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UnBuild It Podcast

UnBuild It Podcast

By: Unbuild It Podcast
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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.

© 2025 UnBuild It Podcast
Economics Science
Episodes
  • 134 - Another Double Feature - SIPs vs Stick-Frame & Thermal Degradation of Rigid Insulation
    Jun 19 2025

    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:"

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    35 mins
  • 133 - Deep Dive on That Pesky Transition: Top-of-Foundation/Bottom-of-Above-Grade Wall
    Jun 5 2025

    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 Guard
      • NOTE: 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



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    34 mins
  • 132 - The Pre-Construction Process?
    May 15 2025

    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

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    36 mins
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