The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Hosted by Fine Homebuilding Magazine

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Episodes

782

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast is all about answering YOUR construction, design, and building science questions. From foundation waterproofing to roof flashing, we take on your building, remodeling and design challenges with the know-how of North America's most-trusted home building brand. -- Every Friday, we discuss listener questions and offer advice following best-practice building techniques and principles. We love hearing from you, so if you have a question or project you want us to dig into, please send an email to FHBpodcast@finehomebuilding.com or ask your question on social media. -- Want more from Fine Homebuilding? Check out our website, finehomebuilding.com. -- Instagram: @FineHomebuilding Facebook: @FineHomebuildingMagazine YouTube: @FineHomebuildingMagazine TikTok: @FineHomebuilding Pinterest: @FineHomebuilding -- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 4, 202649 min

#753: Self-Leveling Compound, Housing Affordability, and Stinky Water

Ian and Randy help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions. David asks if there's a secret to effectively using self-leveling compound. Another David wonders if it's better to be a specialist or generalist carpenter. Patrick asks what's been driving the rapid increase in home prices over the last two decades. Mike and Teresa say their bathroom sink stinks and they are hoping for a solution. Tune in to Episode 753 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: How to use self-leveling compound so it actually levels floors What is driving housing unaffordability and scarcity What is that rotten-egg smell that sometimes comes from tap water Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com . ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 753 ➡️ Get all the perks of an FHB All-Access Membership today ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

August 28, 202643 min

#752: Grass-Fed OSB, Alabama Fixer-Upper, and Adding a Porch Roof

Ian and Grant help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions. Scott is sharing some old Taunton books with his kids. Jim alerts us to panel sheathing made from grass. Daniel is contemplating buying a fixer-upper in Alabama. An FHB Forum participant needs help designing a porch roof that won't be a problem later. Tune in to Episode 752 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The development of structural sheathing made from grass instead of wood How much work is too much when it comes to buying a fixer-upper What is a dead valley and how to avoid them when adding on ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 752 ➡️ Get all the perks of an FHB All-Access Membership today ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

August 21, 202646 min

#751: Disaster Mansion, Drippy Ceilings, and Insulating Existing Walls

Producer Cari asks for advice on how to tactfully educate your contractor about best practice. Robert shares a story about an ambitious couple saving a dilapidated Civil-War Era house they bought in an auction. Jim shows us how early 20th Century builders bragged about insulation. John wonders why his bathroom ceiling is wet in the summer. Travis asks about insulating walls and adding a thermal break to studs. Tune in to Episode 751 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Over-the-top DIY home renovation What is going on with a wet bathroom ceiling in summer The right sequence for making home repair and energy improvements ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 751 ➡️ Buy tickets for the 2026 Fine Homebuilding Summit — use code "Podcast15" for 15% off ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

August 14, 202650 min

#750: Flashing and Effective Water Management Techniques

In this special edition of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, the crew discusses effective roof, wall and deck flashing techniques to celebrate Flashing Awareness Day. Special guest Aron Jones of Big Dog Construction joins the Podcast to talk about good and bad flashing techniques and why it's so important to keep bulk water out of buildings. Aron builds houses on Grand Manan Island in Canada's Bay of Fundy. Tune in to Episode 750 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The reasons behind celebrating Flashing Awareness Day A checklist for exterior details that require flashing What happens when you forget or ignore basic water management Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com . ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 750 ➡️ Buy tickets for the 2026 Fine Homebuilding Summit — use code "Podcast15" for 15% off ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

August 7, 202654 min

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

Randy and Ian help Patrick address listener feedback about RTA cabinets and shim screws before talking about the best way to insulate a post frame building that's being converted to living space and the pros and cons of an extra sheathing layer under steel siding. Tune in to Episode 749 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: How IKEA cabinets hold up in the real world The best way to insulate a formerly unconditioned outbuilding Should you have another sheathing layer on top of exterior insulation Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com . ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 749 ➡️ Buy tickets for the 2026 Fine Homebuilding Summit — use code "Podcast15" for 15% off ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

July 31, 202648 min

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

Dan Kolbert says to use the tools that work best. Mike Guertin offers advice for site-built scaffold. Jordan asks about fixing leaks behind stucco exteriors. Greg wonders if he should insulate the floor of his garage shop. Tune in to Episode 748 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Altering the size and height of Mike Guertin's A-frame scaffold system How to track down a leak behind stucco and how you fix it Should you insulate a concrete shop floor and how Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com . ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 748 ➡️ Buy tickets for the 2026 Fine Homebuilding Summit — use code "Podcast15" for 15% off ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

July 24, 202651 min

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

Matt Puntin says that helical piers are a game-changer. Patrick and Greg alert us to lab-grown lumber. Brad asks about controlling humidity in a beautiful, old brick house. D_Dart wonders which is the right exterior insulation. Tune in to Episode 747 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The potential benefits of lab-grown lumber How to control humidity in an old brick house in a mixed climate Which rigid insulation is right for adding exterior continuous insulation Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com . ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 747 ➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

July 17, 202646 min

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

Ken describes the efficiency of common residential humidification systems. Bob reminds us about concrete igloos. Miranda asks the Podcast what has changed in residential construction since the first episodes. Grant talks about a new category of quieter impact driver called hydraulic or oil-impulse drivers. Tune in to Episode 746 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The energy consumption of steam humidifiers The pros and cons of hydraulic impact drivers Changes in residential construction over the last 10 years ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 746 ➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

July 10, 202654 min

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

Dack says we should reconsider our endorsement of LP SmartSide. Josh suggests we come up with a better name for water vapor. John wonders how to insulate his concrete garage ceiling. Keegan shares a tale sizing a heating and cooling system using AI. Tune in to Episode 745 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The environmental tradeoffs of engineered wood siding How to insulate a garage ceiling that's made from poured concrete. The challenges of sizing heating and cooling equipment Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com . ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 745 ➡️ Get your tickets for the FHB Summit! ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

July 3, 202647 min

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

Welcome to the Fine Homebuilding podcast, our weekly discussion of building, remodeling, and design topics aimed at anybody who cares deeply about the craft and science of working on houses. In Episode 744 , our best-of show, the Podcast crew revisits some of their favorite segments. Tune in to Episode 744 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: How to asses leaks behind stucco Building a "fine" home on a tight budget The difference between cabinet saws and portable job-site saws Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com . ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 744 ➡️ Get tickets for the Fine Homebuilding Summit today ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media: Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.