FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Podcast 610: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 6

From pier foundations to bath fans, a selection of our favorite clips from episodes 175 to 180.

By Patrick McCombe, Matthew Millham, Rob Wotzak, Colin Russell, Kiley Jacques
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
    • captions off, selected

      This is a modal window.

      Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

      Text
      Background
      Window
      Font Size
      Text Edge Style
      Font Family

      End of dialog window.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.


      Follow the Fine Homebuilding Podcast on your favorite app. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode:

      Watch on YouTube

      The editors discuss widening an existing deck, modern timber-frame buildings, inexpensive building products, work vehicles, and installing a vented bath fan in this best-of compilation.

      Question from Episode 175: What’s the best approach for wide deck stairs?

      Curt writes: Hi guys, I am looking at a deck upgrade on an existing twenty-year-old deck. We want to widen the stairs, (currently 30 in.) and replace the decking. I plan to use composite decking material, but my question is regarding rebuilding these stairs.

      I haven’t built deck stairs with more than four treads. I have used 2x12s and cut them for stringers in the past, but I am leery of a stringer this long and high with so many cuts. As you can see in the original picture, these stringers are solid 2x material with 2×4 cleats as tread supports. The new treads will be 4 ft. wide, so there will be at least one more stringer, if not two, which will have to be cut. I’m wondering what the best approach is overall. Are there exterior rated LVLs I could cut for this? If the lumber seems good on the existing stringers, it would be nice to re-use them.

      I also thought a post and new concrete pier might be a good addition to support where the stairs connect to the deck beam, but I’m not sure if this is overkill.

      Related links:

      • Build an Elevated Deck Series: Building Basic Deck Stairs
      • Mounting Deck Stairs
      • Building Stairs (EBook) by Andy Engel

      Question from Episode 179: What are the pros and cons of building a true timber-frame home vs. a hybrid timber frame?

      Brett writes: Good ‘Morrow, I am a college student who is very interested in building his own home (I’m open to using contractors…sometime in the future when I actually have money). I am rather taken with the look of timber-frame homes, but in my research it seems that many timber-frame architects like to use hybrid timber-framing.

      So what are the advantages and disadvantages of a purely timber-framed home vs hybrid?

      Related links:

      • Unity Homes: A Better Way to Build
      • Cost difference of timberframe vs. traditional construction
      • Quick look hybrids vs. full timber frames
      • Hybrid Timber Frame

      Question from Episode 176: Can I compromise on material quality and still get a top-notch remodel?

      Austin from South Dakota writes: Hey guys, I am planning a new remodel and trying to coax my wife into disregarding our budget on a few items. We’re an average-income family in South Dakota, and we know that a luxury home with $10-$15/ft. flooring and things of that nature are out of the question. I would like your input on some of the new, more affordable, materials that are available today. Things like laminate or vinyl flooring, MDF millwork, and hollow-core doors. I’ve used them all and don’t enjoy working with them, much less cutting them and breathing in the byproduct. I would prefer to use hardwood or engineered flooring, poplar (or finger-joint primed) millwork, and solid-core doors..

      My questions are:

      1. What do you guys think of some of these newer materials in the game today?
      2. Laminate/vinyl flooring
      3. Hollow-core doors
      4. Particleboard cabinet boxes
      5. MDF trim
      6. The list goes on…
      7. What do you think the following generation will think when they are tearing these materials out of homes? I have completely remodeled two houses now, and have ripped out hardwoods, cabinets, millwork, and doors that have been in place for more than 50 years. I have a hard time believing that today’s common materials will last that long.
      8. How can I (and should I even try to) convince my wife to spend more money on materials that will stand the test of time, knowing that we will only be in this house for 3-5 years?

      Thanks in advance, I look forward to the show every week!

      Related links:

      • Build Better Cabinets With the Best Plywood
      • Durable Flooring for Kitchens and Baths
      • Focused Remodel Balances A Fixed Budget and a Desire for Luxurious Details

      Question from Episode 180: Is there demand for a sustainable mode of transporting our tools and materials?

      Henrik writes: Green building vs. getting there and home?

      I just went through the full list of all the podcasts you guys have produced and didn’t see one episode on the vehicles we builders use to get ourselves, as well as our tools and materials, to and from the job site. Is no one concerned with this? I spend, on average, $600 a month on gas! I put over 20 gallons of fuel into my van twice a week. That means I’m putting something like 250 lb. of CO2 and other pollutants into the atmosphere each week!

      It’s completely hypocritical of me to try to build an energy-efficient structure when I’m spewing all this s*#t out of my exhaust pipe! But when I search for a sustainable cargo vehicle, I find nothing! You guys there have an opportunity to start a conversation on increasing the demand for a sustainable mode of transporting our tools and materials. Why don’t you do so?

      I have an eight-year-old. I don’t doubt you guys have children. Do you have no concern for our ecological futures? I suspect you are more concerned with pleasing your sponsors, so you have no incentive to start any sort of conversation on the vehicles we use because no vehicle manufacturers in the U.S. are advertising practical electric vehicles for our industry on your channel. I’ve seen plenty of ads on FHB for gas guzzlers. How about we work on increasing the demand for an electric alternative? I suppose I already know the answer. If you respond to me at all, it’ll be to call me a hippie dreamer or question my manliness; after all what self-respecting, macho, hammer-wielding grunt would even think of driving an all-electric vehicle to a construction site?

      Related links:

      • How much carbon dioxide is produced from U.S. gasoline and diesel fuel consumption? (from eia.gov)
      • 2024 Most and Least Fuel Efficient Trucks, Vans, and SUVs (fueleconomy.gov)
      • Average Fuel Efficiency of U.S. Light Duty Vehicles (bts.gov)
      • A Truck That Powers the Job

      Question from Episode 177: Is there such thing as a recirculating ventilation fan for a bathroom? 

      Jack writes: Hi FHB. I love the Podcast. Thank you so much for all your insight. I have a quick question. I am doing a drywall repair in a tiny half-bath. When we pulled down the ceiling, we realized that the ventilation fan isn’t actually connected to anything. Obviously a working fan is a good idea when the bath is right off the living room and sees a lot of use. But the bath is in middle of the house, so there’s really is nowhere to vent it without making holes or a soffit. There is a boiler room below with flue pipes that I doubt vent anywhere since they look like a mess and it smells terrible. My question: Because I don’t want to pull out the vent altogether, can I vent it to the boiler room? How hack/illegal would that be? There is no fresh-air vent or any vent into the boiler room. Or do they make some sort of filtered recirculation fan for the bathroom? Like a range-hood type maybe? Thank guys!

      Nutone 682NT Duct-Free Bathroom Vent
      Nutone 682NT Duct-Free Vent

      Panasonic WhisperFitEZ
      Panasonic WhisperFitEZ Vent

      Related links:

      • Broan-Nutone 682 Duct-Free Ventilation Fan on Amazon
      • Panasonic-WhisperFitEZ-Fan on Amazon
      • The Basics of Bath Fans

      This episode of The Fine Homebuilding Podcast is brought to you by Loctite’s Tite Foam

      Loctite Tite Foam logo in red and blue

      Say no to inefficient and drafty. Say yes to Loctite Tite Foam.

      When pros need to seal gaps too small for insulation but big enough to create a draft, they reach for Loctite’s TITE FOAM.

      The high-density foam forms a tenacious bond to most common building materials, stays flexible to prevent cracking, and keeps air, moisture, and pests out of the house.

      Whether you’re adding R value to the rec room, or finishing a boring basement, give that space a second chance with Loctite Tite Foam.

      Visit LoctiteProducts.com for more information.


      Check out one of our latest Project Guides: Energy Retrofit!

      NEW! FHB Project Guides

      Check out our FHB Houses:

      FHB Houses 2023

      Visit the Taunton Store  •  Magazine Index  •  Online Archive   •  Our First Issues   •  All Access

       

      Fine Homebuilding All Access

      FHB Podcast sticker

      If you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected].
      If we use your question we’ll send you a FHB Podcast sticker!


      FHB Podcast T-shirts!

      Represent your favorite podcast! Available in several styles and colors. Made from 100% cotton. Find the Podcast t-shirt and more cool products in the Fine Homebuilding Store.

      Podcast t-shirt and more cool products


      Fine Homebuilding podcast listeners can now get 20% off anything in the Taunton store, including Pretty Good House.

      Use the discount code FHBPODCAST to take advantage of this special offer.

      Pretty Good House “Finally, knowledgeable people talking about building reasonably-sized, high-performance houses for normal people with real budgets!”
      — DanD, VA, 8/19/22, Amazon.com review

       


       

      We hope you will take advantage of a great offer for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off the discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. That link goes to finehomebuilding.com/podoffer.

      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 Fine Homebuilding on Instagram, and “like” us 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 related links

        • All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
        • #KeepCraftAlive T-shirts and hats support scholarships for building trades students. So order some gear at KeepCraftAlive.org.
        • The direct link to the online store is here.

      Sign up to get the Fine Homebuilding Podcast newsletter and special offers delivered to your inbox.

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters
      ×

      Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      New Feature

      Fine Homebuilding Forums

      Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

      • X
      • facebook
      • linkedin
      • pinterest
      • email
      • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

      Log in or create an account to post a comment.

      Sign up Log in

      Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

      More The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

      View All
      • Podcast Episode 685: Patching Drywall, Adding Air Barriers, and Rotted Walls
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Patching Drywall Near a Shower
      • Podcast Episode 684: Masonry Heaters, Whole-House Ventilation, and Porch Flooring
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
      View All

      Up Next

      Video Shorts

      Featured Story

      The Trump Administration Wants to Eliminate the Energy Star Program

      The end of this program will likely lead to higher energy bills and fewer business opportunities for the American people.

      Featured Video

      SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

      The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

      Related Stories

      • Podcast Episode 685: Patching Drywall, Adding Air Barriers, and Rotted Walls
      • Podcast Episode 684: Masonry Heaters, Whole-House Ventilation, and Porch Flooring
      • Podcast Episode 683: Barndominiums, ERVs, and Radon Mitigation
      • Podcast Episode 682: Basement Flooring, Architectural Salvage, and HVAC Ducts

      Discussion Forum

      Recent Posts and Replies

      • |
      • |
      • |
      • |
      • |
      • |
      View More Create Post

      Highlights

      Fine Homebuilding All Access
      Fine Homebuilding Podcast
      Tool Tech
      Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

      "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

      Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      Video

      View All Videos
      • Podcast Episode 678: Live from the Builders' Show-Part 2
      • Podcast Episode 677: Live from the Builders' Show-Part 1
      • FHB Podcast Segment: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 8
      • FHB Podcast Segment: Larsen-Truss Retrofit to Existing Stud-Frame House
      View All

      Fine Homebuilding Magazine

      • Issue 331 - June 2025
        • A More Resilient Roof
        • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
        • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
      • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
        • Deck Details for Durability
        • FAQs on HPWHs
        • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
      • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
        • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
        • A Kominka Comes West
        • Making Small Kitchens Work
      • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
        • How a Pro Replaces Columns
        • Passive House 3.0
        • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
      • Issue 327 - November 2024
        • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
        • Plumbing Protection
        • Talking Shop

      Fine Home Building

      Newsletter Sign-up

      • Fine Homebuilding

        Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

      • Green Building Advisor

        Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

      • Old House Journal

        Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters

      Follow

      • Fine Homebuilding

        Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
        • LinkedIn
      • GBA Prime

        Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • YouTube
      • Old House Journal

        Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

        Subscribe Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
      • Fine Homebuilding

        Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
        • LinkedIn
      • GBA Prime

        Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • YouTube
      • Old House Journal

        Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

        Subscribe Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X

      Membership & Magazine

      • Online Archive
      • Start Free Trial
      • Magazine Subscription
      • Magazine Renewal
      • Gift a Subscription
      • Customer Support
      • Privacy Preferences
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Careers
      • Terms of Use
      • Site Map
      • Do not sell or share my information
      • Privacy Policy
      • Accessibility
      • California Privacy Rights

      © 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

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

      • Home Group
      • Antique Trader
      • Arts & Crafts Homes
      • Bank Note Reporter
      • Cabin Life
      • Cuisine at Home
      • Fine Gardening
      • Fine Woodworking
      • Green Building Advisor
      • Garden Gate
      • Horticulture
      • Keep Craft Alive
      • Log Home Living
      • Military Trader/Vehicles
      • Numismatic News
      • Numismaster
      • Old Cars Weekly
      • Old House Journal
      • Period Homes
      • Popular Woodworking
      • Script
      • ShopNotes
      • Sports Collectors Digest
      • Threads
      • Timber Home Living
      • Traditional Building
      • Woodsmith
      • World Coin News
      • Writer's Digest
      Active Interest Media logo
      X
      X
      This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

      Main Menu

      • How-To
      • Design
      • Tools & Materials
      • Video
      • Blogs
      • Forum
      • Project Guides
      • Reader Projects
      • Magazine
      • Members
      • FHB House

      Podcasts

      • FHB Podcast
      • ProTalk

      Webinars

      • Upcoming and On-Demand

      Podcasts

      • FHB Podcast
      • ProTalk

      Webinars

      • Upcoming and On-Demand

      Popular Topics

      • Kitchens
      • Business
      • Bedrooms
      • Roofs
      • Architecture and Design
      • Green Building
      • Decks
      • Framing
      • Safety
      • Remodeling
      • Bathrooms
      • Windows
      • Tilework
      • Ceilings
      • HVAC

      Magazine

      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues
      • Magazine Index
      • Subscribe
      • Online Archive
      • Author Guidelines

      All Access

      • Member Home
      • Start Free Trial
      • Gift Membership

      Online Learning

      • Courses
      • Project Guides
      • Reader Projects
      • Podcast

      More

      • FHB Ambassadors
      • FHB House
      • Customer Support

      Account

      • Log In
      • Join

      Newsletter

      Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      Follow

      • X
      • YouTube
      • instagram
      • facebook
      • pinterest
      • Tiktok

      Join All Access

      Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

      Start Your Free Trial

      Subscribe

      FHB Magazine

      Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

      Subscribe

      Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

      Already a member? Log in

      We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

      Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

      Start your FREE trial

      Already a member? Log in

      Privacy Policy Update

      We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

      Cookies

      Analytics

      These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

      Advertising/Social Media

      These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

      Essential

      These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

      Delete My Data

      Delete all cookies and associated data