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The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Episode 28: Boots on the Ground, Nails in the Walls

Work boots, attic ducts and insulation, weather barriers and over-driven nails, and reusing building materials.

By Fine Homebuilding Editors
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In this episode, the discussion ranges over topics including managing editor Justin Fink’s work boots and design editor Brian Pontolilo’s ongoing attic ductwork and insulation project. Listener issues include weather barriers, over-driven nails, wall sheathing, and liquid flashing — as well as the pros and cons of reusing material.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. This episode takes that goal a step farther with a deep discussion of the Keep Craft Alive movement, building off of editor-in-chief Rob Yagid’s recent editorial.

“This ‘college for everyone’ philosophy that’s been pumped from the top down is an utter and complete failure. Not everyone is going to be a computer programmer, and that’s fine,” says FHB editor Aaron Fagan in this episode. “Our labor is not valued in the way it should be.”

The Fine Homebuilding podcast is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected]. Please follow Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram, and “like” the magazine on Facebook.

Be sure to tune in for four podcast episodes that will be broadcast from the 2017 NAHB International Builders’ Show, Jan. 10-12, 2017. Click here to find out more about that and other FHB reporting from the show.

Also, here are some links and articles on topics mentioned in the podcast:

WORK BOOTS

  • Impact II 8-in. Lace-Up Boots
  • Keen.Welt Heavy-Duty Work Boots
  • Studded Traction for Boots
  • The Boot Rule

ATTICS

  • What’s the Best Attic Insulation?
  • Two Ways to Insulate Attic Kneewalls
  • Spray-Foam Problems

LIQUID FLASHING

  • Can Liquid Flashing Replace Tape?
  • How to Install a Liquid-Applied Weather-Resistant Barrier
  • Huber Liquid Flashing

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW

  • Do You Reuse?
  • Reclaim Reuse Repurpose
  • Green Building Priority – Ensure Durability and Reuse Existing Buildings

KEEP CRAFT ALIVE

  • FHB editorial: Help Keep Craft Alive
  • Keep Craft Alive hashtag on Instagram
  • Keep Craft Alive hashtag on Twitter
  • Shop Class as Soulcraft — a powerful book that has helped define the movement
  • Coming Soon! Keep Craft Alive website

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Utility Knife

This utility knife is well-made and comes in handy when cutting rigid foam insulation. You can extend the snap blade to cut through a 2-inch foam board.
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Loctite Foamboard Adhesive

When foam board installations require an adhesive, it’s important to use compatible products like this adhesive from Loctite.
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Caulking Gun

It's important for any insulator to have a good caulking gun for air sealing or adhesives, and this one features a revolving frame that makes orienting the tip a breeze.
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View Comments

  1. MattSeidel | Jan 02, 2017 12:49pm | #1

    Good conversation about the state of the labor shortage. I know from our own experience trying to find skilled people in NYC that it's difficult these days. I think it's also worth adding women into the conversation. Too often we assume tradespeople are only and can only be men. We need to open the professions to as many people as possible. Thanks.

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