Patrick talks to Steve Rogers, president of The Energy Conservatory, about the tools of building science, what it’s like to have a niche business, and the integration of building science into HVAC work.
Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about holey sheathing and making the most of an existing home, before taking questions on wall stack-ups, drilling holes in concrete foundations, and HVAC systems in a mixed climate.
Patrick talks to Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation at the International Code Council, about off-site construction as a way to address multiple societal and industry challenges including affordability, resilience, and workforce availability.
In this live recording from the last day of the show, Patrick, Andrew, Nathan Shirai, and Andy Steele talk about what they learned at the first Southeast Building Science Symposium and the challenges of building in the southeast.
In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Schluter sales rep Chris Hossler about how to achieve a high-quality tile installation and why so many building-products companies do such a poor job of training and support for their products.
The crew hear from listeners about winterizing foundations and lazy additions before taking questions about air-sealing band joists, sheathing tape, and good windows at a reasonable price.
Patrick talks to Charlie Stewart, a contractor in Altamont, N.Y., about what it’s like to work on old houses, sacrifices to please good customers, and renovating Charlie's historic home.
Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about stopping sound between floors and the world’s worst drywall finishing, before taking questions about leaving small parts of homes standing, insulating inaccessible attic spaces, and leaving felt underlayment exposed.
Patrick talks to Cesar Gonzalez, store manager at 84 Lumber, about the lumber business, building-material customers, and what it’s like to run a busy lumberyard.
Andrew, Mike Guertin and Patrick hear from listeners about lead times for windows, the right grout for the job, and being an owner-builder, before taking questions about plugging the vents in a low-slope roof, the condition of sheathing after multiple reroofs, and how to contain costs for new builds.
Patrick talks to Marianne Cusato about the things we’re getting right and wrong with current American architecture and why people who already have a home should worry about affordable housing.
Andrew, Patrick, Travis Brungardt, and Joe Cook share what they’ve learned and discuss why you should go to one of this year’s remaining Building Science Symposiums in Chattanooga or Austin, before taking questions from attendees about things they heard or learned at the show.
Patrick talks to Karalynn Cromeens, an attorney who specializes in work for construction firms, about the importance of good contracts, the new bargaining power of subcontractors, and the value of trusting your gut.
Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about salvaged wood flooring, going all-electric, and protecting a foundation during a prolonged build before taking questions about energy improvements for an old Victorian, fixing shaky walls from slamming doors, and sealing holes left by roofing nails.
Patrick, Dave and Mark talk about the evolution of structural fasteners, how fasteners are tested to ensure they work as intended, and common mistakes when using them.
Andrew, Ian and Patrick hear from listeners about radon and excavation contracting before taking questions about fixing the floor in an Eisenhower-era bathroom, vapor control for a small shop in Manitoba, and water pouring from this home’s electrical service entrance.
Patrick talks to Dave Cooper, a construction-media content creator and YouTube presenter who advocates for panelized and modular construction methods, about the advantages of off-site construction and ways it can speed the building process and help solve the affordability crisis.
Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about porch conversions, sawing your own lumber, and pandemic remodeling before taking listener questions about noticeable settlement, multihead minisplits, and repairing a stone foundation.
Patrick and Tara talk about how contractors can better track their financials, what bookkeeping information they should be able to produce in a few keystrokes, and what to do when your business has you feeling overwhelmed.
Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about building your own house and the cost of electrical work, before taking questions about above-garage living spaces, using paper-faced insulation behind siding, and leveling a sawn-lumber floor system.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to epoxy floor finish contractor Kevin Smith about decorative epoxy floor finishes and a lifetime spent working on houses.
A part time gig as a bookkeeper at an insulation company lead to a passion for building science and eventually, becoming the owner of Insulation Unlimited in Chattanooga, TN. Nathan Shirai is passionate about using insulation to help buildings perform better, and he’s also a founder of Chattanooga’s BS and Beer chapter. Head to bsandbeerkc.org to register for the Southeast Building Science Symposium, October 12-13, at The Bode, in beautiful downtown Chattanooga, TN. And keep up with Nathan on In...
Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about one- vs. two-story builds and thermodynamics before taking questions about detailing garage-separation walls, building a new house in stages, and the risks of a root cellar with radon.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder and remodeler Andy Steele about finding your niche as a contractor and what you can do to prepare for possible lean times ahead.
After 11 years as a middle school and high school teacher, Carly Carey wanted to do something new. Fond of HGTV and This Old House, her partner encouraged her to think about the trades. She contacted a bunch of plumbers in the Twin Cities, and one emailed her back. Three years later, she’s on the way to becoming a journey-level plumber with Eric Nelson Plumbing.
Travis, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about wet versus dry air, micro toppings for concrete, and good fences before taking questions about vapor retarders for a cedar closet, heating and cooling a woodshop, and regional differences in construction terms.
Patrick and Mason talk about an event they hope will encourage more people to consider trade work and enjoy satisfaction that goes with it.
Brian Pontolilo, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about hygric buoyancy and wet basement floors before taking listener questions about air-sealing the floor of a vintage mobile home, taking building tests, and the right mortar for ready-to-tile shower pans.
Patrick and Paula talk about how colors make us feel, how to test colors before fully committing, and staging a property so people want to buy it.
Jesse Neumann loves trees. He’s a certified arborist and works for the city of Austin, TX. In this episode of Keep Craft Alive, he talks about the challenges of the industry, keeping trees alive in Texas, and the importance of taking good care of the tree canopy.
