Protradecraft

03/25/2025

We are pleased to share the finalist platform with for a 2025 Neal Award for Best a Instructional Content.

Hopefully at least one of us will take it away from Ad Age or CSO magazine.

Installing minisplits and training trade contractors is arguably more important than ad agencies and VPNs ...

Also, here's a picture of my cat climbing down a ladder. He loves construction zones.

03/19/2025

Rating the States for Disaster Preparedness
The Disaster Discussiuons podcast from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety reveals who is getting it right

In its fifth edition, IBHS’s Rating the States report evaluates the 18 states along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts based on residential building code adoption, enforcement, training, education, and contractor licensing.

Storm-Preparedness overachieving States:
- Virginia
- Florida
- Louisiana

Storm-Preparedness underachieving states:
- Texas
- Mississippi
- Alabama

The Disaster Discussiuons podcast from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety reveals who is getting it right

03/17/2025

Site-Built Insulated Panels for an Exposed Floor
PVC sheets and XPS panels make a durable, airtight, insulated sheathing

One efficient way to gain living space is with a pier foundation, but with the floor exposed to the elements, what’s the best way to insulate it?

ONE way to insulate the floor is with site-built insulated panels made from PVC sheets, adhesive foam, and XPS insulation. It’s like an open-faced insulation sandwich.

While you wait for the adhesive to set up, make another, and another, and another.

When you’re ready to install them, apply adhesive where the floor joists will be and slide that sheet over to the work zone.

Hightlights:
- Install the insulating panels with adhesive foam and long screws
- Insulate the floor framing with spray foam

03/15/2025

Install Windows From the INSIDE! Pella's SteadySet System (Building Resilience)
We test drive a new window installation system from Pella; the verdict: Superior

Six innovations in one Pella window
This time, we’re gonna install some windows like you’ve never seen before, featuring what Pella calls the Steady-Set system, which means you install them from the inside.

Flip and click bracket
- Head Stabilizer holds the window in the opening
- Sill shim automatically creates gap for sealant
- Shim Guides help straighten tall frames
- Flashing fin provides airtight integration with WRB
- Adjustable brackets for non-standard width walls

The Highlights:
- Window installation process begins with flashing
- Window installation requires precision for high-end trim detailing
- Window installation ends with flashing

03/10/2025

Way cool meeting (and his little buddy too) in the show village at !

02/27/2025

The winners circle at the Protradecraft construction

02/20/2025

Basic Floor Framing class...

Floor joist layout options that ensure the subfloor sheets begin and end where you want them to

02/17/2025

ProTradeCraft is coming to Pro Builder Show Village at in Las Vegas! Get ready for live demos packed with expert techniques and pro tips with a dose of humor.

Check out this recap from 2024 for a sneak peek of what’s in store!📍Catch the action in the Outdoor Exhibits 2/25-2/27. Preview what's coming at https://pbshowvillage.com/protradecraft. We'll see you there!

02/14/2025

Chilly day shooting Building Resilience in Minneapolis.

What the photo shows: Carhartt is not as good an insulator as Styrofoam or even cellulose between studs.

But Styrofoam jackets are really impractical.

We were finishing up an exterior insulation job and siding with three products from James Hardie.

02/12/2025

When fastening drywall, DON'T SCREW IT UP

Advice from "That Drywall Guy," Myron Ferguson:
1/ Use coarse thread screws for wood framing
2/ Properly set the screw
3/ One screw, not two, and not too many screws
4/ Splice butt-seams instead of breaking them over studs

You can watch the video at ProTradeCraft. Better yet, sign up for the Punch List newsletter, and you skip MetaFace altogether!

https://bit.ly/3EuLbCs

02/10/2025

Our old friend Myron discusses what fasteners to use, where, and how long they should be. As it turns out, longer isn't better.

Advice from "That Drywall Guy," Myron Ferguson:
1/ Use coarse thread screws for wood framing
2/ Properly set the screw
3/ One screw, not two, and not too many screws
4/ Splice butt-seams instead of breaking them over studs

Four tips for better drywall installation and finishes

12/09/2024

Protect the wall from water damage with 2 WRB layers.

Protect the wall from water damage with 2 WRB layers

11/26/2024

Rainscreens protect buildings from moisture with proper ventilation.

Rainscreens protect buildings from moisture with proper ventilation

10/28/2024

This corner makes me feel WAY less bad about my last tile project.