Archives
S27 E11: Rain Slows Some Progress
Tom Silva shows Kevin how he’s creating a modern look inside by using minimal wood trim around the windows. Roger Cook starts installing 18 tons of bluestone in the front courtyard.
A Wall of Windows Goes Into the TOH Cambridge House
Catch up on advances in home-window manufacturing.
A Guide to Nail Sets
Here are the different types, features, sizes of nail set tools and when to use them.
S27 E10: Creating a Dramatic Entryway
Norm Abram explains the decision to use a formerly controversial exterior cladding system known as an exterior insulated finishing system, or EIFS. Kevin finds Tom Silva and chimney specialist Mark Schaub working with the new gas fireplace unit.
The Art of Adobe Restoration
Remodeling with adobe can make a house look as good as it did when it was first built.
Its Name is Mud...Or More Precisely, Adobe
In this guide, we'll explore the rich history, sustainability, unique characteristics, and enduring appeal of adobe construction.
How It Works: Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide is responsible each year for more than 200 deaths (and possibly thousands more unreported, nonfatal poisonings) in the U.S.
S27 E9: A Water-Feature Welcome
Tom Silva removes the old steel slider in the living room and replaces it with a more energy-efficient, insulating glass unit. Norm Abram travels to Keene, NH, to meet artisan tile manufacturers Stephen and Kristin Powers.
S27 E8: Real Stone, Flat Roof
Kevin finds stone specialist Jason Buechel installing natural quartzite veneer on the landscape walls. Tom Silva oversees the installation of the low-slope EPDM roofing system.
S27 E7: Water Damage Brings Opportunity
Master mason Lenny Belliveau gives Kevin a lesson in block work. Kevin travels to Los Angeles to see a restored modern house that once belonged to Hollywood legend Gary Cooper.
Ice Dam Prevention
Here’s how to prevent ice dams in 8 steps so you can enjoy a winter free of icicles and the damage they can do to your roof.
Fast Fixes for Ice Dams
Read these quick tips to help prevent ice dams before the snow even falls.
What You Should Look for When Purchasing Vacant Land
Want to build your dream house from the ground up? Know what to look for when buying vacant land to turn your land-owning dreams into reality.
All About New Insulation Options: A Homeowner’s Guide
Learn how to pick a new insulation option for your home. Our guide covers materials plus health and safety considerations.
Invisible Peril
Why you may be breathing poison gas from your garage—and what to do about it
25 Secret Renovation Sources
We raided our Rolodexes (and Palms and Blackberries) to bring you a handpicked list of places where the savvy go for extraordinary home products
Creating a Master Bath for a Modest Home
How one couple added on a luxurious master bath without sacrificing the modest scale of their cottage home.
S27 E6: High-Tech Heating and Cooling
Kevin lends Norm and general contractor Tom Silva a hand framing in the "not quite flat" roof above the library. Richard Trethewey shows Kevin a new software program that allows him to design the HVAC system on a laptop.
Building a Flat Roof Right
Here's how the pros construct one so it stays tight and tight.
S27 E5: The Cost of Poor Workmanship
Norm Abram shows Host Kevin O’Connor the newly discovered problems at the project house, most of them caused by the poor workmanship of a previous contractor. Roger Cook reveals the anatomy of new landscape walls; they’ll be natural stone veneer over reinforced concrete.
S27 E4: Longfellow's House
Certified arborist Jack Kelly shows landscape contractor Roger Cook a treatment of horticultural oil that will protect the property’s hemlocks. Kevin meets curator Nancy Jones for a tour of the legendary Longfellow House.
The Best Techniques for Hanging Wallpaper
Master wallpaper hanging with expert tips in this guide. Learn prep, measuring, cutting, and smoothing techniques for pro-level results.
S27 E3: Worst-Case Scenario
Tom Silva discovers extensive rot and termite damage on the eastern elevation, and what he thinks is a failed footing in the basement. Norm Abram finds that the problem is not the footing, but rather under-structured framing from two previous renovations.
How Animals Are Getting Into Your House
Learn how pesky critters are getting into your home and how to prevent and handle animal infestations in our guide.
Fire Safety and Prevention Checklist for Your Home
It's not enough to have evacuation plans. It's not even enough to have a fire detector on every floor. Learn what experts say homeowners need to do now