Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink joins design editor Brian “Brandy” Pontolilo and FHB editorial director Rob Yagid in this episode. The guys talk about Rob’s ridge vent fiasco (spoiler alert: bad installation; see photo below) and Justin’s fiasco at a building material supplier. Plus, tiled shower kits for standard openings.

Listener Gabe asks about an alternate way to insulate rim joists in a basement that avoids foam. Another listener, Aaron, writes in to tell us about renovating a house that is in just terrible shape, by incompetent workers who he nominates for the “Schmuck of the Week” award. Take a look at the bad venting on this “renovated” roof:

Finally, a listener named Brad from Georgia asks about insulation on a basement wall.

We hope you will take advantage of two great offers for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. The other great offer is … A special offer to buy John Carroll’s Working Alone.

We are looking for as many podcast listeners as possible to come out to meet the Fine Homebuilding team at the Remodeling and Deck Show this October in Nashville! We’ll be at Booth 424 on Oct. 26, 2017, at the Nashville Music City Center. We’re running an Emerging Professionals Event and recording an episode of this podcast from the show floor.

We also have our continuing request for listeners … we need all our fans to take our podcast feedback survey by clicking here. There’s a chance to win (NEW PRIZE) a $100 American Express gift card.After the promotion ends, you might have a chance to win something else, or our great thanks at the least.

Today’s episode of the Fine Homebuilding podcast is brought to you by Zip System Sheathing and Tape.

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The show 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]. Also, be sure to follow Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram — and “like” the magazine on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

Other links related to this issue:

• GAF Cobra Snow Country ridge vent.
• Roof Venting Done Right.
• Adequate Roof Venting.
• Here’s that video clip of Ron Swanson in a home center that the guys talked about. Click it, it’s funny. And you’re welcome!
• October’s Remodeling and Deck Show in Nashville.
• All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
• Buy a shirt at KeepCraftAlive.org.

Here’s a photo of Rob’s attic after a poorly installed ridge vent. No actual vent cut … just claw hammer marks where holes were bashed: