Table saws are versatile enough to earn a spot in every home shop—even if that shop shares the garage with the family car. The market offers a range of saws, from $200 portable table saws, less accurate saws to heavy and very accurate cabinet saws costing thousands. All the table saws shown here have 10-inch blades that can cut though stock up to 3 inches thick, and they meet the Underwriters Laboratories’ safety standards to prevent kickback....
Supermarket eggs can’t compare with those fresh from the farm. But who says you need an entire farm? A backyard chicken coop with three hens can produce up to two eggs per day. “I had chickens growing up, and not only will they make you breakfast, but they eat bugs and weeds and give you fertilizer,” says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. He built a coop from low-maintenance home-center materials with details that make easy work of caring for the birds, cleaning their quarters, and collecting eggs....
In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey reveals how home automation delivers comfort, convenience, and energy savings. Here are four types of thermostats you can choose from. Types of Thermostats and Home Automation Systems A digital hard-wired thermostat allows you to program temperature and on/off cycles for heating and cooling systems. A wireless digital thermostat is a wire-free way to control and program heating and cooling systems....
If your house has double-hung windows equipped with sashes that are in desperate need of replacing, you have three options: install a window sash replacement kit, install a frame and sash unit (also called a “boxed” unit), or replace the entire window with a new one (this is the most costly and invasive). In this video, Tom Silva teaches three apprentices from our Generation NEXT program how to install a window sash replacement kit....
In this video, Heating & Cooling Expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner relocate a poorly placed baseboard heater that has been doing very little to heat the space. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time The heater is located in what used to be a kitchen but is now a newly renovated family room. The placement used to make sense as it sat across from the cabinets, refrigerator, and sink. Where Should Baseboard Heaters be Installed?...
Steps for Refinishing a Fireplace with Brick Veneer Start by removing the old veneer. Take a chisel and a hammer and try to cut the thin stones until you can get the chisel behind it. Then, use the chisel and hammer to pry it off from behind. This process sends chips of stone flying, so wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Template for the new thin brick. Mark used a brick ruler to get the spacing just right and also save time, but it’s possible to also eyeball it as long as you mark each individual thin brick....
A poorly insulated house can mean hard-earned cash gets sucked right out of windows, doors, and other drafty spots. Drive down your heating and cooling expenses, and keep your home comfortable with insulation upgrades. Here, we collected our most popular insulation videos for an airtight home. How to Choose and Use Insulation Narrow down which type of insulation is right for your climate and budget. Watch This Old House TV general contractor Tom Silva explain the wide world of insulation....
Ozone generators are highly effective at removing stubborn odors like cigarette smoke, mold, and pet odors. Since they neutralize odors rather than masking them, ozone generators are one way that you can help remove air pollution in your home. Here are our top recommendations. Top 5 Ozone Generators Best Plate Longevity: Enerzen Ozone Generator Most Portable: AIRTHEREAL Ozone Generator Longest Runtime: OdorStop Ozone Generator Highest Ozone Output: Enerzen Commercial Ozone Generator Best Decorative: Ivation Ozone Generator Best Plate Longevity: Enerzen Ozone Generator Pros and Cons ✔ Has easy-to-access ozone plates that provide approximately 6,000 hours of runtime✔ Includes a large fan with a washable stainless-steel filter ✔ Is lightweight at 5 pounds...
Top 5 Walkie Talkies Best Basic Walkie Talkie: Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio Best For Kids: Retevis RT628 Walkie Talkies for Kids Best For Hiking: Midland 50-Channel Waterproof GMRS Two-Way Radio Best Battery Life: Topsung M880 FRS Walkie Talkie Best On-the-Job Walkie Talkie: Retevis H-777 Two-Way Radios Best Basic Walkie Talkie: Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio This device has a simple-to-use interface and convenient features, such as specialized call, keypad, and talk tones, that make communicating a breeze....
Master Bath Contrast The first-floor master bath is a study in contrast, with a striking black and white palette. Rather than run the white subway tile backsplash all the way to the ceiling, here it has been capped with Schluter®-RONDEC, a finishing and edge-protection profile with a rounded reveal surface. The band of black paint above, and the grout line immediately beneath the profile, both serve to create a visual frame around the tile feature....
The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed by the Mattress Advisor and This Old House team. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Finding the best mattress for your new bedroom or guest room can be tough, especially when there are so many things to consider. One of the most important factors to take into account, though, is the budget....
The Prime Early Access Sale is the perfect opportunity to finally check off those household items from your shopping list or to get an early start on holiday shopping for your loved ones. The This Old House Reviews team gathered up some of the best deals on household essentials during the Prime Early Access Sale to help you find the perfect product for you. Greenworks 24V BL Stick Vacuum Shop the Sale Now...
Top 5 85-Inch TVs Best Overall Resolution: SAMSUNG 85-Inch NEO QLED TV Best Entry-Level: TCL 85-Inch Smart Roku TV Most Lightweight: SAMSUNG 85-Inch Crystal UHD TV Best Features: SAMSUNG 86-Inch Crystal UHD TV Best 4K Picture Quality: Sony 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV Pros and Cons Comparison Table SAMSUNG 85-Inch NEO QLED TV $3,948 Prices taken at time of publishing. With its NEO QLED screen technology and stunning 8K resolution, this 85-inch smart TV allows you to see every detail no matter how far away you’re sitting....
A little heat burns right through some thorny home fix-up problems. At the low end, 200 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, heat softens old paint and putty. At the higher end, 400 to 800 degrees, it can thaw frozen locks and rusted nuts and solder electrical and plumbing connections. Still, more firepower, up to 3,000 degrees, will braze metals (a stronger form of soldering that uses harder filler materials) and cut or weld iron and mild steel....
Steps on How to Fix a Chipped Wood Floor You don’t have to replace an entire floorboard to fix a small chip or gouge. Instead, re-patch it with the chipped piece of wood, or as Tom demonstrates here, patch it by making a Dutchman from a new piece. Follow his advice and you’ll get expert results. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time 1. Select the Patch Material Find a scrap of wood of the same species as the flooring—in this case, Tom used a leftover piece of unstained pine flooring....
In this video, Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook tips on how to maintain a snow blower and keep it running through every storm. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Maintaining Your Snow Blower For gas models, replace the engine oil when it gets dark by draining the old oil into a tray and taking to a recycling center. Install fresh oil and check the level with a dipstick....
How to Change Cabinets to Soft Close Using the screwdriver, unscrew the hinges holding the cabinet doors to the cabinet and remove the doors. Only do one door at a time so you don’t lose track of which door goes where. Unscrew the hinges from the cabinet doors using the screwdriver. Place the new hinges into the mortises from the old hinges. If the new screw holes don’t line up, you’ll need to drill new ones....
After a fun summer in the pool, you’ll want to make sure you “winterize” it properly before closing it up for the season. Taking these steps is a part of proper pool maintenance and will help ensure that your pool is in tip-top condition when you open it back up again. When to Start Prepping Your Pool for Winter Start the winterizing process after the season is over, when the temperature consistently dips down to 65 degrees F or lower....
BEFORE | Mismatched and Dysfunctional Do it yourself can be daunting, but doing it yourselves can transform even a tough project into a pleasure. That was the case for Taylor Mimnaugh of Cushing, WI, who wanted to re-create the homespun appeal of her 1929 farmhouse’s original kitchen and turned to her father for help. Lucky for her, dad Mark Anderson is a pro cabinetmaker who shared his daughter’s vision and had the skills to bring it to fruition....
Steps: Tools & Materials Plunger Drain snake There are a couple different ways to unclog a sink and to prevent clogged sinks in the first place. The first method Richard explains includes using a plunger at the base of the sink. Be careful when using this method to block the overflow opening at the front of the sink with a rag. Otherwise, you’ll get covered in clogged sink water when the force of the plunger pushes everything up through the overflow....
