FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Podcast Episode 67 — Siding Next to a Stepped Foundation

Building with insulating concrete forms, preventing rot on low-slope roofing, and mad props for your humble show-notes compiler.

By Fine Homebuilding Editors

In this podcast episode, host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. The guys tackle reader questions on topics including flashing to avoid rot, the pros and cons of ICFs, and options for a low slope roof. Plus, workbench design, running conduit, yard clean-up, and lifting drywall.

We are looking for as many podcast listeners as possible to come out to meet the Fine Homebuilding team at the Remodeling and Deck Show this October in Nashville! We’ll be at Booth 424 on Oct. 26, 2017, at the Nashville Music City Center. We’re running an Emerging Professionals Event and recording an episode of this podcast from the show floor.

We also have our continuing request for listeners: We need all our fans to take our podcast feedback survey by clicking here. There’s a chance to win one of ten Amazon Echoes. October 2017 Update: Okay, we’re not giving away Amazon Echoes any more. That reward expired. But there’s a chance that we’ll have SOME kind of reward for those who take the poll. Well, honestly, a CHANCE to win a reward. Can’t say exactly what the reward will be, because you may be reading this in 2018 or 2024 or 2109 after the zombie apocalypse and climate change means we all have to build new net-zero fortress-houses on the seaside islands of Kentucky. But if this text is still here, we still really want your opinions, so please take the poll and we’ll enter you for a chance to win something good, like a $100 gift card or a couple cases of ammo or the antique Snapple bottle caps we’ll use for currency in 2109. Or at the very least, for our deep thanks and the knowledge that your feedback is helping us make the podcast a little better. That’s something everyone who takes the poll gets!

And in a gratifying note of recognition, in this podcast Justin says, “Hop onto our website at FineHomebuilding.com/podcast, where you can check out the awesome show notes that Mike Alterio puts together every week for the show. He takes some fun leeway while writing those and usually has some interesting personality inserted into those posts, so it’s worth a look.” Thanks, Justin!

Today’s episode of the Fine Homebuilding podcast is brought to you by Sakrete and Feeney.

Sakrete is the pro’s choice for a variety of products such as concrete, mortar, and stucco mixes, as well as repair and maintenance products. Whether you’re repairing old or damaged concrete, building a wall, or even patching a roof, Sakrete has just what you need to complete any project with quality and consistency. Visit sakrete.com, continue your search and check out their Concrete Calculator to learn how many bags you will need to complete your next job. Sakrete, the trusted choice for concrete since 1936.

Looking for a deck railing infill option that won’t impede your beautiful view? Try CableRail stainless steel cables from Feeney. They’re made from 316-grade stainless steel for weather-tough durability and ultra-low maintenance and are an attractive, view-friendly complement to any wood or metal railing frame. Plus, special Quick-Connect attachment fittings make installations a breeze. For more information and dealer locator, visit feeneyinc.com. That’s feeneyinc.com.

The show is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected]. Also, be sure to follow Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram — and “like” the magazine on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

Resources and links related to this podcast:

  • Using ICFs in the 2016 ProHOME Foundation.
  • Building Stem Walls with Insulated Concrete Forms.
  • Guide to Low-Slope Roofing.
  • Fixing an Unvented Low-Slope Roof With Signs of Water Damage.
  • October’s Remodeling and Deck Show in Nashville.
  • All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
  • Buy a shirt at KeepCraftAlive.org.

Here are listener Paul’s photos of the hillside at his Maine house. The foundation steps down the hill and becomes a walkout. The danger is that water may hit the joint where the siding meets the foundation.

Listener Zephan asks for advice about using insulating concrete forms (ICFs) for both the foundation and the walls of a house he is building. Here’s an example of what it might look like:

Uh oh, listener Ted’s carport has a low-slope roof:

Sign up to get the Fine Homebuilding Podcast newsletter and special offers delivered to your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. user-62108 | Aug 28, 2017 06:02pm | #1

    So you guys are supposedly experts, but discussing ICF's you showed a glaring lack of knowledge on the whole system. Maybe you should have someone who knows more than what the acronym means means discuss it. Stick to your "green" building. You should change the name of the magazine to "Green Building ", because you have lost the focus that you had 10 years ago when I first loved the magazine. I don't even buy single copies anymore, it's all green building garbage.

  2. edsous | Aug 28, 2017 07:37pm | #2

    Why step it at all? Slope it to match the grade or if you do step it terrace it with retaining walls at the step downs. You will need at least on retainer at the lower grade to be able to have the siding return the corner.

  3. semar | Aug 29, 2017 12:43am | #3

    That is one mighty ugly detail!
    First remove all organic soil 3feet from the foundation.
    Build a "french drain" - sort of a 2foot wide halfpipe or swale, line it with 6mil plastic to facilitate fast run-off, fill it with drainrock or decorative rock. You dont mow the grass in that spot anyway.
    Second: cover the exposed concrete with tar and fasten some furring strips on the concrete wall and install the same shingles in a sloping line from top to the bottom of the stepfoundation.
    Third: use epoxy mortar and embed a Kerdi strip from the concrete to the inside furring and cover it with the longest ceramic tile strip you can find.
    Re ICF: Unless you have build several homes WITH an ICF contractor, don;t even try to erect one wall yourself. There is a lot more to it than " building it like Lego". Plus the ICF contractor has all the equipment for bracing, levelling and placing rather for you to rent it and deliver it to the site. Worst case of scenario: something goes wrong while pouring concrete and you are on your own (been there done that)

  4. semar | Aug 29, 2017 12:48am | #4

    Low slope roof solution.
    Option one: peel and stick
    Option two: standing seam metal roofing, cut to length, installation is a breeze
    in both cases substrate material must be solid, don't install it over some mushy OSB

  5. 382 | Aug 30, 2017 04:11pm | #5

    It must be serendipity that I listed to this week's podcast as I too am facing a stepped foundation/siding detail as I write this. I am dealing with sheathing, Cor-A-Vent rain screen and 5/16" Hardie Panel siding. As I too have copper flashing details throughout this project, I will be installing a copper angle over the Cor-A-Vent to cover it and the sheathing. The Hardie panel will overlap the copper by about to 1/2" to create a shadow line (typical of all of the horizontal conditions).

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

View All
  • Podcast 569: Bath Fan Installs, Sunroom Trim, and Basement Control Layers
  • Podcast 569: Members-only Aftershow — Rob Yagid’s Addition
  • Podcast 567: Soundproofing, Garage Doors, and Rotted Balconies
  • Podcast 567: Members-only Aftershow — Andrew Zoellner’s House
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Achieve a Flat Drywall Finish

These products and methods result in the clean lines essential to a midcentury-modern aesthetic.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • What You Need to Know About Installing Steel Siding
  • Leveled Up Plate Level
  • Brick Veneer Details for an MCM House
  • Achieve a Flat Drywall Finish

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • Podcast 569: Members-only Aftershow — Rob Yagid’s Addition
  • Brick Veneer Details for an MCM House
  • Podcast 555: Members-only Aftershow — Talking with Keegan McAuliffe of Capra Home Concepts
  • Podcast 552: PRO TALK With Architect and Builder Marcos Santa Ana
View All

New Construction

View All New Construction Articles
  • Details of Using Stone Wool Insulation
  • Use a Rainscreen to Protect Siding
  • Podcast 555: Members-only Aftershow — Talking with Keegan McAuliffe of Capra Home Concepts
  • Flashing a Window Using ZIP Tape
View All New Construction Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 316 - July
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in