Archives

How To Patch a Hole in a Brick Wall

In this step-by-step article and video, This Old House mason Mark McCullough shows us how to patch a brick wall like a pro.

How to Manage Renovation Expectations

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva discusses the conversations a homeowner and a contractor should have before starting a renovation project

Jeff Sweenor shows Kevin O'Connor how to build rafter tails for the Westerly House

Westerly in Detail: Applied Rafter Tails

How do you apply rafter tails to the exterior of a structure after the walls have been sheathed? Home builder Jeff Sweenor developed a simple solution that's efficient to execute

S40 E23: See Glass

Coming up on This Old House: making plate glass and windows, cold weather painting, heated driveway, patio install

S17 E23: Scorched Floor, Hardy Plantings

Nathan repairs a floor; Tom talks table saw techniques; Jenn improves foundation plants.

How To Use a Table Saw Safely and Effectively for Your Projects

Master your table saw with these safety tips and cutting techniques for precise, professional, and safe results every time.

How To Remove a Burn Mark From a Hardwood Floor

Did you accidentally burn your hardwood floors? Don't worry—it can likely be repaired. Watch our video to learn how.

Testing New Stud Finders

Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey tests out a new smart stud finder and explains how to use them effectively.

How to Plant Hardier Foundation Plantings

Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada helps a homeowner replace and improve foundation plantings that have been crushed by snow piles

S40 E22: What’s the Miter with the Corner

Our Mid-century Modern house mixes stained and painted siding, typical of this style of architecture. Kevin finds Tommy using two methods for the corner edge detail.

S17 E22: Restore Fireplace, Porch Swing

Mark restores a fireplace; Richard and Ross discuss thermostats; Tom hangs a swing.

Modern Porch Materials With Period-Perfect Appeal

Finally, a porch flooring, ceiling, and shutter product that combines the period-authentic charm of wood with the durability of synthetics—in a structurally superior, paintable, historically accurate product that’s guaranteed not to warp, rot, or buckle. Read on to see how this uniquely formulated alternative can add sustainable style to your home.

Reader Project | How to Build a Porch Pirate-Proof Bench

A reader shares his ingenious solution for safeguarding delivered packages

What’s your favorite memory from 40 years of This Old House?

We're getting ready for a special issue of This Old House magazine that celebrates the 40th anniversary of TOH TV, and we want YOU to be part of it!

How to Hang a Porch Swing through Vinyl

Learn how to safely hang a porch swing on a vinyl-covered ceiling with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.

How to Maximize Comfort with a Thermostat

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and home technology expert Ross Trethewey discuss improvements to thermostats and how they contribute to comfort in a home

Why is This Lawn Patchy? Professional Tips for Maintaining a Yard

Watch as Ask This Old House landscape contractors Roger Cook and Jenn Nawada share DIY tips for killing weeds without hurting the lawn.

Prep for Success: Tips for a Pro-Level Paint Finish

You’ve heard the saying before: Fail to prepare—prepare to fail. But whether it’s because prep work is viewed as an unnecessary expense or it just boils down to impatience, many home improvers fail to properly prepare their surfaces before applying paint. We sat down with TOH painting pro Nick Slavik to find out how important it is to take the time to prep and prime.