for a different, more durable, and simpler gasket installation of windows. Steve and Jake weigh in with their insights and challenges to what Pete is up to. And a bonus: with Steve and Jake's help, Pete creates a new word: "Poninions" (Pete crashed the words opinions and positions, and his "friends" just could not let it slide).

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• Pella Steady Set: https://www.pella.com/professionals/steady-set/

• Build Show LIVE 2024 Austin, TX: "Why I am a Wingnut: Real World Testing of Building Materials Including Windows & Their Installation:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGLbHItOH-Q

• BSI-004: Drainage, Holes and Moderation - https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-004-drainage-holes-and-moderation

www.santa-fe-products.com/

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The boys start with a really cool problem-solving involving a monopoly framing, big overhangs, and thermal bridging. And the follow-up is an excellent question from Western Canada regarding the use of ZIP sheathing with a Class I interior vapor retarder. It's a great discussion involving R-values, air barriers, vapor permeability (including all Classes of vapor retarders), wetting, and drying. Whew! Good thing that Steve had a "great" joke to close this one out...(gag).

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• GBA: "Calculating Thermal Bridging in a Wood-Framed Building:"

• BuildingScienceAdvisor:

• GBA "Can Polyethylene Be Used As An Air Barrier?"

www.mbricotiledecks.com/

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If you can't find an experienced high-performance builder, then find a professional builder who is willing to listen and learn! And add in time and money in the budget for that listening and learning. The same can go for your architect. But as Steve says: "SOMEONE has to drive the bus. Put on your big boy pants and move your business to the next level."

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• Building Enclosure Manufacturers Tech Support - Here are just a few manufacturers with outstanding tech support professionals: Huber, Dorken, Rockwool, Benjamin Obdyke, Prosoco...

• "How Does Building Geometry Affect Energy Performance, Aesthetics, and Construction Cost?" - https://haus-arch.com/building-geometry/

https://www.arclin.com/

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All 3 UBIP podcasters are fond of the Superior Wall System, but connecting the extended "foot" of the foundation wall panel to the basement slab is a bit tricky. But not for Steve, but of course. And while sump pumps OUTSIDE are a mystery to Pete, Jake & Steve walk Pete through it. And a bonus: using gravel to spread the structural load and better manage the water load. All that and a "joke" by Steve to-just-die-for...

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• Superior Wall resources on slab-to-panel connections - https://weaverprecast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Pouring-the-Concrete-Floor-Slab.pdf& https://www.superiorwalls.com/api/getFile/19

• Outdoor sump pumps

• Sump Pump Guide

• https://buildingscience.com/documents/building-science-insights-building-profiles-new-construction/bsi-146-below-grade-water

• "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner

https://www.arclin.com/

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Once again, we drive wood into the ground, but only in the context of Permanent Wood Foundations. No surprise that this discussion is all about water & drainage. And some episodes ago, the boys each revealed pivotal moments in their careers in the building industry and wrapped up with a request for your pivotal moments. We got one, but what a doozy from our buddy Carl Seville of SK Collaborative. I think we might be done now (at least for a while) with PWF, but come on now: email us your pivotal moment in our industry!

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• American Wood Council 2021 Permanent Wood Foundation Specifications NOTE: Need to purchase this one...

• Southern Forest Products Association Permanent Wood Foundations Design & Construction Guide NOTE: freebie...

• Sk Collaborative, Carl Seville & Carl Seville interview

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Two great questions about wall assemblies. The boys dig deep, exploring all the variables to consider for both wall assemblies. And no big surprise: Much of the conversation is about how to get these three control layers right (water, air, thermal) and ALSO get the drying potential (vapor) correct.

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• 2021 IRC - Montana

NOTE: The IRC 2021 does NOT include any chapters on energy efficiency/energy requirements...

• Huber Table for ZIP-R recommendations for all climates

• "Check but Verify - Why We Do Multiple Blower Door Tests:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDD-BpTZJ3I

• "When to Perform a Blower Door Test (and when not to)"

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Whole bunch of reasons to consider SIP building systems BUT switching from stick-framing is not a walk in the park. But UnBuild It has a ton of experience with SIPs. Next up: Just how stable are the R-values of rigid insulations (the plastic ones with blowing agents) over time? The boys spend just the right amount of time on this on...(just could not resist that).

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• "The Complete Guide to Building With Winter Panels:"

• BASC SIP Details (SIPA)

-"The BuildingGreen Guide to Thermal Insulation:"

• "A Study on Variation of Thermal Characteristics of Insulation Materials for Buildings According to Actual Long-Term Annual Aging Variation:"

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Should exterior above-grade wall sheathing or framing line up flush to the outside face of the foundation? Is sealing the bottom of the above-grade wall and foundation with a sill sealer product like Protecto Wrap Triple Guard a good idea? This sets off Jake, Steve, and Pete on balancing water protection, air sealing, and drying potential at this key transition and challenges for control layer continuity. Finally, Steve gets TMI with his sleeping arrangements with his wife...

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• Protecto Wrap Triple Guard
  • NOTE: It is interesting that in their installation drawing, the framed wall is stepped out to line up the framing with the foundation, but they do not lap the sheathing down over the foundation.
• Huber ZIP Sheathing bottom-of-above grade-wall Detail(s)
  • NOTE: 4 details with "Scenario 4" being spot on for the UnBuild It guys...
• Above-Grade Concrete Foundation Waterproofing

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Plenty of reasons for the question mark: Pete wondered what this term really meant; Jake points out that for most of his career, he was not involved in this process as a builder; Steve gets pretty heated when this process does not include budget (at least a realistic budget...). Gem here from Steve: "70% of a home's budget is hardwired into the number of square feet."

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• Build Show Podcast Episode 91 - Pre-construction Service Agreements

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Two great questions on which the boys pontificate in fine
form. Yes, ZIP-R is "backwards" (rigid insulation interior to
structural sheathing) but that does not mean that it doesn't work; it
does, just differently. So why don't we typically rain screen roof
claddings? The short answer is it always costs more, regardless of the
type of roof cladding. But you know the saying: vent until you
can't...

NOTE: - An Apology: Pete keeps saying "vinyl siding" when he means
"vinyl wallpaper" in terms of what many older homes see as newly added
covering over failed/failing plaster... Oh, and we can endlessly
apologize for Steve's parting "jokes"...

PETE'S RESOURCES:
- "Calculating minimum thickness of rigid foam sheathing"

NOTE: Martin Holladay has more than one seminal GBA blog on the topic
of adding continuous exterior rigid insulation to meet code--and even
better--for greater energy efficiency and maintained moisture
management.

• "Avoiding Wet Roofs:"
  https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/insulation/avoiding-wet-roofs_o &
  https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/insulation/avoiding-wet-roofs-part-ii_o

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What could be more fun than yammering on about scary job site stories and just how confusing a space your garage can be? You listeners ask the damndest questions, so we just keep on cranking... Per usual, Steve closes us out with humor worthy of these two questions...

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• "Does Safety Affect Productivity in Construction?"

• From our buddy, Randy Williams: "Construction Design: Humidity Control in a Garage"

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The advice starts with "don't ever do this" and then dives into the details for doing it right: slope, overhangs, pedestal systems, step-down from house to deck, and truck liners. Wait, what? Jake describes a long-past project involving a spray-on truck bed liner protective coating (and there actually ARE spray-on residential roof systems for decks—who knew?).

RESOURCES:

• Linex residential protective coating

• "The Importance of Cover Boards in Roofing Assemblies:"

• BSI-051: "Decks--Roofs You Can Walk On:"

• (Somewhat related) BSI-093 "All Decked Out:"

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Different water sources lead to different water quality issues. Eric walks us through: sources of tap water; testing water; appropriate water treatment systems responding to the testing results; and a new water frontier: PFAS in our tap water (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances). Yikes!

PETE'S RESOURCES:
- Eric Aune Mechanical Hub
- Water testing
- CDC Home Water Treatment Systems
- USGS PFAS in Tap Water

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Eric Aune would make the perfect Marvel Superhero Plumber. With tank versus Tankless water heaters, multiple small tanks, and on-demand recirc systems, Eric brings real-world insight to all sorts of plumbing technologies and techniques. And of course, Steve closes the episode with a special look to his future.

Pete's Resources:

• Eric Aune
• Gary Klein - Saving Hot Water
• Demand Hot Water Recirculation System
• US EPA Water Sense

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Eric provides Steve and Jake with a plumber's perspective on almost every residential, domestic hot water system available in the US. Stick around for terms like "cold water sandwich," "air-to-water," "CO2 refrigerant," and "recirc." It's absolutely gripping!

Pete's Resources:

• Eric Aune - Mechanical Hub
• Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heater
• Demand Hot Water Recirculation System

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Jake spends time at Virginia Tech with Christine Williamson, a leading building professional who integrates building science and architecture. In her first year as an Assistant Professor of Architecture, Christine applies building science to architecture courses such as Environment and Building Systems I and II. In her own words about her new position, Christine says, "Architecture education is, I think, a lot closer to more of a fine art program than maybe a lot of people realize. That is something I would like to change."

Jake springs a pair of UnBuild It questions on Christine: how does ZIP-R work in terms of moisture control and the best way to configure a crawlspace.

PETE'S RESOURCES

• Virginia Tech School of Architecture

• Christine Williamson - https://www.christine-williamson.com & https://www.buildingsciencefightclub.com

• "14 Things About ZIP-R Sheathing You Need to Know:"

• BSC Condition Crawlspace Construction & Conditioned Crawlspace Detail

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You say Post-Frame, I say Pole Barn or Barndominium...Yikes. The boys beat up on this topic when we move utility-grade agricultural weather-sheltering buildings (pole barns) to fully-conditioned homes. Aesthetic questions aside, there is solid building science to consider here. And speaking of building science, how do we insulate and air seal rim joists in a way that keeps them dry and durable? This topic takes us from spray foam and capillary breaks to ZIP-R and six-sided containment of interior air-permeable cavity insulation. Oh my. And once again, Steve manages to make us giggle with his closing wordplay.

Pete's Resources:
1. Wikipedia: Barndominium (Who knew?)

1. "When a Barndominium Won't Do, Try a Shouse:"

2. EERE "Insulate Rim Joist:"

3. BSI-128: Designing for Floods

4. BSC Information Sheet 408

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From metal worker to Director of Architecture Risinger Build to home remodeler, Chelsea is all about working on buildings. Instead of a working-man's Architect like our buddy Steve, Chelsea is the quintessential working-woman's Architect. And get this: Steve & Chelsea are about to team-up on a Risinger Build project!

Pete's Resources:

• GBA Retrofit Case Study: "How to Get the Eichler Look Without the Energy Price Tag" - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-get-the-eichler-look-without-the-energy-pricetag

• Chelsea's IG: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea_scharbach/

• GBA Cold Climate TimberFrame "Monopoly" House:

• Part 1 - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/a-timber-frame-house-for-a-cold-climate-part-1

• Part 2 - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/a-timber-frame-house-for-a-cold-climate-part-2

• READY-FRAME (Precision Packages by Builder's First Source): https://www.bldr.com/ready-frame

• John Straube's "Building Science for Building Enclosures:" - https://go.okstate.edu/undergraduate-academics/majors/architectural-engineering.html

• Representative Architectural Engineering programs:

• University of Waterloo - https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/architectural-engineering

• Penn State - https://www.ae.psu.edu

• OK State - https://go.okstate.edu/undergraduate-academics/majors/architectural-engineering.html

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Since the internet makes us all so cozy from LA to Louisiana, it comes as a surprise to even hard-core building pros that many materials and systems simply don't translate from region to region. Local context simply interferes: price, local expertise, local building codes, availability of materials, even just "no one has done it that way here..." BUT, the internet and social media are shaking things up, in some cool but also disruptive ways.

Pete's Resource:

• "A Study of the Characteristics of Regional Building Construction Process:" - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372447144_A_Study_of_the_Characteristics_of_Regional_Building_Construction_Process/link/64b77ec4b9ed6874a52d94d6/download

• "The Impact of Digital Distribution on Building Materials:" - https://hubspoke.nafcd.org/Full-Article/the-impact-of-digital-distribution-on-building-materials

• "Top 10 Online Sources for Building Materials in the US:" - https://constructestimates.com/online-sources-for-building-materials-in-the-us/

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When Steve doesn't show up on time for the podcast, Jake and Pete jump all over the idea of roasting him. But the podcast is mainly about why we love working with the "jamoke." It is about a half-hour of stories about the consummate job-site architect, Steve Baczek, the guy we "can't live with; can't live without him."

NOTE: Pete incorrectly calls out Steve's height as 6 - 8; he is actually 6 - 6... But a great opportunity for us to bring him down a notch...

Pete's Resources:

1. GreenBuildingAdvisor Detail Library: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/detail-library

2. GBA Green Basics Integrated Design: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/green-basics/integrated-design (scroll down to Steve's framing/duct layout details)

3. Ton of Steve's Details in this BuildingGreen's High-Performance Building Assemblies In-Depth course: https://www.buildinggreen.com/continuing-education/hpba

4. Steve's "How I Do It:" - https://stevenbaczekarchitect.com/info/the-approach/

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Jake & Pete get schooled again on dehumidification by Nikki.

• Nikki introduces the acronym HVACD to make dehumidification in equal standing with heating, air conditioning and ventilation.

• Great discussion of the differences between portable ("big box") and whole house dehumidifiers.

• Importance of the change in measurement standards for DEHUs from "80/60" (80 degrees F & 60% RH) to "65/60" for portable units & "73/60" for whole house units (more real conditions).

• Jake closes out by "dibbing" "Dehumidifier Graveyard" as a rock band name...

Pete's Resources:

1. "WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould:" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143947/

2. Santa-Fe Performance Data over different test conditions: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.santa-fe-products.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TS-2076-Ultra-Series-RNC-Trifold-A2L-1.pdf

3. Santa-Fe Dehumidifier Calculator App - https://www.santa-fe-products.com/resources/calc-app/

4. Munters PsychroApp - https://www.munters.com/en-us/knowledge-bank/apps-and-calculators/psychroapp-psychrometric-calculations-tool/

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Jake and Pete host good friend Matt Risinger (pretty sure he is “part” of the Build Show...). It starts simple with pre-drywall checklists (you know, like blocking for toilet paper holders...). But boy, it quickly blossoms into a wonderful, wandering discussion of everything from sequencing to quality control to a scopes of work program. Terrific list of resources comes out of this podcast!

Pete’s Resources:

• Build Show Jake Bruton – “The Importance of a Pre-Drywall Checklist:” https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/importance_of_pre_drywall_checklist
• Pete’s Design/Spec outline
• Build Show Zach Dettmore Kreg Foreman for Pocket Holes - https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/kreg_foreman_review
• Lindsay Haas Davenport “Scopes of Work Program:” - https://www.amazon.com/Scopes-Work-Program-Procedures-Standards/dp/0867185147
• Pete Yost GreenBuildingAdvisor “High Performance Scopes of Work:” https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/high-performance-scopes-of-work

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Many of us in the building industry turn to Nikki for all questions dehumidification (certainly including this weeks hosts, Jake & Pete). Nikki goes toe to toe with HVAC techs with a degree in communications and that is because she understands that you have to go tech if you are representing technical products such as dehumidifiers. She connects indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and moisture management. Cool discussion of adding the "D" to HVAC: HVACD or HVAC+D. And apologies to all those expecting (forbearing?) Steve's closing humor...

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• "High Performance Dehumidification: Upgrading our basement dehumidifier" - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/high-performance-dehumidification

• "Humidity, Health, and the Sterling Chart" - https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/humidity-health-and-sterling-chart/

• "Optimizing Energy Efficiency and Improved Dehumidification" (FSEC) - https://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/FSEC-PF-473-18.pdf

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After the boys were done taking jabs at each other, they each take this question and apply it to their fields: building (Jake), designing (Steve), and enclosure review (Pete). Much of the discussion centers on the cost and expectations that both building professionals and clients have or should set with each other. Another central theme is that pulling in expertise early in the design process may seem as though it is more costly. Still, in the long run, it is better to spend a bit upfront and get key input during design rather than costly changes deeper into the build process. Interestingly, the conversation went from cost to trust as a key element of Pre-Construction.

Pete's Resources:

1. Building-Wright Design-Spec Review (attached - to post on UBIP website)

2. The Graph for "Cost of Changes versus Influence on Performance" - https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Construction-Total-Project-Management-Planning-Yates-Eskander/a80823cef0f3eb925e516cfb3b96253434cdb0a8

3. Build Show Wade Paquin "Pre-construction Service: What Is It? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyPmO6AjC0M

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Daniel Glauser is the Executive Project Manager for Risinger Build in Austin, TX. And he really puts his money where his mouth is. This episode focuses on his deep energy retrofit of a 1977 home in Austin, TX, which will be certified per the Phius Core Revive program. And get this: this soup-to-nuts retrofit is being done while he, his wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs, and several cats are living there full-time. This should be a reality TV show, folks. But on the serious side, Daniel shares all kinds of details integrating the original structure, expansion in 3 of 4 directions, continuous control layers, structural integrity, and fully configured and compliant ACCA Manual J/S/D mechanical systems. The only thing missing from the episode: Steve does NOT close out with one of his "jokes...."

Pete's Resources:

• Phius CORE REVIVE: https://www.phius.org/phius-core-revive-2021

• Vermont "Almost" Passive House: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/the-passivhaus-almost-passive-house-faceoff

• Project Architect: Trey Farmer, Forge Craft Architecture & Design - https://forgexcraft.com

• Project Interior Design: https://designtrait.com

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This week's podcast is a discussion about slab-less slabs AND some new projects in which Steve & Jake use alternative or innovative foundation materials or systems. The three boys get off on substantial tangents regarding the environmental profile of foundation materials and construction waste management but hold on: there are great resources below for a host of great topics included in this episode.

Resources:

• The BuildingGreen Guide to Thermal Insulation - https://www.buildinggreen.com/continuing-education/buildinggreen-guide-thermal-insulation

• Design for Disassembly - EPA Fact Sheets on Designing for the Disassembly and Deconstruction of Buildings - https://www.epa.gov/smm/fact-sheets-designing-disassembly-and-deconstruction-buildings

• Packer 750 low-speed grinder for residential construction waste - https://www.packer2000.com/residential.htm (Some old dear friends of Pete--Cynthia Poselenzny & Ken Patterson) are the folks who developed this machine back in the day when construction waste management was Pete's "day job")

• "Stress grading of recycled lumber and timber" (1999 Forest Products Laboratory publication by Robert Falk & David Green) - https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/5725

• Build Show "ICF Prepped for Concrete" - https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/ICF-prepped-for-concrete-steve-baczek

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Steve and his "jamokes" (Jake & Pete) share moments that changed their careers. Especially interesting is that the term jamoke that Steve uses is most often associated with CarTalk host Ray Magliozzi in this quote: "If my brother and I proved one thing, it's that just about any jamoke can host a radio show." Wow, does that nail the three of us and our podcast!

PETE'S RESOURCE(S):

• "Just a Couple of Jamokes - A Tribute to Car Talk's Rollicking 40-Year Run" - https://newengland.com/yankee/magazine/just-a-couple-of-jamokes-car-talk/. If you are not familiar with Car Talk (and even if you are), you need to know that these guys are the gold standard for funny and informative recorded conversations on air. Jake, Steve, and I can only hope that we rise to their "jamoke" level of funny-and-informative...

• Car Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=car+talk. More than 1500 episodes of Car Talk! Enjoy...

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Pete, confused? Pete takes the lead on garages and tries hard not to confuse Steve and Jake (not very successfully...). It's all about how garages are "conditioned" (heated, cooled, dehumidified, ventilated, and filtered) and just what uses the garage is designed for in comparison to the expectations homeowners have in terms of their use(s).

Pete's Resource(s):
- BSC Information Sheet 802: buildingscience.com/sites/default/files/migrate/pdf/BSCInfo_802_Wrong_Unsealed_Cavity_Between_Garage.pdf
- GBA Details for a “High-Performance Garage:" greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/details-for-a-high-performance-garage
STAY TUNED on Pete's Resources: Pete promises a brand new resource in one podcast on this topic (a resource he has not written but will!).

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Listeners picked up on two places where perhaps Steve and Jake do not agree (can you imagine....?): Face-seal vs. Drained-rough-opening window/door installations and details at sill plates. After considerable "silliness" (that would be Steve's not Pete's pun...), Jake & Steve reconcile these apparent disagreements with lots of UnBuild It love for each other (WHAT???).

Pete's Resource(s):

• John Straube's drained rough opening sill detail: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Straube/publication/281442777/figure/fig23/AS:487352062746624@1493205194072/6-Drained-air-sealed-and-thermally-continuous-window-installation-for-a-loadbearing.png

• Jake BUILD Show flanged window installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fED4foylHXY

• Steve & Matt BUILD Show flangeless window installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAnJq3UH0ro&t=701s

• Steve BUILD Show mudsill to foundation install - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up5oAh819y0

• Steve BUILD Show SIGA Fentrim mudsill install: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/air_barrier_tape_siga_fentrim

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Great questions from our listeners!

• How do you determine the best insulation levels by climate (with the best being the greatest value)?
• Does adding screws (at some point during construction) make sense when using Advantech floor sheathing, adhesive, and ring shank nails?

Pete's Resource(s):

1. BSI-081: "Zeroing In" - https://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/capture-green-value-over-time-not-short-term-payback-analysis
2. Pete BuildingGreen blog: "Capture Green Value Over Time, Not with Short-Term Payback Analysis" - https://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/capture-green-value-over-time-not-short-term-payback-analysis
3. Huber Advantech Installation Manual - https://www.huberwood.com/uploads/documents/technical/Installation-Manual-AdvanTech-Subflooring.pdf
4. NIST - "Performance Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels" - https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2017/06/13/ps2-04.pdf

NOTE: This is about as dry a resource as we would ever recommend, but it has great technical info on all manner of structural floor sheathing installation, including bond and mechanical fastener performance.

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Client involvement is critical in any building project, but this can be a double-edged sword. We need our clients engaged and to manage their expectations, particularly given how much information/stuff is available online. The boys each give their perspective on the importance and the corralling required for client involvement.

Pete's Resource(s):

• Custom Builder May 2006 - "Guiding Customer Expectations" - https://www.custombuilderonline.com/guiding-customer-expectations

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How do you transform below-grade full foundations (also variously called pits, cellars, or basements and historically meant to be or tolerated as damp and cool and dark) into true living-conditioned spaces? We say add four continuous control layers, access to daylight and egress, thermal comfort, and good acoustics—make it a place to thrive as well as live (and even escape).

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Steven Baczek YouTube: "Dirty Basement" vs Clean Basement....How to Plan for it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB2nD-0eUZs

2. NDSU Extension Service "Foundation Insulation Effectiveness:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwn0Vjw_ji0

3. BSD-103: Understanding Basements - https://buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-103-understanding-basements

4. Hammer & Hand basement details: https://hammerandhand.com/residential/remodeling/basements/

5. Negative Side Waterproofing (GBA blogs): https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/author/peterbilt

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It's funny that Steve, a very nuts-n-bolts guy, hosts this largely philosophical episode. But all three of us agree:

1. Separate symptoms from causes—It's easy to get distracted or engrossed in symptoms, but the causes lead to solutions.
2. Solutions come much easier if you first identify the problem(s).
3. Step back to move forward. It's always tempting to jump on the "obvious" solution, but it pays to understand completely before offering solutions.

This episode's strength is how each of us—architect, builder, building investigator—uses the approach above to improve our jobs.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Building Science Insights: https://buildingscience.com/bsc-document-type/building-science-insights
2. Energy Vanguard blog Building Science 101 (but in the context of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) - https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/building-science-101/
3. Stewart Brand's How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built (Brand is one of a rare few building philosophers...and his book also is expressed in a 6-part video series - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Buildings_Learn#Book& https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Buildings_Learn#TV_series

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Who would have thought that our buddy Steve would be more than OK with both off-site building and the homeowner acting as their own General Contractor? But combining Superior Walls for the foundation with Harvest Homes for all of the framing means the GC homeowner is dealing with far fewer trade contractors. Steve, Jake, and Pete walk through the advantages and challenges of offsite building.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Offsite framing company Harvest Homes: https://www.harvesthomes.com

2. BUILD Show episode on Pre-fab & Panelized Construction: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/how-building-professionals-can-incorporate-offsite-prefab-and-panelization-into-their-projects

3. Modular Construction & Affordable Housing: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/increasing-affordable-housing-stock-through-modular-building/

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1. What about whole-house ventilation systems (balanced, exhaust only, supply only) and their impact on pressure balance in homes? And do ERVs/HRVs accommodate pressure imbalances created by things like exhaust fans, stack effect, etc.?

2. Per Steve: to butyl or not to butyl...For areas such as door sills, use butyl sealant or maybe acoustical sealant? We know how fond Steve is of Tremco acoustical sealant (a single-component, non-skinning non-hardening synthetic rubber sealant) so this topic gets the big guy on his horse...

Pete's Resource(s):

1. great info on residential ventilation and pressure balancing: https://basc.pnnl.gov/building-components/ventilation & https://basc.pnnl.gov/building-components/pressure-balancing

2. Pete's BuildingGreen blog series called "Sticky Business" (including a couple or so blogs on liquid sealants): https://www.buildinggreen.com/stickybusiness

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Tim Hill of Risinger build--Austin homebuilder for over 40 years--teamed up with Matt some 10+ years ago. Tim details his company's approach to architects, customers, and trades, including featuring building science in ALL aspects of their building company. The conversation aptly starts with the job site trailer carrying a Goodman mobile dehumidification unit parked just outside the build studio to the way in which Risinger build embraces remodeling in no small part because it provides such valuable feedback on how their homes perform over time.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Building Science 101 with Matt Risinger & Steve Baczek - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QthBdsyxAN8

2. John Abrams' The Company We Keep - https://www.southmountain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SoMoCo_Feature_hr.pdf

3. Job Site Dehumidifiers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ladLLd_z1wo

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One of the most interesting ways to accomplish a high-performance below-grade wall is with Precast Concrete panels. Both Steve and Pete have worked on projects using Superior Walls, the leading US manufacturer of these panels. Certainly, it is not the least expensive way to do a foundation, but this system has a ton of advantages: it is completely engineered by the manufacturer, no cast footing is needed, and it can be completed in a day (REGARDLESS of the weather…).

Pete's Resource(s):
1. Superior Walls - superiorwalls.com
NOTE: Jake/Steve/Pete are not aware of any other US companies that manufacture precast foundation wall panels.

1. BUILD SHOW Superior Walls - buildshownetwork.com/contents/in-depth-look-superior-walls?page=18

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1. Actually 3 questions--can you/how do you/should you vent a pyramidal roof with dormers? (PS - I just had to look up the pronunciation of "pyramidal"--I found both pronunciations...).

2. How do I configure for adequate air supply and noise control for a heat pump water heater (HPWH) in a 1400 square foot, tight home in Montana?

And then, I would like to apologize for Steve and his: "A polar bear walks into a bar..."

Resource(s):

1. Venting hip roofs - https://inspectapedia.com/ventilation/Hard_to_Vent_Roofs.php

2. HPWH ducting strategies (CZ 2 - 4) - https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy16osti/64860.pdf

3. Northwest testing of CO2 HPWH - https://www.energy.wsu.edu/documents/Sanden%20HPWH_FINAL_rev%2011-24-15.pdf

4. BUILD SHOW Aarow Building (Jake) Fujitsu water heater - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQA-obhpKo

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The boys INTEND to tackle TWO submitted questions but only manage one: Are open-joint claddings better moisture-managed better than traditional lap claddings? This episode is quite the mix of banter, building science, and building history. And note that the last resource in the list below is a great short video with Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation on open-joint claddings.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. wikipedia definition of cladding - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladding_(construction)

2. wikipedia definition of lapstrake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinker_(boat_building)

3. Open joint/rainscreen cladding history - https://www.climate-shield.com/european-climate-shield-history (Note 1st reference: "Rainscreen Cladding: A Guide to Design Principles and Practice."

4. "Cup of Joe - Open-joint cladding systems" - https://buildingscience.com/conversation/cup-joe-open-joint-cladding-systems

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Listener Bill B poses this question and the boys run with it for the whole podcast: "Can you share the details and the reasons for installing flangeless windows in different planes of deep wall assemblies?" Lots to consider here in terms of ALL of the control layers and their continuity.

Pete's Resource(s):

• BSC Window Installation Sequence: https://buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0407-installing-a-window-with-building-paper-on-osb-over-wood-frame-wall/view

• Steve Baczek BUILD SHOW Build: Boston Ep. 8 - "Window installation Pt. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcoMihs6hHQ

• Steve Baczek BUILD SHOW Build: Boston Ep. 8 - "Window installation Pt. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzktfcFNVEA

• Pete's YouTube series "WIngnut Water Testing Windows" - https://www.youtube.com/@peteryost7876/playlists

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You know the boys get weepy over water pretty easily, but Steve's focus on starting with the site drives this podcast. The site is the context for the building, and broadening to site water management can really take the load off of building assembly water management. This podcast is all about digging deeper into building (sorry, just could not resist...).

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Pete has a series of YouTube video clips on building assessment, with the first 3 dealing with water: groundwater, site surface water, and building load. Take a look...

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2pL2KVsx9SCcqQBdEjbiYfI3AouC1CoL

1. Superior Walls foundation system: https://www.superiorwalls.com

2. Great Read: Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angle_of_Repose

3. This resource is more about land development at the community level, but cool site water management techniques, regardless: https://www.wbdg.org/resources/low-impact-development-technologies

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We have a big announcement this week as we return to our first time having Matt Risinger on the podcast.

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Jake and his builder team--Luke Mann, (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design)--work through all sorts of cool, key approaches to consider with your trades:

· Paying subs in 21 days

· Scheduling a site visit for a new potential sub

· Pulling subs into the bidding process

· Using suppliers to evaluate potential new subs

· Trade team kickoff meeting to get everyone on the same page/schedule

· Setting up debriefs to keep things going well

· Reducing risk with a stronger trade team

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Jake takes his builder team--Luke Man, (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High-Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design)--through this final topic with questions like:

• Do you want your company to grow? (These guys vary in size from 2 to 16...)

• How do you decide when to hire and who to hire?

• Are you working in the business or on the business?

• Do you have a company culture that suits your team and clients?

• How do you delegate/empower/"let go" as your company changes or grows?

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Luke Mann (Rangeline Homes), Shane Durkin (Patriot High-Performance Homes), and Jackson Andrews (Jackson Andrews Building + Design) work through this topic with host Jake Bruton. Key concepts include carefully distinguishing punch list vs. additional scope of work; covering closeout in project-starting customer expectations document; an extended comparison of builder closeout process to a new car purchase; dealing with "closeout-creep."

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This is Q&A with Adult Supervision: Kohta Ueno. Kohta is so efficient we nailed SIX building enclosure questions: Listener Gagan - reconfiguring existing walls with new control layers; Listener Bill: the need for dedicated vent space with vertical metal siding on ICF walls; Listener Michael - rainscreens for roofs instead of walls; Listener Sean - best detail for using mineral wool (exterior continuous rigid insulation) on a roof; Listener Miles - hip roof in Arkansas best practice: vented roof, vented attic, what type of insulation; Pete asks Kohta's cut on ORNL's new BuildingScienceAdvisor.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 1 - Air) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/?s=how+to+look+at+a+house+like+a+building+scientist

2. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 2 - Heat) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-look-at-a-house-like-a-building-scientist-part-2-heat

3. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 3 -Temperature, Humidity & HVAC) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-look-at-a-house-like-a-building-scientist-part-3-temperature-humidity-and-hvac-systems

4. How to Look at a House Like a Building Scientist (Part 4 - Water) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-look-at-a-house-like-a-building-scientist-part-4-water

5. Building Science Advisor: https://bsa.ornl.gov

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Jake hooks up with the same custom builder team

• Luke Mann - Rangeline Homes https://www.rangelinehomes.com
• Jackson Andrews - Building & Design https://jacksonandrewsbuilding.com
• Shane Durkin, Patriot High-Performance Homes https://www.buildpatriot.com

For a roundtable discussion on the ideal client. Key topics include vetting clients by matching company strengths to client expectations and budget; the two-way street of trust and respect; the importance of references or background checks (they go both ways); pre-construction services to move the project forward; and finally, red flags...as both warnings AND opportunities.

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Guest Reuben Rudisill is Huber's Research, Development, & Innovation engineer, joining Jake & Pete from the Building Science Corporation Summer Symposium in Westford, MA. Jake & Pete know just enough to get in trouble when it comes to structural details of ZIP, ZIP-R, and Advantech Huber OSB panels, so Reuben quite gently sets these guys straight on how high-performance OSB is manufactured and tested, how fasteners are as important as the panels, and what you can and cannot do with each of Huber's panels. The podcast does close out nicely with how important friendships are in the building business world (we could get this "touchy-and-feely" because Steve was "missing" for this podcast...).

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Huber Technical Support: https://www.huberwood.com/technical-support

2. Solid Panel System - https://bbe.umn.edu/research/perfect-wall-building-and-delivery-system

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Join Jake and Steve as they chat with Ross Trethewey, of TE2 Engineering and This Old House, at Building Science Summer Camp 2023.

Check out TE2 Engineering

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Steve calls SketchUp his electronic clay model which he can use with his builder, his enclosure consultant, and his clients. Pete gives up the dirt on WebSoilSurvey, the 1st tool he uses on every project design/spec review. Jake heads home for his favorite tool - his new Aarow Building office. Last but not least: Steve returns with his 2nd favorite tool--the field. Getting out to job sites and seeing his design work play out as a process--no substitute and this tool is key to Pete and Jake as well.

NOTE: You have to listen to the entire podcast to understand the Good Fellows reference...but it is worth the wait. Has Pete seen it yet? He is still not sure...

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Sketch-Up: 3-D rendering of 2-D plan set - https://www.sketchup.com

2. WebSoilSurvey: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/app/

3. Aarow Building Office: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/how-our-office-has-improved-our-business

4. THE "FIELD:" https://buildshownetwork.com/go/stevebaczek

5. What might be the Frank Lloyd Wright quote Steve is seeking: "An architect's most useful tools are an eraser at the drafting board, and a wrecking bar at the site."

6. Good Fellows - the movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodfellas

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What should we monitor, and what do we do about elevated levels of indoor pollutants? Air temperature, relative humidity, parts per million CO2, PM 2.5

Pete's Resource(s):
- "Measuring (and Understanding) Humidity" - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/measuring-and-understanding-humidity

• "Inhalable Particulate Matter and Health" - https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/inhalable-particulate-matter-and-health

• World Health Organization "Radiation - Electromagnetic Fields" - https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-electromagnetic-fields

• IQAir Visual Pro - https://www.iqair.com/ca/air-quality-monitors

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The top leading edge of a PSA tape running horizontally is not weather-lapped or mechanically attached, depending solely on the adhesion of that top edge to the substrate to keep water out of the WRB/PSA tape system. Are ALL PSA tapes in WRB systems self-terminating? Is there a way to quantify the top-edge adhesion that makes the tape self-terminating? The boys go at it over this one!

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Pete's blogs on Wingnut PSA Tape Testing - Pete wrote over a half dozen blogs on his tape testing. Go to www.buildinggreen.com and search using the term "wingnut tape."

2. GBA Blog: Housewrap Tape Problems (Jeff Hoch) - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/housewrap-tape-problems

3. GBA blog: Combining Sheathing with a WRB and Air Barrier  - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/combining-sheathing-with-a-wrb-and-air-barrier

4. Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) Test Methods - https://pstc.org/test-methods/

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Our homes use way more water than you think they need to. The boys dive deep into water efficiency and performance, from toilets to showerheads to hot water recirc systems.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. EPA Water Sense: https://www.epa.gov/watersense

2.  2016 AWWA Residential End Uses of Water - https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/ETS/Resources/WaterConservationResidential_End_Uses_of_Water.pdf

1. Gary Klein Efficient Hot Water Systems - https://coloradowaterwise.org/Resources/Documents/Green%20Plumbers/Gary_Klein_Protocol_for_Evaluating_a_HWDS.pdf

2. BuildingGreen Water Efficiency: https://www.buildinggreen.com/water-efficiency

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Despite how consistently and relentlessly the boys have dissed ICFs, this episode takes ICFs seriously and fairly (or as best as Jake, Steve, and Pete are capable of...).

Pete's Resource(s)

1. "Costs & Benefits of Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Construction" (https://www.huduser.gov/publications/pdf/icfbenefit.pdf): A bit dated but still useful given that the PATH program (Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) is a decent backdrop for a fair analysis of this building technology.

2. "Air Leakage of Insulated Concrete Form Houses" (https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/72627): Interesting that this energy modeling research reports less than significant air leakage advantage of ICFs compared to wood frame single-family houses.

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Four Cool Questions:

1 - Airtight Drywall Approach from Aussie Sean;

2 - Continuous Insulation (moving from below-grade to above-grade walls) from UBIP buddy Ian;

3 - Frost Protected Shallow Foundations (anonymous) ;

4 - Roof penetrations from Jake's IG buddy Jeff

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Myron Ferguson ADA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhv9iFE3AY4

2. "A Slick Transition from Foundation Insulation to Wall Sheathing" - https://www.protradecraft.com/detail/slick-transition-foundation-insulation-wall-sheathing

3. "Revised Builder's Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations" - https://www.homeinnovation.com/~/media/Files/Reports/Revised-Builders-Guide-to-Frost-Protected-Shallow-Foundations.pdf

4. "Which Penetrations Cause Roof Damage?" - https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/which-roof-penetrations-cause-water-damage/

NOTE/CORRECTION: Pete got one of his units of measure wrong when stating the standard for an airtight building material. He stated "per meter.." (linear) when the correct metric is "per meter SQUARED..." (area) (See https://www.wrmeadows.com/air-barriers/technical-bulletin-standards-explained-astm-e-2178-standard-test-method-air-permeance-building-materials/)

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This week the UBIP takes on the topic of control. Jake tries to convince Peter and Steve that the hierarchy we address the four control layers is wrong. Can Jake turn Peter or Steve to his dark side of ideas? Probably not, but the conversation is still valid. Where do you land?

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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 (dated, yes, but seminal and it's written by an FPL great: BoB Falk)

2. AWC Residential Wood Deck Design - https://awc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/StructureMag-DCA62012-StructuralSpecifications-1704.pdf

3. BSC Information Sheet 304 - Integrating Deck Ledger Board with Drainage Plane - https://buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/integrating-deck-ledger-board-with-drainage-plane

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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 distribution; connecting human behavior and energy efficiency.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Thermal Comfort Research in Autos and Buildings: Center for the Built Environment - https://cbe.berkeley.edu/research-category/indoor-environmental-quality/personal-comfort-systems/

2. Texas hill country research and innovation, including water collection: Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems - https://www.cmpbs.org

3. Residential Program Guide - https://rpsc.energy.gov/energy-data-facts

4. GBA "Tackling the Plug Load Problem" - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/tackling-the-plug-load-problem

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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. BS & Beer Tackles Concrete: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/the-bs-beer-show-the-science-of-concrete

3. BSC moisture-resistant foundations: https://buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0206-foundations-moisture-resistant-construction

4. Hoover Dam Construction: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/history/essays/concrete.html

5. Post-tension concrete slab foundations: https://www.concretenetwork.com/post-tension/basics.html

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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 assemblies (including a Lstiburek "perfect" roof with only topside rigid insulation); and finally British Columbia listener Harpreet asks about what sort of WRB to use with structural wall sheathing that is almost always damp.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. Radiant Barriers - https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/radiant-barriers 

2. BUILD show wood shower wall (Jake's house): https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/wood_shower

3. Perfect Roofs (and walls): GBA Podcast - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/the-perfect-wall-roof-and-slab-building-science-podcast

4. Fluid-applied WRB: GBA blog - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/liquid-applied-water-resistive-barriers

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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. Tru Exterior mitered corners: https://truexterior.com/truexterior-siding-offers-an-easier-approach-to-mitered-corners/

2. ProTradeCraft "Window Installs in walls with Thick ZIPs" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2dEfns7b7o

3. Huber "Recessed Window Flashing with ZIP System Liquid Flash on R-Sheathing" - https://www.huberwood.com/technical-library/recessed-window-flashing-with-zip-system-liquid-flash

4. Retrofit WRB - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/question/wrb-for-retrofit

5. FHB John Straube ENergy Retrofits: https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit/six-proven-ways-to-build-energy-smart-walls

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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?

PETE: EVERY remodeling project should start with a full hygrothermal building assessment.

JAKE: All remodeling projects need to start with aligning client expectations with the custom set of constraints each unique structure brings. Do the best your can/as much as you can to any portion of the building you "touch" as part of the remodel.

Pete's Resource(s):

1. "Using Building Science to Conduct a Building Assessment" - https://building-wright.com/2020/12/07/using-building-science-to-conduct-a-building-assessment/

2. "READ THIS: Before You Design, Build, or Renovate" - https://buildingscience.com/documents/guides-and-manuals/gm-read-this-before-you-design-build-renovate/view

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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: water first, air second, thermal last. But boy are there still a lot of questions to dive into.

Pete's Resources:

1. Building-Wright Building Assessment - https://building-wright.com/2019/02/24/hygrothermal-building-assessment-available-as-a-pdf/

2. READ THIS: Before You Design, Build, or Renovate - https://buildingscience.com/documents/guides-and-manuals/gm-read-this-before-you-design-build-renovate/view

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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 disgruntled at how little our industry seems to address, systematically, window weep systems.

Pete's Resource: Stay Tuned! Weigh In! We are counting on our listeners to help us learn more about this topic. Be ye builder, architect, window manufacturer, or carpenter--set us straight if you know more than we do about weeps!

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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 comfort and durability). Add in over-insulation of window frames, bans on spray foam, and you have the UBIP combined blood pressure skyrocketing.

Pete's Resources:

1. BuildingScience Info-311: Vapor Open Assemblies - https://buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/vapor-open-assemblies

2. Hammer & Hand: Installing European Passive House Windows Exterior Over Insulation - https://hammerandhand.com/videos/installing-european-passive-house-windows-exterior-insullation-video-006/

3. BuildingGreen's Special Report on Insulation: "The BuildingGreen Guide to Thermal Insulation - https://www.buildinggreen.com/continuing-education/buildinggreen-guide-thermal-insulation

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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.instagram.com/buildpatriot/

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

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

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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/jacksonandrewsbuilding/
https://www.instagram.com/buildpatriot/

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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.

Pete's Resources

1. Steve's details slab insulation details

2. push the slab out: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/steven-baczek-on-instagram-a-number-of-requests-from-last-weeks-video-asking-for-the-detail-of-the-floor-used-in-the-amarillo--278660295684861452/

3. no slab: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/steve_no_concrete_slab?page=34

4. unvented roof assembly moisture management - see section R806.5 in the latest codes and this Building Science info:

5. https://buildingscience.com/documents/guides-and-manuals/gm-2101-guide-building-conditioned-unvented-attics-and-unconditioned

6. https://buildingscience.com/sites/default/files/ba-csi-diffusion_ports.pdf

7. Huber wall details - https://www.huberwood.com/uploads/documents/technical/documents/Installation-Manual-ZIP-System-Sheathing-Wall-and-Roof_2021-07-12-210658_tuck.pdf

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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/buildpatriot/

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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 Resources:

Nathan authored or co-authored some great mold info resources while at BSC in the early 2000s these four are still spot-on today. https://www.buildingscience.com/users/nathan-yost

Good resource on mycotoxins:  https://autoimmunewellness.com/mold-and-mycotoxin-illness-should-i-be-concerned/

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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/buildpatriot/

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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-Voltaic)? Jake closes out with a pretty cool UD-tip/technique he recently coined.

Pete's Resources:

1. Visitability Housing: Basic Access that is Practical and Cost Effective - https://www.flhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Visitability_Housing.pdf

2. Homes for Everyone: Universal Design Principles - https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/destech/unidesig.html

3. Residential Remodeling and Universal Design - https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/destech/resid.html

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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/rangelinehomes/
https://www.instagram.com/jacksonandrewsbuilding/
https://www.instagram.com/buildpatriot/

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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 you wanted to hear it or not. 

Pete's Resource: 

1. Forbes blog - "Business Tools: The Art of Listening" - https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeslacouncil/2018/05/30/business-tools-the-art-of-listening/

2. University of the People blog - "Hearing vs Listening - Mastering Communication" - https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/hearing-vs-listening/

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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. 

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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. This podcast includes everything from continuous exterior insulation to IR cameras, Big Foot, and Star Trek door technology. Oh, and Pete tells his favorite joke, which of course, Steve hates...

Pete's Resource: Building America Solution Center - best resource for insulation for every US climate, bar none: https://basc.pnnl.gov. Oh, and since we spent so much time on thermal comfort and referenced ASHRAE Standard 55 several times, I can't resist plugging this GBA blog I wrote some time ago: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/understanding-and-measuring-mean-radiant-temperature.

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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

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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 blowhards just can't shut up about airtightness...

Pete's Resource(s): 

• Blog on Blower Doors
• "Air Barrier Continuity"

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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=All&type%5B%5D=9

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Questions all about water, in everything from concrete to paint, to soils and ventilation systems. Steve says bring caramels and a book for this one...

Pete's Resources:

1. The Manual of Below-Grade Waterproofing (2nd edition, 2016) by Justin Henshell. from this GBA blog

2. ACCA Manual LLH (Low Load Homes)

3. High Performance Dehumidification: Santa Fe Ultra70 YouTube

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Join Jake and Steve as they talk with Ben Bogie in this weeks podcast.

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From the Mongol Horde (an actual rock band but what Jake thought Steve was referring to regarding wall permeability) to the Visual Abacus (a rock band Jake wants to form but Steve's new name for his slider detail climate-tuning wall insulation), wall framing is covered in an entirely unique way in this UnBuildIt podcast. You won't be surprised that the boys approach wall framing from the Control Layer Priority perspective.

Pete's Resource: "Advanced Framing: Using Wood Efficiently From Optimizing Design to Minimizing the Dumpster" 

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What the Foch (based on the lead-in quote from Jake)? I honestly was not prepared for how riveting an impromptu discussion of floor framing could be but listeners won't be surprised to hear Jake and Steve blow up the "simple" decision of floor framing systems with issues like: HVAC integration, finished floor materials, air barrier penetrations, fire protection for engineered wood systems, kitchen island stability, lumber yard availability of different floor framing systems. This UnBuildIt podcast will simply floor you...

Pete's Resource: Chapter 5 of the code and specifically, sections R502.2 and R502.8, and on the UnBuildIt YouTube channel the new series from Steve called "Before the Build."

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Join Jake and Steve as they talk with Construction Instruction co-founder and president, Mark LaLiberte.

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Jake is joined by cohost Tim Uhler and guest Mike Conneely  the guys discuss panelized construction and a very interesting window manufacturer.

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In this special extra episode Jake is joined by co-host Tim Uhler and guest Aron Jones from Big Dog construction. Siga day 3 wrap up includes conversations about an amazing trade school as well as a very interesting multi-family development that featured a Zehnder ERV for the entire building, sound dampening techniques and some huge windows from B4.

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And yet, in homes, whole-house ventilation is a "brand-new" concept in much of our industry. The boys go through all the whole-house ventilation systems citing pros and cons and their own experiences with different systems in their projects across the board.

Pete's resource: Energy Vanguard, Allison Bailes - https://www.energyvanguard.com

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This week Jake and is joined by Tim Uhler and Belinda Carr to discuss the second day of of the Switzerland trip. Jake and guests talk pre-fab construction as well as a very high-performance jobsite visit.

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This week, Jake is joined by Travis Brungardt to promote the Midwest Building Science Symposium in Kansas City and Chattanooga TN. Go to bsandbeerkc.org to sign up for tickets and enjoy some of the best building science minds in the country talking about their craft.

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Holy smokes--so much to consider: the boys range from roof pitch to venting, from color (heat absorption) to texture (water retention), and even planning out plumbing penetrations based on roof cladding layouts (or air admittance vents...). And by the way: this podcast only covered pitched roof claddings--roof membranes on low slope roofs waits for another UnBuildIt day.

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Jake is joined by Tim Uhler and Kristopher Mirchandani to discuss the innovation process and manufacturing tour at Siga world headquarters. 

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Tons to talk about: roof design (simple roofs for easy water management), materials (advanced framing--trusses vs solid sawn rafters), spacing (16 vs 24 inches), accommodating HVAC equipment, and even planning for PV array load. Even building roofs on the ground and craning them into place like a top hat OR what about SIP roofs (and why)? The boys cover a lot of ground but up in the air...

Pete's Resource: "Advanced Framing: Using Wood Efficiently from Optimizing Design to Minimizing the Dumpster:" 

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Steve--the Zen master of deep discussion on all things building--explains how he thinks of these two terms. If you don't integrate, you end up solving during application, be it moving water off the building or transferring structural loads. This approach to designing, specifying, and constructing means the window package is connected to the HVAC system, the roof plan connects entryways to gutters, and a problem popping up on paper won't get better or easier on the job site. Although you might get discouraged with the dubious initial focus on beanie babies, hang in there for some insightful exchanges with Steve, Jake, and Pete.

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Jake lays out the three major sound issues in homes--inside/out, room-to-room, sources of noise inside the home. Pete draws analogies between early 1980s airport noise abatement and early air tightness work. Steve, always listening carefully, finally offers how he designs for sound management.

Pete's resource: BuildingGreen feature article: "BuildingGreen...Quietly: Noise Pollution and What to Do About It." - https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/building-green-quietly-noise-pollution-and-what-do-about-it

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Join us as we learn all about Solar 101 - Part 2 with Dan Shifley of Dogwood Solar out of Columbia, MO.

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Description: On his own, Steve blindsides Pete and Jake with this: how important is each of our backgrounds and how does that affect our approach to building? And how can each of our perspectives be shared to build better buildings?

Pete's Resource: For each of us, what resource has had the greatest impact on your perspective:

• Pete: Bill Rose's Water in Buildings - https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/water-in-buildings

• Jake: Building Science Corp's website: https://www.buildingscience.com

• Steve: Gary Keller's The ONE Thing - https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1885167776

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Funny that we want to both make indoor spaces separate from the nasty outside but also connect to the outdoors when it's peachy. Jake kicks it off admirably by linking air quality to CONTROL (surprise, surprise). This podcast will be one in a bit of a mini-series on the broader topic of Indoor Environmental Quality (including things like thermal comfort and acoustics) and the connected topic of ventilation and its IAQ role.

IQAir - https://www.iqair.com/us/ (good air quality monitor for homes)

Pete's resource: https://www.buildingscience.com/document-search (click on the box for indoor air quality)

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Join us as we learn all about solar 101 with Dan Shifley of Dogwood Solar out of Columbia, MO.

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The Business Challenge - Life is too short to work for every client that comes through your door. Work hard to inform them of how you are different as a high performance building professional--including that you charge more because you are worth more--and then let the chips fall where they may. Because our project relationships are on the long side--anywhere from 3 months to many years--it's important to spend as much time vetting as attracting our clients.

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Take Two because we only got to two questions on this podcast: What good are industry labeling programs, like Pretty Good House? And how do you identify high performance building professionals? They are kinda related. You don't want to miss Steve's rant on the 1st question, Jake's cut on the 2nd, and Pete's info resource to wrap up. 

Learn more: 

PrettyGoodHouse.org

Peter's Blog 

Peter's Questionnaire

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Steve takes the lead on this podcast and ties innovation to one of his favorite clients. Here are the UBIP Big 3 Innovations: from Jake--Huber's ZIP-R; from Pete--AEROBARRIER; and from Steve--wait for it....Instagram. Bet you did not see that one coming. Steve wraps up this podcast with a listener request: tell us YOUR favorite building industry innovation so we can come back to this cool topic in the future!

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Doors--tougher than windows, in terms of what we ask of them and proper installation. The boys talk about everything from deciding on swing/slide/pivot to thermal performance to triple-point hardware. And Steve gets pretty riled up, providing all of us a "door" into his thinking as an architect...

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Favorites from the philosophy of building to historical graphic details--here you go!
Jake:

• Fine Homebuilding, Journal of Light Construction
• A Year in Provence (Mayle),
• The "Code" book
• The World in a Grain (Beiser)

Steve: 

• the FIRST Architectural Graphic Standards (1932)
• The Most Beautiful House in the World (Rybczynski)
• Home - the History of Domesticity [we couldn't actually find this one]
• The Tipping Point (Gladwell)

Pete:

• Designing the Exterior Wall (Brock)
• Water in Buildings (Rose)
• Never Home Alone (Dunn)

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Jack-of-all trades Mark Willie is one of the most interesting folks in our industry. He loves buildings, loves people, and loves to connect the two (check out Mark's Build Small Casitas podcast). Steve and Pete delve deep and sometimes pretty wayward to tease out the real Mark Willie.

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This week Jake & Peter are joined by Bob Kelly of Wickright. A long career in the construction industry has taken Bob from high-end woodworking to roofing artist. As the owner of general contracting business in Chicago focussing on low-slope roofs in split face block buildings Bob has developed system solutions for repeat problems. He now owns a materials company that can be found at wickright.com

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UBIP LOVES Q&A! This episode is nothing short of far-ranging: passive cooling techniques for hot climates, the need for roofing underlayment underneath ZIP roof sheathing, several details for interior basement insulation, and finding high performance building professionals for different markets. And the best is saved for last: Pete tells a story connecting moisture, modeling, and pornography!

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Steve and Jake take the lead describing how they communicate as builder and architect, BOTH of them sounding out the importance of EVERYONE spending quality time at the job site. Pete finally pipes up with a Scopes of Work program he and Steve worked on in the Building America program. All three wrap up with the idea of Balanced Building: run your job sites and your business as high performance operations.

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No, Steve, the most challenging is not the one-armed paper hanger. Both HVAC & Insulation contractors need to up their game because their equipment and materials have become so much more advanced and complex. This session covers common HVAC and insulation problems and solutions.

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Steve Baczek drives this discussion and he is fit to be tied regarding labels like high performance, sustainable, green--you name it. And he goes after "slackers" in our profession who need to up their game when it comes to building performance. Here is Steve's premise, see what you think: Prioritizing for high performance means put on your big boy pants and meet the needs of your client and the planet. If you can't figure out what those priorities are, find an easier industry to make hay...

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What happens when a couple of UnBuild It contributors get invited to Switzerland by Siga to learn about how it’s done across the pond? You’ll have to listen all the way through this one to find out.

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From the sun to wood to heat pumps, the UnBuildIt guys get all fired up about heat sources. The discussion ranges over thermal comfort, the importance of building enclosure performance, adding domestic hot water, and even teepees. You had no idea just how informative and entertaining heat sources can be with these guys...

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In everyone's career, there is a turning point, a point in time that was "before" and "after." And for many of us, that point involves Building Science Corporation. Come hear some backstory on one of the most powerful and influential building performance companies in North America.

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This is the first interview in our new Builder Interview series. Join Jake and Steve as they talk with Chad Gessin of First Dunes about the challenges he faces as a builder on Long Island.

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What is affordable housing? The answer is more nuanced than you would think. Tune in this week to hear Steve, Peter, and Jake talk about their idea of affordable housing.

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Going Against the Grain - Permanent Wood Foundations

Seriously? Aren't the terms "permanent" and "wood" used together below-grade a contradiction in terms? Turns out that if you honor the four continuous control layers below-grade on a foundation framed with pressure-treated wood, both the science and the construction actually work. Is the margin for error probably tighter than with concrete? Very well could be, but framing below-grade seems to bring more attention to detail, as Pete, Jake, and Steve attest.

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Does that home need a floor? Of course. Does it need the assembly you were planning for? Maybe not. In this week’s podcast the crew discusses alternative means of construction that Jake and Steve have executed with great success.

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Is it inside or outside? That is the crawl space question to ask. How do we know? How to decide? Tune in for this week’s UnBuild It Podcast to find out everything about crawl spaces.

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The boys answer listener submitted questions this week.

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It may sound like a vanity move for Jake to talk about all the homes in which he has lived (and it is) but it tells a story about the evolution of residential construction in the USA since 1960. From wood foundations to leaky basements to high performance homes, listen to Pete and Jake walk you through the choices.

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You asked, we answered. The boys answer listener submitted questions this week. Don't like the answers? Ask the right questions.

Don't forget you can send your questions to questions@unbuilditpodcast.com

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Will Toyota and Honda actually change the building industry? We've been promised pre-fab will change the face of the building industry for 30 years...is it really the future?

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A roof assembly can be one of the simplest and most complex parts of a building assembly. In this week’s podcast Steve, Jake, and Peter give an intro to roofs.

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Above grade walls are among the most exposed assemblies of a building. They have to act as all four of your control layers and therefore they must be considered. Check out walls 101.

Please excuse the audio issues, we are still learning and growing.

Also, please excuse Steve Baczek for thinking Top Gun is the best movie in history.

The Five Ages of Wood, by Michael O'Brien
https://mjobrien.com/Papers/Five_Ages_Wood_OBrien.pdf

The Efficient Window Collaborative
https://www.efficientwindows.org

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Every home starts with a foundation. Every decision making process about the home should start in the same place. In this episode of the UnBuild It Podcast hosts Steve Baczek, Peter Yost, and Jake Bruton give a fantastic overview of their decision making process and philosophy behind the below grade assemblies of the homes we build.

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Guest Travis Brungardt of Catalyst Construction talks building science, his passion for the trades, BS and Beer, and has a special announcement about the Midwest Building Science Symposium.

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Guest Clayton DeKorne chats with Jake and Steve about our industry, publishing, and how the internet can get it wrong.

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Peter, Jake, & Steve talk window install.

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The National Fenestration Rating Council provides a window sticker that informs the buyer, installer, and code official as to what is happening with each window, door, or skylight. What does all of the information on that sticker mean?

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A primer on windows from UBIP

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How many Red Herrings can you name in the building industry?

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Jake is joined by Josh and Cyrus from Havelock Wool. The crew chats about everything to do with wool insulation.

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Odorless, tasteless, colorless and potentially deadly: Radon is a soil gas that can end up inside our buildings. But it can be easily managed in new construction and in many areas it is required by code and federal regulation. Jake, Steve, and Pete each bring their perspectives to this podcast on the where, the why, and the how of radon mitigation in both new homes and retrofit.

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On this episode of the UnBuild It Podcast Peter and Steve are joined by special guest Paul Springer of AeroBarrier. The discussion ranges from air sealing to air sealing with one classic folk music reference. Tune in to hear and enlightening discussion about the AeroBarrier product and process. It might be right for your next project.

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From the International Builders Show, to regional events and even the BSC Summer Symposium, the UnBuildIt team breaks down the benefits of attending these events. It's just as much about connections and camaraderie as it is products and education.

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Moisture in our building process can be one of the biggest one time loads on a building. Where does the moisture come from? How do we address this challenge?

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Blower doors or sucker doors? What should they really be called? This and other informative questions about the mysterious blower door are answered by Jake, Pete, and Steve in this episode of the UnBuild It Podcast.

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With 2020 closing out the UBIP crew decided to record a Q&A podcast and release it as an unscheduled surprise to the listeners. Without your support we wouldn’t be here. Thanks for the support!

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When the nerd is away the other hosts will play. In this episode of the UnBuild It Podcast Jake and Steve take advantage of Pete being gone by not even talking about Building Science.

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On this episode of the UnBuild It Podcast Jake and Peter welcome Gary Nelson of The Energy Conservancy. You may not know Gary, but you should because you are probably very familiar with his product the Minneapolis Blower Door. Gary shares the story of how he accidentally started TEC and manufacturing blower doors, some good history of the blower door, and some really interesting nerdy stuff about the blower door.

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The final episode in the 4 part series, control layers, is about thermal resistance...in other words, an R value.

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A big part of what makes a house a home is a sense of place.  High performance is as much about neighborhood as it is structure. You will get a kick out of hearing two building science geeks, Jake and Pete, veering off in this episode to talk context with Jeff Speck, who literally wrote the book(s) on walkable neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

Jeff Speck offers three reasons why we need walkable places to live: economic, human health, and the health of the planet. Jeff is smart, funny, and wide open for a rambling conversation with Jake and Pete.

Some inspiring quotes from Jeff to pull you into this episode:

“The typical household makes 13 one-way trips per day. Now that means that someone isn’t getting home at night!”

“The automobile should be an instrument of freedom, not a prosthetic device.”

“Transportation systems beget settlement patterns.”

“The automobile was the first means of transportation that was not nodal or linear.”

“Transportation systems beget settlement patterns and once you have a good settlement pattern you can have a better transportation system.”

“Walk Score works despite the algorithm being crap.”

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Every time a home is taken apart something can be learned. Sometimes a flashing detail shows its age, sometimes a lap joint appears right on the surface but takes a turn for the worse. However, sometimes nothing is damaged and just as much can be learned. On this episode the guys discuss different learning experiences across their careers that have reinforced the unbuilding to learn ideas.

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Every time a home is taken apart something can be learned. Sometime a flashing detail shows its age. Sometimes a lap joint appears right on the surface but takes a turn for the worse. However, sometimes nothing is damaged and just as much can be learned. On this episode the guys discuss different learning experiences across their careers that have reinforced the unbuilding to learn ideas.

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Peter and Steve talk building science and building science solutions with Ken Kiefer, NE Regional Sales Rep from Siga. Get in touch with Ken directly here, kenneth.kiefer@siga.swiss

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The conversation about control layers continues this week with the UnBuild It Podcast crew talking about Vapor! Learn about smart vapor retarders, what is a grain of water, why Steve doesn’t like to talk about vapor, and the uniformity of vapor loads, all on this episode of the UnBuild It Podcast.

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Follow along as they the guys discuss sensitive issues. Pressure sensitive adhesives are everywhere in construction...can we trust them? Do they perform as promised? The guys explain that the ASTM standards are probably not the metric we should use to answer those questions. Real world testing methods are then discussed, as well at Peter’s Wing Nut Testing.

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Peter and Jake welcome special guest Allen Sealock, ZIP System Product Director, to disucss building science, wood products and Huber Engineered Woods.

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On this weeks episode the conversation about control continues. The conversation about air barriers, air movement, and how it's considered in our buildings is expanded upon by our intrepid trio. They cover what the code says, what it actually means, and what real success looks like.

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Jake and Steve welcome special guest Matt Risinger to discuss how building science has affected his business.

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What is a rainscreen? What does it do? How big of a gap should it be? What makes the rainscreen ventilated? Why would you need a rainscreen? In this episode the guys attempt to solve these questions and others about rainscreen claddings.

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I have no idea who thought to give us each of us a mike and then turn us loose for an episode, but there you have it... Not surprisingly, we wandered all over the place: universal design, high performance design constraints, the lack of building science knowledge across our industry, even "Sticky Business" (how dependent we are on high performance PSA tapes, sealants, and mastics). But you won't want to miss these gems: Jake talks about brotherly love, Steve sees red over client's stuck on cost per sqaure foot, and Pete gets called an old goat for his lack of social media skills. When UnBuildIt goess "Off the Cuff" it's a bit like catching Jake, Steve, and Pete with their pants down, but in a good not scary way...

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Steve tries to play architect lifeguard as builder Jake and BS Pete practice their own water management strokes on Steve. It's a hefty podcast moving all the way from design to perimeter drain cleanouts, from roof overhangs to capillary breaks at footings. And this session steers clear away from rainscreens cause that is a whole other upcoming session. And the podcast ends with an a cappella solo by Pete...you don't want to miss that.

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Steve Baczek and Peter Yost do some reminiscing with Nathan Yost but also put Nathan to task on indoor air quality, building performance, and the new reality with COVID-19. Super-interesting to get Nathan Yost's unique expertise and perspective. Nathan is a pulminologist and a building scientist having spent time in the medical profession and investigating building failures places him in the perfect place to discuss health and buildings. 

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The Gents gather round the mics to continue the discussion on control layers. With water management in the rear view mirror, they are looking forward to air tightness, vapor movement, and thermal protection. With nothing but gentlemen charm and persuasion in this enlightened conversation, you are sure to come away with some favorable opinions to add to your knowledge of building science. The guys do a great job highlighting the areas of concern, prioritizing values, and “unbuilding” the complexities of these three control layers. As always, the guys round off the corners of hard discussion with their gentle banter, and provide some thoughts based on sound building science. Give it a listen, and move a few seats up on the learning curve…

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The Gents dive in on Episode three to start the discussion of control layers. They start with identifying the layers, prioritizing them, and then giving their unique take on them. The episode finishes up with a preliminary outline of the “Water Management” layer. Listen in to hear why water management is the key aspect to defining control layers. Water is ALWAYS a hot topic, and the guys certainly don’t take it lightly.

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The Gents talk about two big questions: 

1. Why do we build? Yes we know we build homes to house people. But what is the underlying premise that drives how we should be thinking about how we build. Listen in and see what the guys have to say, it’s the conceptual foundation for what we should be doing.
2. What are some problems and concerns about the how the industry goes about business? Coming from three different arenas in the building industry, they each have some very personal views. Listen in to hear them list their concerns and how they think the problems can start being solved for.

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Peter Yost, Steve Baczek, and Jake Bruton kick off the inaugural episode of the UnBuild It Podcast by introducing themselves and the ideas behind them starting the UnBuild It Podcast.