The crew hears from listeners about ceramic paint, prefinished siding, and tiny houses in Texas. Discussion questions include flashing windows in masonry walls, protecting buried fence posts from rot, and using boilers for domestic hot water.
The crew hears from listeners about EV charging, aging in place, and dowsing. Discussion questions include customer communication, covering exposed foundation insulation, and HVAC design.
The crew hears from listeners about ICFs, remodeling a small kitchen, and affordable net-zero and then takes questions on rebuilding a cabin, leaks from wind-driven rain, and refilling hydronic heating systems.
Nic and Carson have thoughts on LEDs. Phil asks about self-stick underlayment on Zip System roof sheathing. Buzz wants to add a shade structure over his paver patio. Knot Painter asks about priming new drywall. Mark is trying to lower his home’s humidity.
The crew hears from listeners about gas stoves, screw-pile lighthouses, and LEDs. Discussion questions include roots lifting a garage, leaky porch ceilings, and central dehumidifiers.
The crew hears from listeners about WRBs, Brian’s porch piers, and hidden costs of construction. Discussion questions include tightening a stone foundation, stucco on straw bales, and low-buck energy upgrades.
The crew hears from listeners about manufactured houses and DIY lighting with LEDs. Discussion questions include unstuck flashing tape, sealing the bottom of new windows, and EV chargers.
The crew hears from listeners about affordable net-zero, roofing underlayment, and garage separation. Discussion questions include fixing trusses, frost-protected foundations, and air-control strategies.
Listeners share thoughts on condensate drains, fake shutters, and silicosis. The crew takes questions on insulating a floor system, converting a former storage building to living space, and how to use LED strip lighting.
In the final episode of Pro Talk, Ian, Andy, and Jude talk about engaging with young adults to foster an interest in the building trades from the perspectives of the contractor and of the apprentice.
The crew hears from listeners about sound attenuation, plumbing, and LED lighting. Discussion questions include high-humidity spaces, best building practices, and garage-door weatherstripping.
Ian and Josh talk about managing risk in the built environment and how Josh’s vocation as an insurance adjuster has influenced the design of the home he is building for his family.
Listeners share their thoughts on storm shutters, LED light solutions, ERVs vs. HRVs, and contractor licensing. The crew takes questions on writing good contracts, testing DWV systems, and common problems with modular homes.
Ian talks to John Klabacka of Associated Training Services in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin about training the next generation of crane and heavy-equipment operators, and jobsite safety.
Dan Kolbert shares his thoughts on cordless power tools and batteries. Jeff suggests curbside pickup. Chris shows us a good-looking drop ceiling. Bill is contemplating a roof and insulation upgrade. Evan is considering an attic-to-living-space conversion. Felix asks about pocket screws for framing. Wade wants to know which construction trade shows he should visit.
Ian talks to builder and remodeler Jon Beer about building your own home as a construction professional and how to improve your business by defining processes and developing procedures.
Peel-and-stick membrane, shallow frost-protected foundations, affordable net-zero, scavenged building products, and keeping garage pollutants out of the house.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Will Gusakov of Goosewing Timberworks about Will’s work with Carpenters Without Borders, timber framing, and the solidarity economy.
The editors discuss chimney airtightness, sealing end cuts, dormer additions, damp basements, and starting a construction business in this best-of compilation.
In this ProTalk Podcast Ian continues his talk with business consultants John Lenker and Assaf Arie about how to overcome the challenges associated with growing a construction business.
Gas stoves, tool batteries, material prices, controlling humidity in efficient homes, advanced framing, and ducted heat-pump water heaters.
Ian, John and Assaf discuss the importance of marketing and management training for the success of a construction company.
Ethan has thoughts on climbable railing and code. Ben and James question our conversation about washing machines. Neil needs to make comfy RVs. Ben notices bad shutters. Sam’s apartment is too noisy. David shows us how heat pumps work.
In this episode, Ian talks to Madison College carpentry student Jon Moore about changing career paths early in life and how formal education can be applied to the building trades.
Keeping craft alive, FHB and GBA combo memberships, stud-to-top-plate connectors, screen porch conversion, squaring mudsills, kitchen remodels, and moving plumbing.