Building on an Island

In this Original Build Series, a mainland custom home builder embarks on a mission to build a new custom home on an island 12 miles offshore. How will he navigate the logistics and build a home in a reasonable amount of time? How does concrete and lumber get out to the island?

These are just a few of the many challenges Wade, principal of WKP Construction will face as he sets aim to build a high-performance home out at sea. With frequent cancellations of ferries and grounding of small planes due to weather, how will this impact the build? Where does the workforce come from since the island is extremely limited with tradesmen and tradeswomen? There are so many questions and challenges. As Wade says "nothing is going to be easy, and we're prepared for that." Block Island is a harsh environment. Homes get battered with salty air, wind, and storms. It's just another challenge for Wade's team to build a home that is going to withstand the elements and last for generations to come.

Build Science™ 101

This BUILD Original Series will start with the building science fundamentals and cover the latest advancements, techniques and materials. Upon completing the series, viewers will gain the knowledge and confidence to make smart informed decisions on their building projects.

1. Log in or Sign up for an account.
2. Then download the course Guidebook (you must be logged in to download).
3. Watch the 10 episode series and follow along with your Guidebook to learn how to prevent building failures and improve building quality.
4. Take the Unit Quiz after each episode and receive a Build Show digital certificate after completing all 10 quizzes. Make sure to download your certificate and share it on social media!

“Building Science” is the science and technology driven collection of knowledge that improves indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, and overall occupant health and comfort. One of the main purposes of Building Science is to provide the predictive capability to design and optimize building performance (non structural), for existing and new buildings. Sound Building Science will prevent building failures and improve building quality, while guiding individuals to new techniques and technologies.

To take the quiz and download the companion Guidebook, click here.

Build Science™ 201

Do you know risk when you see it? In Build Science™ 201, the second installment in the Build Science™ curriculum, Matt Risinger and Steve Baczek unpack 12 critical pillars of mitigating risk in building envelopes by applying core building science principles for water, air, vapor, and thermal management. This series equips viewers with follow-up jobsite application for fundamental concepts outlined in Build Science™ 101.  In Build Science™ 201, learn how to examine critical water path, air barrier vulnerabilities, vapor drive, and thermal dynamics to influence design, construction, and sequence decisions. Steve and Matt take viewers through an anthology of real-life project images to explore areas where essential risk-mitigating planning and steps are made.

The course fits into four sections: Water Management, Air Management, Vapor Management, and Thermal Management.

1. Log in or Sign up for an account.
2. Then download the course Guidebook (you must be logged in to download).
3. Watch the episodes in the series and follow along with your Guidebook to learn how to prevent building failures and improve building quality.
4. Take the Unit Quiz after each episode and receive a Build Show digital certificate after completing all 10 quizzes. Make sure to download your certificate and share it on social media!

To take the quiz, click here.

         

Build Show Build

Follow Jake Bruton with Arrow Building as his team builds a high-performance home in Columbia, MO. Jake and architect Steve Baczek work together to overcome the building science challenges that are inherent in a modern design.

Build Show Build: Boston

Building a net-zero home isn’t easy. It takes knowledgeable designers, builders, and homeowners, upfront investment, quality materials, and a team that’s focused on every detail from start to finish. Most homeowners and builders don’t know which conversations to have to set a project up for success.

Steve Baczek is an architect passionate about educating folks about building science, and is eager to open this conversation. From early on transparency, assigning “homework,” and high quality building products, Steve walks you through how to turn a house from an idea into a high-performance home. Steve shows you how to not just focus on the solution to a problem, but the importance of the questions you ask to get there.

Steve will use his recently designed all electric, net-zero home to showcase what homeowners don’t know they’re missing - a better built home. Watch his process from design to finish in this 24-part series to learn what it really takes to build better.”

 

Build Show Live

Build Show Live

High Performance Canada

In this series, host Nathan Kischel visits job sites around British Columbia to learn how other builders and architects are addressing high performance construction, and the BC Energy Step Code.

How do you build a home that battles 30-degree Celsius heat in the summer, and -30 degree Celsius cold in the winter while consuming little to no energy?

Host Nathan Kischel of Purehaus Developments takes you on a tour while speaking with many like-minded industry professionals from all corners of the market. His curiosity about low energy construction is what drives him to learn from the best of the best and share that knowledge with the Build Show community.

Let's Renovate a Bathroom

Zack Dettmore steers Build Show viewers towards making informed decisions from start to finish in a common bathroom remodeling project. By taking a 1960’s New Jersey home bathroom from dated to modernized, he covers and defines the important planning and finishing steps, tools and products to renovate a critical space. Learn from Zack’s experience to determine if your project requires a contractor or can be done as a DIY project. Follow along as he explains what to expect in planning, demystifies plumbing and electrical work and walks through finishing selections. Zack shares his tips and tricks for pros and homeowners alike, to have a winning collaboration and final product for years to come.

Multi-Generational Home on a Budget

Multi-Generational Home on a Budget follows the build of a 2,000 sq ft home with an 850 sq ft accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Constructed by Green Logic Builders, this well-crafted home will blend affordability and precision. Brett Pelletier’s expertise as both contractor and client ensure meticulous control over the project and timeline.

New House, Old Soul

 

Were houses built better previously? Is craftsmanship dead? How do you build a new house with the soul of an old house? How do we inspire individuals to enter the trades? On this BUILD Original Series, we will follow Brent Hull, a nationally recognized authority on historic design, architecturally correct moldings, millwork and fine building as he dives into these topics. This series will focus on how the history of building components have shaped building practices today. Learn which historical elements are worth keeping in building today, and which elements are better left in the past.

Prairie Sun and Timber

Classic timber design meets modern high performance systems as Kansas builder Travis Brungardt brings a dream home to life on a scenic 80 acre farmland outside of Kansas City, MO. The Prairie Sun & Timber series chronicles the integrations of high-efficiency systems and assemblies within the with old world charm of a timber framed home. Dive into the series to learn how Travis incorporates thick thermal-resistant SIP walls and roofs with fluid-applied water barriers, critical envelope drainage and drying, low load mechanicals and solar renewables for his clients forever home.

Talking Trades

On this 13- episode BUILD Original Series, we will follow Matt Risinger as he travels the country visiting Build Show expert contributors Eric Aune, Lydia Crowder, Zack Dettmore and CJ Nielsen, each with a passion for high-performance homes. Trades covered include plumbing, heating, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, remodeling and drywall. This Build Show Original Series will draw attention to the opportunities that exist in the industry, highlighting the different career paths available, and the gratification of owning your own business. Talking Trades will provide ideas, tips and trends from professional contractors and tradespeople. Each expert will provide their perspective on: What is a day in their life like? What does it take to be successful? The importance of customer education/involvement in the process. Lessons learned.

The Best of IBS

Residential construction professionals look forward to the NAHB International Builders' Show® (IBS) each year! We visit our favorite building material booths and see some friends from the Build Show Network. With appearances from Steve, Lydia, Jake, Eric, and some other YouTubers - we cover the best of IBS.

View the full series with best of reviews, demonstrations, full length cuts not on YouTube, and more. Check back often for the latest updates on what's new and exciting for 2023 - and what you should be thinking about for your next project.

The Real Rebuild

KNOW BETTER, BUILD BETTER

On this 8 - episode BUILD Original Series, Matt Risinger will talk about his experiences with the Real Rebuild of his family home including the construction and building science behind it. Learn about the experiences Matt and his family have had since moving in, what they would do differently, what they did right, and how the home is performing post-occupancy.

Find out if Matt accomplished his goals for the home including passive level air tightness, durability and efficiency in a healthy comfortable environment.

The Risinger Build

This 24 Episode Build Show Original Series follows Matt Risinger and his team through the entire building process — from pre-planning to final sale of the home. Matt utilizes core building science principles as he dismantles and recycles an existing house and builds a brand-new, state-of-the-art home in Austin, TX.

The Risinger Build not only offers a behind-the-scenes look into each step of the building process, but also insights into the decision making process, the tools and materials used, and techniques.

What Should I Use

Navigating the sea of product options to make the right decision for a project’s design, client, and long-term success can be overwhelming at best. Join high-performance builder Jake Bruton as he guides viewers through his approach to material selection for critical assemblies and systems. From exterior envelopes and foundations to mechanicals and interiors, Jake shares an in-depth review of essential decision-making factors for successful builds.

Join Jake as he demystifies residential code, industry standards, and building science principles to help inform product decisions throughout the home. Whether you're a seasoned contractor refining your methods or a homeowner curious about construction nuances, “What Should I Use?” breaks down complex concepts into practical, applicable insights for your next project.