UnBuild It Podcast

Unbuild It Podcast
  • 4.8 (236)
  • Science
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. Oct 1

    165 - High-Performance Homes: Do They Really Cost More?

    Do high-performance homes have to be expensive? Steve and Jake tackle one of the most persistent misconceptions in building science: that better-performing homes are only practical for wealthy clients with luxury-home budgets. Yes, Steve and Jake work on plenty of high-end custom homes. But the price of those projects shouldn't be confused with the cost of applying good building science. Better water management, airtightness, insulation, durability, comfort, and energy performance aren't inherently luxury features—and many of the principles behind them can be applied across a wide range of budgets. The conversation gets into where the real costs of high-performance construction come from, how builders and architects can prioritize decisions that deliver meaningful value, and why better performance doesn't require throwing expensive products at every part of a building. With Pete absent this week, Jake also gives Steve some room to respond to the social-media criticism they receive about designing and building for wealthy clients. Fair warning: the conversation gets a little spicy. Ultimately, the question isn't simply how much more a high-performance home costs. It's where the money is being spent, what the client gets in return, and how building-science principles can deliver better performance without turning every project into an unconstrained luxury build. PETE'S RESOURCES: WolfWorks - How Much Does High Performance Cost?PNNL - Literature Review of Data on the Incremental Costs to Design and Build Low-Energy BuildingsGBA (PRIME) - Achieving Affordable High-Performance Homes

  2. Sep 18

    164 - Back to Basics: Thermal Control Layers Explained

    R-value is only part of the story. In the final episode of the Back to Basics series, Steve, Jake, and Pete tackle the thermal control layer—and why good insulation means very little if the rest of the building enclosure isn't working with it. The boys break down heat flow, insulation, thermal bridging, and the importance of maintaining a continuous thermal control layer throughout the building. As with water, air, and vapor, continuity matters: transitions, penetrations, framing, windows, doors, and other interruptions can undermine an otherwise well-insulated assembly. But thermal performance isn't simply about chasing higher R-values. The conversation gets into making intelligent decisions about where insulation belongs, how different materials and assemblies actually perform, and why the thermal layer has to be considered as part of the whole building rather than as an isolated specification. And that brings the four-part series full circle. Control liquid water first. Control air movement. Understand vapor and drying potential. Then manage heat flow. The best-performing buildings come from getting all four control layers continuous—and getting them to work together. This is Part 4 of the Back to Basics series covering the four fundamental building control layers: Water, Air, Vapor, and Thermal. PETE'S RESOURCES: BSC - Thermal Control: Insulation & Thermal BridgesBSI-062 - Thermal Bridges ReduxBuilding America Solution Center - Continuous Rigid Insulation SheathingBSI-001 - The Perfect WallGBA - Thermal Bridging

  3. Sep 3

    Back to Basics: Vapor Control Layers Explained | UnBuild It Podcast #163

    Vapor is one of the most misunderstood parts of building science—and in many assemblies, it helps buildings dry rather than making them wet. In Part 3 of the Back to Basics series, Steve, Jake, and Pete break down vapor control, vapor permeability, drying potential, and why decades of confusing code language created so much fear around vapor. As Steve puts it, “Vapor is not a liability, it is an asset.” Buildings get wet. In most climates and assemblies, the ability to dry through vapor diffusion is an important part of keeping moisture-sensitive materials safe. The crew explains why you need to understand the vapor permeability of every layer in an assembly, where to find reliable material data, and when to go directly to manufacturers for standardized test results. They also get into indoor humidity measurement and why accurate hygrometers are more important—and more expensive—than many people realize. This is Part 3 of the four-part Back to Basics series covering Water, Air, Vapor, and Thermal control. Pete’s Resources: Water in Buildings: An Architect’s Guide to Moisture and MoldVapor Profiles Help Predict Whether a Wall Can DryICC R702.7 – Vapor RetardersBSC Building Materials Property TableMeasuring and Understanding HumidityASTM E96: Explaining Water Vapor Transmission Rate TestingBuilding Science Advisor

  4. Aug 21

    162 - Back to Basics: Air Control Layers Explained

    Airtightness is one of the most important—and most measurable—parts of building performance. In Part 2 of the Back to Basics series, Steve, Jake, and Pete break down how air control layers work, why continuity matters, and how blower door testing exposes the difference between theory and reality. The crew starts with several principles that apply across multiple control layers: staying in one plane makes continuity easier, simpler details are more likely to succeed, and combining control functions in a single material can reduce opportunities for failure. They also revisit one of their favorite ideas: eliminate “confused spaces.” Attics, crawlspaces, and other areas should clearly belong either inside or outside the building enclosure. Then the conversation gets specific to airtightness. Blower doors do not lie. ACH50 provides the quantitative result, but finding the actual leaks—their size, location, and number—is just as important. The boys discuss why one blower door test is rarely enough, how wind, stack effect, and fans drive air leakage, and why two mediocre air control layers do not equal one good one. For renovations, the sequence is simple: blower door test first, air seal second, insulate third. Pete's Resources: EPA – Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction, and Maintenance ENERGY STAR Thermal Bypass Checklist A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It? An Introduction to Building Science by Allison Bailes

  5. Aug 6

    161 - Back to Basics: Water Control Layers Explained

    Water is the number one enemy of building durability—and the first control layer every builder, architect, and designer needs to understand. In Part 1 of a four-part Back to Basics series, Steve, Jake, and Pete break down the principles of water management that every high-performance building depends on. The conversation starts where most rain begins: the roof. From roof design and drainage to flashing strategies and capillary action, the crew explores how liquid water moves through buildings and why good design is the first line of defense. They also discuss how patterns of water damage in both historic and modern buildings reveal timeless lessons about moisture management. One of the episode's most interesting discussions comes when building science theory meets real-world practice. Steve approaches water management from an architect's perspective, while Jake explains the practical realities builders face every day. The result is a thoughtful conversation about balancing ideal building science with constructability in the field. This is Part 1 of a four-part series covering the four fundamental building control layers: Water, Air, Vapor, and Thermal. Pete's Resources: Joe Lstiburek – Moisture Control for BuildingsEPA – Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction, and MaintenanceWater in Buildings: An Architect's Guide to Moisture and Mold

  6. Jul 16

    160 - Designing Homes for Extreme Weather & Natural Disasters

    How do you design a home for floods, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, or ice storms? In this episode, Steve, Jake, and Pete explore what it really means to build for extreme events—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Drawing from real-world experience, Steve and Jake discuss how high-performance homes can be adapted to withstand the specific hazards of a site’s climate and geography. From flood-resistant foundations and safe rooms to wildfire resilience and high-wind detailing, the conversation focuses on matching building strategies to the level of protection each client wants to achieve. The discussion also highlights an important philosophy: building professionals aren’t there to judge a client’s concerns—they’re there to understand the risks, explain the tradeoffs, and design solutions that meet the client’s goals. Whether you’re building in a floodplain, earthquake zone, hurricane corridor, or wildfire-prone area, this episode explores the principles behind resilient, durable homes designed for the unexpected. Pete’s Resources: FEMA Breakaway Walls Guidance FEMA Safe Room Design Guide FEMA Flood Openings in Foundation Walls Simpson Strong-Tie High Wind Construction Guide FamilySafe Storm Shelters IBHS Home Disaster Guides

  7. Jul 2

    159 - Climate Zone 7 Ceilings, Universal Design & Alternative Foundations

    Three listener questions lead to three very different building science discussions—from cold-climate roof assemblies to aging-in-place design and innovative foundation systems. The episode begins with a Climate Zone 7 tongue-and-groove ceiling question, comparing ZIP sheathing and smart vapor retarders for airtightness and moisture control beneath a vented attic. From there, a question about zero-threshold exterior doors expands into a broader conversation about Universal Design and designing homes that remain accessible throughout every stage of life. The final discussion explores alternatives to traditional concrete foundations, including wood-based and prefabricated foundation systems. Steve and Jake weigh in on whether they would actually build with these systems, while Pete introduces an intriguing below-grade SIP foundation from Extreme Panel Technologies that was new to all three hosts. Three listener questions, dozens of practical takeaways, and another deep dive into the details that shape better buildings. Pete’s Resources: Climate Zone 7 T&G Ceiling SBA – ZIP CeilingSBA – Smart Vapor Retarder CeilingUniversal Design & Aging in Place Build Show – Forever Home SeriesEuropean Exterior DoorsAutomatic Drop-Down Door SealsThe Universal Design ProjectMississippi State Barrier-Free Design GuidesAlternative Foundations Extreme Panel Technologies FoundationsCCA Treated Plywood Specification

  8. Jun 18

    Multiple Chemical Sensitivity & Building Performance - 158

    How much can a building affect human health—and what happens when occupants become highly sensitive to their environment? In this episode, Steve and Pete are joined by retired building scientist and pulmonary physician Nathan Yost for a thoughtful discussion on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and its relationship to building performance. Nathan shares insights from decades of experience working with clients dealing with chemical sensitivities, along with more recent medical understanding surrounding pregnancy, hormonal changes, and biochemical sensitivities. The conversation explores where building science intersects with health concerns, how indoor environments can influence occupant comfort, and what building professionals should consider when designing for sensitive individuals. Steve also shares examples from recent projects where MCS concerns led to major changes in materials, specifications, and interior design decisions. The discussion even ventures into the controversial topic of electromagnetic fields and so-called “dead zones,” highlighting the challenges of balancing occupant concerns with evidence-based building practice. It’s a fascinating conversation about the overlap between buildings, health, and the limits of what construction professionals can realistically control. Pete’s Resources: Helping People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Medical Conditions Building Professionals Need to Know About Prescriptions for a Healthy House (4th Edition) NIH – Electric & Magnetic Fields BuildingGreen – Building Design and EMF

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4.8
out of 5
236 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Unbuild It Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    185
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 UnBuild It Podcast
  • Show Website
    UnBuild It Podcast

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