It’s recently become common for people to work or attend classes from home. And while operating from home has its advantages (looser dress code, easy access to the fridge), there may be disadvantages, too. For one, it’s hard to get anything done when your house is filled with noise. It could be the daily onslaught of street noise, the tree crew who spend all week running chainsaws and chippers, or just a family member on a call in the next room....
Leggy, woody, scraggly, spindly, yellowish, unkempt, and unsightly. No, it’s not roll call for the cast of some dozing-princess fairy story. If you’re like most people, it’s the perfect description for that sad-looking hedge bordering your yard. Rows of thickly planted shrubs can be a handsome way to define borders and boundary lines, keep children and pets in (or out), and give birds shelter and even food. But like all shrubs, hedges need regular watering, feeding, and pruning to look their best....
If you are interested in attending events like this one, become a This Old House Insider here. The Cape Ann Wrap Party began with everyone participating in This Old House trivia. We had a surprise in store for Brian and Tricia Cunniff from Jericho, VT, who are expecting their first child this summer. We hooked them up with a This Old House onesie for their future Insider! Brian is an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont, and manages a lab focused on cancer biology....
One of the simplest, most effective ways to enhance the safety and security of your home is to add a motion-sensor floodlight to the garage. The dual-lamp model installed here comes on automatically if something—or someone—crosses its field of vision. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time If you’re hesitant about working with electricity, don’t worry. We’ve greatly simplified the process by safely tapping into an existing garage circuit and by running the wires through surface-mounted metal tubing, called conduit....
As barbecue season’s winds down, you’ll want to ensure your grill will be good to go come springtime. Give it some extra TLC before you put it away with these useful steps. How to Prepare a Charcoal Grill for Winter Build a fire Light up your grill one last time (sorry, no food—you’re just trying to cook off anything accumulated on the grate). A couple of hours at 500°–660°F should cook off any heavier grease....
Homeowners in Dallas know that having a lush, green lawn year-round takes a lot of time and effort. For those with busy schedules, hiring a professional lawn care company can be the way to go. Professionals have the expertise, products, and equipment to beautify lawns. The This Old House Reviews Team recommends TruGreen, an industry leader that offers five annual programs, a variety of a la carte services, a customer satisfaction guarantee, and more....
Heath Eastman and home technology expert Ross Trethewey teach host Kevin O’Connor about smart electrical panels. The two pros show Kevin how this new wave of technology is more about optimization than maximization, giving users complete control over their electrical system. Smart Electrical Panels are the New School Everyone has an electrical panel in their house, and the design hasn’t changed much in decades. However, the newest technology to come along is smart technology-enabled electrical panels....
People ooh and ahh at fireworks, but unexpected, intermittent loud noises tend to have the opposite effect on dogs. That’s why more pets go missing on July 4th than on any other day of the year. Make a plan before the Fourth to ensure your pooch stays safe. If he is already anxiety-prone, a visit to the vet could help with prep. Your dog’s doc may even recommend a prescription medication like Sileo or Trazodone....
Willis Carrier invented the first air conditioning system in 1902—but not to cool the air. Carrier’s system was devised to dehumidify the air in a printing plant so the paper would no longer curl in the moist air. Dehumidification is as critical to comfort as is temperature. How Does Air Conditioning Work? Air conditioners use fans to move interior air over a cold surface, usually comprised of grids or “coils” of copper or aluminum tubing....
Top 5 Tick Killers Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules BioAdvanced 700288S Complete Insect Killer Spectrum HG-61067 Bug-Free Spray Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Yard and Kennel Spray Wondercide Ready-To-Use Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Yard Spray Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawns Granules These insecticide-covered pellets protect against ticks, as well as other pests like spiders, fleas, ants, and mole crickets for up to three months. Because of how large the bag is, you can protect up to 10,000 square feet....
Tools and DIY Gifts | 1. eTape Digital Tape Measure Known as “the original” digital tape measure, this model features a traditional tape along with large digital display. The eTape has a save function and converts measurements with a built-in calculator. 2. Narex Woodworking Chisels Chrome manganese blades set into hefty, stained European Beech handles. Contains 6 mm thru 26 mm sizes in one handy kit. 3. American Barn Birdhouse Kit Grab a screwdriver and get started on this fun project!...
Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada takes us on a house call to solve a homeowner’s front yard problem. Despite living in a wooded neighborhood, their street is noisy, and they’d prefer to create some separation for the front yard for their children. Steps for Creating a Woodland Garden Jenn surveys the surrounding plants and setting and comes up with a plan to create a woodland garden. Take Inspiration from the Surroundings When planning a woodland garden, it’s important to take inspiration from the surrounding plants and environment....
Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Start by removing the vinyl ceiling using a hammer and a prybar up until the furthest point the swing will hang. If the swing cannot be hung on structure, structure will need to be added. Cut the 2x4” to size and then hammer it into position, preferably over the furring strip (if there is one) to accommodate the additional ¾” depth it creates. Secure the structure with wood screws....
In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva produces tight-fitting mitered corner joints on crown molding. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for installing kitchen cabinet crown molding: Carefully remove existing molding using hammer and flat pry bar. Hold two short 1x4s flat against ceiling, overlapping at cabinet corner. Mark a line where the overlapping boards meet at outside corner. Use a combination square to draw a line across one board connecting the inside and outside corners....
It’s no secret that damp areas of the home provide the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Whether your nose knows, or your eyes spy dark spots in strategic locations, you want to make sure. Mold doesn’t just eat away at your wood, wallpaper, or grout. Its spores get airborne and cause all kinds of health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says enough evidence exists to link mold to upper respiratory tract symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose to cough and wheeze in otherwise healthy people....
Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Tools & Materials Screwdriver Tape measure Miter saw Brad nailer Caulk gun angled paintbrush - 3-inch Paint bucket Start by taking the door off of the hinges. Remove all the hardware from the door using a screwdriver or a drill. Mark the layout for the door. In general, Nathan likes to start with a 4” rail on the top, center the middle rail around the doorknob, and leave any excess on the bottom....
Before Little DIYs can have a big payoff during a larger renovation. With a laundry room upgrade under way in the Youngstown, OH, home that Breanna Bertolini shares with her family, she saw an opportunity to carve out a mudroom in the same space—and infuse it with some style. Shown: Located off the garage and back door, the laundry was a logical mudroom spot, but needed some stylish organization. After With new floor tile down and fresh drywall up, Breanna designed a storage bench with an eye-catching geometric design on the back, inspired by a feature-wall photo she saw online....
Previous episode: S18 E26 | Next episode: S19 E2 In this episode: Ask This Old House’s Tom Silva takes you through how to add a deck to your home by helping two homeowners build the deck of their dreams. After setting string lines and batter boards to mark the locations for the concrete footings, Tom digs 4-foot deep holes for the footings using a power auger. Next, they set cardboard tubes into the holes and filled them with concrete....
Previous episode: S19 E25 | Next episode: S19 E27 In this episode: In this special episode of Ask This Old House, the team shares what they have been up to during the COVID-19 pandemic and completes a couple of projects they’ve been working on. Including carpenter Nathan Gilbert, who gave his home office an upgrade during the quarantine and is looking to add the finishing touch—a display case to store his grandfather’s American flag....
This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Months of social distancing have made outdoor spaces more central to our lives than ever before. So this might be the season to double down on smart home tech designed to make outdoor living and entertaining simpler, easier, and more enjoyable—allowing you to take your playlists to the backyard, tend the grill from afar, and dim the string lights for dinner with a voice command or smartphone app....
