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In this episode: The homeowners of the 1880s cape house want the living space to open to the cooking space. To accomplish that, Tom and Charlie Silva install a special beam to carry the second story and roof load. Kevin O’Connor lends a hand as they install a five-layer Flitch beam. Outside, several tree issues need to be addressed before winter arrives. Jenn Nawada works with arborist Clem Desjardins to trim an unruly Crabapple and shore up twin trunks on a towering Hemlock....

Due to the volume of questions we receive, we can’t individually answer questions that are not selected by our producers. If you’d like an immediate answer, click on the search icon at the top right of this page and enter your search to find information on your topic of concern (e.g. “hardwood floors” or “leaky faucet”). If you have questions about a product or service you saw on the show, please review the products & services information at the bottom of each episode....

Top 4 Power Washers Best Gas Power Washer: Westinghouse WPX3200 Gas-Powered Pressure Washer Best Soap Tanks: Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric High-Pressure Washer Best Protection: Simpson Cleaning MSH3125 MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer Most Powerful: ROOJER Electric Pressure Washer Best Gas Power Washer: Westinghouse WPX3200 Gas-Powered Pressure Washer Pros and Cons ✔ Has a 25-foot, abrasion-resistant hose ✔ Features a built-in half-gallon soap tank ✔ Has a sturdy steel frame for durability ✘ Has a small gas tank ✘ Some customers felt the outlet was poorly placed What Customers Are Saying Positive reviews highlighted how easy this pressure washer was to assemble and use....

Top 5 Flashlights Best Kit: GearLight LED Tactical Flashlights Largest Flashlight: GearLight High-Powered LED Flashlight Best Value: EverBrite LED Flashlights Best Water-Resistant Design: outlite S1000 Flashlights Best Rechargeable Battery: Hoxida LED Tactical Flashlights Best Kit: GearLight LED Tactical Flashlights This kit from GearLight comes with two flashlights, two lanyards, and two holsters, allowing you to store your flashlights when they’re not in use. In addition, the GearLight LED Tactical Flashlights have zooming and mode-changing functions and weather and drop resistance....

Top 5 Log Splitters Best Manual Splitter: Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter Best Gas Model: Landworks Portable Log Splitter Best Splitting Wedge: Estwing Sure Split Wedge Best Manual Hydraulic: Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Hydraulic Log Splitter Best Electric Hydraulic: BILT HARD Electric Log Splitter Best Manual Splitter: Kindling Cracker Firewood Splitter Pros and Cons ✔ Is practically-maintenance free compared to gas- and electric-powered models✔ Built with bolt holes for mounting the splitter✔ Created from high-quality cast iron ✘ Requires a lot of strength from the user✘ Criticized for being unable to split harder woods, such as oak...

Best Control Options: Ecovacs Robot Vacuum Cleaner Whether you’re next to the vacuum in your office or across the home in your bedroom, you can control this robot using the compatible mobile app, the included remote, the power button, or a voice assistant. Balancing functionality with affordability, this budget-friendly unit offers auto, spot, and edge cleaning modes, a 110-minute runtime, and a 520-milliliter dustbin. Key Features Works with voice assistants and the included remote Has a 520-milliliter dustbin Runs for 110 minutes Comes with a one-year warranty...

There are a variety of gas, electric, and battery powered weed eaters. So what’s the best weed eater for your lawn care routine? Gas trimmers are a smart choice if you have a lot of acreage and thick grass that requires more power and runtime. However, gas weed eaters are typically heavier, requiring more energy to handle than an electric or battery-powered trimmer. If you value ease of use, electric trimmers are a smart choice....

To make your decision easier when considering calling in professionals, we’ve researched the best pest control companies in Indianapolis to save you precious time and money and get your infestation taken care of as soon as possible. The top three companies below offer special discounts and benefits for This Old House readers. You can get started on a quote now and take advantage of those offers. Top 6 Pest Control Companies in Indianapolis The highest-rated pest control companies that service the Indianapolis area include:...

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by the National Mall and Memorial Parks Park Service and Cordt Gardens, LLC

Wainscoting Panel Styles Wainscoting comes in several styles. Below, we outline the most popular decorative panels to consider in your home. Raised Panel Raised panels, the most traditional wainscoting style, go back to colonial days. The decorative raise is created by beveling the edges of the panel. Common height is between 30 and 40 inches, but the design can be adapted for higher-ceilinged spaces by adding a center rail to create two rows of panels....

While the open floor plan is prized among homebuyers who like its modern feel, it can be hard to delineate the different spaces and prevent the kitchen, dining, living, and family areas from becoming blurred and feeling disorderly. We offer several ideas to help you maximize your open floor plan by creating adequate separation between the spaces. Open Floor Plan Design Ideas Think of an open floor plan as a blank artist’s canvas on which to define and combine living spaces in a manner that complements your way of life and sense of style....

Or maybe you’re downsizing to a smaller home but taking your belongings with you—and you have to find a way to make them all fit. If your house is outfitted with a basement, there are plenty of ways to get creative with DIY basement storage. Storage Shelves Custom-built shelves are the best way to truly maximize the empty areas of a room and, for a basement, will likely only require a drill, screws, heavy-duty brackets, a saw and lengths of board from the home improvement store or local lumber supplier....

DEWALT TSTAK Tool Box This toolbox is deep, allowing it to hold a number of large tools. At the top of the storage space is an organizer with several compartments for small parts, such as fasteners and drill bits. Below this is an open space for your hand tools and power tools. If you need more storage space than this one box provides, you can purchase several of DEWALT’s TSTAK units and stack them on top of each other....

While sunrooms vary in design, thanks to their abundant use of glass, they are generally awash in light and offer expansive views of the outdoors. The Pros and Cons of a Sunroom: PROS: An additional light-filled multi-purpose room in your home. CONS: Potential loss of privacy, installation costs, difficult to climate control with increased heating and cooling costs. Design Elements of a Sunroom With their many windows and voluminous natural light, year-round sunrooms involve a unique set of design considerations....

Components Of A Fence All fences use the same basic components: What Type Of Wood Fence Lasts The Longest? Redwood, cedar or pressure-treated pine last the longest. A fence can last about 20 years, if made of a turnout resistant wood. Then posts are usually the first to go; panels survive longer because they typically don’t touch the ground. Fences must withstand year-round exposure to the element. So be sure to assemble the parts with weather-resistant fasteners, such as hot-dipped galvanized or stainless-steel nails and screws....