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Replacing countertops isn’t a whole lot of fun. First, it’s expensive: A new granite countertop can cost as much as $100 per square foot. Then, factor in removing the old countertops without damaging the cabinets, and the stakes are even higher. Finally, the disruption a big kitchen reno can cause is typically a massive headache. But, there’s good news: You can avoid the expense and inconvenience and still achieve a new look—if you know how to paint laminate countertops....

In this video, This Old House Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner fix his pizza oven. The oven’s constructor, another mason, built the structure from fieldstone, brick, and concrete, and Mark loves the design. However, the weather hasn’t been kind to the oven, so Mark lends some expertise. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Repairing an Outdoor Pizza Oven Survey the damage and attempt to find the cause. Many times, the issue is water penetrating around the chimney or flue, freezing, and cracking grout lines or pushing stones loose....

Previous episode: S41 E19 | Next episode: S41 E21 In this episode: The garage and funky porch above it have been demoed. To support a new covered front porch, Mark McCullough and his crew poured new footings and laid block. To stay consistent with the existing foundation they will replicate the stone wall look with granite veneer. The homeowners don’t want to see electric cables coming across their back yard. Kevin finds Heath laying cable in a trench out back....

Previous episode: S42 E28 | Next episode: S42 E30 In this episode: Once a shining city on the hill, the place known as Motor City has seen a tragic decline in the last few decades. A housing stock that was the envy of the nation was almost abandoned. But the people of Detroit did not give up. They are rebuilding the neighborhoods that helped fuel the industrial revolution. This Old House follows one family on their journey to restore a derelict house....

Work gloves protect your hands from blisters, puncture wounds, and soreness during a variety of home improvement projects. However, not every pair of gloves works for every task and each pair varies in terms of what material they’re made of and their intended use. Top 5 Work Gloves Most Customizable: Mechanix Wear The Original Work Gloves Most Versatile: Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves Best for Gardening: DEX FIT FN330 Nitrile Work Gloves Best Protection: Custom Leathercraft Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves Best Value: G & F Products Rubber Latex Work Gloves Most Customizable: Mechanix Wear The Original Work Gloves These gloves come in a variety of sizes and colors to fit the needs of every customer....

The glandular secretions of honeybees can do more than divide the cells of a beehive; beeswax-based paint-coated walls in Ancient Greece and copies of the Magna Carta were delivered in 1215 bearing a beeswax seal. These days, it’s mostly an ingredient in candles and cosmetics, but you can visit a craft store or a farmers’ market, pick up a cake of it, and put it to work around the house as well, including using beeswax polish on wood furniture....

In this video, Ask This Old House landscaping expert Jenn Nawada explains how ground cover plants are a creative alternative to rocks and mulch, and then tells us about some of her favorite varieties. Types of Ground Cover Plants Dry Shade Bishop’s hat (shown): Heart-shaped leaves form dense mounds 6 to 9 inches high, with delicate sprays of small flowers in spring. Zones 4–8. Related How to Choose and Plant Ground Cover Lily turf: Grass-like foliage 8 to 18 inches high sports spikes of purple flowers in late summer....

Our focus is usually on a different set of tools, but barbecue season is here and we’re seeking out the best accessories for your summer celebrations. 16 Piece Stainless Steel Tool Set A solid set of grilling tools is essential at the cookout. This highly-rated pack comes with a basting brush, spatula, tongs, skewers, and more. Deep Dish Grilling Tray No more food falling through the grates! Wireless Meat Thermometer Monitor the temps on two separate items with this dual-probe thermometer from up to 300 feet away....

Talk about pet friendly! About 85 million U.S. households have animal family members, according to the 2019-2020 American Pet Products Association survey. And boy oh (good!) boy, do we spoil them, to the tune of some $73 million a year. But for our pets to lead happy, healthy lives, we must keep them safe from the dangers that abound in the average home and yard. So living with our 43 million cats and 63 million dogs (curious kittens and puppies especially) is a big incentive to control clutter, as these guys will chew and swallow all kinds of random items, including thread, buttons, coins, clips, twist ties, paper, and plastic....

Ask any kid who grew up with a pool, and they’ll tell you there’s no such thing as a bad one. Typically, if you wanted to take a dip in the backyard, you had two options: an in-ground or above-ground pool. The size of these pools, which start around 14x28 feet for an in-ground one and 12 feet in diameter for an above-ground one, come with a high cost and plenty of routine maintenance....

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. Hybrid mattresses use a combination of different mattress materials to hit that just-right sweet spot of support, pressure relief, and bounce. Since each material brings different support elements to the table, wrapping them all into one bed truly gives sleepers a supportive sleep space that works with their needs....

Nothing announces the arrival of summer like firing up the grill. Unfortunately, nothing sours a summer party faster than a grill that won’t light, smokes too much, or cooks unevenly. Don’t get caught with your tongs down! Before the season really heats up, give your barbecue an annual checkup. Follow our how-to advice to get your grill up to snuff for the big Memorial Day cookout. Grill Prep Checklist 1. Deep-clean your cooker A charred coating on a grate doesn’t add flavor, it’s just dirt, says Barry “C....

Adding a half bath to a home is one of the most common requests I get. People want to increase the value of their houses, of course, but what most of my clients really want is a bathroom that’s convenient for their guests to use but doesn’t compromise anyone’s privacy. (Who wants their friends to see dirty laundry and prescription bottles, anyway?) Here are some guidelines on how to size your half bath and the best location to place it in your home....

When building an addition, many homeowners choose to go up–adding a second story—which has advantages. You may not have to add a new and expensive foundation. Also, you won’t have to worry about zoning setbacks and getting too close to your property lines. You’ll probably also increase the market value of your home. But adding a second floor to any house is a big project, so before you start hunting for a builder, give ample thought to the details....

When diagnosing a humid air conditioning system, This Old House Heating and Plumbing Expert, Richard Trethewey, usually follows a series of steps based on the most common issue and works his way to more specific issues. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps to Diagnose and Repair a Humid Air Conditioner First, Richard checks the sizing of the equipment. Square footage alone isn’t enough to determine the appropriate size of a unit, since insulation, building materials, window openings, etc....

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 11 Best Mattresses for a Guest Room Do you tend to get a lot of out-of-town guests? Old college friends who come in for the weekend? Grown children who call upon their parents from time to time? If so, then you probably want to make sure you have suitably comfortable accommodations....

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey explains how to maintain a steam radiator. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Maintaining Steam Radiators Close the valve at the base of the radiator. Turn off the room’s thermostat. Carefully unscrew the old air vent from the side of the radiator; if the valve is hot, use a thick cloth to protect your hand. Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the new steam valve....

The homeowners of the Brookline Mid-century Modern project originally wanted polished concrete floors for their house. They loved the aesthetics and practicality of the material, which has become an iconic choice for contemporary interiors. However, the house’s poor condition meant that the TOH team would have had to reinforce the floors before they could handle the weight of the concrete, an expensive undertaking. So the homeowners came up with a smart alternative: big porcelain tiles that look like concrete....

Most commonly used to reheat leftovers or prepare frozen meals, microwaves are an essential part of a functional kitchen. Today, microwaves contain an array of settings, such as pre-programmed buttons for food-specific cooking and adjustable power levels for a controlled cooking temperature. Top 4 Microwaves Best Medium Capacity: Toshiba Microwave Oven Most Space: BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven Best Value: COMFEE’ Countertop Microwave Oven Best Settings: Panasonic Microwave Oven Best Medium Capacity: Toshiba Microwave Oven This microwave comes with smart-sensor technology that adjusts its runtime and temperature based on the food inside....

Top 5 Bath Mats Best Chenille Mat: Yimobra Original Luxury Chenille Bath Mat Best Plastic Mat: Gorilla Grip Patented Bathtub and Shower Mat Best Memory Foam Mat: Genteele Memory Foam Bath Mat Best Cotton Mat: Cotton Paradise Banded Bath Mats Best Microfiber Mat: Lifewit Bathroom Rug Best Chenille Mat: Yimobra Original Luxury Chenille Bath Mat Chenille is a soft, textured fabric. It makes for a good bath mat material because it is comfortable to stand on and can absorb water from your bath or shower....