Archives

What Is It? | Red Metal Tool with Foot

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a red rubber tool with an adjustable foot- but what is it?

How To Drain and Vent a Bathroom Sink

If your sink is emitting loud noises or odd smells, you may need to install a vent. Here's what you need to know.

How Fuses and Circuit Breakers Work

Ask This Old House electrician Scott Caron provides a deep dive into how fuses and circuit breakers protect a home.

Build It | Fire Pit Cover

This Old House contractor Tom Silva shows how to build a cover that can turn a store-bought fire pit into a table when not in use.

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Teak Island Countertop Install at the TOH Arlington Italianate Project House

Countertop manufacturer Paul Grothouse shows Norm the right way to install the new teak island top for the kitchen

Norm Abram sees how the Cambridge House countertop is made

Waterfall-Edge Countertop Fabrication and Installation

This video and guide show the dovetail key joinery of a kitchen’s waterfall-edge wood countertop from fabrication to installation.

Norm Abram looks at the butcher-block countertop at the Newton Centre House

Butcher-Block Island Top Install

Master carpenter Norm Abram shows how to put in a butcher-block island top, from selecting the right materials to installing it securely.

Kevin O'Connor looks at the wooden teak island countertop at the Newton Centre House

Teak Touches for the Kitchen

Countertop fabricator Paul Grothouse shows how to install a teak island countertop and its companion piece, a custom teak farmhouse table.

Norm Abram visits the factory where the teak countertops are being made for the Newton Shingle House

Crafting a Teak Island Countertop

Norm Abram travels to Germansville, Pennsylvania, to see how countertop fabricator Paul Grothouse is crafting a beautiful 3-inch teak island top for the house

What Is It? | Rubber Ring with Three Tabs

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a rubber ring with three tabs- but What Is It?

How to Rotate a Toilet

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner rotate a toilet to a more sensible orientation.

How to Replace a Picture Window

In this guide, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to remove and replace a broken picture window.

This Old House TV Charleston Project

Learn how Marvin Double-Hung Windows merges old-world tradition with modern performance in a historic single house in Charleston, SC

South Carolina Coastal Home

Learn how Marvin Double-Hung Windows enhance the natural views—and meet the durability criteria—of a stunning coastal area home

Nick Slavik demonstrates how to prep and clean two very different decks—one old and weathered, and one brand-new pine— in anticipation of restaining and finishing with two very different coatings from Behr.

How Safety Glass Can Protect You

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how safety glass breaks differently than traditional plate glass.

How to Sharpen a Chainsaw

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates the right way to keep a chainsaw sharp.

An App That Helps You Support Generation NEXT and Young Tradespeople

Givz, available as an app and a website, allows you to easily donate to your favorite charities. This is how you can support our Generation NEXT initiative

Build a Bungalow With Old-House Charm

It’s easy to fall in love with the charm of a bungalow home on a sunny, tree-lined street, but new builds often lack the same charm. Check out these ready-to-build house plans from The House Designers so you can build your own. (Exclusive discount codes for plans below!)