The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine's commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. Hosted by the magazine's editors, The FHB Podcast is an informal but vigorous show about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine's commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. Hosted by the magazine's editors, The FHB Podcast is an informal but vigorous show about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine's commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. Hosted by the magazine's editors, The FHB Podcast is an informal but vigorous show about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.
The FHB editors field questions about the perils of an unheated shop, concerns about insulating a band joist behind brick veneer, and how to build a "fine" house on a tight budget.
Oct 25 2019
1hr 3mins
Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo continue their conversation with GreenBuildingAdvisor.com editor and green building expert Martin Holladay. Martin mentions the superlative builder community at his site. The discussion also covers insulating basement walls and cathedral ceilings, window replacements and make-up air, and ductless mini-splits in cold climates.
Feb 10 2017
57mins
In this episode, Justin, Rob, and Brian welcome green building expert Martin Holladay to talk green building philosophy in general and to answer specific listener questions.
Feb 03 2017
53mins
In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo tackle the challenge of building a whole house on a very tight budget. They cover everything from site work to building design to windows, insulation, roofing, siding, HVAC, interiors, and appliances.
Dec 22 2016
1hr 1min
This is the third FHB episode that Rob and Justin are podcasting live from the 2018 Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. This Wednesday morning show features sponsor Andrew Acker, director of education at Schluter Systems, as well as FHB ambassador Jason Mollak of JPM Construction. In addition to the usual product chat and tech-geek stuff, the guys talk with Andy about encouraging young people to work in the trades, and with Jason about how some manufacturers are addressing the skills gap with a race-to-the-bottom trend in making "easy-install" products.
Jan 10 2018
29mins
In this episode, Rob, Justin, and Brian take long looks at metal roofs and thermal bridges. The guys also tackle whistling hot water bathroom fixtures, closet flanges, replacing open-cell insulation, shed construction, and the paradox of caulking around the bottom of a toilet.
Dec 29 2017
53mins
Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and senior editor Patrick McCombe tackle minisplits, Hoosier cabinets, additions, glue-size, floor joists, shingles, and rot-resistant lumber.
Feb 02 2018
45mins
In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor-in-chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about mold problems, roof-framing options, and the moral obligation of building to code.
Jul 08 2016
52mins
In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about outdoor showers, efflorescence, attic insulation, and window replacement.
Jul 22 2016
49mins
The Fine Homebuilding editors swap stories about some of their own spring projects before–among other things–debating the pros and cons of affordable alternatives to fine-homebuilding products.
In this week's podcast, one listener asks if he should break the budget if he really wants to do a top-notch remodeling job; plus, a non-builder listener confirms that builders and remodelers are clearly not the only professionals who give free estimates; and another listener send us photos of some brilliant job-site furniture that a bunch of contractors cobbled together.
Apr 19 2019
1hr 5mins
This week the editors attempt to answer several unique questions including "What's the best sealer for end cuts on decking?" and "Is there a reliable way to flash a masonry chimney to a standing-seam roof?"
Patrick and Matt kick off the podcast by grilling Rob about his messy metal shop–but they all agree that (most) craftspeople need to have a ready supply of scrap materials at hand to feed their creative projects. Then it’s on to an assortment of listeners’ emails, with questions about ventilation requirements for a metal-clad, slab-on-grade home; the ideal product for protecting end grain on cedar and hemlock that will be exposed to the elements; and options for keeping water out of the gap between a chimney and a metal roof.
Mar 01 2019
1hr 1min
In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about the importance of burying electrical conduit, proper fall protection, and foundation failures.
Jul 14 2016
54mins
Rob, Justin, and Brian talk about floating shelves, cabinets, insulation, drywall, miter vs bevel, structural panels, painting a radiator, decks, and more.
Apr 06 2018
54mins
In this episode, show regulars Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid talk about the priorities they would put on a complete home remodel of a typical 1980s dwelling. The guys discuss buying a house, ventilation, carpeting, paint, remodeling, built-ins, garages, humidity, attics, basements, and windows.
Dec 08 2017
53mins
Our regular podcasters, Justin, Rob, and Brian, cover a range of topics that includes primers, sealers, paints, sprayers, and rollers; soapstone and concrete countertops; greenwashing and the true costs of net-zero homes; and woodworking and rocking chairs. Check out the show notes, links, and more at www.finehomebuilding.com/podcast.
Apr 27 2018
1hr 5mins
Rob, Justin, and Brian tackle bathroom electricals, roof vents, adhesive guns, appliances and kitchen cabinets, tablesaw safety, and two great sweepstakes.
Feb 09 2018
58mins
Justin, Brian, and Rob jump right into listener questions. They tackle lumber, trim, deck ledger flashing, wood rot, wood putty, dogs, and bacteria in the plumbing.
Feb 16 2018
48mins
Justin, Rob, and Brian tackle PEX, caulks, tubs, track saws, insulation, door removal, trim, reciprocating saws, and more.
Feb 23 2018
57mins
On Podcast Episode 86, Matt, Rob, and Brian return to mantels and hearths, and they grapple with listener questions about ceilings, basement remodeling, and plumbing for folks who are not so sure about their plumbing skills.
Dec 01 2017
56mins
The regular crew hears from listeners about galvanic corrosion, eating honey that’s 160 years old, and what the VHB in VHB tape really stands for. Then they take listener questions about replacing a monster sliding patio door, getting a too tight window to fit and removing a two-story masonry chimney from a foursquare.
Oct 18 2019
55mins
Matt, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about thermal bridging, dryer ducts and determining the age of recent remodels before taking listener questions on improving attic insulation, hybrid work trucks and what’s up with this can light?
Dec 06 2019
53mins
The crew tackles questions about rigid insulation for foundations and strengthening an over-spanned kitchen floor, plus Patrick shares his idea of the perfect deck, which is also a boat.
Nov 29 2019
59mins
The crew hears from Rob about a very cool training lab for weatherization work. Cooper shows off his newly-completed garage air sealing and insulating project. Jeff describes how industrial gas bottles are safety tested and he talks about some very interesting bottles dating from the earliest days of rocketry. Cole gives his secrets for installing dog doors meant for entry doors. Daniel wants to know who makes the best outdoor caulk. Kevin wants to know the best plan for an efficient house in South Carolina. Brandon asks how to take apart his tub drain so he can replace the tub. Finally Byron wants to know how to safely insulate his walls which have fiberboard sheathing on the outside and a foil vapor barrier (FSK) on the inside.
Nov 22 2019
1hr
Matt, Rob and Patrick here from listeners about bartering for home projects and using salvaged bowling alleys for tap dancing. The crew then reveals the list of favorite problem-solving tools compiled from Fine Homebuilding’s Facebook page. Robert asks how to keep his wood shop from baking in the warm California sun. Spence wants to know if he should replace his water heater when he replaces his furnace. Dave wonders about the reparability of modern housing while he rebuilds a badly detailed straw bale house in Vermont. Finally, Matthew asks about mixing WRB’s on a remodel that includes a new addition.
Nov 15 2019
1hr
Matt, Rob and Patrick get an awesome new Fine Homebuilding Podcast logo from Matt. Adam writes in to describe his attempt at starting a handyman business in the suburbs of Washington DC. Nicolas asks if there are any good reference books that describe how to take care of seasonal and second homes. Larry asks how to make his home woodshop more comfortable and Chris wants to know if his sister’s house should have its dryer vent outlet in the garage.
Nov 08 2019
58mins
The FHB editors talk about planning a foundation for a remote job site, getting the most from an entry-level carpentry job and should you tear apart a stucco-clad house to search for water damage
Nov 01 2019
1hr 3mins
The FHB editors field questions about the perils of an unheated shop, concerns about insulating a band joist behind brick veneer, and how to build a "fine" house on a tight budget.
Oct 25 2019
1hr 3mins
The regular crew hears from listeners about galvanic corrosion, eating honey that’s 160 years old, and what the VHB in VHB tape really stands for. Then they take listener questions about replacing a monster sliding patio door, getting a too tight window to fit and removing a two-story masonry chimney from a foursquare.
Oct 18 2019
55mins
Patrick welcomes guests Brian Pontolilo, Maria Klemperer-Johnson, Jake Bruton, and Steve Baczek to this special episode of the FHB Podcast.
Oct 16 2019
1hr 2mins
Patrick, Rob, and Justin invite special guests Kevin Ireton, Scott McBride, and Micheal Maines on to talk about the past, present, and future of Fine Homebuilding and the residential construction industry.
Oct 16 2019
41mins
Matt, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about small jobs and glass bottle masonry before taking questions about how to best use an unloved slab in the backyard, how to keep the snow removal team from destroying a brick wall with salt, and the proper way to detail a deck over a porch.
Oct 11 2019
52mins
The Fine Homebuilding editors hear from listeners on gutter guards and can lights before taking questions on the best way to build a home shop, how to protect yourself from lead and other remodeling hazards, and living in North Carolina without air conditioning.
Oct 04 2019
1hr 3mins
Patrick, Kiley, and Matt start the show with more feedback about cool stuff people find in old walls before getting schooled by an infrared-camera expert on the phenomenon of emissivity and how it skewed their beer-koozie experiment. Then it's on to questions about building gable-end roof extensions for an insulation retrofit, why there's a separate code for old buildings (and whether or not anyone even uses it), how to make an attached garage part of a home's conditioned space, and options for attractive gutters when there's a tight budget.
Sep 27 2019
57mins
Justin, Matt, and Rob kick off the show by reminding everyone that there are only a couple weeks until the Fine Homebuilding Summit and there are still a few tickets available for this educational event focused on the fundamentals of high-performance, high-quality home building. After reading some listener feedback, the crew discusses possible solutions for five separate questions from the Fine Homebuilding Forum and the FHB Podcast inbox, including how to replace floor joists, how to cut a hollow-core door, how to finish a wooden basement door, how to insulate around an electrical panel, and whether or not primer filler is a substitute for filling and sanding old siding.
Sep 20 2019
52mins
The crew hears from listeners about New Zealand-grown wool insulation and about repairing homes after serious storms. Tim from Maine writes in to ask about the science and art of contractor estimating and how to make a living doing small jobs nobody else wants to do. Joshua from Cincinnati writes in asking for advice on how to keep gutters free of leaves and other debris. Kathryn from Seattle asks about solar panels, specifically how to improve their aesthetics. AJ from Washington wants to know how to repair the cantilevered decks common to his area that are an extension of the home’s floor joists and lack proper flashing.
Sep 13 2019
1hr 7mins
In this episode of the podcast Patrick and Kiley pick Steve’s brain on how architects and builders can have a better partnership and what the real role of an architect should be. He also gives us a taste of his upcoming presentation at the Fine Homebuilding Summit. Patrick and Kiley talk about fitting drawers and building cabinet doors.
Sep 06 2019
1hr
In this episode of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Justin, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about Zip-R sheathing, blower doors, and reinforcing buildings with spray foam before taking listener questions on using plywood as porch flooring, creating comfortable spaces with good flow, and how to pull of good-looking trim details that can be made in a home shop.
Aug 30 2019
1hr 7mins
The regular crew hears from listeners on T-studs and contractor education before taking listener questions on bulkhead doors, building long-lasting outdoor stairs, and how to waterproofing a screen porch floor.
Aug 23 2019
54mins
Rob, Matt and Patrick hear from listeners about rain barrel spigots and masonry walls resisting soil pressure before taking listener questions on WRBs, insulating walls sheathed with fiberboard, and making French-style patio doors from scratch.
Aug 16 2019
1hr 4mins
Matt, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners on bogus blower door results, pellet stoves, and steel siding before taking questions on the best way to convert an unheated garage into a woodshop, using the web to start a K&B remodeling business, and how to deal with clients who want free additional work.
Aug 09 2019
1hr 10mins