COURSE CONTENT AVAILABLE NOW

A Builder’s Guide to Kitchen Design

with Jon Beer

Kitchens are often the heart of a home, and one of the most desired and valuable remodeling projects. But getting the design right can be challenging. It can be easy to become so lost in the myriad aesthetic decisions, appliance options, and construction details, that we forget the fundamentals, like making the floor plan work. An integral part of the instructor's approach and a big part of what you'll learn in this course is to use 3D modeling software to break down what makes a well-designed kitchen. The course will focus on three common kitchen styles: the galley kitchen, the L-shaped layout, and the U-shaped design. Through case studies you'll learn to understand and balance the fundamentals of function, aesthetics, and cost. Through hours of video tutorials and supplemental articles, the course is designed to teach you the best practices of kitchen design that you can use on projects of your own.
 

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Build Custom Cabinetry

with Gary Striegler 

Few home projects are as demanding and expensive on a square foot basis than custom built-ins and cabinetry. Construction of these units need to be exacting, and they need to be designed and built in a way that can withstand daily use while ensuring shelves, doors and drawers stay true and functioning smoothly. While stock options are readily available, you're likely to be disappointed in the quality you get for the cost. The good news is that with some basic carpentry tools and some hard-earned wisdom, you can build true custom units that are of better quality, more affordably. In this course, veteran carpenter Gary Striegler takes you inside his own trusted process for building books cases, built-ins and custom kitchen cabinets. You don't need a cabinet shop or specialty tools, just some space, quality wood materials and the lessons bestowed by Gary. We hope you enjoy what you build.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Framing High-Performance Homes

with Dan Kolbert

This comprehensive course covers the critical building science behind framing for different wall assembly types, including techniques, materials, and best practices for building resilient and high-performance walls, roofs, and floors. Through a combination of instructional interactive modules informed by real-world examples, you’ll learn how to plan, layout, and build different types of assemblies to increase the efficiency and long-term durability of homes. Dan Kolbert (“Pretty Good House”) will help you choose between Larsen Truss and Double-Stud walls, floors framed with Dimensional Lumber or I-Joists, Cut roofs vs Trusses and much, much more.

This course will provide critical information on how to frame your high-performance home. Starting with core building science principles, we will look at a variety of wall, roof and floor sections and talk about the various criteria for making decisions on which to choose. Then we will move on to implementation - planning, forming a team, and how to get the work done correctly, efficiently and cost-effectively, while keeping the end result and the planet in mind.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Build a Custom Deck Start-to-Finish

with Justin Fink 

Whether you're looking to deliver more value for your clients or you're looking to build a pro-level deck for your own family or friends, this three-week intensive course will ensure you walk away from your next deck project with pride, knowing it was done right, that your time and money was well-spent, and that your project will endure.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Framing Efficiently

with Larry Haun

Though house plans, framing tools, and materials have changed quite a bit since we first made these videos with Larry Haun, the fundamentals of framing haven’t. Plumb, level, and square are a must, and efficiency is the name of the game. Larry was not only a master carpenter, but he was also a great teacher and what you’ll learn here is how to not sacrifice quality work while keeping the framing job moving along, from the mudills to the roof. Larry’s tips are as relevant today as they were when we first made these videos and thanks to new technology, the sound and picture and better than ever.

10% For The Trades: Support #KeepCraftAlive
Fine Homebuilding's Keep Craft Alive initiative aims to raise awareness about skills training and educational opportunities in construction and provide financial support for those seeking careers in the trades. Show your support by purchasing this course today, and 10% of every sale will go directly towards the #KeepCraftAlive scholarship fund with our partner, SkillsUSA.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Indoor Air Quality

We spend 90% of our lives indoors, much of that in our homes. We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, simply breathing the air in our bedrooms. Even if well-known dangers like radon or carbon dioxide are not present, there are many other things that can make indoor air quality unhealthy. Air pollutants like carbon dioxide, small particles, chemicals produced from combustion appliance, and VOCs can combine in the air. Moisture, vapor, and heat can create conditions that make these combinations even more dangerous or lead to conditions where biologicals like mold can grow, and lead to ill health and “sick buildings.” The good news is that we can achieve the conditions that optimize for healthy indoor quality in new homes, when remodeling, and in existing homes with a science-based systems approach. This starts in the design phase, focuses on educating subcontractors and homeowners, and then measures and verifies results. Set up for success, a homeowner that properly maintains the home will reduce the risks of interior air pollution, and rest easy knowing that the air we breathe at home is positively contributing to our well-being.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Critical Deck-Framing Connections

with Mike Guertin

Over the last 15 years, deck-building codes have gone from one paragraph to more than 11 pages, and that’s where this series of videos comes in. We take you through all of the critical deck connections required by code, including fastener and hardware options for each connection, how each works to keep you safe and the deck structure intact, and some helpful installation tips along the way.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Avoid Stucco Siding Failures

This course is designed for professionals and homeowners alike and taught by a seasoned architect and building scientist who specializes in developing building details that enhance the performance, durability and comfort of residential homes. Join this session, originally part of the Fine Homebuilding Summit, to fortify your understanding of stucco siding and safeguard your home's exterior with practical and proven insights.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

The Sustainable Home Building Accelerator 

This intensive, interactive online series of courses is designed to rapidly advance your knowledge of sustainable home design and construction. Whether you’re an architect, builder, or a homeowner, we'll give you the tools and confidence to design and build well-crafted, affordable homes that maximize performance and comfort.

Over 11 hours of video. AIA Approved 10 HSW/LU Credits. Resnet 10 PD Credits. 

 ^{From Emily Mottram and The Authors of Pretty Good House}

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Decarbonizing Homes

As the demand for more sustainable homes intensifies, architects and builders are increasingly driven by state and federal incentives to reduce the carbon footprint of their homes and to tap into the national push towards electrification. Navigating the complex decision-making process to ensure the best performance of a home that delivers real environmental and economic results can be daunting. It doesn't have to be. In this course renowned building science expert Marc Rosenbaum offers you a clear roadmap for decarbonizing existing homes based on his own specific process and experience. Through this course you will gain a comprehensive understanding of what decarbonization is and how it applies to an existing project. You'll learn how to assess homes accurately, develop an appropriate retrofit plan and how to make the most of renewable energy systems to successfully meet a project's performance and comfort goals.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Home Insulation

The 2021 International Residential Code requires the highest insulating standards our industry has ever seen, putting new pressure on architects and builders to change the way they design and construct houses.

This course will teach you how to interpret the new code and how to select the right insulation for your project based on budget and performance goals.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW! 

Finish Carpentry Basics

with Gary Striegler

In this comprehensive learning collection, craftsman Gary Striegler shares his 40 years of trim carpentry experience and explains how to effectively install doors, window and door trim, crown molding, chair rail, and wainscotting. Whether you're looking to quickly and competently train new members of your crew or to hone your own finish carpentry skills, this course will increase the efficiency and enduring quality of your work.

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND NOW!

Making the Most of Minisplit Heat Pumps

with Jordan Goldman

This course covers the strengths and weaknesses of minisplits, how to best integrate minisplit systems into well-insulated homes, and common mistakes to avoid during design and installation. Whether you're a building professional or a homeowner, by the end of this course you will have the knowledge and confidence needed to select the right system for your next remodeling or new-construction project, and to ensure it’s installed to achieve optimum performance.