March 2, 2023
A podcast that explains scientific concepts to regular carpenters like us. Engineers explain the concept in detail, and ProTradeCraft breaks it down into bite-sized nuggets to make info snacking easier.
7 Minutes of BS (Building Science)
Begin with Science
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Science explains the natural world with a disciplined method of repeatable—and verifiable—questions, experiments, and answers
This episode's guest is Alison Bailes aka …
How Air Works
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You can't simply go down to the hardware store and buy a box labeled air barrier
This episode features Jonathan Smegal, M.A. SC a Senior Project Manager with …
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Stack effect is relentless: it is always working, when you’re awake or asleep, even during blackouts. And it feeds on itself.
While it is not the biggest pressure affecting houses, stack…
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As houses are built tighter, they exchange less air between inside and outside. This saves energy, but the inside air can get stale if you don't have a fan and a plan
In this episode, we are…
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Houses cannot expand and contract with changes in pressure like balloons can. Instead, they need paths for air to balance the pressure
What it is:
Makeup air
"Outside air used to replace…
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Three-pronged solution to indoor pollution: Isolate, eliminate, and ventilate
For today's topic, we have Jim Shelton, Panasonic North America Vice President, as he breaks down the nuts and bolts…
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Moving air keeps unwanted heat and moisture out of your roof system
In this episode, we are joined by …
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Like an out-of-plumb wall, an insulated and unvented roof can work well—or not
In this episode, we are joined by Jonathan Smegal, M.A. SC a Senior Project Manager with…
How Water Works
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Drip edge is another water-shedding tool
In this episode of 7 Minutes of BS, we are joined by both Sarah Gray M.Sc., P.Eng., CAHP and Jonathan Smegal, M.A. SC with …
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Dew point differs from relative humidity in that it measures precisely how much vapor is present. With relative humidity, it's all relative
We are joined this time by Dr. Allison Bailes, aka, the…
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Old Building Details That Work
In this episode, we are joined by …
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A snowball effect of physics vs. physical structures: water carries salt to the surface of masonry, which crystallizes and can blow apart its masonry host. #BuildingScience with a BEAT
In…
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Vapor barriers cause a lot more harm than good in many parts of North America. Understanding vapor barriers begins with knowing what it means to be one
This episode features Jonathan Smegal, M.A.…
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This chart explains how moisture behaves in the air as temperatures rise and fall—rainstorms, flooding, and glaciers in wall cavities are distinct possibilities.
Today, Jonathan Smegal joins…
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Siding is supposed to shed water away from walls; so what is the deal with siding that absorbs water?
In this episode, we are joined by …
How Heat Works
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Three mechanisms usually work together to move electrons from more to less. These three mechanisms can conspire to move heat AROUND your insulation.
What heat flow is:
heat flow
hēt flō (n).
“…
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Thin foil can block massive amounts of heat transfer, but it needs a massive temperature difference to be effective. So, insulation sort of makes radiant barriers irrelevant.
In this episode,…
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A thermal bridge is an area of the building enclosure—whether it be the walls, roof, or foundation—that has significantly higher heat flow than intended
…
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Can a wall plummet from R-50 to R-12 because of the studs?
In this episode, we are joined by Jonathan Smegal, M.A. SC a Senior Project Manager with …
Extreme Climate Construction
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If you can't build to stay dry, build to tolerate wet
In this episode of 7 Minutes of BS, 'Dr. Joe' Lstiburek, PhD , P. Eng, ASHRAE Fellow, and founding principal of…
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Too much of a good thing can kill you. Including sunny weather.
This episode features Brenda Jacklitsch a Health Scientist with N…
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With 100 years of fuel on the floor and hotter climate, wildfire resistance matters almost everywhere
In this episode, we are joined by Daniel Gorham, a fire engineer and budding ecologist at the…
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Wind damage is not restricted to hurricane zones, so why does wind-resistant construction limit itself?
For this episode, we are joined by Dr. Anne Cope, Ph.D, P.E., and Chief Engineer of the…
Materials
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Extreme heat and humidity can drive moisture deep into framing cavities which can cause mold, rot, and structural damage
In this episode, we are joined by forensic carpenter Bart Laemmel of…
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Stucco is supposed to keep water out, but it is a reservoir cladding, so it also keeps water in. Sort of
In this episode, we are joined by …
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The science of stickiness: a molecular look at tape's adhesive and cohesive properties
In this episode, Allen Sealock, the product director for ZIP Systems with Huber Engineered Woods leads the …
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Today, we're gonna talk about historic mortars. …
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Jan 27 2023
