Build Podcast | Episode 178: KNOW BETTER. BUILD BETTER.™ with the ICC
Are you ready to nerd out? This week on the Build Podcast, Matt welcomes Deputy Building Official of Beaumont, TX and Host of The ICC Pulse Podcast, Beau Hansen, to explore updates in the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) compared to the 2021 version.
Key changes include tighter blower door score requirements, enhanced moisture management, evolving energy compliance, and more flexible emergency escape provisions. They highlight the importance of builders owning and understanding the code book to improve accountability, reduce job site errors, and improve build quality. Matt & Beau delve into wall and ceiling R-values, exterior insulation strategies, and improvements for mass walls, floors, and windows, emphasizing continuous insulation as a game-changer.
They conclude with a discussion around inspection challenges and builder responsibilities in unregulated jurisdictions. Both Matt and Beau advocate for broader builder engagement in code development processes.
Thank you to our episode sponsors Huber & Pella. Learn more at huberwood.com & pella.com.
Resources:
- ICC Pulse Podcast on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube
- Free ICC Resource: https://codes.iccsafe.org/
Find Matt and The Build Show on the web:
- Build Show Videos: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/mattrisinger
- Instagram: @risingerbuild and @thebuildshow
- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildshow
- Website: https://buildshownetwork.com/
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!
Episodes
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Rethinking Insulation for Modern Homes | Build Show Podcast Ep 215
Episode 215
Matt Risinger talks with Jason Todd of TimberHP about the growing role of wood fiber insulation in high-performance construction. Todd explains how wood-based insulation products fit into modern wall assemblies, offering vapor-open performance, thermal control, and compatibility with airtight building strategies. The discussion covers manufacturing, supply chain challenges, and how these materials compare to foam and mineral wool in durability and environmental impact. They also touch on prefabrication, evolving building codes, and the shift toward low-carbon materials in residential construction.
The Science Behind Air Leakage Testing | Build Show Podcast Ep 214
Episode 214
Matt Risinger explores how diagnostic testing with The Energy Conservatory informs high-performance construction, focusing on blower door testing, pressure mapping, and airflow measurement for airtightness and leakage identification.
The Tools Behind High-Performance Homes | Build Show Podcast Ep 213
Episode 213
Matt Risinger talks with Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser of Tru Tech Tools about how testing, diagnostics, and data-driven tools are transforming modern building performance, from airtightness and airflow to HVAC optimization and construction standards, with support from episode sponsor Pella.
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