UnBuild It | Episode 143: Steep Cathedral /Vaulted Roofs & 6-sided Containment of Air-Permeable Insulation

A great discussion of a slew of choices for cathedral roof systems: solid-sawn rafters vs scissor truss, smart vapor retarder vs poly, optimal roof pitch(es), venting topside vs underneath vs unvented. And then the last 10 minutes cover a pesky building science phenomenon: what the heck is 6-sided containment of air-permeable insulation, and how does that connect to attic insulation R-values?

UnBuild It | Episode 142: Sage Advice for Young Architects

Seriously? These 3 clowns are sages? The discussion includes how to select the "right” school? How much should a school include building science compared to learning it on the job? And what about even just the 4 control layers? And all three of us stand squarely with Steve: if you want to design buildings, get out on the job site first, second, and last over the course of your prep and your years on the job. And then take what you learn at the site to improve the information transfer you accomplish with your drawings! Pete's Resources see the links below.

UnBuild It | Episode 141: BUILDING SCIENCE NAIVETE? You heard it here first!

All of us in the industry have projects--likely early in our careers--that we just either cringe about or wonder how the heck we got away with that one? The boys wax nostalgic about stories of their naivety over the years, turning them into valuable lessons learned. Actual building topics include spray foam, sill sealer, combining blower door & IR imaging, slab-on-grade insulation, and rainscreens.

UnBuild It | Episode 140: Window Installation: Can We Do Better?

Installing windows is getting more, not less, complicated. Pete lobbies for a different, more durable, and simpler gasket installation of windows. Steve and Jake weigh in with their insights and challenges to what Pete is up to. And a bonus: with Steve and Jake's help, Pete creates a new word: "Poninions" (Pete crashed the words opinions and positions, and his "friends" just could not let it slide).

UnBuild It | Episode 138: Finding a High-Performance Builder

Episode 138     Share

If you can't find an experienced high-performance builder, then find an experienced builder who is willing to listen and learn! And add in time and money in the budget for that listening and learning. The same can go for your architect. But as Steve says: "SOMEONE has to drive the bus. Put on your big boy pants and move your business to the next level."

UnBuild It | Episode 137: Another Two-Fer: Thermally Broken Basement Slab-to-Superior Wall Panel Connection and Exterior Sump Pumps

Episode 137     Share

All 3 UBIP podcasters are fond of the Superior Wall System, but connecting the extended "foot" of the foundation wall panel to the basement slab is a bit tricky. But not for Steve, but of course. And while sump pumps OUTSIDE are a mystery to Pete, Jake & Steve walk Pete through it. And a bonus: using gravel to spread the structural load and better manage the water load. All that and a "joke" by Steve to-just-die-for...

UnBuild It | Episode 136: We Want More! Permanent Wood Foundations & Career Pivotal Moments

Episode 136     Share

Once again, we drive wood into the ground, but only in the context of Permanent Wood Foundations. No surprise that this discussion is all about water & drainage. And some episodes ago, the boys each shared pivotal moments in their building industry careers, concluding with a request for your pivotal moments. We got ONE, but what a doozy from our buddy Carl Seville, SK Collaborative.

UnBuild It | Episode 135: ZIP-R for CZ 6B - New Construction? Continuous Air Control Layer for Exterior Retrofit CZ 4A?

Episode 135     Share

Two great questions about wall assemblies. The boys dig deep, exploring all the variables to consider for both wall assemblies. And no big surprise: Much of the conversation is about how to get these three control layers right (water, air, thermal) and ALSO get the drying potential (vapor) correct.

UnBuild It | Episode 134: Another Double Feature - SIPs vs Stick-Frame & Thermal Degradation of Rigid Insulation

Episode 134     Share

There are a bunch of reasons to consider SIP building systems, BUT switching from stick-framing is not a walk in the park. But UnBuild It has a ton of experience with SIPs. Next up: Just how stable are the R-values of rigid insulations (the plastic ones with blowing agents) over time? The boys spend just the right amount of time on this on...(just could not resist that).

UnBuild It | Episode 133: Deep Dive on That Pesky Transition: Top-of-Foundation/Bottom-of-Above-Grade Wall

Episode 133     Share

Flush alignment is recommended for better protection. Sealing with a sill sealer can prevent air leakage and water infiltration. Steve's personal info is unnecessary.

UnBuild It | Episode 132: The Pre-Construction Process?

Episode 132     Share

Plenty of reasons for the question mark: Pete wondered what this term really meant; Jake points out that for most of his career, he was not involved in this process as a builder; Steve gets pretty heated when this process does not include budget (at least a realistic budget...). Here's a gem from Steve: "70% of a home's budget is hardwired into the number of square feet."

UnBuild It | Episode 131: Two Q's: Isn't ZIP-R backwards? Shouldn't we rainscreen roofs as well as walls?

Episode 131     Share

Two great questions on which the boys pontificate in fine form. Yes, ZIP-R is "backwards" (rigid insulation interior to structural sheathing), but that does not mean that it doesn't work; it does, just differently. So why don't we typically rain screen roof claddings? The short answer is that it always costs more, regardless of the type of roof cladding. But you know the saying: vent until you can't...