In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to architect Marcos Santa Ana about Passive House, the benefits of having a team with diverse backgrounds, and producing well-designed homes.
Ben says to check your library for Taunton titles. Jonathan shows us how U.S. homes are heated. Marc likes linoleum. Paul wants universal tool batteries. Roger wonders about insulating a steel-frame building. Andrew asks about safely doing high work. Kevin is building carriage doors for his shop.
Ian, Sandy, and David discuss teaching the carpentry trade in a classroom environment, recruiting students from nontraditional backgrounds, and ways contractors can build a relationship with local trade schools.
Mike has advice about anvils. Domas clarifies Canadian code on interior poly sheeting. Nicky asks about improving airtightness. Sam asks if a chimney cleaning is the same as a chimney inspection. A prospective homebuyers wonders what questions to ask sellers about a home you’re considering buying. The crew contemplates old-house features.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Jessica Bishop-Smyser, Operations Manager at Silent Rivers Design+Build, about the challenges of producing a wide variety of projects and keeping them on budget.
Mike, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about construction productivity and kitchen remodels with FHB’s help, before taking questions about insulating a basement, resources to teach historic preservation, and making an ADU from a steel shipping container.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Jason Langkammerer of AT6 Architecture + Design Build about growing up with a builder for a father, starting your own business, and the challenges of working in the Bay Area.
The crew hears from listeners about Bonfiglioli walls and ready-mix concrete before taking listener questions about weird screws, insulating a basement ceiling, and suburban mall redevelopment.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Maria Lauber of Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC about the Inflation Reduction Act, heat pumps, and contractor training programs.
The crew hears from listeners about galvanic corrosion and the satisfaction that comes from tradework before taking listener questions about durable low-cost flooring, replacing previously replaced windows, and diagnosing a poorly performing bath fan.
Patrick talks to Zac Strauss, a home-building apprentice in New Zealand, about how homes are built in New Zealand, how tradespeople have higher social status, and how exposing kids and adults to trade craft is good for them and society.
The crew hears from listeners about ridge vents and sand separators before taking listener questions about finding a contractor to remodel a small kitchen, locating air- and water-control layers, and monitoring indoor-air quality.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Dan Purnell, production manager at Alloy Workshop, about working with in-house architects, building architecturally driven projects, and having a career background from outside the construction industry.
The crew hears from listeners about LED lights and DIY solar before taking questions about seasonal movement of softwood flooring, tightening an 1850s house, and a permanent-wood foundation for a new build.
In this Pro-Talk podcast FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to painting contractor Luke DiBlasi, of DiBlasi Painting, about high end paint finishes, operating a family business, and the importance of prep work and employee training.
The crew hears from listeners about Vancouver Special houses and wind-blown trash before taking questions about a bowed foundation wall, air-sealing and insulating a new shop, and fixing a door jamb with Bondo.
Patrick talks to Justin Czok, an electrical engineer who helped develop cordless power tools for Milwaukee about cordless power tools, tool batteries, and how engineers see the world.
The crew hears about extra time for DIY and minivans for work before taking questions about boosting the comfort and efficiency of Cape houses and fixing a spalling foundation.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Steve Inch, Director of Build at TriVistaUSA, about working on homes in the nation’s capital, managing teams, and working with in-house designers.
The crew hear from listeners about good construction screws and Chicago building codes before taking questions about improving a row house and fixing tile substrates.
In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to structural engineer Stephen MacDougall about building collapses, how engineers are made, and what engineers look for when house shopping.
The crew hears about carbon and workwear for women before taking questions about repairing asphalt felt, vent terminations, and demolition by neglect.
Ian and Phillip discuss technical college programs in carpentry and architecture, learning on the job, and why you should give a career in the building trades a chance.
The crew hear from listeners about cold-weather gear and smart watches before taking questions about warming a cold house, using galvanized fasteners with aluminum flashing, and siding over board sheathing.
FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt and Scott Fridrych, Director of Construction at LivCo in Chicago, discuss how a remodeling company can provide a higher level of customer service to their clients and how managing a remodeling company compares to production home building.