Previous episode: S41 E4 | Next episode: S41 E6 In this episode: Kevin arrives to the house to find Tommy outside teaching the apprentices how to set posts and beams to frame for a new deck. On the exterior, where the first floor meets the second floor, is a flared edge detail that runs all the way around the house. Jeff shows Kevin how his crew will use 150 precut rafter tails made of laminated finger-jointed lumber to frame the flare or “sweep”....
This article appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. 6 Easy Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Fall Season 1. Transplant crowded shrubs The cooler temperatures of early-to-mid fall make it prime time for moving shrubs that have outgrown their space or are languishing in the wrong location. Here’s how: Prune or tie back branches with twine to prevent breakage....
Steps for Hanging a U.S. Flag: The U.S. Flag Code is a set of regulations for displaying the American flag. Citizens are not required by law to follow these regulations, but Kevin and Nathan agree that following them is a great way to show pride for the flag. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Flag Rules Homeowners Should Know The flag should not be flown during bad weather, unless an all-weather flag is used....
Ideally, the dining room is where you gather with loved ones to cherish a meal, with conversations lasting for hours and everyone laughing, debating, and making memories. However, in some homes, the dining room is seldom used. Daily meals happen elsewhere, while the dining room is reserved for special occasions. And sometimes, this results in an unused space that becomes a landing place for clutter. If this sounds all too familiar, it’s time to breathe new life into your dining room with an inviting upgrade that makes you want to use it every day....
In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows affordable ways to create an energy-efficient attic. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Insulating an Attic with Fiberglass Cut fiberglass batts to fit tightly between floor joists. Lay the fiberglass batt between the joists with the paper vapor barrier facing down toward the heated space. Lightly press the batt down between the joists. Note: When installing insulation along the eaves, be careful not to cover the soffit vents....
In this project, I’m sharing a cutting and gluing technique that can be used to make almost any geometric wood shape. Specifically, I’ll be using this trick to create a series of hexagon planters from several ¼-inch-thick and ½-inch-thick boards I had laying around the shop, but the applications are endless! All you need is a miter saw that can make bevel cuts (i.e. the blade can tilt), some scrap boards, glue, and painter’s tape....
I found a set of metal outdoor tables on consignment, but the finish was dull, and in need of a new protective coating. Read on on to see how easy it was to give these metal nesting tables a makeover in a snap. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps: Step 1: Assess the surface condition Begin by assessing the existing finish on the item. Check for light rust spots, chipping paint, and dirt....
The traditional method of screening a porch has pretty much remained the same for a hundred years. That’s unfortunate, because it’s a flawed system. Small tacks or staples are used to attach the screening to the porch posts and railings. Then, narrow wood battens are nailed up to conceal all of the seams and fasteners. It’s a labor-intensive method, and screens installed this way typically develop noticeable sags after just a few months....
Best Bulb Light: GE Lighting Grow Light Bulb Key Features Comes with one bulb Has a nine-watt rating Uses red and blue light What Customers Are Saying Customers appreciated how bright this bulb was given its low energy consumption. They also said that it effectively grew a variety of plants. However, frustrated customers said that it died quickly and made an irritating buzzing noise when it was on. Compare Top Grow Lights GE Lighting Grow Light Bulb...
Best Upright Cleaner: Hoover Compact Carpet Cleaner Key Features Has a 20-foot power cord Weighs 12.5 pounds Holds 0.5 gallons of liquid What Customers Are Saying Customers appreciated the intuitive design and impressive performance of this compact carpet cleaner. They cited that it was useful for everyday cleaning tasks in high-traffic areas, such as hallways and living rooms. However, other customers experienced longevity issues, stating that the machine lasted less than a year....
A quality splitting wedge makes for effortless, clean cuts when you’re splitting large pieces of wood. Because these tools come in different sizes, weights, and more, choosing one for your needs can be a confusing process. Compare Top Splitting Wedges Best Finned: Estwing Sure Split Wedge Best Mounted: Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter Best Four-Direction: Redneck Convent Manual Log Splitter Wedge Best Lightweight: Edward Tools Classic Log Splitting Wedge Best Basic: Hooyman Splitting Wedge Best Finned: Estwing Sure Split Wedge Pros and Cons ✔ Made in the United States✔ Forged from durable steel✔ Has a hand-sharpened, honed cutting edge...
Tampa attracts many different types of pests with its warm and humid weather, from nuisance pests like cockroaches to drywood termites that are very common and might be impossible to eradicate without the help of a professional pest control company. We believe that the companies listed below are some of the best pest control companies in the industry and the most qualified pest control providers in the Tampa area. Top 7 Pest Control Companies in Tampa The highest-rated pest control companies in Tampa, Florida, include:...
Perhaps you’ve inherited an old, family house and aren’t quite ready to part with it. Maybe your adult child just moved out of the apartment over the garage. Or you’d like to cash in on the beach house you use just one month a year. For lots of reasons, you may be thinking of becoming a part-time landlord, an enterprise filled with promise and peril. Financially, there’s a lot you have to get right, and you could pay a high price if you get it wrong....
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. Affiliate Disclosure Have you ever wondered why one space feels more comfortable than others, or how there must be a trick to making a space look inviting? Decorating with antiques connects us to the past and creates a sense of warmth and comfort in our spaces....
Other Moving Resources We’ve done extensive research on the best moving companies across the country and have compiled easy to digest comparisons. Best Interstate Moving Companies Best Long Distance Moving Companies Best Moving Companies Best Moving Container Companies Best Cheap Moving Companies Best Moving Companies for Small Moves Best Moving Companies for Military Moves Our Rating Methodology The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company....
Dates are updated for 2019 West Palm Beach Antiques Festival July 5-7, 2019; $8 general admission; wpbaf.com At this indoor event at the South Florida Fairgrounds, look for ’60s ceramics, rattan furniture, garden salvage, and wrought-iron patio sets. While You’re There: Sprinkled between Belvedere Road and Southern Boulevard on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, the dozens of chic curated shops that make up Antique Row (westpalmbeachantiques.com) feature collectibles, vintage clothes, jewelry, and home goods....
The average water heater lasts about 8 to 12 years and accounts for roughly 15 to 20 percent of your utility bill. So if your heater is getting along in years, or if you’re adding or upgrading a bathroom, remember the three cardinal rules of shopping for a standard storage water heater: Don’t rush—size matters. Energy efficiency matters more. Admittedly, an ice-cold shower or a leaking heater makes it more urgent to get a new heater hooked up quickly....
Many homes constructed in the mid-20th century feature textured ceilings also known as “popcorn” or “cottage cheese” ceilings. Achieved by spraying a mixture of stucco and Styrofoam onto the ceiling, the style was popular at the time as an inexpensive sound insulator and way to hide imperfections. Many homeowners keep up the look today because they either enjoy the quirky aesthetic or don’t want to go to the trouble of redoing their ceiling....
Let there be light - at least enough for people to see what treacherous terrain might lie underfoot as they approach your home. Illuminate the topography with a lamppost, which will light the way for weary travelers and homebound housemates alike. Installing one is simpler than you might think. A hole filled with concrete keeps the post straight, and a narrow trench from the house carries the wiring - you could do that all in a day, as This Old House technical editor Mark Powers shows here....
Steps for installing a fireplace mantel: Start by assembling a cleat that will be mounted on the face of the fireplace to accept the mantel. This can be done by cutting the 2x4” material with a miter saw to the dimensions of the mantel. Secure the cleat together using framing screws and butt joints. Determine the height of the mantel. Mantels are usually about 54” from the floor. With stone fireplaces, it’s important to find a mostly flat section to securely mount the cleat and the mantel to....
