Building a Better Foundation | Frame to Finish – Episode 2

Frame to Finish returns to the Texas Hill Country jobsite to tackle one of the most important parts of any high-performance home: the foundation. Build Show LIVE 2026 VIPs visited the job site for a closer look in person, and now we get to dive deep into the details. In this episode, Matt Risinger, Tim Hill, and Jim Gunn take on a challenging sloped lot with a walkout basement and explain how thoughtful foundation design helps manage water, control moisture, improve thermal performance, and create a structure built for long-term durability. They walk through the project’s layered waterproofing and drainage strategy, including concrete waterproofing, exterior membranes, continuous insulation, drainage mat, and perimeter French drains. They also explore key Build HD® Standard practices, including under-slab vapor barriers, strategically recessed wet areas, rebar-reinforced foundations, and continuous exterior insulation. Along the way, they explain how these details provide added protection against moisture, movement, condensation, and potential water damage. However, building it right is only part of the process. Matt and Tim explain why testing and verification are essential to high-performance construction. From concrete batch tickets and 4,000 PSI concrete testing to engineering inspections and permanent documentation, every step helps ensure the foundation performs as designed (and lasts for generations). Download the Build HD® Standard at the link below. https://buildhd.buildshownetwork.com/ Huge thanks to our sponsors: https://www.atlasrwi.com/energyshield... https://www.bldr.com/ https://www.huberwood.com/?utm_source... https://catalog.legendvalve.com/cc/hy... https://www.pella.com/ https://prosoco.com/ https://www.sashco.com/build-show/?ut... https://www.sugatsune.com/ https://trusscore.com/products/wall-a... https://buildshownetwork.com/bsn-seri... Learn more about the next Build Show Live in Houston 2027 - https://bsl.buildshownetwork.com/EWfSx ➤CHANNELS: ​Podcasts: ⁨@BuildShowPodcasts⁩ Build Experts: ⁨@BuildShowNetwork⁩ Build Show Live: ⁨@BuildShowLive⁩ ➤BUILD GEAR STORE: https://build-gearstore.com/ ➤SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: Apple: https://apple.co/32AOwgU Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3FXNg4X ➤SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://buildshownetwork.com/newsletter ➤ADVERTISE WITH US: https://www.buildproductions.com ➤LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILDING: http://thebuildshow.com/ ➤SOCIALS: Instagram:   / risingerbuild   Instagram:   / thebuildshow   Facebook:   / buildshownetwork   ➤THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS ⚝ ARCLIN: https://www.arclin.com/ ⚝ HUBER: https://www.huberwood.com ⚝ PELLA: https://www.pella.com These are trusted companies that Matt has worked with for years, and their support helps make these videos possible. We highly encourage you to visit their websites for more information.