Steps for stripping paint from woodwork Before doing any work, test the surface being stripped with a lead test kit. Follow the instructions that come with the packaging to confirm that there is no lead present. Starting from the top of the surface being stripped, apply a thick layer of the paint stripper using the paint brush. Cover each section with laminated paper to accelerate the curing time of the paint stripper....
A sidewall flare consists of a gradual wave-like roll off the sidewall that creates an aesthetically pleasing design element, and also can help move water slightly away from trim features directly below it. Where Are Sidewall Flares Located? It’s typically located at the bottom of the wall, near the foundation just above the water table trim and drip cap. On this 1879 Italianate remodel, the homeowner chose to add the flare detail higher up the wall, where the siding will transition from clapboards to shingles....
Windows play a critical role in the three most important aspects of home design. The first is appearance. Next to the shape of a house (Colonial, ranch, Cape Cod), windows are the most significant factor influencing how the place looks to the outside world. The second element is site embrace. Windows capture views and make the connection between the indoors and the natural world beyond. Last, windows are about comfort. They let in light and air and protect against extremes of weather....
Previous episode: S43 E14 | Next episode: S43 E16 In this episode: Despite a 20-week delay in the arrival of the windows, which caused a domino effect of delays on the whole project, our 1880’s Cape project is just two weeks away from completion. Our trades have been working around the clock on top of each other to reach the finish line. Windows have been installed, radiant flooring is down throughout the first floor, and kitchen cabinets are in place....
To keep things toasty in cold New England weather, the Brookline homeowners wanted a fireplace—but one that would complement the open-plan layout and expanses of glass in their mid-century modern house. Solution: an artisan-crafted, black-steel Paxfocus fireplace that creates an iconic modern look and is seemingly suspended in midair. To work the magic, the TOH team had to prepare the living room wall with special framing materials—partly for fire code and partly to handle the weight of the 200-pound bell-shaped fireplace, which would be attached to a wall bracket 20 inches above floor level....
Top 5 Electric Lawn Mowers Most Lightweight: Sun Joe Lawn Mower Best Batteries: Makita Brushless Lawn Mower Kit Best Lights: EGO Power+ Push Lawn Mower Best For Small Yards: Black & Decker Cordless Lawn Mower Best For Large Yards: Yard Force Lawn Mower Most Lightweight: Sun Joe Lawn Mower With 75 minutes of runtime and an adjustable height between one and three inches, this lawn mower provides a quality cut. Plus, because it weighs less than 35 pounds, it’s easy to push around your yard....
Bolt cutters are offered in a variety of sizes that cater to different needs and the material they need to cut. Mini bolt cutters, which are typically around eight inches in length, are compact tools that are used to snap bolts, chains, and wires up to 3/16 inches in diameter. Top 5 Bolt Cutters Most Effective: Capri Tools Eight-Inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter Best Design: TEKTON Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter Most User-Friendly: KNIPEX Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter Most Comfortable: ARES Eight-Inch Mini Bolt Cutter Best Value: Great Neck Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter Most Effective: Capri Tools Eight-Inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter This mini bolt cutter from Capri Tools is built with quality steel blades and rubber-gripped handles that can cut through rods, bolts, chains, and wires....
If you have a freestanding home, even on a city lot, there’s probably dirt around it that benefits from plantings, lawns, or garden features. What you do with the space around your house depends not only on what you want, but also on your climate. You won’t get desert plants to grow in Seattle’s wet climate, and you won’t get tender southern varieties to thrive in New England. It’s possible all your landscape needs in order to thrive is a good cleanup and some well-directed pruning....
Nothing spoils an outdoor gathering faster than mosquitoes and warm drinks. While Tom Silva hasn’t solved the first problem, he designed and built a handsome solution to the second one: an insulated, seat-height cedar chest that’s big enough to hold 100 pounds of ice cubes and keep dozens of bottles and cans refreshingly cold for hours. A custom copper liner with a built-in drain protects the wood from moisture damage, and saves you from fishing through icy meltwater to pick out your favorite beverage....
Aaron: Hey guys, my name’s Aaron Massey from House One. Today I’m here with Johnny Brooke from Crafted Workshop, thank you for joining us, Johnny. Johnny: Yeah, man, thanks for having me. And if you guys are not familiar with Crafted Workshop, why don’t you tell us a little about your channel. Johnny: Yeah, it’s a YouTube channel. I put out pretty much weekly, woodworking projects, mostly modern furniture type of stuff, but I also do some shop projects here and there....
Previous episode: S21 E9 | Next episode: S21 E11 In this episode: Carpenter Nathan Gilbert takes us on a house call to help a homeowner with a pocket door. After salvaging a pocket door that will work perfectly in one of her doorways, she asks Nathan and his father to help source missing hardware, prepare the door, and hang it. The trio works together to swap out the old rollers for period-correct hardware and maneuver the heavy door into place, giving this classic home a fittingly-classic touch....
What is Stone Wool? Stone wool is pretty much just what it sounds like: stone and minerals spun into wool. How does it work as an insulation product, and why is it different? We sat down with TOH affiliate Nick Schiffer, carpenter and owner of NS Builders, to talk about why he’s chosen ROCKWOOL stone wool for superior insulation both on the jobsite, and in his own home. What is ROCKWOOL?...
It’s not every day that you’re in the market for a new garage door. So if you think you know what to expect when shopping for a new one or feel that current models are the same as your 15-year-old door, you’re in for a surprise. Today’s doors are stronger, more secure and better insulated, and they require much less maintenance than their predecessors. And you’ve never before had such a range of choice in materials, styles, colors and window treatments....
As you hang your lights (safely) and pick your Christmas tree (thoughtfully), you’ll want to put equal care and deliberation into your home furnishings during the holidays. Fortunately, Black Friday, or the Friday after Thanksgiving Thursday, is a prime day for amazing furniture sales. Whether you’re gifting others or feathering your own nest, we’re here to help ensure you find the best Black Friday furniture sales out there. From sofa beds to nightstands, here are the This Old House Reviews Team’s top picks for the best early Black Friday furniture deals....
March is notoriously unpredictable. Shrubs can be crusty with snow on the first of the month, and then, a couple of weeks later, temperatures can warm up enough for flower and leaf buds to show signs of life. Still, some early spring cleanup tasks are sure things this time of year. Pruning (for summer-bloomers) and dividing (for late-flowering perennials) are two such tasks. It’s quick work, but pruning and dividing are among the most neglected tasks of homeowning....
Mark learned that Mount Rushmore was built using the following techniques: a. Workers would climb to the top of the mountain, get into harnesses, and would be lowered down the cliff face using a series of winches. b. Then, dynamite would be placed in key locations. Everyone would clear the mountain and the blasts would take off most of the material, down to about 6” of the stone required for carving the actual faces....
In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey explains how to create zones in a hot-water heating system. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Adding Zones to a Hot Water Heating System Turn off the cold water line to the boiler; shut the electricity to the boiler. Drain water from the boiler, if there’s no floor drain remove water with an electric pump. Cut copper pipe coming from the boiler with a tubing cutter....
In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva replaces an old entry door. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Hanging a front door in an existing frame Measure the old door to determine what size to cut the new door. Clamp a straightedge to the new door and score the cut line with a sharp utility knife. Cut the door to length with a portable circular saw. Set old door on top of new door and transfer the hinge-mortise locations to the new door using a combination square....
Most homeowners are prepared to deal with the occasional sticky doorknob or cracked floor tile, but even the most intrepid do-it-yourselfer shudders at the thought of a burst water pipe. If not immediately noticed, a ruptured pipe can be both expensive and time-consuming to clean up. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Fortunately, the pipe that’s most susceptible to extremely cold weather—the outdoor hose faucet—is also one of the easiest to protect from freezing....
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert goes on a house call as he helps a homeowner dealing with a dated kitchen floor. After explaining to Kevin what goes into planning a floor, such as materials and subflooring, he heads to the home to lend a hand. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Why Choose Vinyl Plank Flooring? There are many reasons to like luxury-vinyl-plank (LVP) flooring. It looks like tile or wood but is more affordable and simpler to install, and it’s waterproof, durable, and easy to clean....
