This Old House Archives
February 2002
3 Factors to Weigh When Buying a Kitchen Countertop
All materials have pros and cons. Here's what to consider before buying.
A Cellar in the Basement
A little imagination and a lot of work turn a forgotten store room into a cool, dark cellar where...
A Desert Oasis
The highlights of the Tucson House renovation.
A Good Foundation
Some houses age like fine wine. Others turn to vinegar. Renovating this 1950s building meant...
A New Boiler
How to correctly install a water-pressure reducer
A New Lawn
When to mow and fertilize
A Pro Confides His Best Tips for Painting Exteriors
The best home brew for killing mold? Should you use a power washer? Decades of experience is...
A Refined Palette
Andrea Gilmore, our historic paint specialist, finds a subtle Victorian paint scheme for the...
A Soapstone Saga
Brazilian soapstone becomes kitchen countertops in Milton, thanks to a company in Vermont.
A Solid Frame
Tom Silva explains how good building practices not only make your house's structure sound but...
A Stand-in for Brownstone
Cast concrete can bring damaged brownstone back to life
A Virtual Dream
A 3D preview of the workshop provides a virtual reality sneak-peek.
A Well Lighted Place
Lighting designer Sean O'Connor shared his unusual lighting solutions for the San Francisco House.
Absolute Power
Blackouts, storms, and jitters have a growing number of homeowners purchasing standby generators
Adding Attic Insulation
How much is enough? It depends on where you live
Adding Up
A second story with cedar shingles endows a 1950s ranch with old Yankee spirit.
An Inside Job
Interior design experts help the Silvas tackle the daunting "blank sheet" challenge of replacing...
Angle-Cutting Fence Posts
Give water a way to run off, and your posts will last longer
Appliance Soup
New ways to deal with the age-old chore of making yard debris vanish.
Applying Fertilizer Over Mulch
The best steps in combining fertilizer and mulch
Are Living Rooms Wasted Spaces?
Not if they are casual, fun places designed for the way families actually live.
Avoiding Homeowner Meltdown
How do you handle the stress of a renovation? Here's some advice from the owners of This Old...
Award-winning Zinnia
Flawless blossoms cloak sun-loving plants from spring through summer.
Back to the Drawing Board
Wentworth Institute is known as an architecture school that graduates students who know how...
Banging Pipes
Why does the sewage pump cause a racket?
Beautified Bungalow
Bungalow-style expert Paul Duchscherer helps Jan Winford enhance her house's Arts-and-Crafts charm.
Bow Vent
A piping technique for difficult locations
Bringing In an Electrician
Don't cut corners on electrical work. Hire a qualified electrician familiar with the type of work...
Build the Bay Window You've Always Wanted
Change your outlook by replacing a flat picture window with a beautiful bay.
Building a Better Window
Learn more about window technology that claims to combine the best of both wood and vinyl.
Building a Safe Deck
A deck can handle even the rowdiest gang of fraternity brothers as long as the beam that carries...
Building an Enduring Driveway
There's nothing like a rugged crunch to welcome you home.
Burned Lawn
How to repair burn marks caused by fertilizer
Catching Paint
How to contain drips, runs, and spatters
Caulking a Tub
A few minutes are well spent maintaining a watertight seal
Ceiling Fixture Cover-Up
Protect light fixtures from messy spatters while painting ceilings
Choosing Sides
A new generation of fiber-cement shingles and siding is changing our idea of home.
Choosing the Proper Fastener
Can't find a wall stud when hanging a picture or a shelf? You can attach anything to hollow walls...
Clean Caulking
A neat way to keep your caulk beads tidy
Cleaner Caulking Tip
Prevent the mess next time you're caulking
Cold Crawl Space
Would heating it take the chill out of the house?
Collection Agents
Recycling is part of life for many homeowners. Here's a rundown of products and ideas that make...
Cooking up a Kitchen
Chefs Julia Child and Marian Morash and Milton kitchen designer Phil Mossgraber share their...
Counter Points
Everything you need to know to decide on your next countertop.
Creating Half-Lap Joints
Mill your own quickly and easily using nothing more than a portable circular saw and a chisel
Creating Illusions
Make a flat surface in your yard appear to be something that it's not.
Curtain Call
Install blocking around window frames during construction, and thank yourself later when you want...
December 2000
Learn the secrets of a perfect paint job, patching damaged wood trim, and fixing those old windows
Delaying Bulb Burnout
Four common problems that cause lightbulbs to die young, and how to fix them.
Designing the Dream House
The architect of the Milton house project reflects on the process — and the challenges &...
Do I Need Two Apple Trees?
How to bear fruit from a single apple tree
Down the Hatch
A laundry chute is the next best thing to a bottomless hamper.
Drafty Windows
What to do when the wind comes sweeping down the pane
Dream Landscape
Landscape designer Stephanie Hubbard drafts a master plan for the Silvas' yard.
Drilling Holes in Tile
Keep your ceramic tile from cracking when you drill into it
Easy Fix for a Leaky Toilet
Replacing the wax seal on a toilet can prevent costly structural damage.
Enlarging Holes
One simple step to making an existing hole bigger
Escaping a Fire
To keep your family safe in case of fire, follow these tips.
Face Value
Dressing up the Billerica House foundation in veneer brick, mason Lenny Belliveau proves that...
Fast Fix for Blistered Veneer
A simple repair for a blemished surface
Fast Fix for Loose Ladders
Tightening the metal braces can return a loose ladder to rock-solid
Fast Fix for a Stubborn Sash
Frustrated by a sticky double-hung window? Here's an easy way to fix it.
Fertilizing Hemlocks
The right food, at the right time, makes all the difference to an evergreen
Finding Kitchen Design Help
Read on to find excellent sources that will help you get started on your dream kitchen.
Finishing School
Classes in home repair offer more than great ways to save on contractor bills — they give...
Fire in the Pit
A massive, gas powered monument to the joy of cooking outdoors means never having to wait for...
Firesafe Holiday Lights
Electric holiday lights and displays sparkle and wow, but they're also potentially dangerous
Fixing Loose Hinge Holes
Stopping the wiggle in your cabinet doors
Fixing a Squeaky Floor
Squeaky floors driving you crazy? These easy, surefire fixes will quiet noisy hardwood and...
Floor in a Flash
Prefinished plywood goes down fast —and lasts.
Floored
Custom-milled quartersawn oak and southern yellow pine give the Billerica floors a classic...
Gauging Gutters
Gutters bring roof runoff down to earth. Here's the (long and) skinny on what to look for.
General Construction
General contractor Steve Crawford tells why finding the right contractor for your renovation can...
Getting Rid of Old Grout
A simple way to remove the old stuff, even without a grout saw
Ginkgo--a Tree You Can't Forget
The Ginkgo biloba is more than a memory enhancer.
Go From an Old Deck to New in 4 Steps
There's no secret to deck maintenance—repair the deck, clean it and protect it. But learning...
Gone to (hydro) Seed
Lawn man Robert Sparkes gives you the low down on the newest way to grow grass.
Grass Clippings as Mulch
A great choice, with one important exception
Great Slate
One of the Billerica project's winners is a synthetic slate roof shingle. It looks real but is...
Hammer Time
How to choose the best model for the job at hand
Hauling Long Lumber
A safe way to carry boards in a pickup truck
Heating a Cold Room
Safe ways to heat the chilly room over the garage
Heating and Cooling a Cape Cod Home
What are the alternatives to forced air?
Holding Back the Weeds
Q: "Is there a product to control garden weeds?"
Home Office Solutions
Your house's only profit center requires ample space and ergonomic design.
Home Show
In Billerica, media systems expert Mitch Klein explores electronics package possibilities.
Homeowner's Menagerie
Zoo-like names for household tools?
Homeowners Insurance 101
Take this crash course to find out if you have the coverage you need before you need it.
Homeowners Rediscover Patterned Glass
Patterned glass fell out of favor in homes while businesses remained stalwart buyers. Now...
How Architectural Salvage Yards Work
Steve Drobinsky helps West Coast homeowners hunt for unusual old house and building parts at his...
How to Build a Second-Story Bay in Three Days
It's a challenge to install, but a second-story bay window is a marvel of engineering and can do...
How to Choose a Pitched Roof
Budget doesn't have to be the only consideration. Home style and the makeup of the materials are...
How to Choose an Oriental Rug
Rug expert Steve Boodakian walks you through the world of Oriental carpets
How to Lay a Stone Patio
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to work with this durable material
How to Pick a Front Door
The ideal front door must be tough, yet handsome and gracious
How to Repair Water-Damaged Siding
Replace water-damaged siding with fiber cement
Installing a French Drain
One possible solution to erosion trouble
Installing a Gas Fireplace
Before you start, read the directions.
Instant Water Garden
Enjoy the soothing sounds of trickling water and the sight of darting fish.
Insulating a Crawl Space
Take the chill out of your crawl space
Insulating an Old Home
What's the best way to insulate a brick house?
Investing in Old Windows
The windows on Christian Nolen and Susan Denny's 1886 Victorian were in pretty good shape.
January / February 2001
Track five project houses from the TV crew's renovation to the homeowner's follow-up
Keeping Doors Dry
Keep your new (or fresh-cut) doors from expanding in humid weather
Killing Weeds and Fertilizing Grass
How to succeed at both
Laying Down A Perfect Bead
Caulking is a common maintenance task. But doing it well takes some skill and an understanding of...
Life-Saving Fire Prevention Products
From smoke alarms to automatic sprinkler systems, learn ways to protect your home and family from...
Light Where You Need It
A common sense approach to outdoor lighting.
Lighten Up
The right lighting can make your home a more welcoming, comfortable place.
Lipstick Trick for Aligning Door Hardware
Getting the alignment right on a deadbolt can be problematic — solve it with a kiss
Lots of Groundwork Goes into the Best Rock Walls
Landscape contractor Roger Cook explains how to build a wall that will stand up to almost...
Low-Flow Toilets
A closer look at these water-saving commodes.
Lowering the Humidity
Can it be done without changing the temperature?
Maintaining Air Conditioners
A regular maintenance routine helps keep your A/C humming
Making Room for the Microwave
Where you choose to place this essential kitchen appliance determines how useful and safe it will...
Making Square Crosscuts
A foolproof way to make perfectly square crosscuts with a circular saw
Making Wide Miter Saw Crosscuts
Get a bigger bite with this tip
March 2001
Been thinking about that outdoor renovation to your garden, lawn or patio? Break it down into...
March 2002
Elegance can be exciting with carefully considered details
Master Pieces
When the demolition starts, the crew from This Old House always saves the good stuff to use later
Moisture Meter
Water on the basement walls? Tracking it to the source is your first step.
Mother Nature's Insulation Test
Use a blanket of snow to measure how much heat your house is losing.
Mulching a Tomato Garden
When to mulch, what to use, and how much to put down
Mushroom Problem
The roots of a long-gone tree can continue to nourish the fungus
Newspaper As Mulch?
The case of the news that wouldn't go away
Nitrogen-Stealing Mulch
Why fresher isn't always better
No Heat in the Bedroom?
How to get the chill out of the master suite
No-Splinter Sawing
Make tidier cuts with your circular saw
November 2000
With the right vision, a humble house can be transformed into the dwelling of your dreams
Old Sinks for New
Master plumber Jeff Deehan plied the tools of his trade to install classic jazz-age lavatories...
On the Carpet
A store-to-floor guide for adding or replacing this versatile floor covering
One Hot Fireplace
Rumford expert Jim Buckley explains how to build a better fireplace using 18th century engineering.
Opening Act
How to replace a window with a classic French door
Overgrown Ivy
Some easy ways to remove woody vines
PEX Piping
What's the skinny on this flexible supply tubing?
Paint-Tray Protector
A simple step for easier cleanup
Paintbrush Saver
Properly caring for your brushes will help them last for years
Painting Chain-Link
A fresh coat can revitalize this humble divider
Painting Kitchen Cabinets
A fresh coat will bring your kitchen back to life without breaking your budget.
Parking Space
Designing a detached garage can be a challenge.
Perfect-Cut Paneling
How to keep the blade straight when cutting plywood paneling
Perfect-Match Carpet Patch
The right tool to use when a stray cigarette or felt-tip marker makes its mark on the rug
Permanent Cure for Popped Nails
Protruding nailheads aren't just unsightly; they can be dangerous
Pipe Venting
The right way to rough in a future bathroom
Plant Markers That Last
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these plant markers from doing their duty.
Planting Juniper
The best time for planting a shrub
Preventing Clogs From Washing Machine Debris
Keep your utility sink clog-free
Pro Tip for Door Trimming
A simple tip for trimming the bottom of a door casing to accommodate new flooring
Protecting Floors From Chemical Stripper
A trick for keeping chemical strippers from damaging your floors
Protecting Threads
Shorten a screw, bolt, or rod without damaging the thread
Quick Ice Dam Cure
A temporary solution is better than none
Refinishing School
Bringing a dull, worn-out floor finish back to life is easier than you think
Removing Baseboard
Get vinyl baseboard off the wall without ruining the surface
Removing Staples
Get these temporary tackers down quickly and easily
Removing Tree Stumps
What are the best options available for removing tree stumps from my lawn?
Removing Wall Grease
Iron out grime from your "nonwashable" wallcoverings
Removing a Stuck Light Bulb
What to do when a burned-out bulb is stuck in its socket
Repairing Sagging Screens
The key to keeping your new screen from sagging or drooping
Replacing Balusters
Replacing snaggletoothed spindles restores a staircase's dignity.
Replacing Your Dishwasher
Dishwasher on its last legs? When you buy a new one, pocket the installation fee by doing the job...
Retrofitting an Old Fireplace
An innovative idea for getting some heat out of a non-functioning fireplace
Revealing its True Colors
Paint expert Andrea Gilmore helps This Old House pick historically accurate colors for the Milton...
Right Time to Kill Weeds
Getting them at the right time is half the battle
Rolling Up Old Vinyl Flooring
A faster way to remove sheet vinyl
Safe Weed Killers
How to keep the weeds under control without poisoning the kids
Salvaging Old Trim
If you're planning to reuse that molding, use this trick to remove the old nails neatly
Saving Old Windows
Old-growth wood found in some of our oldest homes stands up to time and the elements.
Sawhorse Roundup
These flashy thoroughbreds are real workhorses.
Sawing Through Steel
A sponge "plug" can make sawing through a metal door much easier
Scrape, Sand, Prime (repeat)
The secret to the perfect paint job? Preparation, preparation, preparation...
Screening Rooms
Screened porches don't have to be ordinary.
Seeding and Mulching
Can you do both at the same time?
September 2000
Arm yourself with information about how to do it yourself or hire the best person to do it for you
Setting Stones in Garden Beds
It's all in the drainage
Simple Stud Finder
If you don't have an electronic stud finder, you can locate studs behind drywall with nothing...
Sledgehammer Helper
A simple tip for bracing wood that needs nailing
Slip-On Nailing Shield
Protect decorative molding or trim from your hammer
Smoky Fireplaces
Two fireplaces sharing one chimney is a formula for smoke — and danger
Smoothing Out Rough Tiles
Finish off your tile cuts with a simple trick that evens out jagged edges
Solar and Geothermal Heating Options
An array of choices for winterizing a summer home
Solution for Brown Grass
What to do when a new lawn goes bad
Spoiled Soil
Dr. Geoffrey Brown determines the extent of the soil contamination around the Billerica house and...
Stepladder Safety Tips
A few simple modifications to your ladder make it a lot safer to use
Stop a Fire Before it Starts
Prevention is the best defense against a house fire
Strip-Sanding Spindles
You can't use a power sander on a slender leg or baluster — here's a way to strip those...
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
Pros and cons of "instantaneous" hot water heaters
The Benefits of Blinds
The right blinds, shades or shutters will provide privacy, control light and spiff up a room.
The Billerica House
Close to home, This Old House tackled a project close to its heart: rebuilding Dick and Sandra...
The Bug Patrol
Learn how to keep termites away from your home and what to do if they've already arrived.
The Case for Installing a Heat-Recovery Ventilator
Thoroughly insulating a house will hold in the heat, but it will also hold in all the moisture....
The Catalog Connection
It's not too soon to order seeds and live plants for the spring.
The Color of Mulch
What to choose to avoid midsummer fading
The Facts On Faucets
How to tell well-made sink, tub and shower fittings from the polished pretenders.
The High Cost of Electric Heat
Can you lower fuel bills without making a huge initial investment?
The Instant Extra Bedroom
Carve out a new room with a wall that goes up in hours, costs little more than $200 and — when...
The Lady Vanishes
Standing outside homeowners Christian Nolen and Susan Denny's newly purchased home in Watertown,...
The Manchester House
On New England's north shore, This Old House gives grand rebirth to a once-stately, uniquely...
The Media Room
State-of-the-art sights and sounds are right at home in Milton.
The Milton House
With the help of Julia Child, Marian Morash, Ethan Allen and Laura Ashley, to name a few, This...
The Napa Valley House
The renovation of Dennis Duffy's 1906 Victorian farmhouse in the vineyards of northern California...
The New Orleans House
This Old House converted a circa 1895 "shotgun double" into a one-family house, renovating the...
The Newton House
A conversion of 1886 Bigelow Homestead, designed by noted American architect H. H. Richardson,...
The Newton Victorian
This Old House constructed a freestanding addition to a Victorian cottage in Newton, Massachusetts.
The Phoenix House
The crew headed to the Southwest to remodel a faux-adobe home in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Reading House
The guys took on the renovation of a Cape-style home in Reading, Massachusetts, adding a finished...
The Reading Ranch
This Old House gave a ranch house in Reading, Massachusetts, a second story.
The Salem House
A neglected circa 1784 Federal rejoined the ranks of other historic homes in Salem, Massachusetts.
The San Francisco House
This Old House converted a 1906 Arts and Crafts-style church into a single family home for Laurie...
The Santa Barbara Bungalow
This Old House went to Santa Barbara, California, to remodel a Craftsman bungalow.
The Santa Barbara House
The guys headed west for the winter to raise the roof on Jan Winford's 1907 Craftsman-style...
The Santa Fe House
In the desert of the Southwest, This Old House updated a 1930s adobe home with a library addition.
The Savannah House
This Old House helped the Flemings preserve their Georgia peach — a 1884 Italianate Victorian...
The Tampa House
For the first time, This Old House traveled outside Massachusetts to focus on the renovation of a...
The Tucson House
Plans for this 1930s Pueblo Revival stucco home included expanding the kitchen and patio areas...
The Watertown House
The show kicked off its 20th anniversary with the renovation of a sprawling 1886 Queen Anne-style...
The Wayland House
The historical renovation of "Kirkside," an 1815 Colonial Revival-style home, included new septic...
The Westwood House
The crew renovated and restored of the 1785 Weatherbee farm in Westwood, Massachusetts, adding a...
The Woburn House
The This Old House crew renovated a 1950s ranch-style tract home in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Tile Time
Consultant Gene Walsh helps the team find the right tile for a Colonial equipped for the 21st...
Time-Saving Tip for Rough Sanding Jobs
Use this time-saving tip when belt-sanding a tough job
Trimming Paneling
Create a snug fit where paneling abuts stone walls or other irregular surfaces
Two Good Reasons You Should Buy Fiber-Optic Lighting
Fiber-optic lighting can save energy and mean the end of hard-to-change light bulbs.
Using Automobile Scissor Jacks
An excellent assistant for temporary support
Using Hammers for Rough Measurements
Forget the tape measure! A hammer will do the trick
Ventilate, Ventilate
Two caveats to insulating
Versatile Carrier
Flexible containers, made from recycled polyethylene.
Vinyl Siding
How to pick quality vinyl siding and the contractor who installs it.
Water Treatment
Do magnetic or chemical water treatments work?
What You Need to Know About Asbestos
Unfortunately, asbestos can be found in a myriad of household materials. We'll tell you where to...
What to Look for in a Kitchen Cabinet
Dig into the internal architecture of a top-quality cabinet
Why Is My Paint Peeling?
Bad paint jobs can happen to good people with old houses — even when they listen faithfully to...
Wiring Electrical Outlets & Switches
An electrician's secret for making neat connections quickly and easily
Working the Bugs Out
Here's a safe and effective system to control the plant-eating pests in your yard.
Working with Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum makes a comeback and proves it's not what you think.
Yard Work
Landscape designer Stephanie Hubbard picks the proper plants for ...
