Podcast Episode 670: Fostering Trade Careers, Flashing Windows, Post-Frame Foundations
Listeners write in about Spark and wall-panel mounting and ask questions about flashing windows and long-lasting post-frame building.
Welcome to the Fine Homebuilding podcast, our weekly discussion of building, remodeling, and design topics aimed at anybody who cares deeply about the craft and science of working on houses. This is senior editor Patrick McCombe. I’m joined by Fine Homebuilding associate editor Grant Baver, Fine Homebuilding editorial advisor Mike Guertin, and producer Andres Samaniego. Please email us your questions to [email protected].
You can find previous podcasts and check out the show notes at finehomebuilding.com/podcast.
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Check in:
Mike: Pella Steady Set window video and review
Listener Feedback 1:
Jerry writes:
Hi Patrick,
A few weeks ago you talked about the Spark program (previously Touch a Trade). We have some interest in putting together something similar or at least exploring the idea. You mentioned that there is some compiled information for the planning side of this. Could you put me in touch with the right person?
Thanks
Jerry Tyrrell
Project Manager | Dexter Builders
Find more information at: tradesup.org
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Listener Feedback 2:
Josh writes :
Hi all,
I listened to episode 645 and you previewed an article that you were putting together on Casey Knips doing a paneling job in Minnesota. I’ve searched around the site, but haven’t been able to find it. Could you link me to it? If it never came out, could you tell me the name of the clip system so I can see if it would be appropriate for an upcoming project? Thanks in advance!
Josh
Hey Josh,
The clips are from Fastmount, the Sugatsune line, I believe. They sell the male and female clips, the indexing pins, and the tools to bores the holes and drive the clips. Try Pro Cabinet Supply.
Thanks for listening!
Brian
Listener Feedback 3:
Connor from Oregon writes:
Hi Patrick and accomplices,
I want to wish all of you a happy new year, and thank you for all of the invaluable and, at times entertaining, information you have provided over the years 🙂
I’m currently building my first custom home as a GC, and have relied heavily on Fine Homebuilding throughout the process. I completed my first blower door test last week post drywall and scored 1.4ACH50, which beat my goal of 3 (which is code here in Oregon). My family is tired of me talking about air changes, so I thought I’d share it with you and the podcast. The house is built on a sealed ICF crawlspace foundation, with Zip panel walls, fluffy insulation, energy heel trusses, and midrange windows from the lumberyard—nothing exotic. I spent a lot of time crawling around with a foam gun, Zip tape, and Prosoco liquid flashing, and I credit simple attention to detail as the key to an affordable, energy-efficient home.
Connor
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Question 1: Do you think my window flashing was done correctly?
Rebecca writes:
Hi podcast hosts!
I recently started listening to the FHB podcast multiple times a day as I walk our newly adopted dog. I’ve really enjoyed hearing your stories and learning about building science. There is so much to learn and understand, and it has me so curious about things that were done during the 2016 renovation to our 1911 home. We bought the ultimate fixer-upper and added a second story!
After learning a bit about air barriers and rainscreens on the podcast, I went back through pictures to see what was used for our house. Will you please take a look at these pictures of housewrap and window flashing? Is it just me, or does it look very sloppy and like the windows are not flashed correctly? There is no header flashing (tape or metal). I don’t think the sills are flashed. I think it is simply “trimmed” on the exterior plywood. Interior photos show light around the windows!
Thank you for educating me on my long walks in the rainy Pacific Northwest.
Sincerely,
Rebecca & Pearl (the dog)
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RELATED STORIES
- VIDEO: Installing and Flashing Windows Before Housewrap
- Installing and Flashing Windows Correctly
- Fix for Poorly Installed Window Flashing
Question 2: How do you prevent rot in the posts of a post-framed building?
Grant writes:
My wife and I purchased a small piece of land and are planning to build our first house. We’ve really come to like the idea of a barndominium-style home to store our camper (where we are living during the build) and our other toys. I’ve been doing a lot of research on post-frame construction, and one of my concerns is that a post directly set into the ground will eventually rot off. What options or solutions are there to help avoid this issue?
RELATED STORIES
Unfortunately that is all the time we have for today. Thanks to Mike, Grant, and Andres for joining me and thanks to all of you for listening. Remember to send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected] and please like, comment, or review us no matter how you’re listening–it helps other folks find our podcast.
Happy Building!
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
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8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape
Affordable IR Camera
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