This Old House

This 1880 Country Cape started as a small house on a large piece of land but expanded over time. The crew meets the homeowners and tours both inside and outside to learn about the plans.

Appliances and radiators are salvaged before the major demolition begins. Outside, an arborist sprays the Hemlock trees to protect from damaging insects. Time to cut off the garage addition.

The old foundation gets modified for the new basement. Jenn meets with the landscape designer to discuss the plans for the front yard. On the first floor, Charlie and Tom install a recessed beam.

The foundation is waterproofed. The team talks about exterior paint colors, and homeowner Megan lends a hand turning the new newel posts. Cape-style homes are discussed. Then, the foundation is braced for backfilling.

The house gets a new foundation. Natural stone veneers get cut, and the back dormer sees a new beam installed to increase headroom. Then, homeowner Megan and her interior designer look at tile.

A Flitch beam is installed on the house. Tree maintenance is performed, and a new footing is poured under the kitchen chimney. Then, the crew explores different heating systems. Kevin tours a high-tech sheathing factory in Georgia.

In this episode, a block wall is constructed to accept the framing of the addition. The old floor joists are shimmed to make a smooth transition to the new part of the house, and the kitchen designer lays out the kitchen.

A bay window is removed and reframed for a new one. An old school is being restored into apartments for veterans. The underside of a deck is the "roof" of the living space below. Pipe locations are discussed.

We witness an exterior wall framed on the ground and raised into place. The crew learns about the history of framing tools and talks about recessed lighting and electrical panels. Then, three laminated veneer lumber beams replace an old ridge beam.

A worn and tattered multi-generational Dutch Colonial gets its second wind in a turn toward its former glory.

Repointing the old foundation; installing a steel beam in the basement; exploring trends in plumbing fixtures; truss system for the third floor living space.

A new chimney facade is made to look old with a brick veneer; selecting kitchen cabinets; cleaning the exterior of the house in preparation for paint; a hot air balloon ride.

Replacing an old flooring system; saving an old porch; exploring tile options; installing steel I-beams and trusses.

Drainpipes are hidden in the coffered ceilings; draining water from the screened-in porch; installing a diffusion vent and single staircase connecting the first to the third floor; a do-it-yourself skate rink brings neighbors together.

The old electrical service is upgraded; a cold weather inverter heat pump is introduced; an original window sash becomes an awning window; insulation.

Running new water and sewer lines; the house is brought up to code with fire sprinklers; doghouse dormers are made watertight.

Installing a low-impact automatic irrigation system; flooring; the ICF foundation gets a stucco-like finish.

Installing cabinetry in the pantry; the homeowners prepare and paint the exterior PVC trim.