7 Minutes of BS (Building Science)

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30 minute descriptions of technical topics distilled to seven minutes.

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What separates a good exterior insulation system from a great one: fewer layers, less thermal bridging, lightweight claddings, and a dedicated air and water barrier at the sheathing...
March 12, 2026
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Jonathan Smegal from RDH Building Science discusses the importance of exterior insulation, highlighting long-term benefits like energy savings, resilience, and improved indoor...
Jan. 5, 2026
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Too much of a good thing can kill you. Including sunny weather
July 2, 2025
Science explains the natural world with a disciplined method of repeatable—and verifiable—questions, experiments, and answers
April 2, 2025
A big problem, for roofs in cold climates, but what causes it and how can you fix it?
Jan. 28, 2025
The Top-listened-to podcast of 2024: Dr. Joe Lstiburek explains the fourth state of water: ADSORPED water, with a D. It exists on surfaces as tiny monolayers that fill pores and...
Dec. 10, 2024
In this episode of 7 Minutes of BS, we grab a section of a side conversation with Dr. Joe Lstiburek about the best way to alleviate heat in houses in the southern part of North...
Nov. 12, 2024
Choosing hail-resistant roofing is as simple as looking at a chart and choosing a color
Oct. 26, 2024
If you can't build to stay dry, build to tolerate wet
Sept. 30, 2024
Siding is supposed to shed water away from walls, so what's the deal with siding that absorbs water?
Sept. 16, 2024
PVC trim expands and contracts with temperature. But it never expands as much as it does that first time, so install it tight and fasten it right
Aug. 30, 2024
Bulk water's job description is literally to rot houses, but the REAL danger occurs when it changes phase from liquid to solid, and gas...
Dec. 11, 2023
Like a ridge vent for moisture, vapor diffusion ports allow moisture to escape without leaking air
Sept. 19, 2023
Vented roofs are often called cold roofs because they are—(theoretically) cold from ventilation air
May 30, 2023
HOLY COW! If you blow hard enough, you can blow through OSB!
April 4, 2023
With 100 years of fuel on the floor and a hotter climate, wildfire resistance and resilience matters almost everywhere
June 9, 2021
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.
April 16, 2021
Three mechanisms usually work together to move electrons from more to less. These three mechanisms can conspire to move heat AROUND your insulation.
Feb. 12, 2021
Wind damage is not restricted to hurricane zones, so why does wind-resistant construction limit itself?
Sept. 25, 2020
Extreme heat and humidity can drive moisture deep into framing cavities which can cause mold, rot, and structural damage
April 20, 2020
Can a wall plummet from R-50 to R-12 because of the studs?
Oct. 8, 2019
Dew point differs from relative humidity in that it measures exactly how much vapor is present. With relative humidity, it's all relative.
March 22, 2019
Stucco is supposed to keep water out, but it is a reservoir cladding, so it also keeps water in. Sort of.
Nov. 14, 2018
This chart explains how moisture behaves in the air as temperatures rise and fall—rainstorms, flooding, and glaciers in wall cavities are distinct possibilities.
Oct. 16, 2018