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UnBuild It | Episode 124: Q&A 2025 #1 - "Post-Frame" Buildings & Rim Joist Riddles
Episode 124
You say Post-Frame, I say Pole Barn or Barndominium...Yikes. The boys beat up on this topic when we move utility-grade agricultural weather-sheltering buildings (pole barns) to fully-conditioned homes. Aesthetic questions aside, there is solid building science to consider here. And speaking of building science, how do we insulate and air seal rim joists in a way that keeps them dry and durable? This topic takes us from spray foam and capillary breaks to ZIP-R and six-sided containment of interior air-permeable cavity insulation. Oh my. And once again, Steve manages to make us giggle with his closing wordplay.
UnBuild It | Episode 123: Chelsea Scharbach, AKA Rosy the Riveter!
Episode 123
From metal worker to Director of Architecture Risinger Build to home remodeler, Chelsea is all about working on buildings. Instead of a working-man's Architect like our buddy Steve, Chelsea is the quintessential working-woman's Architect. And get this: Steve & Chelsea are about to team-up on a Risinger Build project!
UnBuild It | Episode 120: Santa-Fe Dehumidification Deva Nikki Krueger Round 2
Episode 120
Jake & Pete get schooled again on dehumidification by Nikki. Nikki introduces the acronym HVACD to make dehumidification in equal standing with heating, air conditioning and ventilation. Great discussion of the differences between portable ("big box") and whole house dehumidifiers. Importance of the change in measurement standards for DEHUs from "80/60" (80 degrees F & 60% RH) to "65/60" for portable units & "73/60" for whole house units (more real conditions). Jake closes out by calling dibs on "Dehumidifier Graveyard" as a rock band name...
UnBuild It | Episode 118: Special Guest Nikki Krueger of Santa Fe Dehumidifiers with her remarkably "dry" sense of humor...
Episode 118
Many of us in the building industry turn to Nikki for all questions dehumidification (certainly including this weeks hosts, Jake & Pete). Nikki goes toe to toe with HVAC techs with a degree in communications and that is because she understands that you have to go tech if you are representing technical products such as dehumidifiers. She connects indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and moisture management. Cool discussion of adding the "D" to HVAC: HVACD or HVAC+D. And apologies to all those expecting (forbearing?) Steve's closing humor...
UnBuild It | Episode 117: What Should Pre-Construction Look Like?
Episode 117
After the boys were done taking jabs at each other, they each take this question and apply it to their fields: building (Jake), designing (Steve), and enclosure review (Pete). Much of the discussion centers on cost and expectations that both building professionals and clients have or should set with each other. Another main theme is that pulling in expertise early in the design process may seem as though it is more costly but in the long run, better to spend a bit upfront and get key input during design rather than costly changes deeper into the build process. And interestingly, the conversation went from cost to trust as a key element of Pre-Construction.
UnBuild It | Episode 116: Special Guest, Daniel Glauser--Phius Core Revive Remodeler Extraordinaire
Episode 116
Daniel Glauser is the Executive Project Manager for Risinger Build in Austin TX. And he really puts his money where his mouth is. This episode focuses on his deep energy retrofit of a 1977 home in Austin TX, which will be certified per the Phius Core Revive program.
UnBuild It | Episode 114: Getting Personal: Career-Defining Stories from Jake, Steve, and Pete
Episode 114
Steve and his "jamokes" (Jake & Pete) share moments that changed their careers. Especially interesting is that the term jamoke that Steve uses is most often associated with CarTalk host Ray Magliozzi in this quote: "If my brother and I proved one thing, it's that just about any jamoke can host a radio show." Wow, does that nail the three of us and our podcast!
UnBuild It | Episode 113: Energy Modeling - Necessary Evil?
Episode 113
There is HEED, BEopt, ResCheck, Energy Gauge, PHPP, etc. Three guys who don't do energy modeling and describe it as "drag me kicking and screaming" and "just like going to the dentist" sound off on this key element of high performance residential buildings.
UnBuild It | Episode 112: Confused spaces? Garages
Episode 112
Pete, confused? Pete takes the lead on garages and tries hard not to confuse Steve and Jake (not very successfully...). It's all about how garages are "conditioned" (heated, cooled, dehumidified, ventilated, and filtered) and just what uses the garage is designed for in comparison to the expectations homeowners have in terms of their use(s).