UnBuild It Podcast

Hosted by Unbuild It Podcast

Science Education

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Episodes

177

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

THE GOOD news: our homebuilding industry is jam-packed with new materials, new techniques, and new systems, and it’s so easy to get information online in an instant. THE BAD news: How do we know what we can trust, what will work, and under what conditions? Where do we turn to separate the spin-and-hype from the true-and-square? We’ve got you covered! The UnBuild It Podcast is an industry-leading opportunity to get good information. UnBuild It podcast is a three-member team – Peter Yost, Building Scientist; Jake Bruton, Builder, and Remodeler; and Steven Baczek, Architect. We are nationally recognized industry leaders: Jake as a homebuilder, Steve as an architect, and Peter as a building scientist. You can find us at leading homebuilding industry events, in top-notch publications, and online media outlets. We believe that solid industry-related information has four key ingredients; RELEVANCE: You need insight on your job site. Jake, Steve, and Peter are in the field regularly doing what we strive to do. We walk the walk – then talk about the walk. We have worked together long enough to build on each other’s expertise and not take ourselves too seriously. We are among the best at taking what may seem like complicated concepts, breaking them down, and turning them into job-site-ready breakthroughs. ACCURACY: Jake is often quoted as saying, “Trust but Validate.” We don’t ask you to be the bleeding, leading edge; we develop trusted solutions based on our work in the field, pushing each other to practice what we preach. Our accuracy comes out of triangulation: building, design, and performance. UTILITY: We guarantee that each podcast episode will move you from all ears to all action. Our information is born from our work. We pride ourselves on delivering information you can use the same day you listen to an episode. CAMARADERIE: We work together because we love homebuilding, hitting the airwaves, and humor. We are not doing our job if you are not enjoying learning with us during each episode.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 4, 2026Episode 15732 min

157 - Four Building Science Puzzles: Expansive Soils, Radiant Barriers & More

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 SoilsEvolution of Foundation Design for Expansive SoilsORNL Thermal Performance Evaluation of Attic Radiant Barrier SystemsBuilding America Solution Center – Attic Radiant BarriersEPA Moisture Control GuidanceGBA – Vapor Profiles Help Predict Whether a Wall Can Dry

May 21, 202634 min

156 - Building Standards vs Better Buildings?

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 clipISO Construction Quality Standards Construction Education & Certifications Chasing Friction Article

May 7, 2026Episode 15532 min

155 - ZIP-R on the Roof? Structural, Hygrothermal & Durability Tradeoffs

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

April 16, 2026Episode 15431 min

154 - Wildfire Zone Rainscreens & Smarter ZIP Sheathing Use

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 RulesUS Fire Administration – Wildland Urban InterfaceIBHS External Sprinklers for Wildfire DefenseBuild Show – Air Barrier Continuity (Wall to Ceiling)Build Show – Air Barrier Continuity (Ceiling)

April 2, 2026Episode 15332 min

153 - Wall Details That Actually Work: Water, Air & Rainscreens

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 DetailsAbove-Grade Foundation Wall Waterproofing (GBA)Huber Technical Support: 1.800.933.9220 | techquestions@huber.comRAINA (Rainscreen Association of North America)Must-Know Window and Door Flashing Details

March 19, 2026Episode 15240 min

152 - Thermal & Structural Loads: Insulation, Wood, and Concrete

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 GeofoamBSI-059: Slab HappyBSI-118: Concrete SolutionsEcoSmart StudsTolko Wall Framing

March 5, 2026Episode 15129 min

151 - Where Matters: Climate

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 searchPNNL US Climate Map GuideBSC Enclosures That WorkBSC BSI-001 The Perfect Wall

February 19, 2026Episode 15041 min

150 - Social Media: The Best and Worst of Building Science

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 ShowJake BrutonSteve BaczekPete Yost

February 5, 2026Episode 14934 min

149 - I’ll Tell You Where to Stick That Opinion

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 DesignWBDG Engage the Integrated Design ProcessBuildingGreen – Integrated Project DeliveryGBA Residential CommissioningORNL Free WUFI Versions

January 22, 2026Episode 14835 min

148 - Dumb Ideas? Vented Crawlspaces & Over-Insulating Window Frames

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 – CrawlspacesBSI-115: Crawlspaces – Either In or OutLSU La House CrawlspaceGBA Q&A on Window Frame InsulationPete Yost on Thermal Buck

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