The Build Show Podcast Personal House: Awesome & Oh Dang
10 snips
Nov 28, 2025 Daniel Glauser, a skilled builder focused on sustainable design, shares his experiences retrofitting his 1977 home to a passive house standard. He discusses the importance of airtightness using the Huber ZIP System and lessons learned from HVAC layout constraints. The conversation dives into why smaller homes can prioritize quality finishes, and Daniel highlights the value of a walk-in pantry for busy families. They also explore the trade-offs in window choices and the comfort benefits of whole-house dehumidifiers, offering insights for current and future homeowners.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Make Airtightness Simple And Inspectable
- Use Huber ZIP System sheathing and tape to create a visibly testable, airtight envelope you can inspect quickly.
- Seal penetrations with liquid flash or zip tape so framers and builders can troubleshoot and fix gaps easily.
Rats Forced A Full Rebuild
- Matt found rat infestations and persistent odors in the attic framing that forced him to strip the house to the studs.
- The discovery pushed him to fully rebuild rather than patch a compromised structure.
Constrain Size To Buy Higher Quality
- Constrain square footage to spend budget on higher quality finishes and systems instead of chasing size.
- Smaller, smarter homes let you