Despite how consistently and relentlessly the boys have dissed ICFs, this episode takes ICFs seriously and fairly (or as best as Jake, Steve, and Pete are capable of...).

Four Cool Questions:

1 - Airtight Drywall Approach from Aussie Sean;

2 - Continuous Insulation (moving from below-grade to above-grade walls) from UBIP buddy Ian;

3 - Frost Protected Shallow Foundations (anonymous) ;

4 - Roof penetrations from Jake's IG buddy Jeff

This week the UBIP takes on the topic of control. Jake tries to convince Peter and Steve that the hierarchy we address the four control layers is wrong. Can Jake turn Peter or Steve to his dark side of ideas? Probably not, but the conversation is still valid. Where do you land?

Lots to consider from frame to finish in terms of materials and connection to main structure. The boys agreed that--for bulk water management--attaching the deck ledger to the main structure should be done either for lateral stability only or with the ledger spaced out from the main structure.

Space conditioning loads can be managed by building professionals through building enclosure and mechanical system efficiency--easy-peasy. But what about the loads determined by occupants and their behavior: domestic hot water, appliance, lighting and plug loads? The boys load up to tackle all kinds of issues and loads connecting energy efficiency and thermal comfort; connecting generation and distribution; connecting human behavior and energy efficiency.

From environmental footprint and slump tests to value-engineered footings and post-tension slabs, the boys do some solid coverage of concrete in buildings. While Pete suggested this topic, Steve goes from skeptical to the leader on all things concrete.

Listener 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.

Listener Steve C--mitered corners on cladding (plus "Trust But Verify" t-shirts!); listener Jason L--detailing Huber ZIP-R at window openings; Listener Dan--worry over window details with ZIP-R; Listener Jeff (who buttered us up with his love for UBIP)--cavity fill rockwool or CCSPF in retrofit and if CCSF can it be the WRB/can new OSB sheathing be the WRB?

Suzanne from Bozeman asked such a great question it gets a SECOND podcast but this time focusing on how far is too far when remodeling in general (instead of just an addition). Tons of cool issues but here is a "gem" from each of the boys.

STEVE: Consider re-design before adding new design. How well are existing spaces being used? Maybe reconfigure/repurpose as the most efficient remodel?

PETE: EVERY remodeling project should start with a full hygrothermal building assessment.

JAKE: All remodeling projects need to start with aligning client expectations with the custom set of constraints each unique structure brings. Do the best your can/as much as you can to any portion of the building you "touch" as part of the remodel.

Featured in this episode--from Suzanne in Bozeman Montana: When renovating, how far should you take performance improvements, on the whole building, on just part of it, or an addition? What about going from the inside versus the outside? What about dealing with windows?

The overall UBIP response? Do as much as you can, in as much of the building as you can, WITH the same control layer priorities: water first, air second, thermal last. But boy are there still a lot of questions to dive into.

Window weeps are the drainage system for the Insulated Glazing Unit (IGU), protecting the vulnerable seals that sit at the bottom of the IGU. Do all windows have them/need them? Are they meant to handle interior condensation as well as exterior leaks? Should they drain to the face of the frame (visible) or to the bottom of the window frame (hidden)? Pete remains sad, curious, and even a bit disgruntled at how little our industry seems to address, systematically, window weep systems.

The BS of BS--the bullshit of building science--is Steve's way of characterizing sound building science gone haywire in totally screwy application. Examples include paralyzing worry over vapor diffusion as a way that buildings get wet, insane levels of exterior insulation in below-grade walls, using only financial payback when comparing double- and triple-pane windows (ignoring thermal comfort and durability). Add in over-insulation of window frames, bans on spray foam, and you have the UBIP combined blood pressure skyrocketing.

Three great questions UBIP-answered: proper insulation of slab-one-grade perimeter and the entire slab; managing moisture at the ridge in unvented roof assemblies; proper detailing of the bottom edge of wall sheathing where it meets the concrete foundation system. Since these three are a bit hard to cover--even for the UBIP boys--with just words, good time to check out Pete's Resources below.

Jake and Pete host retired building scientist/mold expert/pulmonary physician, Nathan Yost. Yes, the older and wiser older brother to Pete. Jake and Pete take full advantage of Steve's absence to get the strongest and most focused discussion with Nathan. Long story short: Nathan connects the building science, the biology, and the medical perspective on mold and its management.

At the heart of this issue is the new acronym, TFF--Temporarily Fully Functional. That would be everyone because no one gets around the loss of function as we age. It's not a question of if but when. How well should our homes support the loss of function? Maybe high-performance homes that are just as "UD-ready" as they are "PV-ready" (UD for Universal Design/PV for Photo-Voltaic)? Jake closes out with a pretty cool UD-tip/technique he recently coined.

No touchy-feely stuff here--this is a hard-core business discussion. Good business means BOTH building professionals and clients listening not simply hearing. Wait, what is the difference between listening and hearing again? Listening describes an intentional activity; you are actively trying to hear and process something. Hearing is not intentional; hearing is something that just happens, whether you wanted to hear it or not.

Listen in as the boys talk about their love and hate of the thermal control layer.

Holy Smokes--Steve and Pete agree that vapor control is not about a single layer! While this may be the most technical discussion in the Love/Hate series, it still includes plenty of Jake and Steve building science band names.

Listen in as the boys talk about their love and hate for air control layers