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Where traditional windows and skylights are not an option, adding a Sun Tunnel skylight can be a cost-effective way to bring more natural light into the heart of your home. Sun Tunnels are a lot easier to install than you might think. In just 90 minutes, your contractor will simply cut a hole into the roof from outside your home, and another hole in your ceiling from inside; a flexible or rigid reflective tunnel will then be inserted to connect the holes....

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission. The 8 Best RV Mattresses RV travel has seen a surge in popularity, and the trend is all gas no brakes, insiders say––meaning there are no signs of the migratory movement stopping anytime soon. If you’ve recently taken up a lifestyle that has you living in small but mighty quarters on the road, creating a comfortable sleep space is a crucial piece of enjoying the journey....

Greyrock Homes has built over 750 homes in Connecticut since 1979, ranging in size from 1,200 to 12,000 square feet. Principal Jerry Effren is always on the hunt for the latest innovations in building products that combine ease, low-maintenance, and efficiency. “A great benefit of working on the TOH Idea House is that I was introduced to a lot of amazing new products that I’d be proud to use on future projects....

Beautiful landscaping is a joy to behold. Unfortunately, the upkeep isn’t always easy. Unfortunately, a gorgeous, well-kept lawn and garden aren’t always easy to achieve. There are many things that can sabotage your efforts including pests that could destroy your garden, and grasses and plants could die if improperly planted. All in all, taking care of a lawn or garden can become a high-maintenance task and cost a lot in terms of money and time....

When gas comes into a building from its main source it is distributed to various appliances via steel pipe. Traditionally that pipe is cut to size and then threaded before being connected using fittings with opposing threads of the same size. A new method, known as “press-connect” is on the rise in the US since it was adopted by code standards a few years ago. PLEASE NOTE: Gas pipe connections should be done by a licensed professional....

Paint expert Mauro Henrique teaches Kevin O’Connor how to patch scratches and chips in porcelain. While it is a tough material, Mauro explains that these types of damage are extremely common, and he teaches Kevin how to handle them. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Porcelain is a durable material, but it’s relatively soft as far as tiles go. This means it’s susceptible to cracks or chips, and they’re often eyesores....

Ugh! Few household chores elicit groans like cleaning the oven. Regular use of the appliance is bound to deposit grease on all inside surfaces, not to mention the occasional casserole or pie that bubbles over, causing clumps of baked-on crud. Between the hazardous chemicals in commercial oven cleaners (caustic soda, dichloromethane, and ethylene glycol possibly among them) and the major mess usually involved, it’s no surprise that this task is often deferred—indefinitely....

Previous episode: S42 E18 | Next episode: S42 E20 In this episode: A prominent feature of most three-decker houses is the layout of porches on the back. They stack one on top of each other and provide nice outdoor space for city dwellers. But these porches were built to 1905 standards. Kevin O’Connor finds Tom and Charlie Silva and Russ Gibson bringing them up to 21st-century code. A lingering smell is one of the biggest problems faced by victims of a house fire....

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2021 Issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. An older house can be expensive to insure. If you want to be able to replace distinctive building materials and architectural features in the event of a loss, you may need to increase your policy limits for the structure or add optional coverages. “There definitely are concerns for older homes that often lead to higher costs,” says Karen Collins, assistant vice president of personal lines at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a trade group....

Catch new episodes of This Old House and Ask This Old House every week on your local PBS station and every Monday for free on The Roku Channel. Current Seasons New episodes of the current seasons of This Old House and Ask This Old House are available to watch on The Roku Channel every Monday. On-Demand Select prior seasons from This Old House and Ask This Old House libraries are available for free on-demand via The Roku Channel....

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2021 Issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Bumping out, adding on—big changes like these can really blow a budget. So it was a given when Rachel and Chad Alcorn renovated the kitchen in their 1928 Tudor-style home in Glen Ellyn, IL, that they would not be adding square footage or moving walls. “We wanted to add storage, prep surfaces, light, and a more open feel, but we didn’t have unlimited funds,” says Rachel....

If you’re feeling handy and hungry this holiday season—and who isn’t?—then decorating a gingerbread house might be the perfect project for you. Get inspired by these amazing, award winning ginger bread from The National Gingerbread House Competition & Display at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. See techniques for a range of confectionary structures, from a classic home to a whimsical tree house. 15 Amazing Gingerbread Houses 1. Noah’s Edible Ark Barbara Evans of Edelstein, Illinois, and Mary Jo Dowling of Westford, Massachusetts, created their own spin on the classic gingerbread house when they crafted a sweet version of Noah’s Ark....

Host Kevin O’Connor discusses induction cooktops with home technology expert Ross Trethewey. Ross sets up a comparison test with two tea kettles, comparing the difference in the amount of time an induction burner takes to boil water over a gas burner. Ross explains how induction technology works, as well as how he believes it will be the future of kitchen appliances. What is Induction Cooking and How Does it Work? Induction cooking works differently than gas....

While this installment of Tool Lab is out of the realm of “useful tools every homeowner should own,” it is unique and noteworthy enough to take a closer look. The DeWalt Cordless Cable Stapler is designed solely for electrical contractors and anyone who runs significant amounts of electrical cable on a regular basis. Electrical codes require that wires be secured to a framing structure. Traditionally, this means hand-stapling hundreds or thousands of staples on any given job, which, as you can imagine, is quite time-consuming....

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. An old house is not frozen in time. And as the decades leave their marks, each owner leaves an imprint, too, based on what seems in the best interests of the house and its occupants. Compromises are involved. Tastes change. Consider the story of this circa-1900 Dutch Colonial Revival and its current owners, Tyler and Katie Judkins....

As a member of the first group of This Old House Generation NEXT apprentices (at the Newton project during summer 2017), Nathan Gilbert jumped at the chance to work with Tom Silva and Norm Abram. Nathan already had skills in the building trades, having worked with his father and as a Navy Seabee, but he was eager to learn more. “What we liked about Nathan right away was his eagerness to learn from us, even if it was something that he clearly already had done,” says Tom....

Steps for patching a plaster and lathe ceiling: When originally installed, wood lathe was nailed to the ceiling joists. Plaster mixed with horsehair or goat hair was then forced onto the lathe, forming a key that holds it to the lathe. One option is to cut out the damaged area and install a 3⁄8” thick sheet of blue board and plaster. Cover the work area with drop cloths and work off of a rolling scaffolding platform, which can be rented or purchased....

Replacing a full mortise lockset: Start by removing the old hardware. This can usually be done by removing a few screws in the door knobs, around the face plate, and the lockset. Fit the new lock body into the old mortise. If it’s a tight fit, try loosening the opening with a chisel to ensure the door doesn’t split during the installation. To ensure the lock body cover also fits in the old mortise, it may be necessary to chisel out some depth into the door....

Previous episode: S43 E37 | Next episode: S43 E39 In this episode: It’s down to the last few weeks at the Saratoga Springs project. Flooring is down, cabinets are on-site, and on the third floor, doors are being hung, including a pocket door for the new bar room. General Contractor Matt Whitbeck shows Kevin O’Connor different framing options for pocket doors and his preferred method. Homeowner Evan is making headway with the exterior painting, thanks to friends and family chipping in....

Most Powerful Generator: Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Portable Generator Though expensive and heavy, this portable generator is built to last. It has a hardened steel frame with a foam handle and never-flat wheels. The 7,500-watt engine works with the 6.6-gallon fuel tank to run powerful devices and appliances for up to 11 hours. Key Features Gas power source 6.6-gallon fuel tank 7,500 running watts 11-hour runtime 196 pounds Three-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Customers who liked this generator said that it was well-designed, came with easy-to-understand instructions, and ran for hours at a time....