The BEST episodes of This Old House season 42
Every episode of This Old House season 42, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of This Old House season 42!
This Old House celebrates the fusion on old world craftsmanship and modern technology. Each season features two renovation projects. Project One traditionally consists of eighteen or more so episodes and is filmed in Massachusetts. Project Two is taped in a different region of the country to highlight the variety of American architectural styles and renovation issues.
#1 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Upgrading Old School
Season 42 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/3/2021
Original house exterior details such as the Yankee gutters and corbels are installed. Kevin catches up with the electrician's apprentice. Richard looks at the new tankless hot water system.
#2 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: Almost Home
Season 42 - Episode 25 - Aired 5/27/2021
After nearly two years since the fire, the triple decker is just about ready for the homeowners to return. Kevin checks out what's left to do in all three units.
#3 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: House Fire Reclamation
Season 42 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/18/2021
The back porches on the triple decker are brought to code. Ice blasting is used to get rid of the fire odor. New vinyl gets installed on the entire house while homeowner Carol considers new accent colors to match the siding. Framing begins inside.
#4 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Tommy's in the Kitchen
Season 42 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/14/2021
The end of the project is quickly approaching and there is still much to be done. Tommy helps hang the pantry door. Tiling and backsplash work continue as the crew creates a custom surround for the gas fireplace. Appliances arrive.
#5 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: Roof University
Season 42 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/20/2021
Kevin joins the apprentices as they take a two-day roofing class. Back at the project, Tommy and Charlie install French doors to divide the living room from a bedroom in the second-floor unit.
#6 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: Our 3 Decker
Season 42 - Episode 26 - Aired 6/3/2021
Illegal fireworks caused a fire in the Dorchester triple decker and then COVID-19 happened. Charlie Silva and a team of local contractors put this house back together, and after a long wait, Carol and her family can now move back into their home.
#7 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: A Queen Anne Revival
Season 42 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/21/2021
The once rotting Seaside Victorian Cottage is restored to its original beauty under the guidelines of the Historic Commission. A new addition matches the existing architectural details. New hardscape and landscape anchor it to the corner lot.
#8 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: 3 Decker Heaven
Season 42 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/11/2021
Kevin finds Ron Peik's team removing asbestos. Plumber Ronnette Taylor will tackle the dormant pipes. Jenn and the homeowners visit a community garden. Architectural Historian Arthur Krim talks about 3 deckers. Tom pulls off the melted vinyl siding.
#9 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: Three of Everything
Season 42 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/6/2021
Kevin finds Mauro working with the apprentices to fix the plaster damage. Richard meets plumber Ronnette to learn about the new sprinkler system. Kevin joins Carol and her sister Willie to shop for appliances for all three levels of the house.
#10 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: A Project for Every Floor
Season 42 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/29/2021
Kevin finds Tom working with the new apprentices on the front door. Tom and Charlie teach them about mineral wool insulation. Homeowner Carol looks at kitchen cabinets and counters. Richard works with James on the three separate HVAC systems.
#11 - Summer Special: Generation Next
Season 42 - Episode 28 - Aired 9/2/2021
The number of people entering the building trades has declined over the past few decades. This Old House launched the Generation Next initiative to highlight the issue and encourage young people to consider the trades as a viable profession.
#12 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: Urban Oasis
Season 42 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/25/2021
Jenn brings together a team to create an urban patio. Heath rewires part of the house with intact plaster ceiling. Charlie and Tom hang a new fire rated door. Richard explains how a new tub is fitted in. Kevin and Tom install a replacement window.
#13 - Behind the Build: Designing Kitchens
Season 42 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/4/2020
We take a tour of kitchens - from fireplaces used for cooking in colonial times to marble counters of modern days. Follow the evolution of appliances from white to avocado to stainless as well as cabinet finishes from natural to painted.
#14 - Behind the Build: Factory Made
Season 42 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/11/2020
From large scale industry to small town makers, over the years This Old House has explored the places that provide building and finishing materials for our projects. We look back at some fascinating factories we've visited.
#15 - Summer Special: Rebirth of Detroit
Season 42 - Episode 29 - Aired 9/9/2021
Kevin, Richard, and Tom follow a family on their journey to restore an abandoned house in Detroit. The city has a program to bring these empty houses back to life, revitalizing the neighborhoods.
#16 - Behind the Build: Memorable Makers
Season 42 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/18/2020
This Old House features talented makers. From young blacksmiths metalworking to a woodworker who finds centuries-old lumber under water, we visit people and places all over the country who make beautiful household items.
#17 - Summer Special: Return to Paradise
Season 42 - Episode 30 - Aired 9/16/2021
Residents of Paradise, California woke on the morning of Nov. 18, 2018, to find their quiet town overtaken by an uncontrollable wildfire. The fire would burn thousands of homes, businesses, schools and make it difficult to escape—resulting in 85 deaths. This Old House follows three families on their emotional journey as they rebuild their homes.
#18 - Behind the Build: Anatomy of a Kitchen
Season 42 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/25/2020
From demo day and design, to selecting the finishing touches, we follow every step as the homeowners decide on the components and the crew converts a decades-old butler's pantry kitchen into an up-to-date kitchen for the future.
#19 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Project Interrupted
Season 42 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2020
The guys begin restoration of an 1887 Queen Anne Victorian Cottage. Kevin hears about preserving historic details while updating the interior space and creating a new garage and master suite
#20 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: New Light In Old Windows
Season 42 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/8/2020
Decorative Queen Anne style barge rafters are reproduced for the garage addition. The antique windows get restored and primed in the shop, re-glazed, and then returned to the house for installation.
#21 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Chimney Straightener
Season 42 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/15/2020
Chimney bricks are cleaned and repurposed for a new, straight chimney. Staggered shingles are reapplied. Kevin learns about glass orbs hidden on Block Island. Richard shows a new shower drain.
#22 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Back to Narragansett
Season 42 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/22/2020
After months of meticulous restoration, the stained glass windows are ready to be reinstalled. Electrician Ben Giles has an apprentice. Tom re-creates original shingles. Landscape meeting with homeowners.
#23 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Design Elements
Season 42 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/17/2021
Tom watches ceiling mounted speakers disappear. Richard oversees the startup of a new HVAC system. Kevin learns about garage door side mounts. The pool arrives and is lowered into place. The homeowner and designer walk Kevin through design choices.
#24 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Pizza Time
Season 42 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/24/2021
Inside, the work is busy with flooring and finish carpentry. Along with designer Kristen, the homeowner shows Kevin her plan for the master bathroom. Outside, a custom pizza oven and fireplace arrives by truck and is installed in sections.
#25 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Narragansett Windows
Season 42 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/31/2021
Tom assists with elaborate interior window trim and custom storm windows. Richard checks out an updated electric meter and panels. Mark follows work on the limestone hardscape in the backyard. Kevin watches the assembly of a Victorian style shed.