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.

Last Updated: 11/11/2024Network: PBSStatus: Continuing
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The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Outside Details
star
8.00
5 votes

#1 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Outside Details

Season 42 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/10/2021

Mark shows off a cobblestone apron at the driveway. The crew reinforces old floor joists. Tom helps hang a drop finial on the exterior and then he and Jeff install a swinging window. Kevin meets with paint experts to discuss choosing exterior colors.

Summer Special: Scandinavian Modern
star
8.00
4 votes

#2 - Summer Special: Scandinavian Modern

Season 42 - Episode 27 - Aired 7/11/2021

This Old House has followed the rebuilding of over 70 homes. But after 42 years only one of those was a Scandinavian Modern. This Cambridge, MA house started life as a dark, divided 1887 two-family home. We turned it into a bright, open Scandinavian-style one-family. In this summer special, we compress the efforts to restore this beauty into one episode. Follow the action as Tom Silva, Norm Abram, and Roger Cook, along with their teams, take this old house from rundown to remarkable.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Design Elements
star
8.00
3 votes

#3 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Upgrading Old School
star
7.80
5 votes

#4 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Tommy's in the Kitchen
star
7.71
7 votes

#5 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: New Light In Old Windows
star
7.67
6 votes

#6 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Chimney Straightener
star
7.67
3 votes

#7 - 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.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: Almost Home
star
7.67
6 votes

#8 - 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.

Summer Special: Generation Next
star
7.67
3 votes

#9 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Narragansett Windows
star
7.57
7 votes

#10 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Pizza Time
star
7.50
6 votes

#11 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Cold Weather Landscape
star
7.50
6 votes

#12 - The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Cold Weather Landscape

Season 42 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/7/2021

Trees and sod are transplanted out front with Jenn, while a custom deck hatch is installed out back to access the basement. Inside, Kevin and Jeff assemble a smart lock system and Tommy helps mount a unique range hood.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: Finish Work Begins
star
7.50
6 votes

#13 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: Finish Work Begins

Season 42 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/13/2021

Tom and Kevin reinstall upper cabinets that survived the fire. HVAC contractor James shows Richard the plan for hot water and heating. Kevin joins Carol and her sister to shop for appliances. Tile installation and window trim.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: Roof University
star
7.40
5 votes

#14 - 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.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: Our 3 Decker
star
7.40
5 votes

#15 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Project Interrupted
star
7.38
8 votes

#16 - 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

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: A Queen Anne Revival
star
7.33
6 votes

#17 - 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.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: Three of Everything
star
7.33
6 votes

#18 - 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.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: A Project for Every Floor
star
7.25
4 votes

#19 - 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.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: Return to Dorchester
star
7.00
8 votes

#20 - The Dorchester Triple Decker: Return to Dorchester

Season 42 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/4/2021

The Boston neighborhood of Dorchester has always been a special place to This Old House, as it's the home of the first project. This season, the show will follow the renovation of a triple decker that was burned from illegal fireworks.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: Urban Oasis
star
7.00
6 votes

#21 - 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.

Behind the Build: Designing Kitchens
star
6.83
12 votes

#22 - 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.

The Seaside Victorian Cottage: Back to Narragansett
star
6.80
5 votes

#23 - 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.

Behind the Build: Anatomy of a Kitchen
star
6.57
7 votes

#24 - 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.

The Dorchester Triple Decker: 3 Decker Heaven
star
6.57
7 votes

#25 - 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.