The WORST episodes of This Old House

#1 - Jamestown: The Net Zero Bungalow

Season 40 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/6/2018

This Old House is headed to a century-old New England cottage in Jamestown, Rhode Island, to restore the home's charm while also making it energy efficient. Homeowners Dana and Donald have a net-zero energy goal for the new home for their family of four, with state-of-the-art energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity at top of mind. For the first half of our 40th season, Sweenor Builders will be renovating the current structure as well as creating an addition that will double the size of the home. The biggest challenge? Making the two halves behave as a single, uniformly efficient and healthy whole.

#2 - Lexington: Shore We Can

Season 45 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/5/2023

Construction begins on the 1960 mid-century modern home in Lexington, MA project. The interior is fully demolished, and work begins on the foundation to address the depth. The architect gives an overview of the new design plan which prioritizes accessibility. An accessibility solutions showroom is toured. A new energy code affects the construction.

#3 - Ipswich: Factory Built

Season 44 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/18/2023

Kevin gives a full progress tour. Rainwater management is discussed, and a harvesting system is installed. A handmade lighting factory is toured. The new boathouse, built in a factory, is assembled on site. Plants are heeled in for the winter.

#4 - Ipswich: Exposing Problems

Season 44 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/4/2023

A warm roof is installed to keep the cold out. New framing poses plumbing challenges. Rot is discovered on the original sill. Options are explored to light the new ell considering the old, exposed lumber. A roof valley is made moisture proof.

#5 - Ipswich: Below Grade Plumbing

Season 44 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/20/2023

The old fireplace firebox is demolished leaving the chimney for the new fireplace. The dismantled timber frame pieces are restored offsite. Plumbing is run for a below grade bathroom. A steel beam is prepared for installation. Kevin goes clamming.

#6 - Ipswich: Careful Considerations

Season 44 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/13/2023

The timber frame structure in the ell is carefully dismantled. A new fireplace for the original gambrel is considered. Landscape and hardscape ideas are explored. A family run lumber mill is toured. The homeowner decides on a roof shingle style.

#7 - Ipswich: Prep-Work

Season 44 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/6/2023

Preparation for the new foundation begins. A centuries old cistern is uncovered. The original timber frame structure is assessed, and the original floorboards and roof sheathing are salvaged for later use. The sill is inspected for water damage.

#8 - Ipswich: Secrets Behind the Wall

Season 44 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/30/2023

The architect shares his vision for the property, but before plans can be completed, a bit of exploratory demo must take place. A lesson on first period homes is given. The team hopes to uncover the original timber frame during demo.

#9 - Concord: Crafty Finishes

Season 43 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/20/2022

The primary bathroom gets a plaster treatment, AND Windowsills are replicated in Dracut, MA. A kitchen garden, recessed lighting, and floating countertop are installed. Then, new wood floors change directions.

#10 - The Westerly Ranch House: Return to Paradise

Season 41 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/2019

Kevin O'Connor reviews the progress of the Westerly house. Tom Silva and Jeff Sweenor work on the main staircase at Jeff’s shop and then they bring it to the house to install. At the Idea House, Kevin looks at new clapboard siding technology. Richard Trethewey tours a factory to see how a furnace is built and then watches one being installed at the project house.

#11 - Westford: Abating the Old, Seeding the New

Season 46 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/17/2025

Kevin O'Connor meets environmental abatement specialist Ron Peik, overseeing lead paint removal from the staircase. In the basement, waterproofing specialist Hugo Provetti discusses sealing the foundation from the inside. Later, Kevin and Jenn Nawada head to an apple orchard where Jenn gets a gift for the homeowners. Tom Silva, Charlie Silva_and Kevin install the new roof hatch.

#12 - Detroit | Plumbing Road Trip

Season 38 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/29/2017

At the Russell Woods project, Tommy repairs crumbling decorative molding with a plastic replica created by a 3D printer. Frank and Tamiko head to Kohler, Wisconsin to look at plumbing fixtures, while Richard gets a tour of the nearby factory. Back at the house, Richard and Frank repair some compromised joists in the upstairs bathroom. Tommy teaches Frank and his friends how to install kitchen ceiling strapping, and then Kevin heads to the project in Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood to see the efforts to repair the foundation.

#13 - North Shore Farmhouse: What's New Is Old Again

Season 37 - Episode 26 - Aired 5/28/2016

As work winds down and winter winds up, Kevin and Roger assess the exterior transformation. Erik Kaminski and Kevin build a custom closet from off-the-shelf piping. Norm and Tommy walk through the mudroom and living room to see Kristina's designs. Richard shows Kevin the brand-new geothermal heating and cooling system. April and Kristina give Kevin a tour of the second floor. Downstairs, Norm and Tommy chat with Erik and Mike Connor about the building process. The entire team meets in the kitchen to celebrate another job well done.

#14 - North Shore Farmhouse: This Old New House

Season 37 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/26/2016

On the North Shore of Massachusetts, homeowners Bill and April Harb begin building their dream home on a plot of raw land. The traditional farmhouse will look like it's been there for 200 years, but the building methods are at the forefront of innovation. Bill shows Kevin and Roger the site plan and walks them around the property, pointing out the first steps in the process. Norm and Tommy tour other factory homes built 5 years ago and 105 years ago, learning about the methods used for assembly. Back at the site, Kevin meets general contractor Erik Kaminski, who is leading the tree-removal process. Richard meets town official Brendhan Zubricki, who's performing a perc test to assess the soil.

#15 - The New Orleans House - 5

Season 12 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/1/1991

#16 - The New Orleans House - 4

Season 12 - Episode 22 - Aired 2/22/1991

#17 - The Westwood House - 12

Season 9 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/17/1987

Our host and master painter Sam Perry discuss the progress of Weratherbee Farm's exterior paint work. The new addition is blueboarded, and plaster Calvin Mills demonstrates his art. Security systems specialist Edmund F. Baker shows us the hard-wired security system recommended for the house. Our master carpenter instructs homeowner Bill in replacing window sash cords.

#18 - The Melrose House - 4

Season 7 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/27/1986

The nearly-completed attic renovation is ready to be insulated. Our host sets off for the Lexington Hotel in Chicago, once headquarters for Al Capone and now being renovated by Sunbow, a foundation that trains women in carpentry and other construction skills.

#19 - The Newton Cottage - 5

Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/7/1985

Construction continues with the installation of the staircase. Homeowners insulate the structure and our master carpenter discusses and demonstrates the framing and installation of windows. Our host takes a side trip to Diamond Head, Hawaii, to tour the construction.

#20 - Glen Ridge: Next Generation Victorian

Season 45 - Episode 26 - Aired 5/30/2024

Eleven months ago, construction started on an 1887 Victorian in Glen Ridge, NJ to restore its original charm and transform it into a home suitable for multigenerational living. The renovation is now complete, and the crew is back for a tour. The homeowner presents a new bottle of wine signifying the new character of the home, like the bottle of 1887 Bordeaux found in the walls during demolition.

#21 - Lexington: Gone Geo

Season 45 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/26/2023

A tour of the progress and upcoming changes are shared, including the new wall of glass with a zero-threshold sliding glass door to the back patio. Framing begins for the new slider. The geothermal heating and cooling system is explained, and back at the house, the wells are dug. At the front of the house, steel columns and a beam which will be the entrance's new focal point are being installed.

#22 - Westford: Updates Under a New Roof

Season 46 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/3/2025

Charlie and Tom Silva work in the attic, installing a hip beam and roof rafters to match the original roof. Downstairs, building scientist Joe Lstiburek discusses with Kevin O'Connor how insulating exterior walls can damage siding if energy flow isn't considered. Later, Mark McCullough brings in a stone cutter to cut through the original foundation, creating a garage door opening in the basement.

#23 - Ridgewood: Colonial Revival with Modern Flair

Season 46 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/20/2025

It's moving day in Ridgewood, as the renovation wraps up. Peter gives Kevin O'Connor a tour of the first floor while Kay gives Tom Silva a tour of the upstairs. In the basement Kay finds Richard Trethewey and Peter where Richard explains the new upgrades. Later, the homeowners and Jenn Nawada enjoy the new patio and water feature. Everyone joins them outside to thank Zack Dettmore and his crew.

#24 - Ridgewood: All Quiet on the Kitchen Front

Season 46 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/30/2025

Kevin O'Connor meets Zack Dettmore outside where he explains the choice of using a composite wood siding to distinguish the addition from the original portion of the house and to keep the material low maintenance. In the kitchen, Sound engineer Mike DiSalvo explains the components of sound proofing a room to Kevin. Meanwhile, Zack visits a factory to learn how wood fiber insulation is made.

#25 - Ridgewood: Colonial Revival Revived

Season 46 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/16/2025

Kevin O'Connor joins architectural historian Maggie O'Neill to explore colonial revivals. Later, he and Zack Dettmore work on framing the upstairs addition. In the attic, Richard Trethewey explains that one mini-duct high velocity system is enough. In the basement, he and Lev Minsky install tubing on the main trunk line. Zack installs special hardware in the kitchen to prevent wall wracking.