#707: Off-Grid in Arizona, Architectural Salvage, and What is Natural Building
Release Date: 10/17/2025
#711: Training Ex-Military for Trade Work, Questioning Carbon, and Where's the Sheathing?
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Grant learns about military veterans joining the local construction workforce with help from the Department of Defense. Josh Salinger and Grant help Brian address listener feedback and questions. They also talk about Josh’s new Fine Homebuilding course called . Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The Department of Defense’s Skill Bridge Program Decarbonizing houses and the proliferation of data centers and AI Boosting the energy performance of houses without sheathing Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show?...
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#710: Windows With Exterior Insulation, Double-Stud Walls, and Basement Remodeling
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Responding to an attendee who wants to share his experience at the Summit, Brian asks Ian and Randy what they liked about the event, and what they didn’t. The crew shares their preferred details for installing windows in walls with continuous exterior insulation and opinions on insulating double-stud walls. We try to help a listener who is refinishing a basement that’s been refinished before. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The best of the 2025 FHB Summit Installing windows in thick walls Strategies for finishing basements Have a...
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#709: Trade Careers, Faulty Fire Alarms, and Windows in Masonry
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Accountant Austin shares thoughts on trade work. Ian’s smoke detectors are waking him up at night. Will wonders if his windows are detailed correctly. Brian and Grant help Patrick share listener feedback, answer their questions and talk about housing affordability. Grant discusses an editorial assignment that looks at affordable windows. Brian describes his trip to Austin to learn about 3D printed homes made from concrete. Patrick talks about introducing people to trade work through SPARK. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Controlling indoor...
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#708: Controlling Indoor Humidity, Swelling Hardwood Flooring, and ERV vs. HRV
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Patrick, Ian and Randy talk about humidity control and whole house ventilation in this HVAC-themed episode. Guy, Doug, and Josh share experiences with maintaining comfortable and house-friendly humidity levels. Matt asks about his tenting hardwood floor. Home moisture consultant Guy share insights on humidity control in low-load houses. Doug’s Colorado house is too dry. Matt’s floor is hitting his door. Chris is trading his HRV for an ERV. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The joy and satisfaction of heating with...
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#707: Off-Grid in Arizona, Architectural Salvage, and What is Natural Building
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Steve provides an update on his planned Arizona home. David shares his tale of basement flooding. Kit asks what’s good to get at architectural salvage yards and what isn’t. Rob asks about water management and window placement in a lime-plaster wall. Ian, Grant and Patrick help Patrick address listener comments and questions. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Owner-building an off-grid house in Arizona Smart shopping at architectural salvage yards Wall assemblies with natural materials and lime plaster Have a question or topic you...
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#706: LIVE From the 2025 Fine Homebuilding Summit
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
The FHB crew is coming at you LIVE from the 2025 Fine Homebuilding Summit with a special episode of the podcast! Summit attendees emailed us their questions, and they didn't dissappoint. One asks how to explain the importance of the building envelope to clients while another wonders if we need to do away with one-off design choices in new builds. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The best tools for measuring indoor air quality The future of the standard wall assembly Engaging younger generations with the building industry Have a...
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#705: Straw Bale Construction, Home Greenhouses, and ZIP System Sheathing
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Pia and Stephen have thoughts on flexible floor plans. Mae asks about mainstream housing. Kevin asks about controlling humidity in an attached greenhouse. Austin asks if a sheathing with an integral WRB is worth the extra cost. Ian and Randy discuss home projects and help Patrick answer listener questions about flexible floor plans, building a home greenhouse and the pros and cons of sheathing with integral WRB. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Making the switch from strawbale to conventional building How to control humidity in an attached...
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#704: Groundwater, Radiant Barriers, Water Management with Masonry Walls
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Doug says that ground water is regional. Hunter asks about the effectiveness of two radiant barriers. Michael inquires about insulating a 200 -year old stone farmhouse. Chris is considering a ceiling update in his family’s’ A-frame. Grant and Mike help Patrick help listeners address updating old houses dating from the 1700’s to the 1980’s. Insulation, water management and maintaining the historic fabric of old buildings is considered. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: If one radiant barrier is effective, is two better ...
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#703: Heat Pump Water Heaters, Wiring behind Baseboard, and Off-Grid without Propane
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Will says a heat pump water heater was a no-brainer investment. David shares a story about attracting workers to the skilled trades. Evan has been thinking about the challenges of running wires behind baseboard. Jim wonders why the Podcast is suggesting propane for off-grid second homes. Ian and Randy help Patrick respond to listener feedback and answer their questions about home building, design and remodeling. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Installation and payback of heat pump water heaters The best ways to...
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#702: Dedicated Dehumidification, Wet Basement Walls, and Future Forest Products
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Doug describes the science behind soundproofing in theater spaces. Will gives Ian a timely “told-you-so”. Kevin wonders what’s causing his basement stairway to be wet. Dan asks about the future of forest products. Grant, Brian, and producer Cari address reader feedback on sound-control in buildings and the importance of dedicated dehumidification in low-load houses. They answer listener questions about wet block walls and what building houses will look like in the future. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Central ducted...
info_outlineSteve provides an update on his planned Arizona home. David shares his tale of basement flooding. Kit asks what’s good to get at architectural salvage yards and what isn’t. Rob asks about water management and window placement in a lime-plaster wall. Ian, Grant and Patrick help Patrick address listener comments and questions.
Tune in to Episode 707 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:
- Owner-building an off-grid house in Arizona
- Smart shopping at architectural salvage yards
- Wall assemblies with natural materials and lime plaster
Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.
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