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UnBuild It | Episode 136: We Want More! Permanent Wood Foundations & Career Pivotal Moments
Episode 136
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
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
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 132: The Pre-Construction Process?
Episode 132
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 130: Qs: Job Site Safety & Garage Moisture Management
Episode 130
What could be more fun than yammering on about scary job site stories and just how confused a space your garage can be? Your listeners ask the damndest questions, so we just keep on cranking... Per usual, Steve closes us out with humor worthy of these two questions...
UnBuild It | Episode 129: A Crazy Space - Decks Over Garages (or worse) & Living Spaces
Episode 129
Advice starts with "don't ever do this" and then dives into the details for doing it right: slope, overhangs, pedestal systems, step-down from house to deck, and truck liners...Wait, what? Jake describes a long-past project involving a spray-on truck bed liner protective coating (and there ARE spray-on residential roof systems for decks--who knew).
UnBuild It | Episode 128: Master Plumber Eric Aune Part III: Water Sources & Water Quality
Episode 128
Different water sources lead to different water quality issues. Eric walks us through: sources of tap water; testing water; appropriate water treatment systems responding to the testing results; and a new water frontier: PFAS in our tap water (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances). Yikes!
UnBuild It | Episode 125: Christine Williamson: From training building practitioners to teaching the next generation of architects
Episode 125
Jake spends time at Virginia Tech with Christine Williamson, a leading building professional who integrates building science and architecture. In her first year as an Assistant Professor of Architecture, Christine applies building science to architecture courses such as Environment and Building Systems I and II. In her own words about her new position, Christine says, "Architecture education is, I think, a lot closer to more of a fine art program than maybe a lot of people realize. That is something I would like to change."
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.