The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

In this podcast episode, host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. The guys tackle reader questions on siding durability on a sloped lot and more. Plus, running conduit, yard clean-up, and hauling sheetrock.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham and design editor Brian Pontolilo join FHB editor Justin Fink in this podcast episode. This episode features listener questions, focusing on load-bearing beams, choosing pipe, and what to do with an unused dryer vent. And Brian has strong opinions about water penetration through siding.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham joins FHB editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid in this podcast episode. Matt's a new editor at FHB, as well as an Army veteran and a recent grad from the State University of New York's residential construction program. Plus, straw-bale construction, DIY rim-joist insulation, and OSB vs plywood.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Brian talks about his recent visit with South-Dakota-based master carpenter Ben Brunick. They discuss Ben's honest, do-it-the-hard-way technique, including how he softens window glazes, but not old paint. Plus, more on Rob's roof renovation. The guys also talk about roofing from the top down; working alone; and a range of building materials.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Patrick McCombe joins FHB editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid in this podcast episode. After a bit of an absence from the show, Rob gets grilled on his 1940's Cape remodel, taking a deep dive into removing his old three-layer roof, and the home-made scaffolding he used for the job. Plus, copper wiring vs. aluminum -- and new basement supports in a 280-year-old farmhouse.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Patrick McCombe joins FHB editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo in this podcast episode. The conversation ranges far and wide over plaster, batteries, small homes, and nailers. Plus, #KeepCraftAlive!

In this podcast episode, another Texan joins host and editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo — Jeremy Martin, a builder in Austin, Texas. Jeremy has done everything from finish carpentry to managing on-site construction, interfacing with architects and designers, and running sales, marketing and financial operations. He's a realtor. He holds the highest level of certification from the National Homebuilders Association, and is on the association board of directors. He was listed by Professional Remodeler Magazine as one of the 40 under 40, and was named custom builder of the year in Austin in 2015.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by design editor Brian Pontolilo and a special guest — Brent Hull, the founder and owner of Hull Historical. They talk about Brent's books, his show, and his efforts to #KeepCraftAlive.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Topics for this show include modern cabins, small homes, roof vents, and building a foundation on piers.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Rob shares his plans and progress as he works on the unfinished attic space of his Cape-Cod-style home. A listener asks about the real value of energy efficiency, which turns out to be ... well ... complicated. Also, another listener asks about vermiculite, and whether it is the huge and expensive problem that abatement experts describe, or just something to deal with, no worries. Short answer: Worry!

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. They have advice for a listener who is remodeling a mountain home in California where it snows — but HARD! Listeners also ask about sheathing and wall technology, garage foundations, and more.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Brian talks about his visit to a house in Austin, Texas, that uses an automated, app-activated system to control lights and shades. He explains how a remodeling firm keeps their jobs on budget, with four project managers juggling one or two projects at a time. Plus architectural metalwork, HGTV, stone walls, outdoor wood boilers, and window flashing.

In this podcast episode, editor and host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Patrick McCombe. They take the entire episode to argue about the best way to spend $2,500 on tools.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. The guys respond to a listener who takes them to task over their lead paint stripping advice. Another listener asks about Rob's dormer build, sizing his dormers to look appropriate given the design of his house, but also having a large enough clearing to meet code for egress requirements. Other topics covered in this podcast: blown-in fiberglass insulation vs. cellulose, building a deck over a concrete patio, and using smart membrane with insulation.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. They talk about their own projects: Justin's porch, Brian's involvement with the American Institute of Architects, and Rob's basement. Other topics covered in this podcast: countertops, oil finishes, lightning strikes, fence posts, roofing, grouting, and building a house in phases.

In this podcast episode, Host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Patrick McCombe. They tackle listener questions on painting vinyl siding, farmhouse style homes, and a brick chimney repair.

In this podcast episode, Fine Homebuilding editor-at-large Kevin Ireton joins editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo for conversation that explores a key question: "We know how to build better, so why aren't we?" After 20-plus years of advancing building science, Energy Star for homes, and green research, we have the know-how to make homes more energy efficient, comfortable, durable, and even healthier. but there are going to be a million and a half homes built in America this year, and the vast majority will only made to code minimum. Why?

Other topics covered in this podcast: Renovating old houses, a poorly made staircase in an old basement, wrapping copper pipes with insulation, and the difference between a jig and a fixture.

In this podcast episode, FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss tankless water heater tech, including propane gas lines needed to supply them. Also on the slate for this episode: porches, excavation, crawlspace insulation, window flashing, and building trades business resources. Plus, a scammer tries to convince Brian that there is a warrant out for his arrest for tax violations.

In this podcast episode, FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss cabinet and drawer hardware, window sheathing and flashing, and DIY roof replacement. Also, latex paint is better than oil paint, plus the odd things Justin has in his personal shop. And please, let's step back from the discussion of the advantages of lead-based paint.

In this podcast episode, FHB editor Justin Fink, associate editor Patrick McCombe, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss paint expiration, discount tools, dust collection options, shopping at Harbor Freight, reconditioned (CPO) power tools, and HGTV. Plus, the podcast has a new musical intro, and why you should not let Justin borrow your tools.

FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss heating systems, cabinets with legs, concrete vs granite for sinks and counters, witch windows, building code, and how architects work with builders.

In this podcast extra, FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid are joined by ProHOME designer Mike Maines in an episode that looks at the 2016 ProHOME project as a case study in building a progressive, low-energy home. They tackle the project from foundation to mechanicals to insulation to finished interiors.

In this podcast episode, host and FHB editor Justin Fink talks with design editor Brian Pontolilo and associate editor Patrick McCombe about TPO valves for water heaters, General Electric, making your own concrete patio pavers, and deck refinishing. The guys talk about the Taunton workshop (used by Fine Homebuilding and sister magazine Fine Woodworking). A reader question on slat-wall systems as an alternative to pegboard gets some expert consideration from Patrick and some general jocularity from all three. Plus more on Brian's kitchen cabinets.

In this podcast episode, host and FHB editor Justin Fink talks with design editor Brian Pontolilo and associate editor Patrick McCombe about cordless miter saws, routers, drivers, drills, and more. That includes some pretty honest evaluations of the strengths and weaknesses of tool makers including Milwaukee, Rigid, DeWalt, Bosch, Festool, and Makita. Plus Brian's kitchen cabinets, jigs for drawer slides, roof durability under solar panels, and a water heater in the attic?!

Architect, builder, and designer Steve Baczek joins FHB editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo in this episode. The conversation ranges over solar heat gain from windows, juggling mechanical and window package costs, how to pick a contractor, and constructing to the passive house standard.

FHB associate editor Patrick McCombe joins Justin, Rob, and Brian to talk about cellulose insulation in Episode 42 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast. The guys tackle a listener question on prioritizing crawlspace repairs in an old Craftsman house in Florida. Plus, options in photovoltaics.

Rob talks about his visit to the North Bennet Street School in Boston, which runs the oldest carpentry program in the United States. The guys offer advice to a shop teacher on "timeless" vs "dated" styles in home renovation. Also on the slate: large high-performance houses on sloped lots, working platform safety vs cost vs efficiency, and Brian's first job working on roofs.

In an open discussion of the Fine Homebuilding ProHOME demonstration project, the guys talked about sourcing building materials and our guiding purpose in trying new things — like No-Coat drywall tape for corners and Habito heavy-duty drywall. Podcast host and FHB editor Justin Fink, editorial director Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo also tackled windows with drywall returns, shop organization, dust collectors, and miter saw stands.

The guys share horror stories of jobsite injury, offer advice on re-constructing a leaky shower pan, and discuss the ins and outs of double doors.

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.

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.

In this episode, FHB editors Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo talk about options in porch paint, a pergola installation at Brian's house, and options in fixing a drywall gap.

In this episode, host Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo respond to reader mail about overdriven nails, roofing in high winds, and protecting floors during during remodels.

In this episode, host Justin Fink talks with Rob Yagid and Brian Pontolilo about exploring and renovating a 19th Century New England cottage-stye house that's in pretty deep disrepair. The guys discuss the business budget and logic of house-flipping, kitchen remodeling, light fixtures, and factors in trim quality.

Fine Homebuilding editorial director Rob Yagid and editor Justin Fink talk about what's happening at IBS 2017, especially the Keep Craft Alive initiative and how to bring new people into the trades. Also, the guys discuss house sheathing and tapes.

Fine Homebuilding editor in chief Justin Fink talk about industry experts about tile primer, showerheads, wine cellars, dehumidifiers, coil nailers, spray foams, and air and moisture barriers.

Fine Homebuilding editor in chief Justin Fink chats with several construction masters at IBS 2017, covering construction adhesives and getting under the hood of the home building trade.

Fine Homebuilding editorial director Rob Yagid and editor in chief Justin Fink talk about what's happening at IBS 2017, especially the Keep Craft Alive initiative and the support for the campaign at the show from the ranks of younger attendees. Plus, Justin is "tooled out" — but he's looking for new materials at this show.

In this episode, host Justin Fink talks with Rob Yagid and Brian Pontolilo about attics and insulation — especially Brian's project prepping his attic for insulation and then blowing in the cellulose. Brian, Rob, and Justin are amazed at builder Mike Guertin's clever trick for tackling the cheek wall of a cross-gable. Plus simple Shaker design and listener questions.

Work boots; attic ductwork, dampers, and blow-in insulation; weather barriers, over-driven nails, wall sheathing, and liquid flashing; and the pros and cons of reusing material are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

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.

Drywall, preparing residences for people with limited mobility, why putting TVs above fireplaces is gross, and preparing clapboard and shingle siding for painting are the topics discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

Partition-Wall Window, Pergolas, and Fire Blocking are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

STAFDA, Vinyl-Siding Penetrations, Kitchen-Island Venting, and Rough Openings are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, associate editor Patrick McCombe, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

Attic Upgrades, Exterior Siding, and DIY Dense-Pack Cellulose are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

McMansions, Whole-House Ventilation, and Thermal and Ignition Barriers are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

Finished Basements, Bleeping Cussing, and Roof Issues are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

Trusses, Windows, Decking, and Foundations are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

Risky Performance Assemblies, Sustainable Efficiency, and Wall Cracks are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.

Linear Drains, Exterior Weatherization, and Mudsill Repair are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.