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In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains the complexities of today’s solar power systems. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time What to Know About Solar Panel Systems Solar thermal panels are used to create domestic hot water. The panels are filled with antifreeze or evacuated tubes. A typical thermal-panel system can produce 65 to 70 percent of a home’s hot water needs. A photovoltaic (PV) system transforms the sun’s energy into direct current (DC) electricity....

Kevin O’Connor joins general contractor Tom Silva in the woodshop to build a sturdy serving tray with the help of a custom jig and box joints. Tom makes the tray from half-inch walnut and explains how the box joint is one of the strongest joints you can choose. He shows us how to make a dado sled to efficiently and evenly cut box joints with a table saw. Finally, once the glue dries, it’s time for sanding and a mineral oil finish....

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. Curious if a flippable memory foam bed like the Layla will suit you? This unique and versatile memory foam mattress is meant to be flipped, so you can choose your ideal firmness level. Layla mattress review explores why this one of the best affordable mattresses out there if you want to reap the benefits of firmness level flexibility without overextending your mattress budget—queen-sized Layla mattresses are often on sale for under $1,000....

Jenn: Hey, guys, I’m Jenn from House One and I am here with the legendary April Wilkerson from Wilker Do’s. Thank you so much for being here. We appreciate it. April Wilkerson: Thanks. I appreciate it. Jenn: For those of you that aren’t familiar with Wilker Do’s, can you just give them a little bit of an introduction to your brand and some of the things they might see if they stop by your channel?...

The Right Ride While a postage-stamp-sized yard would be easy to maintain with a self-propelled mower, for lawns over 1 acre consider a zero-turn mower. They cut neatly and efficiently, making quick work of larger landscapes, and they can easily navigate obstacles in the form of patios, fire pits, water features, shrubbery, or paved walkways. Set Your Deck When deciding how short to cut your lawn, you shouldn’t focus purely on aesthetics....

Steps for pruning a crabapple tree A crabapple with brown leaves may have apple scab disease, a fungal infection. Roger recommends removing any branches that are low enough to be bumped when mowing the lawn. When removing a large branch, use the three cut method. First, make an undercut about a third of the way through the branch. Next, make a top cut a few inches out from the undercut. This allows the weight of the branch to fall without damaging the bark....

Previous episode: S41 E15 | Next episode: S41 E17 In this episode: Kevin recaps the horrific day the Camp Fire spread through Paradise and hears from the residents who are determined to rebuild. Tom visits Jose and Anna’s house, where builder Ken Blanton shows him engineered siding with a fire-rated sheathing, which combined meets the WUI building codes. The failure of a power line was the apparent cause of the fire that destroyed Paradise....

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 Best Soft Mattresses Although a large cross-section of sleepers have a strong preference for firm mattresses, here at This Old House, our Reviews Team has a soft spot for the soft mattresses lovers out there. And after all, what’s not to like about the feeling of sleeping on a puffy cloud?...

Are you looking to install solar panels on your house, but not sure where to begin? From panel types to financing, we break down the 5 things you need to know about adding solar to your home. Is your house a good candidate for solar? The ideal candidate for solar is a house that has: A New/Young Roof The typical roof lasts about 20-30 years. If your roof is old, please put a new roof on before installing solar on it....

A Houston home warranty is designed to mitigate the damages of unexpected home repairs and give you peace of mind if a major system or appliance breaks down. Unlike homeowner’s insurance, which covers personal property and structural damage from fires and natural disasters, a home warranty protects you from the high costs associated with repairing or replacing systems and appliances that have failed due to normal wear and tear. If you’re looking for a home warranty company in Texas, specifically Houston, keep reading to learn about top home warranty providers, coverage and pricing, and how to purchase a home warranty in the Houston area....

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares some tricks for installing a new, sturdy staircase railing. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Installing a Stair Railing Dismantle and remove the existing railing from the staircase. Use a homemade guide block to bore a 5/32-inch-deep x 1-inch-diameter hole over each baluster hole in the stair treads. Glue a 1-inch-diameter wood plug into each tread hole. Sand the plug flush with a random-orbit sander fitted with an 80-grit abrasive disk....

Most Adjustable: Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow This pillow is filled with gel-infused memory foam and microfiber to provide both comfort and support. In addition to the pillow and its two covers, your purchase also comes with a half bag of filling if you want more puffiness for sleeping on your side. Key Features One pillow Queen size Gel-infused memory foam and microfiber filling Machine-washable design What Customers Are Saying Positive reviews stated that this pillow offered superior neck and head support, especially with the extra filling....

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey improves indoor air quality. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Installing an air cleaner Remove the pre-filter and both electronic cells from the air cleaner cabinet. Apply strips of self-adhesive gasket around the perimeter of the air cleaner cabinet. Screw the air cleaner cabinet to the side of the furnace. Install a sheet metal duct between the air cleaner and an existing heat duct....

In this video, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares his tips and techniques for installing decorative crown molding. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Installing crown molding Take a short scrap piece of crown molding and hold it against the wall and ceiling in a corner of the room. Draw a pencil line along the bottom edge of the molding and onto the wall. Repeat to mark all remaining inside and outside room corners....

Steps for making a lathe turned bowl: Before getting started, Tom recommends wearing a certain level of PPE to prevent any wood chips from getting in your eyes or in your clothes. A face shield and an apron or a fully zipped vest should be worn while using a lathe. Determine the rough center on both ends of the material being turned and mark it with a pencil. Remove the spur from the lathe and replace it with a face plate....

Sliding compound miter saws are among the most versatile saws on the market. They’ve come a long way since Hitachi (now Metabo HPT) created the category in 1988. The best ones are accurate, powerful, portable, and reliable. A few years ago, I tested eight 10-in. dual-bevel sliding compound miter saws and found one of Metabo HPTs to be among the most accurate of them. So, I had high hopes for this new cordless 36V model (C3607DRAQ4), which is made in Japan....

Previous episode: S43 E20 | Next episode: S43 E22 In this episode: There is a lot of action at the 1890s Victorian, inside and out. Jenn Nawada and Mark McCullough are making transformations out front. After a trip to downtown Boston and being inspired by steps at the Massachusetts State House, Jenn and Mark replace the old uneven steps with a new set of granite steps that makes getting in and out of the house easy....

If you recently adopted a dog during the pandemic, you may be wondering if you’ve gotten in over your head. To ensure the best possible future for both you and your pet, it’s important for your furry friend to be trained. Pro trainers can be expensive and may not follow methods you’re comfortable with, and it can be difficult to maintain social distancing during a training session. You already handcrafted Fido’s backyard oasis, why not train your pup yourself too?...

Top 5 Shop Vacs Most Heavy-Duty: Craftsman Wet/Dry Vac Best For Medium Jobs: DEWALT Poly Wet/Dry Vac Most Durable: Stanley Wet/Dry Vacuum Most Portable: Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum Best For Small Jobs: Shop-Vac All-Around EZ Series Wet/Dry Vacuum Most Heavy-Duty: Craftsman Wet/Dry Vac This Craftsman shop vac has a 16-gallon tank and a 6.5-horsepower motor, giving it the capacity to withstand tasks that require sucking up large particles, including sand, sheetrock debris, leaves, and more....

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. Save money on your next mattress purchase by buying during a price dip. We’ve given the rundown on top mattress brand DreamCloud, its three primo mattresses, and what you can expect to pay for a bed when you buy during a sales event....