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There was a time where a hand plane was an indispensable tool, used to smooth, shape, and straighten just about every piece of wood in a house. The typical carpenter lugged around a whole chestful of planes, each with its own special function. Today, power tools — routers, jointers, belt sanders, and power planers — do the same tasks much faster, relegating many old planes to the shelves of collectors. There aren’t as many types as there once were, but the hand plane is far from extinct....

Drop ceiling tiles are a popular choice for basements, offices and other spaces. Also known as suspended ceilings, drop ceilings require careful layout and an ability to work efficiently overhead. So it pays to be careful with the details and spend a little time doing your homework before getting started. You can install a drop ceiling yourself with a little effort and know how. And while a manufacturer’s instructions are the best place to start, there are a few tools and tips “not shown” in the instructions that will make the project go smoother....

In the good old days of ancient Rome, shallow wall recesses with scalloped arches were used to display classical urns or statues. Pleasing and practical, these architectural accents have been around ever since, from the reliquaries of Europe’s grand Gothic churches to the wood-framed walls of America’s Victorian houses. Today you can capture the same timeless charm by buying a preformed niche of dense foam from an online retailer and building it into a barren wall....

When scouting out my current apartment, I was immediately drawn to the oversize bathtub — a real soaker from an era when bathing was savored and showers described rain. But my elation quickly ebbed once I eyed the rusty gully along its bottom, the work of a persistent leak that had eroded the white porcelain tub and exposed the tub’s cast-iron shell. The building’s super promised to fix it — and fix it he did, by slapping on some latex paint that flaked off every time I settled in for a warm bath....

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Modern table saws come with a variety of safety features to ensure safe use.a. Table saw guards – plastic shields that help keep the dust down and act as an additional barrier between you and the blade.b. Riving knife – two blades on both sides of the table saw blade. Their teeth point in the opposite direction so that if the piece of wood kicks back, the teeth will bite down and prevent them from shooting out of the table saw....

Weatherstripping, or attaching seals around an entryway door to fill in the gaps, is essential to maintaining the energy efficiency of your home in the winter (keeping the chilly air out) and in the summer (keeping the air conditioning in). Consider that even a tiny 1/8-inch gap around a typical entryway door is equivalent to having a 5 ½-inch-diameter hole on an outside wall. Closing that gap can go a long way in lowering your energy bill....

The best companies in every industry innovate. That’s as true for the building materials industry as for any other, and a case in point is Bridger Steel. This year, Bridger Steel gives roofers a new choice with the 2” Snap Seam metal roofing and siding panel. For contractors accustomed to metal roofing’s quality, durability, and versatility, 2” Snap Seam offers a step up in efficiency, streamlining the roofing process while providing the same benefits as traditional standing seam metal roofing....

Electric chainsaws come in both corded and battery-powered models to help DIYers carve firewood, lop small branches, and cut down dying trees. While gas chainsaws are used by most professionals, electric models are preferred by serious DIYers because of their reduced noise level, low maintenance, and ease of use. Top 5 Electric Chainsaws Best Battery-Powered Model: Milwaukee 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit Best for Small Projects: DEWALT 20-Volt MAX XR 12-Inch Chainsaw Kit Best Corded Model: Oregon CS1500 18-Inch Corded Electric Chainsaw Best Lightweight Model: Greenworks 12-Inch, 40-Volt Cordless Chainsaw Best Value: WEN 16-Inch Electric Chainsaw Best Battery-Powered Model: Milwaukee 16-Inch Chainsaw Kit This Milwaukee 16-inch chainsaw rivals the power of its 40cc gas-powered counterpart with its efficient speed that reaches full throttle in just one second....

This article appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. They’re battered by the elements, assaulted by basketballs, and commanded to perform their disappearing and reappearing act countless times each week. When, after decades of service, a garage door stops working well—or looking good—you can take comfort in the fact that a new one is among the best investments you can make, allowing you to recoup nearly 95 percent of the cost when you sell....

Sure, you can pick up some knock-together set of shelves, but built-ins provide so much more than just a place to stash your stuff. Made to rise ceiling high, create an alcove for furniture, or wrap an existing nook, they can add style, charm, and architecture to an interior, all while offering custom storage and display space. Here are seven ways to make them special. 7 Styles of Built In Bookshelves 1....

METAL EDGING STRIPS These slim “profile edges” create smooth transitions between tile and drywall, saving the effort—and cost—of mitering tile edges or paying for extras like bullnose trim. They can also add a design element, with decorative finishes like the copper shown framing the niche here. From $5.50 for an 8-foot length; Schluter PREFAB NICHES Framing out a shower niche in wood, covering it with cement board, then sealing the joints means putting in extra effort to get it tile-ready....

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Flexibility is fundamental to open-plan success, which can mean rethinking how you’ve used certain rooms for decades. Christy MacCormack discovered that in the process of renovating the kitchen of the 1970 Federal-style house in Bethesda, MD, she grew up in. “We wanted a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy,” Christy says—and she means everyone, since members of three generations have been sharing the home, including her and her husband, Mike....

Q: The doorbell in my 1929 home has died. What’s the easiest and safest way to install a new one? Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time —Scott Thompson, Red Bank, N.J. A: Matt Tomis, master electrician, Tomis Electrical Contractors, replies: Ninety percent of the time, when a doorbell doesn’t work it’s the fault of the button on the outside because weather and constant use wear it out. But it’s also possible the chime or transformer, the other parts of a traditional wired doorbell, have stopped working....

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to repair shingle siding. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for repairing shingle siding Make a story pole from a straight 1x3; mark locations of shingle courses on pole. Use pitchfork to remove all damaged shingles from house. Peel off any paper or housewrap; inspect the condition of sheathing. Securely nail any loose sheathing to the wall studs with 3-inch galvanized nails....

Tom Silva replies: In some houses, it’s a fairly straightforward project; in others, it’s practically impossible. I don’t know enough about your house to give you a specific recommendation, but I can help you figure out if it’s worth having a contractor come take a look. The more hurdles you find, the more extensive, and expensive, the job will be. How to Vault a Ceiling First, head to the attic. If you see a complicated framework of 2x4s held together with perforated metal plates, your roof is framed with trusses....

There are a multitude of reasons why planting a rain garden would be beneficial for your yard and the environment. Read on to learn more. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time What Is the Purpose of a Rain Garden? Cost effective, eco-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, rain gardens reduce runoff that would otherwise saturate your property, help eliminate contaminants from seeping into surrounding areas and also serve as healthy dwellings for butterflies and birds....

Previous episode: S20 E28 | Next episode: S20 E30 In this episode: Landscape expert Jenn Nawada shares her love and knowledge of hydrangeas. After explaining how these bushy, bright flowering plants’ hardiness and versatility can work in almost any landscape, she examines the different types of hydrangeas available while visiting a local nursery. After gushing over the different types of hydrangeas, when they flower, and how to prune them, we meet Jenn and host Kevin O’Connor back at the shop for some hands-on advice and troubleshooting....

Top 5 Bathroom Scales Best Weight Capacity: EatSmart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale Best Color Options: Etekcity Digital Body Weight Bathroom Scale Best Analog Scale: Ozeri Rev Bathroom Scale Best Smart Scale: Withings Body+ Digital Wi-Fi Smart Scale Best For Fitbit Users: Fitbit Aria Air Bluetooth Digital Body Weight and BMI Smart Scale Best Weight Capacity: EatSmart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale With a wide and durable 15-by-13-inch stainless steel platform, this scale can weigh up to 550 pounds with ease....

Don’t despair that summer is almost over! You can still have a well-groomed lot and enjoy the outdoors well into the fall. There are even a few easy summer gardening tips you can follow now for a vibrant landscape come next spring. Here’s your late-summer landscaping guide from the TOH pros. Keep Your Lawn Lush A picture-perfect lawn takes ongoing maintenance. This time of year, weeds aren’t the only thing standing between you and the turf of your dreams....

In this video, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor and Mark McCullough how to frame walls while rebuilding Mark’s chicken coop. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Before You Start When framing any structure, it’s important to work off of plans so you know the building is secure. Related How to Frame a Corner Anatomy of a Stud Wall Studs – the vertical 2x6” boards, usually spaced 24” on center apart Plates – the horizontal boards that sandwich the studs together on top and bottom Headers – the additional structure that frames the top of an opening for a window or door Sills – the additional structure that frames the bottom of an opening for a window Jack Stud – a stud that supports the header on the inside of the opening King Stud – a stud that supports the jack stud and runs the entire length of the wall top to bottom Cripple Stud – a stud that supports the framings of openings both on top and underneath the opening Sheathing – the plywood that closes the walls in Going off the plans, you can cut all the different studs and plates using a circular saw or miter saw and lay everything out on the ground to ensure everything has been cut perfectly....