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In this episode: Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada tells you everything you need to know about ornamental grasses. They are some of Jenn’s favorite plants to add to a landscape design because they can add a cool visual element to virtually any area. Jenn shows a few examples of the many varieties you can choose from and explains how you could use them in a design. Master electrician Heath Eastman and home technology expert Ross Trethewey discuss electric vehicle (EV) chargers with This Old House host Kevin O’Connor....

In this episode: Mason Mark McCullough tells us all about how he became a cast member of This Old House and Ask This Old House, as well as how he became a mason in the first place. Mark tells us that Tom Silva recommended him to the show, and after a few small parts, Mark was featured in an episode of Ask This Old House. The rest is history. Mark’s story on how he started in the masonry trade is fascinating....

In this episode: General contractor Tom Silva takes us back through time and tells us how he became a general contractor. Growing up in a house full of people who worked with their hands, his role as chief on a construction site seems pre-determined. Tom tells the whole story from being a little kid breaking things with his dad’s hammer to how he got his start on This Old House. Tom also gives us a look into some of the things most folks don’t know about him....

In this episode: Carpenter Nathan Gilbert shows host Kevin O’Connor how to handle minor repairs on finished wood surfaces. Nathan shows Kevin how to handle light abrasions, heavier wear, and even small gouges on hardwood surfaces. He explains how to blend these repairs in and even tells Kevin when it’s best to call a professional. Next, we meet House One editor and DIY expert Jenn Largesse as she oversees the installation of the container pool in her backyard project....

In this episode: Landscaping contractor Jenn Nawada shows host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about preparing your garden for winter. Jenn explains that protecting all the hard work performed in the spring, summer, and fall should be the concern before the cold weather arrives. By focusing on water, clean-up, and protection, Jenn dishes on the best ways to protect your plants. Jenn explains that plants need water late in the year despite the growing season coming to an end....

In this episode: The number of people entering the building trades has declined dramatically over the past few decades. Our Generation Next initiative was launched to highlight the problem and encourage young people to consider the building trades as a viable profession. Mike Rowe helped us launch Generation Next and joined us on the roof of our Newton project. Over the seasons we have met many young people who see the value in this work....

In this episode: The original chimney was corbeled in the attic, so it came out of the ridge line of the roof. The homeowners don’t need a chimney, but the Historic Commission insists they keep one. Kevin O’Connor and Jeff Sweenor meet Mark McCullough on the roof to find out how the masons will make a new chimney look old. Most aspects of Victorian architecture screamed for attention, especially the Queen Ann version....

It’s Clean-Up Season Still, some early spring cleanup tasks are sure things this time of year. So go ahead and remove the burlap from trees and shrubs as the weather warms. Prune away winter-killed branches to make room for new growth. Cut back spent perennials and pull up old annuals if you didn’t get around to it last fall. Then look around. “March is a good time to take stock of your yard and see if it’s time to thin out crowded beds and do some transplanting to fill in bare spots,” says This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook....

Top 4 4-Slice Toasters Most Sleek: Cuisinart Metal Classic Four-Slice Toaster Best Controls: Cuisinart Four-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster Most Compact: Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Four-Slice Long Toaster Best Safety Features: Hamilton Beach Four-Slice Toaster Most Sleek: Cuisinart Metal Classic Four-Slice Toaster This Cuisinart toaster has a body made entirely of stainless steel for a sleek look that will match the other appliances in your kitchen. Plus, it offers a variety of functions and shading levels to customize how your bread is toasted....

Top 5 E-Readers This Kindle has a flush-front and glare-free display that reduces eye strain to make reading on it more enjoyable. Available in multiple colors and storage size options, this device can hold tens of thousands of books, magazines, audiobooks, newspapers, comic books, and more at once. Key Features Eight- or 32-gigabyte storage size options Available with or without ads Four color options Available without or without Kindle Unlimited Waterproof body Six-inch display Compatible with Audible One-year warranty...

While professional-grade jackhammers derive their power from compressed air, DIY-friendly jackhammers utilize electricity. Electric jackhammers are easier to control than their pneumatic counterparts and come in a variety of sizes to fit jobs both large and small. Top 5 Jackhammers Best Value: XtremepowerUS 2,200-Watt Electric Jackhammer Best Speed Control: Makita 35-Pound Demolition Jackhammer Best Handling: Mophorn Electric Demolition Jackhammer Most Durable: Bosch 35-Pound Jackhammer Kit Best Mobility: TR Industrial Electric Jackhammer...

Top 5 Oil Diffusers Most Elegant Design: Earnest Living Essential Oil Diffuser Most Medium Coverage: URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser Most Advanced Technology: ASAKUKI Smart Wi-Fi Essential Oil Diffuser Best Warranty: HOMNAS Essential Oil Diffuser Simplest Design: BBSKIN Mini-USB Essential Oil Diffuser Most Elegant Design: Earnest Living Essential Oil Diffuser The carved ceramic body and wood base of this oil diffuser make it perfect for the home decor enthusiast. The diffuser has a 100-milliliter water reservoir, seven color settings, and four timer options....

Best Scent: Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner Key Features Comes in two 25-ounce spray bottles Has a lemongrass scent Uses a plant-based formula Works on ovens, counters, toilets, floors, and more What Customers Are Saying Customers said that the spray was easy to use. They also liked that it came in a two-pack that costed the same as most one-packs of other cleaners. While many reviewers agreed that the scent was pleasant, some found it to be overwhelming....

Top 5 Sleeper Sofas Most Adjustable: Saemoza Sofa Bed Most Eco-Friendly: Nirvana Futons Stanford Futon Set Best Storage: HONBAY Convertible Sectional Sofa Most Stylish: DHP Emily Futon Most Thoughtful Design: YAHEETECH Modern Faux Leather Futon Most Adjustable: Saemoza Sofa Bed This four-in-one sofa bed is perfect for small spaces, such as apartments, studios, and dorm rooms, as it transforms into an ottoman, sofa, lounger, and bed. The sofa has an adjustable backrest and high-density foam filling to provide maximum comfort....

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 ✘ Doesn’t come with a lifetime warranty like many splitting wedges✘ Has a bulkier build than standard wedges without fins...

Top 5 Wine Coolers Best Single-Bottle Cooler: Le Creuset Wine Cooler Sleeve Best Tall and Skinny Cooler: Ivation Wine Cooler Refrigerator Best Mini Cooler: Koolatron Thermoelectric Wine Cooler Best Large-Capacity Cooler: Whynter Large-Capacity Wine Refrigerator Best Mid-Sized Cooler: Kalamera Wine Cooler Refrigerator Best Single-Bottle Cooler: Le Creuset Wine Cooler Sleeve When you think of a wine cooler, the image that first pops into your head is likely a fridge. However, this product from Le Creuset serves a different function....

Tom breaks down the uses of a belt sander, finishing sander, and a random orbit sander. He explains the strengths and weaknesses and goes through what types of jobs would be best for each specific sander. Build It | How to Make a Lathe Turned Bowl Facts About Belt Sanders Start before setting down. Make sure you keep flat on the surface. It is an aggressive tool and with any sort of tilt, it will create a groove....

And we want to hear from you. Got a question for our experts? Have a project you’d like to share? Send us a message on Instagram or Facebook. We’re here to help and we look forward to hearing from you. UPCOMING EVENTS: OCT 4-9: FIRE PREVENTION WEEK National Fire Prevention Week begins October 4, and we believe that this year, it’s more important than ever. That’s why we plan to bring you safety tips and curated prevention techniques, courtesy of our friends at Leviton....

This Old House’s 6th annual Idea House is a sweet-looking cottage with coastal charm that addresses two of the biggest challenges homeowners face today: affordability and flexibility. The 2,495-square-foot-house was designed by Union Studio Architecture & Community Design for a contest that sought accessible, year-round housing solutions for young professionals and their families. Union Studio’s winning submission packs a lot of living into an efficient, smartly designed footprint. Built around a 1,095-square-foot core structure, the house was designed with flexible wings that can be added to provide ways of generating income on the side....