Although most building codes are based on the International Residential Code, some locations may not have adopted the latest version of the IRC. There are variations from town to town and state to state, so check with your local building official. If you’re building a set of stairs or retrofitting an existing staircase, here’s what you’ll need to know: Put Safety First: 14 Universal Design Tips First, let’s define some terms....
In this episode: Master electrician Heath Eastman tells us what he loves most about his trade. After the planning and roughing in, Heath explains that he genuinely loves the finished work. He appreciates this stage of the work, from installing electrical outlets and switches to fixtures and lighting because it’s the first time the homeowner gets to see progress. Next, we meet host Kevin O’Connor and painter Mauro Henrique in the shop for a lesson on patching cracks in plaster and drywall....
In this episode: Host Kevin O’Connor takes us on a house call of historical proportions to talk about wallpaper restoration. When visiting the Franklin Pierce home, Kevin speaks with museum staff about restoring the home, more specifically, the 200-year-old imported wallpaper in one of the rooms. After discussing the origins of the wallpaper, professional paper restoration experts show Kevin the painstaking process that goes into restoring this work of art. Next, we meet Kevin and master electrician Heath Eastman back at the shop to talk about GFCI outlets....
In this episode: A prominent feature of most three-decker houses is the layout of porches on the back. They stack one on top of each other and provide nice outdoor space for city dwellers. But these porches were built to 1905 standards. Kevin O’Connor finds Tom and Charlie Silva and Russ Gibson bringing them up to 21st-century code. A lingering smell is one of the biggest problems faced by victims of a house fire....
In this episode: The project house is an 1864 Dutch Colonial in Saratoga Springs, NY—a town attractive for its springs. A new attraction was built just a year before the house was built and has been a hit ever since—the Saratoga Racecourse. Kevin O’Connor visits the course and gets a tour from Glen Kozak to learn more about the track and its history. With demolition comes discoveries. At the house, newspapers from 1918 were found stuffed between the wall framing for insulation....
In this episode: The crew is back in Massachusetts on the Eastern seaboard to start a new project in the town of Newburyport, where shipwrights and sea captains once lived. Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor meet Jenn Nawada out front. Jenn gives her thoughts on the landscape, hardscape, and plans to update the entryway. Inside, Kevin and Tom meet homeowners Palen and a close friend of This Old House, Melissa, whose desire is to turn their modest 1902 Victorian into their forever home....
A diamond in the rough—“with emphasis on the ‘rough’!” That’s how This Old House host Kevin O’Connor summed up the 1890s Queen Anne in Narragansett, RI, when he first toured it last spring. Just under a year later, the house has been transformed, with a state-of-the-art 21st-century interior and a pristine, faithfully restored exterior. New Meets Old Painting contractor, exterior: Dennis Moffitt Painting; Paint: Sherwin-Williams; New windows: Marvin; Roof: CertainTeed; Vapor barrier: VaproShield; Siding: SBC Cedar; Garage door installation: Garage Headquarters; Garage door: Overhead Door; Garage door opener: LiftMaster; Lawn equipment (not shown): Kubota The elaborate shingle and trim details on the mudroom/garage addition precisely match the carefully restored historical facade on the original portion of the house....
What is the Main Purpose of a Foundation? A proper foundation does more than just hold a house above ground. Building foundations also keep out moisture, insulates against the cold, and resists movement of the earth around it. Oh, and one more thing: It should last forever. No wonder builders like This Old House general contractor Tom Silva take foundations seriously. “Without a good one,” he says, “you’re sunk.” What Makes a Good Building Foundation?...
Freestanding radiators date to the 1860s, when pioneering American heating contractor Joseph Nason designed an accordion–shaped iron manifold with a central rod to hold its fins, or sections, together. This steam system had a single pipe connecting the radiator to a boiler. As the water boiled and steam rose to fill the radiator, it circulated through the fins and transferred heat to the room. When the steam cooled, it condensed to water and drained back down the pipe and into the boiler, where it was reheated....
Best Cordless Mower: Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower Cordless mowers are convenient, as they offer all of the benefits of corded models—quiet operation, no emissions, and lightweight build—without the limited reach. This particular model offers a 60-minute runtime, seven grass height adjustments, and three clipping disposal methods. Key Features Cordless design 60-minute runtime 21-inch cutting deck Seven grass heights 74.1 pounds Four-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Customers who were pleased with this mower said that it was maneuverable, quiet, and powerful....
Pros and Cons ✔ Set includes a small foldable table✔ Features two table-integrated cup holders and one cup holder per chair ✔ Comes with removable head pillows ✘ Light frame not made to withstand high winds ✘ Table surface area is limited What Customers Are Saying Users liked the overall value of these lounge chairs, stating that their build quality met or exceeded their expectations given their affordable price. However, some customers expressed concerns about the limited weight capacity of the chairs....
Top 5 Under-Sink Water Filters Best Filter Life: CuZn Under-Counter Water Filter Most User-Friendly: Filtrete Under-Sink Water Filtration System Best Design: Express Water Under-Sink Filtration System Most Versatile: Waterdrop Under-Sink Water Filter System Best Two-Stage Filter: FRIZZLIFE Under-Sink Water Filter Best Filter Life: CuZn Under-Counter Water Filter Pros and Cons ✔ Designed to attach to your kitchen sink’s cold water line✔ Uses a catalytic carbon filter that’s resistant to mold and bacteria growth✔ Can last up to five years✘ Doesn’t specify if it has an NSF certification✘ Not designed to help with hard water...
Top 5 Zero-Gravity Chairs Key Features Two chairs and a side table Steel frame Mesh seat Built-in table What Customers Are Saying Many positive reviews noted that these chairs were an excellent value for the money, especially considering their comfort and their included side table. Negative reviews said that these chairs didn’t lock in place well and that they weren’t durable. Most Comfortable: PHI VILLA Oversized Zero-Gravity Lounge Chair With padding stuffed inside of an oversized fabric seat, this zero-gravity chair from PHI VILLA is a comfortable piece of furniture that’s suited for any setting....
The top three pest control companies are a great place to start, since they’re well-known across the country, including the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. These companies also currently offer special discounts and benefits that This Old House readers can take advantage of at their convenience. Top 6 Pest Control Companies in Kansas City The highest-rated pest control companies that service the Kansas City, Missouri, area include: Terminix: Best Overall Orkin: Best for Urgent Service Aptive: Most Customizable Blue Beetle Pest Control Gunter Pest & Lawn Augustine Exterminators, Inc....
She’s Always Worked with Children Jenn has always appreciated working with children. She’s worked in youth centers, summer camps, and even as an outdoor education teacher on a farm. She’s always appreciated giving kids the opportunity to discover things and figure things out for themselves. Good Things Take Time In today’s age of instant gratification, Jenn knows it’s important for kids to experience that good things take time. She knows that by learning where things come from or how to grow their own plants and food, kids are able to gain respect for the process and time....
And when it comes to painting cabinets, it’s important to keep in mind that kitchens are naturally exposed to high humidity and moisture; these factors can negatively impact your painted surfaces if they’re not properly primed first. Be sure to choose a formula that offers exceptional coverage, excellent adhesion, and resistance to mold and mildew. Always scrub clean any visible mold or mildew and allow surfaces to dry completely before you begin....
As larger houses occupy ever-smaller lots and the demand for outdoor living areas grows, privacy is at a premium. And it’s not just about prying eyes invading your space—you may want to shield your own view of your sunbathing neighbors and block out their chatter. How Can I Get Privacy in my Backyard Without a Fence? Fences are the usually the first solution that come to mind. But there are myriad ways to create privacy in your backyard without a fence too—from putting in perimeter plantings to stone walls, or garden structures....
How Long Should a Retaining Wall Last? How effective your wall will be and how long a retaining wall will last—decades or just a few years—depends largely on things you can’t see, such as a sound footing buried in the ground and drainage to keep water from building up behind the wall. Timber can last up to 40 years; there’s no limit on the life span of a properly installed masonry or concrete wall....
9 Chimney Designs 1. Separate Chimney Flues The channeled brickwork on this chimney hints that it serves three masters—fireplaces and/or fuel-burning heating systems—and the visible flues confirm this. Simple rain caps help keep moisture and rodents out while they direct the exhaust gas so that it doesn’t waft down an adjoining flue back into the house. 2. Clay Flue Pots Three clay flue pots crown this stone chimney, adding a decorative touch and probably serving a practical purpose as well....
