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UnBuild It Podcast

Unbuild It Podcast
UnBuild It Podcast
Latest episode

180 episodes

  • UnBuild It Podcast

    160 - Designing Homes for Extreme Weather & Natural Disasters

    07/16/2026 | 34 mins.
    How do you design a home for floods, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, or ice storms? In this episode, Steve, Jake, and Pete explore what it really means to build for extreme events—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
    Drawing from real-world experience, Steve and Jake discuss how high-performance homes can be adapted to withstand the specific hazards of a site’s climate and geography. From flood-resistant foundations and safe rooms to wildfire resilience and high-wind detailing, the conversation focuses on matching building strategies to the level of protection each client wants to achieve.
    The discussion also highlights an important philosophy: building professionals aren’t there to judge a client’s concerns—they’re there to understand the risks, explain the tradeoffs, and design solutions that meet the client’s goals.
    Whether you’re building in a floodplain, earthquake zone, hurricane corridor, or wildfire-prone area, this episode explores the principles behind resilient, durable homes designed for the unexpected.
    Pete’s Resources:
    FEMA Breakaway Walls Guidance
    FEMA Safe Room Design Guide
    FEMA Flood Openings in Foundation Walls
    Simpson Strong-Tie High Wind Construction Guide
    FamilySafe Storm Shelters
    IBHS Home Disaster Guides
  • UnBuild It Podcast

    159 - Climate Zone 7 Ceilings, Universal Design & Alternative Foundations

    07/02/2026 | 30 mins.
    Three listener questions lead to three very different building science discussions—from cold-climate roof assemblies to aging-in-place design and innovative foundation systems.
    The episode begins with a Climate Zone 7 tongue-and-groove ceiling question, comparing ZIP sheathing and smart vapor retarders for airtightness and moisture control beneath a vented attic. From there, a question about zero-threshold exterior doors expands into a broader conversation about Universal Design and designing homes that remain accessible throughout every stage of life.
    The final discussion explores alternatives to traditional concrete foundations, including wood-based and prefabricated foundation systems. Steve and Jake weigh in on whether they would actually build with these systems, while Pete introduces an intriguing below-grade SIP foundation from Extreme Panel Technologies that was new to all three hosts.
    Three listener questions, dozens of practical takeaways, and another deep dive into the details that shape better buildings.
    Pete’s Resources:
    Climate Zone 7 T&G Ceiling
    SBA – ZIP Ceiling
    SBA – Smart Vapor Retarder Ceiling
    Universal Design & Aging in Place
    Build Show – Forever Home Series
    European Exterior Doors
    Automatic Drop-Down Door Seals
    The Universal Design Project
    Mississippi State Barrier-Free Design Guides
    Alternative Foundations
    Extreme Panel Technologies Foundations
    CCA Treated Plywood Specification
  • UnBuild It Podcast

    Multiple Chemical Sensitivity & Building Performance - 158

    06/18/2026 | 37 mins.
    How much can a building affect human health—and what happens when occupants become highly sensitive to their environment? In this episode, Steve and Pete are joined by retired building scientist and pulmonary physician Nathan Yost for a thoughtful discussion on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and its relationship to building performance.
    Nathan shares insights from decades of experience working with clients dealing with chemical sensitivities, along with more recent medical understanding surrounding pregnancy, hormonal changes, and biochemical sensitivities. The conversation explores where building science intersects with health concerns, how indoor environments can influence occupant comfort, and what building professionals should consider when designing for sensitive individuals.
    Steve also shares examples from recent projects where MCS concerns led to major changes in materials, specifications, and interior design decisions. The discussion even ventures into the controversial topic of electromagnetic fields and so-called “dead zones,” highlighting the challenges of balancing occupant concerns with evidence-based building practice.
    It’s a fascinating conversation about the overlap between buildings, health, and the limits of what construction professionals can realistically control.
    Pete’s Resources:
    Helping People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
    Medical Conditions Building Professionals Need to Know About
    Prescriptions for a Healthy House (4th Edition)
    NIH – Electric & Magnetic Fields
    BuildingGreen – Building Design and EMF
  • UnBuild It Podcast

    157 - Four Building Science Puzzles: Expansive Soils, Radiant Barriers & More

    06/04/2026 | 32 mins.
    Four listener questions. Four very different building science challenges. One highly technical episode.
    Steve, Jake, and Pete tackle a collection of building puzzles that span foundations, roofs, wall assemblies, and moisture management. The discussion starts with expansive soils and why successful construction often depends on engineered foundation systems designed to accommodate soil movement. From there, the crew examines attic radiant barriers, where they work best, and why climate matters when evaluating their performance.
    The conversation then shifts to a cold-climate stucco retrofit involving exterior rigid insulation, reinforcing a core building science principle: prioritize the four control layers in the right order—water first, airtightness second, drying potential third, and thermal control fourth. Finally, they unpack the risks of a “diaper wall” assembly, where moisture-sensitive materials become trapped between low-permeance layers, and discuss how weather protection and airtightness can reduce those risks.
    A highly technical episode packed with practical problem-solving, building science fundamentals, and real-world application.
    Pete’s Resources:
    Post-Tension Slabs for Expansive Soils
    Evolution of Foundation Design for Expansive Soils
    ORNL Thermal Performance Evaluation of Attic Radiant Barrier Systems
    Building America Solution Center – Attic Radiant Barriers
    EPA Moisture Control Guidance
    GBA – Vapor Profiles Help Predict Whether a Wall Can Dry
  • UnBuild It Podcast

    156 - Building Standards vs Better Buildings?

    05/21/2026 | 34 mins.
    Do certifications, standards, and professional credentials actually lead to better buildings—or just more paperwork? Steve, Jake, and Pete tackle one of the more uncomfortable questions in the building industry: why so many standards fail to consistently produce better outcomes in the real world.
    The conversation ranges from ASTM standards and manufacturer testing to architectural credentials and industry certifications, questioning where standards genuinely help—and where culture, habits, and resistance to change become the bigger obstacle. Steve makes the case that the industry’s biggest challenge may not be technical at all, but cultural.
    The crew also digs into one of Steve’s standout ideas: “chase friction.” Instead of accepting inefficient details, weak processes, or recurring failures, the goal should be to constantly look for the points of resistance that reveal where buildings can improve.
    It’s an opinionated discussion with a few disagreements along the way, but the central takeaway is clear: meaningful progress only happens through rigorous education—for both building professionals and clients alike.
    Pete’s Resources:
    Treasure of the Sierra Madre clip
    ISO Construction Quality Standards
    Construction Education & Certifications
    Chasing Friction Article
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About UnBuild It Podcast
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.
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