An anonymous listener outlines their company's strategy for attracting and retaining new hires. Josh reminds fellow FHB Podcast listeners about tool-lending libraries. Dan asks about the need for smart vapor retarders. Tim shares his experience dehumidifying his house with a simple system. Randy and Ian describe home projects and help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions.

Tune in to Episode 715 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Advancement and incremental raises for new trade workers
• The utility and cost of smart vapor retarders
• Where to put a whole-house dehumidifier

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 715

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Dan Kolbert raises a lead paint red flag. Jeff wonders if a Bonfig wall is better for inexperienced crews. Andrew wonders if an insulated band joist behind a flashed ledger can dry. Grant and Mike Guertin help Patrick talk about editorial and home projects before addressing listener feedback and questions.

Tune in to Episode 714 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Lead paint risks with architectural salvage
• Introducing exterior insulation to inexperienced crews
• Does an insulated band joist dry behind properly-flashed deck ledgers

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 714

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Ian, Grant and Patrick address reader comments and inquires. They first hear about extensive problems with foam insulation in the UK. Then they ponder why septic systems haven't kept up with the times. Finally they talk about the newest and previous versions of studs meant to reduce thermal bridging

Tune in to Episode 713 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Poor workmanship causing problems with efficiency upgrades in the UK
• Why septic systems are poorly marked and lack monitoring technology
• The newest stud meant to slow thermal bridging

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 713

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Doug says homeowners and home buyers worrying about the wrong things isn't new. Chris asks if reducing carbon in houses makes sense with AI's voracious energy consumption. Spenser wonders about ways to temporarily heat his job sites. Zach describes his comprehensive plan to redo his house's building envelope.

Tune in to Episode 712 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Why clients having trouble caring about what they can't see
• Pros and cons of common temporary job site heating
• Rebuilding the shell of a house you're living in

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 712

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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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 A Homeowner's Guide to a Durable, Efficient, Comfortable Home.

Tune in to Episode 711 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? Email us at [email protected]

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 711

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

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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 Episode 710 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 question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 710

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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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 Episode 709 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Controlling indoor humidity for comfort and building longevity
• Why new hardwood flooring interferes with an entry door
• How to choose the right ventilation appliance for your climate

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 709

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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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 Episode 708 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• The joy and satisfaction of heating with wood
• Why smoke detectors always go off at night
• Detailing windows in brick walls

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 708

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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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 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 [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 707

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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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 Episode 706 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 question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 706

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

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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 Episode 705 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Making the switch from strawbale to conventional building
• How to control humidity in an attached greenhouse
• The cost and benefit of using sheathing with a built-in WRB

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 705

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen