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Podcast
UnBuild It Podcast
174
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THE GOOD news: our homebuilding industry is jam-packed with new materials, new techniques, and new systems, and it’s so easy to get information online in an instant. THE BAD news: How do we know what we can trust, what will work, and under what conditions? Where do we turn to separate the spin-and-hype from the true-and-square? We’ve got you covered! The UnBuild It Podcast is an industry-leading opportunity to get good information. UnBuild It podcast is a three-member team – Peter Yost, Building Scientist; Jake Bruton, Builder, and Remodeler; and Steven Baczek, Architect. We are nationally recognized industry leaders: Jake as a homebuilder, Steve as an architect, and Peter as a building scientist. You can find us at leading homebuilding industry events, in top-notch publications, and online media outlets. We believe that solid industry-related information has four key ingredients;RELEVANCE: You need insight on your job site. Jake, Steve, and Peter are in the field regularly doing what we strive to do. We walk the walk – then talk about the walk. We have worked together long enough to build on each other’s expertise and not take ourselves too seriously. We are among the best at taking what may seem like complicated concepts, breaking them down, and turning them into job-site-ready breakthroughs.ACCURACY: Jake is often quoted as saying, “Trust but Validate.” We don’t ask you to be the bleeding, leading edge; we develop trusted solutions based on our work in the field, pushing each other to practice what we preach. Our accuracy comes out of triangulation: building, design, and performance.UTILITY: We guarantee that each podcast episode will move you from all ears to all action. Our information is born from our work. We pride ourselves on delivering information you can use the same day you listen to an episode. CAMARADERIE: We work together because we love homebuilding, hitting the airwaves, and humor. We are not doing our job if you are not enjoying learning with us during each episode.
THE GOOD news: our homebuilding industry is jam-packed with new materials, new techniques, and new systems, and it’s so easy to get information online in an instant. THE BAD news: How do we know what we can trust, what will work, and under what conditions? Where do we turn to separate the spin-and-hype from the true-and-square? We’ve got you covered! The UnBuild It Podcast is an industry-leading opportunity to get good information. UnBuild It podcast is a three-member team – Peter Yost, Building Scientist; Jake Bruton, Builder, and Remodeler; and Steven Baczek, Architect. We are nationally recognized industry leaders: Jake as a homebuilder, Steve as an architect, and Peter as a building scientist. You can find us at leading homebuilding industry events, in top-notch publications, and online media outlets. We believe that solid industry-related information has four key ingredients;RELEVANCE: You need insight on your job site. Jake, Steve, and Peter are in the field regularly doing what we strive to do. We walk the walk – then talk about the walk. We have worked together long enough to build on each other’s expertise and not take ourselves too seriously. We are among the best at taking what may seem like complicated concepts, breaking them down, and turning them into job-site-ready breakthroughs.ACCURACY: Jake is often quoted as saying, “Trust but Validate.” We don’t ask you to be the bleeding, leading edge; we develop trusted solutions based on our work in the field, pushing each other to practice what we preach. Our accuracy comes out of triangulation: building, design, and performance.UTILITY: We guarantee that each podcast episode will move you from all ears to all action. Our information is born from our work. We pride ourselves on delivering information you can use the same day you listen to an episode. CAMARADERIE: We work together because we love homebuilding, hitting the airwaves, and humor. We are not doing our job if you are not enjoying learning with us during each episode.
154 - Wildfire Zone Rainscreens & Smarter ZIP Sheathing Use
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Do wildfire zones actually change how rainscreens should be detailed—and where does conventional thinking fall short? Nick Sabol from Huber’s Product Engineering team is back with Steve and Pete to continue the deep dive into wall details that actually work.
This episode focuses on rainscreen strategies in wildfire-prone areas and challenges the assumption that every risk requires a completely different assembly. The discussion also highlights Steve’s perspective on using materials like ZIP sheathing in unconventional ways—prioritizing performance and continuity over tradition when it makes sense.
From fire exposure considerations to air barrier continuity, the conversation connects real-world risk with practical detailing decisions. It’s a continuation of the Part I discussion, with a sharper focus on where building science meets evolving conditions like the Wildland Urban Interface.
Pete’s Resources:
ICC Harmathy’s Ten Rules
US Fire Administration – Wildland Urban Interface
IBHS External Sprinklers for Wildfire Defense
Build Show – Air Barrier Continuity (Wall to Ceiling)
Build Show – Air Barrier Continuity (Ceiling)
31:10
153 - Wall Details That Actually Work: Water, Air & Rainscreens
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
What are the most critical wall details for managing water and air—and where do builders get them wrong? Nick Sabol from Huber’s Product Engineering team joins the crew for a technical deep dive into exterior wall assemblies that actually perform.
Pete, Jake, and Nick focus on two of the most failure-prone areas in construction: bottom-of-wall-to-foundation connections and window rainscreen detailing. The discussion breaks down how to properly manage bulk water, maintain continuous air control, and integrate systems so they work together instead of against each other.
Along the way, they introduce RAINA (Rainscreen Association in North America) and highlight why rainscreen strategies are becoming essential for durability across climates. It’s a detail-heavy episode with practical takeaways for builders, designers, and anyone serious about building enclosures—plus, for better or worse, no Dad joke this time.
Pete’s Resources:
Huber ZIP System Bottom-of-Wall Details
Above-Grade Foundation Wall Waterproofing (GBA)
Huber Technical Support: 1.800.933.9220 | techquestions@huber.com
RAINA (Rainscreen Association of North America)
Must-Know Window and Door Flashing Details
32:13
151 - Where Matters: Climate
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Climate drives building performance. In the first episode of a three-part series, Pete, Steve, and Jake explore why climate matters so much in building science.
Steve kicks off the discussion with a simple analogy: Would you pack the same suitcase for Minneapolis in February, Honolulu in March, and New Orleans in July? Of course not. Buildings work the same way. Design decisions about insulation, vapor control, air barriers, and drying potential all depend on where the building lives.
The conversation walks through how climate zones influence building enclosure strategy and why national research from the Building America program has shaped modern high-performance construction. And of course, no climate discussion would be complete without Joe Lstiburek’s “Perfect Wall,” one of the most influential concepts in applied building science.
This is the first of three episodes exploring how location shapes building design. Next up: Site and Extreme Events.
Pete’s Resources:
Building America Solution Center – Climate search
PNNL US Climate Map Guide
BSC Enclosures That Work
BSC BSI-001 The Perfect Wall
29:52
150 - Social Media: The Best and Worst of Building Science
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Is social media helping the building industry—or hurting it? Matt Risinger joins Jake and Steve as the Three Social Media Amigos to roast Pete, the resident social media skeptic, and unpack what online platforms really mean for builders, architects, and building science pros.
The conversation draws a sharp line between the dark side of social media—misinformation, marketing noise, and ego-driven content—and its best potential: real information transfer, community, and better buildings through shared knowledge. It’s entertaining, honest, and occasionally brutal (especially for Pete), but it also raises serious questions about how we learn, teach, and influence in a digital world.
The takeaway? Social media can either amplify expertise or dilute it. The difference comes down to intent, integrity, and how we use the tools.
Pete’s Resources:
Information Transfer in Social Media (ResearchGate)
Matt Risinger – The Build Show
Jake Bruton
Steve Baczek
Pete Yost
41:59
149 - I’ll Tell You Where to Stick That Opinion
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Who really matters most on a building project—and can the team actually work together? In this episode, the crew digs into the five “gears” of the building process: designers, builders, manufacturers, consultants, and building owners or users. The big question is whether any one of those gears is more important than the others—or whether good buildings only happen when they all mesh.
Steve cuts straight to the chase, sharing how he really feels about consultants (that would be Pete) and, in particular, energy modelers. The discussion gets lively, honest, and occasionally spicy, but the takeaway is clear: the best-performing buildings come from integrated teams that respect each role and work together from the start.
It’s a candid look at collaboration, friction, and why integrated design isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential if you actually want buildings that perform as intended.
Pete’s Resources:
GBA Integrated Design
WBDG Engage the Integrated Design Process
BuildingGreen – Integrated Project Delivery
GBA Residential Commissioning
ORNL Free WUFI Versions
34:50
148 - Dumb Ideas? Vented Crawlspaces & Over-Insulating Window Frames
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Are vented crawlspaces really a bad idea—and can you actually over-insulate a window frame? The crew gets fired up tackling two topics that refuse to die in building science conversations.
First up is crawlspaces. The boys dig into a bit of U.S. crawlspace history, what vented crawlspaces were originally intended to do, and why they so often fail to perform as hoped. They walk through what crawlspaces should and should not do, and why climate, moisture, and enclosure strategy matter far more than tradition.
Then Steve takes the lead on one of his favorite “dumb ideas”: over-insulating window frames. While improving window performance absolutely matters, the discussion makes the case that, except in very cold climates, obsessing over frame insulation can introduce new water-management risks—and distract from much bigger thermal priorities elsewhere in the enclosure.
Classic UnBuild It: strong opinions, real-world building science, and a reminder to focus effort where it actually moves the performance needle.
Pete’s Resources:
Building America Solution Center – Crawlspaces
BSI-115: Crawlspaces – Either In or Out
LSU La House Crawlspace
GBA Q&A on Window Frame Insulation
Pete Yost on Thermal Buck
35:11
147 - Dehumidification in Dry Climates & Vented Crawlspaces? Seriously?
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Can ERVs actually dehumidify a home? And does it ever make sense to use a dehumidifier in a vented crawlspace? Two listener questions spark a lively—and slightly ruthless—discussion that leads to one of Steve’s classic lines: “Suck it up, buttercup!”
The crew digs into how moisture really behaves in dry climates, what ERVs can and cannot do when it comes to latent load management, and why dehumidification strategies that work in one climate can be completely wrong in another. They also unpack the challenges of managing moisture in vented crawlspaces and why adding equipment isn’t always the right answer.
Along the way, the conversation takes an important turn into floodplain construction, with a great discussion—and a must-read resource—on FEMA breakaway walls and how they intersect with moisture management and durability. Plenty of tough love, plenty of building science, and lots of useful takeaways despite the rough ride.
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- "Dealing with Moisture of Construction" (GBA)
- Do ERVs really manage interior sources of moisture? (GBA Q&A)
- "Understanding & Measuring Humidity" (GBA)
- "Household Sources of Moisture" (GBA)
- "Design & Construction for Breakaway Walls" (FEMA)
31:56
146 - A Deep Dive on Windows: Glass, Performance & Condensation
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Windows are one of the most confusing—and consequential—components of a high-performance home. In this episode, the crew takes a deep dive into window and glass selection, aiming to make things clear without letting your eyes glaze over.
The discussion covers dual-pane versus triple-pane insulated glazing units, IGU numbering conventions, and the relatively new i89 coating—including what it means for thermal performance and condensation risk. They also unpack the difference between center-of-glass values and full-window NFRC performance numbers, and why those distinctions matter when making real design decisions.
One gem of a takeaway sums it all up, with Jake quoting Steve: “The windows, the envelope, and the HVAC are one line item.”
Pete’s Resources:
Cardinal Glass Technical Guide (2025 Version 3.1)
BA 0402 “Singing the Blues in the Key of Low-E”
A Review of Advanced Architectural Glazing Technologies
Efficient Window Coverings
35:49
145 - High-Performance HVAC Ducting & Appliance Exhaust
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
A detailed look at smarter HVAC ducting, better airflow, and what it really takes to manage appliance exhaust and makeup air in high-performance homes.
The boys dive into the how and why behind HVAC duct layout, register placement, and whole-house airflow. They break down how interior design, enclosure performance, and mechanical systems must coordinate—because ducting isn’t just about energy efficiency. Thermal comfort and indoor air quality matter just as much.
They also get into makeup air, kitchen ventilation, and what happens when houses get tighter and appliances get stronger. Lots of building science, lots of clarity, and (of course) a little UBIP chaos.
PETE’S RESOURCES:
Green Basics – GBA Integrated Design
Building America – Ducts
Building Science “The Perfect HVAC”
ACCA Technical Manuals
Mechanical Kitchen Ventilation Study
Makeup Air Systems Example (Fantech)
IQAir Visual Pro Monitor
42:24
144 - Tips for Young Builders with Tim Hill – Risinger Build
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
What does it really take to grow as a young builder today? Jake and Steve bring in Risinger Build’s Managing Partner, Tim Hill, for a fast-paced, experience-packed conversation full of practical advice for builders looking to level up their craft, business, and mindset.
Jake and Steve give Pete the boot for this one—and for good reason. Tim joins them to share real-world insights on everything from building capital and managing budgets to client communication, niche-building, and avoiding the projects that drain your time and sanity. Across the episode, there are a “baker’s dozen” takeaways that every young builder needs to hear:
Build capital each year.
Have honest, direct conversations about budgets.
Meet clients in person for budget discussions instead of relying on email.
Remember that builder or not, you’re in the customer service business.
Cost projects accurately, not optimistically.
Use the job you’re on to improve the next one.
Market your own work and own your story.
Don’t take projects just because you feel you have to.
Show clients the cool things happening on-site every day—they care more than you think.
Think and act like a building professional, not just a carpenter.
Trust your gut and say no to the wrong projects or clients.
Find your niche instead of trying to be everything to everybody.
Don’t let your business consume your entire life.
A ton of wisdom in a single episode—and a must-listen for builders on the rise.
39:35
143 - Venting Cathedral Roofs & 6-Sided Insulation Explained
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
A deep dive into cathedral roof design and insulation strategy. The team compares solid-sawn rafters vs. scissor trusses, smart vapor retarders vs. poly, and discusses optimal roof pitches. You’ll learn when to vent from the topside, from below, or go unvented entirely—and why those choices matter.
In the last 10 minutes, the crew unpacks one of building science’s trickiest topics: 6-sided containment of air-permeable insulation—and how it impacts attic R-values and energy performance.
PETE'S RESOURCES:
1. GBA "Five Cathedral Ceilings That Work:"
2. BSD-149: Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates
3. "Convection in Loose-Fill Attic Insulation - Measurements and Numerical Simulations"
40:01
142 - Sage Advice for Young Architects
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Seriously? These 3 clowns are sages? The discussion includes how to select the "right” school. How much should a school include building science compared to learning it on the job? And what about even just the 4 control layers? And all three of us stand squarely with Steve: if you want to design buildings, get out on the job site first, second, and last over the course of your prep and your years on the job. And then take what you learn at the site to improve the information transfer you accomplish with your drawings!
PETE'S RESOURCES:
The architecture school Steve went to
Pete taught for Keene State in building science (briefly)
ACSA (Assoc of Collegiate Schools of Architecture): cool resource including a Quiz that leads you to schools that reflect what you want out of your architecture education
NICHE Building Science and Technology Graduate Programs in America
BuildingScience Newsletter: sign up by scrolling to the very bottom of their home page
39:10
141- BUILDING SCIENCE NAIVETE? You heard it here first!
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
All of us in the industry have projects--likely early in our careers--that we just either cringe about or wonder how the heck we got away with that one? The boys wax nostalgic about stories of their naivety over the years, turning them into valuable lessons learned. Actual building topics include spray foam, sill sealer, combining blower door & IR imaging, slab-on-grade insulation, and rainscreens.
PETE'S RESOURCES:
"Foam-In-Place Insulation: 7 Tips for Getting Injection and Spray Foam Right:"
"Sources of Household Moisture" (GBA blog)
35:22
140 - Window Installation: Can We Do Better?
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Installing windows is getting more, not less, complicated. Pete lobbies for a different, more durable, and simpler gasket installation of windows. Steve and Jake weigh in with their insights and challenges to what Pete is up to. And a bonus: with Steve and Jake's help, Pete creates a new word: "Poninions" (Pete crashed the words opinions and positions, and his "friends" just could not let it slide).
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- Pella Steady Set: https://www.pella.com/professionals/steady-set/
- Build Show LIVE 2024 Austin, TX: "Why I am a Wingnut: Real World Testing of Building Materials Including Windows & Their Installation:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGLbHItOH-Q
- BSI-004: Drainage, Holes and Moderation - https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-004-drainage-holes-and-moderation
www.santa-fe-products.com/
36:49
138 - Finding a High-Performance Builder
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
If you can't find an experienced high-performance builder, then find a professional builder who is willing to listen and learn! And add in time and money in the budget for that listening and learning. The same can go for your architect. But as Steve says: "SOMEONE has to drive the bus. Put on your big boy pants and move your business to the next level."
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- Building Enclosure Manufacturers Tech Support - Here are just a few manufacturers with outstanding tech support professionals: Huber, Dorken, Rockwool, Benjamin Obdyke, Prosoco...
- "How Does Building Geometry Affect Energy Performance, Aesthetics, and Construction Cost?" - https://haus-arch.com/building-geometry/
https://www.arclin.com/
36:01
137 - Another two-fer - Thermally-broken basement slab-to-Superior Wall panel connection AND exterior sump pumps
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
All 3 UBIP podcasters are fond of the Superior Wall System, but connecting the extended "foot" of the foundation wall panel to the basement slab is a bit tricky. But not for Steve, but of course. And while sump pumps OUTSIDE are a mystery to Pete, Jake & Steve walk Pete through it. And a bonus: using gravel to spread the structural load and better manage the water load. All that and a "joke" by Steve to-just-die-for...
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- Superior Wall resources on slab-to-panel connections - https://weaverprecast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Pouring-the-Concrete-Floor-Slab.pdf& https://www.superiorwalls.com/api/getFile/19
- Outdoor sump pumps
- Sump Pump Guide
- https://buildingscience.com/documents/building-science-insights-building-profiles-new-construction/bsi-146-below-grade-water
- "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner
https://www.arclin.com/
40:03
136 - We Want More! Permanent Wood Foundations & Career Pivotal Moments
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
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 revealed pivotal moments in their careers in the building industry and wrapped up with a request for your pivotal moments. We got one, but what a doozy from our buddy Carl Seville of SK Collaborative. I think we might be done now (at least for a while) with PWF, but come on now: email us your pivotal moment in our industry!
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- American Wood Council 2021 Permanent Wood Foundation Specifications NOTE: Need to purchase this one...
- Southern Forest Products Association Permanent Wood Foundations Design & Construction Guide NOTE: freebie...
- Sk Collaborative, Carl Seville & Carl Seville interview
30:19
134 - Another Double Feature - SIPs vs Stick-Frame & Thermal Degradation of Rigid Insulation
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Whole 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).
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- "The Complete Guide to Building With Winter Panels:"
- BASC SIP Details (SIPA)
-"The BuildingGreen Guide to Thermal Insulation:"
- "A Study on Variation of Thermal Characteristics of Insulation Materials for Buildings According to Actual Long-Term Annual Aging Variation:"
34:59
133 - Deep Dive on That Pesky Transition: Top-of-Foundation/Bottom-of-Above-Grade Wall
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
Should exterior above-grade wall sheathing or framing line up flush to the outside face of the foundation? Is sealing the bottom of the above-grade wall and foundation with a sill sealer product like Protecto Wrap Triple Guard a good idea? This sets off Jake, Steve, and Pete on balancing water protection, air sealing, and drying potential at this key transition and challenges for control layer continuity. Finally, Steve gets TMI with his sleeping arrangements with his wife...
PETE'S RESOURCES:
Protecto Wrap Triple GuardNOTE: It is interesting that in their installation drawing, the framed wall is stepped out to line up the framing with the foundation, but they do not lap the sheathing down over the foundation.
Huber ZIP Sheathing bottom-of-above grade-wall Detail(s)NOTE: 4 details with "Scenario 4" being spot on for the UnBuild It guys...
Above-Grade Concrete Foundation Waterproofing
34:23
132 - The Pre-Construction Process?
Episode in
UnBuild It Podcast
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...). Gem here from Steve: "70% of a home's budget is hardwired into the number of square feet."
PETE'S RESOURCES:
- Build Show Podcast Episode 91 - Pre-construction Service Agreements
36:27
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