Shows
The Build Show PodcastMold Prevention & Indoor Air Quality in New ConstructionMatt welcomes indoor air quality (IAQ) expert Sean Harris to explore mold prevention strategies for new construction. They discuss key building science principles, including air sealing, moisture management, and proper dehumidification to prevent mold growth in hot, humid climates like Texas. Sean emphasizes the importance of moving ductwork into conditioned spaces, using AeroBarrier and AeroSeal technology, and installing dedicated dehumidifiers to control humidity. He reveals that 90% of the 140 homes he inspected in 2024 had mold in the ductwork, even in new homes, due to poor moisture control. Sean recommends dedicated return and supply duct configurations for dehumidifiers and suggests a...2025-03-1448 min
The Build Show PodcastBuild Science™ 201Matt and Steve sit down to talk about the newest installment in the Build Science™ series, Build Science™ 201 . The conversation covers the importance of both Build Science™ 101 & 201 as educational tools for builders, architects, and contractors, emphasizing how these can help improve the understanding and application of advanced building techniques.They reflect on their experience in the field, sharing how they've learned over the years by educating themselves and seeking guidance from mentors, such as Joe Lstiburek, a building science expert. Steve, for instance, worked closely with Joe at Building Science Corporation, where he gained deep insight into construc...2024-10-2220 min
The Heat Pump PodcastIlija Crnobrnja explains why BS+CF=HPS (building_science + customer_focus = heat_pump_success)Ilija Crnobrnja was an exchange student in Massachusetts waiting tables, learning English, and studying agricultural economics. When he met and married his wife, he realized he needed a new job, so he found himself in the HVAC business. He worked his way through almost every role in HVAC.
Along the way, his love for building science, customer service, and high efficiency homes was ignited. As you'll hear, Ilija's passion is deep. That passion made him destined to be an entrepreneur. He had to create and build a business to deliver on his vision.
So he an...2024-08-1533 min
Pro Clima PodcastEpisode 1: Joe Lstiburek"It's not a rocket science, it's a building science!"
In the first episode of the pro clima podcast, we're talking to Joe Lstiburek, the Godfather of Building Science. He delves into his journey from designer to advocate for improved building practices, emphasizing the importance of learning from past mistakes, like weathertightness issues seen in the US or Canada. He reckons the New Zealand construction industry should learn from these mistakes, not keep repeating them. Joe also discusses ventilation concerns and the role of dehumidifiers, suggesting a balanced approach to efficiency. Additionally, he talks about upcoming advancements in...2024-04-0950 min
The Build Show PodcastInsider Tips for High-Performance Home ConstructionThis week, Matt is joined by Chris Conway, a Virginia-based Veteran who found his post-service passion in making buildings better. Chris specializes in high-performance buildings, including multifamily and low-income sectors.Delving deep into energy efficiency, Matt and Chris discuss ventilation, insulation, and dehumidification, offering invaluable insights for builders and homeowners alike. They explore key strategies such as monopoly framing and the “Perfect Wall", drawing from the expertise of industry leaders like Joe Lstiburek. The discussion underscores the crucial role of local energy efficiency experts (Raters), who perform tests (such as a blower door test or usi...2024-03-1531 min
The Build Show PodcastThe OGs of Building ScienceThis week, Matt is joined by Kohta Ueno, Principal at Building Science Corporation. They delve into Kohta’s serendipitous journey – from kitchen remodels to joining Building Science Corporation in 1998 after seeing Joe Lstiburek on a PBS episode. They discuss the company's focus on building failures and consulting services, explaining complex building science concepts to the public.Matt and Kohta “nerd out” about the tools they use to ensure they stick to top tier building science principles. Also, they highlight the educational resources provided by Building Science Corporation (buildingscience.com), including seminars, online content (videos, white papers, and more), an...2024-02-2340 min
BUILDTank / buildCAST#4 – 2024 Kohta Ueno from Mentee to MentorI first met Kohta early in my carrier after I got laid off from a builder, started my own company, and then that same builder became my client. When I worked for them, we
built their first environmental research house, and then the Building America
program began consulting on their second. BSC was the consultant assigned to the project and I was tasked to assist Kohta in all things diagnostic on this house before it opened to the public.
As you will hear, serendipity fell into Kohta’s lap, as he started a lifelong mentorship with Joe Lsti...2024-02-1358 min
UnBuild It Podcast101 - Q&A - 2024 #2 - Open Joint CladdingsThe boys INTEND to tackle TWO submitted questions but only manage one: Are open-joint claddings better moisture-managed better than traditional lap claddings? This episode is quite the mix of banter, building science, and building history. And note that the last resource in the list below is a great short video with Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation on open-joint claddings.Pete's Resource(s):1. wikipedia definition of cladding - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladding_(construction)2. wikipedia definition of lapstrake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinker_(boat_building)2024-02-0136 min
7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience w/a BEAT)Adsorption—with a "D"Dr. Joe Lstiburek explains the fourth state of water: ADSORPED water. It exists on surfaces as tiny monolayers that can fill pores on the surface and cause mold. It also explains why expansive soils expand. If you thought you understood diffusion and capillarity, buckle up.2023-10-1108 min
7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience w/a BEAT)Adsorption—with a ”D”Dr. Joe Lstiburek explains the fourth state of water: ADSORPED water. It exists on surfaces as tiny monolayers that can fill pores on the surface and cause mold. It also explains why expansive soils expand. If you thought you understood diffusion and capillarity, buckle up.2023-10-1108 min
Hot Air10. Water Is Weird and Ice Wine Is Delicious With Joe LstiburekWater is weird, says Joe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., Fellow ASHRAE. Join Joe and Rebecca Matyasovski, ASHRAE Journal’s Technical Editor, as they chat about Joe's October column on what makes water so weird and what ice wine and vin santo have to do with it.2023-09-2208 minBUILDTank / buildCAST#19 -2003 Steve Baczek bridging between architecture and sound building science.Steve Baczek is a nationally recognized architect, who has been designing and developing custom residential structures for over 28 years. After architecture school he had the opportunity to work with Joe Lstiburek and Betsy Pettit at Building Science Corporation. But since then, he has really honed his unique perspective, knowledge, and ability to be a bridge between architecture and sound building science. As he continues to design, he also, now more than ever, dedicates a large portion of his time giving back to the industry. He is educating builders, trade professionals, and fellow architects through consistent Instagram and LinkedIn post...2023-09-101h 07
7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience w/a BEAT)Vapor Diffusion Ports: Air Barriers That Let Moisture LeaveVapor Diffusion Ports: Air Barriers That Let Moisture leave
Dr. Joe Lstiburek explains what Vapor Diffusion Ports are, how they work, why they're needed, and how to construct them—in about nine minutes.
The skinny version: they're like a modified ridge vent but for an unvented roof. They allow moisture to escape unvented roof assemblies without letting air leak out.2023-08-1709 min
7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience w/a BEAT)Vapor Diffusion Ports: Air Barriers That Let Moisture LeaveVapor Diffusion Ports: Air Barriers That Let Moisture leave
Dr. Joe Lstiburek explains what Vapor Diffusion Ports are, how they work, why they're needed, and how to construct them—in about nine minutes.
The skinny version: they're like a modified ridge vent but for an unvented roof. They allow moisture to escape unvented roof assemblies without letting air leak out.2023-08-1709 min
Building HVAC ScienceEP128 He blinds us all with science or not? with Allison Bailes (July 2023)(He blinded us with science) (Science) (Science) (Science) Actually he spends a lot of time illuminating us with details about building science. Join us as Allison Bailes, “a well known troublemaker and a general pain in the asterisk” shares with us the career path that lead him to form the Energy Vanguard. You see, a vanguard is the group of people who are at the forefront of a new movement or idea. They are the innovators and pioneers who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. And yes, Aliso...2023-08-1136 min
The Build Show PodcastContinuing Education for Builders and Their TeamsIf you have any recommendations or tips that work for your team, share them with us on The Build Show Instagram's podcast post at @thebuildshow.Sign up for The Build Show newsletter here.Find Will on Instagram at @highcottonhomes and @willkingbuilds. His website is here.You can catch Joe Lstiburek at www.buildingscience.com and Christine Williamson's Instagram is @buildingsciencefightclub.
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter....2023-05-1240 min
7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience w/a BEAT)Hot Roof, Cold Roof: Where Did They Come From?In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Joe Lstiburek, out favorite crawlspace buddy, to talk about the origin of hot roof and cold roof labels.2023-05-0508 min
7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience w/a BEAT)Hot Roof, Cold Roof: Where Did They Come From?In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Joe Lstiburek, out favorite crawlspace buddy, to talk about the origin of hot roof and cold roof labels.2023-05-0508 minUnBuild It Podcast80 - Q&A April #2 2023Listener Wes asks about radiant barriers (Pete goes way deep on this one...); listener Chris G wants to know if there is a "perfect" (ala Joe Lstiburek) shower wall (with Pete responding he had just taken a shower that had a "perfect" wall); listener Howdy (dubbed so by Jake 'cause we did not have his name) from Climate Zone 3 asks about new construction, unvented roof assemblies (including a Lstiburek "perfect" roof with only topside rigid insulation); and finally British Columbia listener Harpreet asks about what sort of WRB to use with structural wall sheathing that is almost always damp.2023-04-1332 min
The DYOJO PodcastBe there or be square - Winter Break January 2023 and THREE exclusive DYOJO eventsTune in to The DYOJO Podcast for some exciting news about THREE EXCLUSIVE EVENTS:
Check out TheDYOJO.com/blog for information and links:
1. Eventbrite Link for the LIVE recording of The DYOJO Podcast on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 12pm PST - Guests include Pete Consigli, Bob Blochinger, IAQ Josh Winton
2. The DYOJO Watchdogs Neighborhood Cardigan Party on Monday evening, January 23, 2023 in Naples, Florida - an opportunity to meet some of the historic figures who have built up the property restoration and the building science industries.
...2022-11-1006 min
R-ValueWhere is All This Going? A Building Science Interview with Dr. Joe LstiburekWe’re well into 2022 and a lot has already changed in the building industry, codes, regulations, legislation, and COVID guidance just to name a few. We’ve called in one of the leading experts in insulation, Dr. Joe Lstiburek, to help you understand these changes and prepare your business for the next 3 quarters and beyond.
Joe Lstiburek is the founding principal of Building Science Corporation. His work ranges widely, from providing expert witness testimony to overseeing research and development projects, to writing for the ASHRAE Journal and buildingscience.com.
Dr. Lstiburek’s commitment to advan...2022-04-0539 min
IAQ RadioChris Howells - Aprilaire Senior Product Manager Ventilation and Purification Systems - HVAC & IAQ: What Works!This week we welcome Chris Howells, Aprilaire Senior Product Manager Ventilation and Purification Systems, to talk HVAC & IAQ: What Works!. We have very recently had some excellent building science shows with Joe Lstiburek and Nate Adams. It seems like a good time to see what a major manufacturers’ Product Manager for Ventilation and Purification can tell us what he sees out in the field.
Chris grew up working in the HVAC industry with his grandfather in North Texas. That experience has led to over 25 years in the trade. He spent most of his career thus far in the field as a se...2021-10-0859 min
ASHRAE Journal Podcast4. 'There’s No Such Thing as a Free Thermodynamic Lunch'The building industry needs to share its failures so future projects can be better, says John Straube, Ph.D., P.Eng., Associate Member ASHRAE. In this episode, John and Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., Fellow ASHRAE, discuss why human judgment is critical to a better built environment.John and Joe start the episode by talking about how “there’s no such thing as a free thermodynamic lunch” (1:57) and the unintended consequences of striving for increased energy efficiency, sustainability and carbon neutrality (2:12).Then, they discuss why it is important for the building industry to openly talk a...2021-09-2740 minIAQ RadioNate Adams - HVAC 2.0, IAQ and The Art of the PossibleThis week we welcome back Nate “The House Whisperer” Adams for a lesson on HVAC and IAQ. We did not get to discuss HVAC as much as we wanted with Dr. Joe Lstiburek so we asked Nate to join us and continue the discussion. We will talk about his "electrify everything" mantra, the HVAC 2.0 program and BAD ASS HVAC. Nate and his partners are trying to shake things up but also keep in mind “the art of the possible”. The focus of the discussion will primarily be on existing housing, HVAC and IAQ.
Nate “The House Whisperer” Adams is the author of The...2021-09-241h 03IAQ RadioJoe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng - Moisture Control for Residential BuildingsThis week we welcome back Joe Lstiburek, PhD, P. Eng. for a discussion about his new book "Moisture Control for Residential Buildings". The first edition came out in 1991 and with all the changes to code, materials, methods, etc. it was time for a new edition. Mission accomplished, now it’s time to LEARN MORE about the current state of Moisture Control for Residential Buildings!
Joseph Lstiburek, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng., is the founding principal of Building Science Corporation and an ASHRAE Fellow. He is a building scientist who investigates building failures. Dr. Lstiburek received an underg...2021-09-101h 07IAQ RadioJoe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng. - The Life & Times of the Dean of Building ScienceThis week we welcome Joe Lstiburek, PhD, P. Eng. for a look back at his career and to get his thoughts on some current events. This will be a exclusive two part interview. Today, in Part 1, we'll discuss his early days in construction up to current events including COVID-19, the Miami building collapse, Code updates and more. We'll continue our discussion in Part 2 when we return live from our summer break on September 10th. That show will focus on his new book "Moisture Control for Residential Buildings". Don’t miss this exclusive look at the Life and Times of th...2021-08-131h 10IAQ RadioMcGregor “Mac” Pearce, MPH - Tribute Show with: Joe Lstiburek, Mike McGuinness and Pete ConsigliThis week we are doing a special tribute show for one of our all time favorite guests McGregor “Mac” Pearce, MPH. We will be joined by some IEQ legends that worked with Mac over the years, Joe Lstiburek, Mike McGuinness and the Restoration Global Watchdog Pete Consigli to discuss Mac’s contributions to the industry and then we will replay our favorite Mac Pearce show.
What could possibly be interesting about mold and mildew, you ask? It’s all in the content and the presentation style of the person discussing the subject. IAQ Radio is delighted to memorialize internationally known and accla...2021-06-251h 52