The WORST episodes of This Old House

#1 - Ridgewood: Walled in Science

Season 46 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/23/2025

Kevin O'Connor meets Zack Dettmore upstairs in the new primary bedroom where Zack is working to create a vent that will blend into the wall to keep the modern look. Meanwhile, Jenn Nawada and homeowner Peter tour the James Rose Center with director Dean Cardasis. Later, building science expert Christine Williamson gives Kevin a lesson on fighting water vapor and keeping walls dry year-round.

#2 - Nashville: Southern Hospitality

Season 46 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/14/2024

It's moving day in Nashville, as the renovation of the 1920s brick cottage wraps up. Homeowner Adam gives Kevin O'Connor a tour of the first floor. Meanwhile, homeowner Rachel gives Tom Silva a tour upstairs. Richard Trethewey is in the basement looking at arguably the biggest upgrade of this build.. Jenn Nawada and Rachel plant a new tree with landscape designer Max Finkbeiner.

#3 - Nashville: Grounded

Season 46 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2024

The episode opens with the house still in the backyard. While planning the prefabricated foundation walls to be set, an issue comes to light. Structural engineer, Michael Vines is onsite to solve the problem. Kevin O'Connor and Tom Silva try Nashville's famous hot chicken to celebrate. Later, house mover expert Don Toothman safely moves the house back over the new foundation.

#4 - Glen Ridge: Tested and Approved

Season 45 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/16/2024

The house has been restored to its original Victorian look, and it has been made airtight. The results of a blower door test is revealed. A baseboard installation becomes a focal point at the house's entrance. The borough's shade tree commission chair speaks on the decline of older trees. A prefabricated shower niche aids in a perfect tile layout, and a prefabricated window casing is installed.

#5 - Glen Ridge: Vintage

Season 45 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/4/2024

Work begins on the 1887 Victorian to make it suitable for multigenerational living. Demolition is underway on the third floor, where a bottle of 1887 Bordeaux was found during the process. The builder talks about his start in construction, and the architect shares his plan for restoring the home. The mayor gives a history lesson on the borough. The old asbestos siding is removed.

#6 - Lexington: Reworked and Rewired

Season 45 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/2/2023

The project house is progressing with an eye toward accessibility and the mid-century modern aesthetic. Geothermal pipes are run from the wells into the house. Wood blocking is installed for the future mounting of assistive devices. The new floor system allows for running new electrical wires without being visible. Old receptacle boxes in the original brick walls are replaced without damage.

#7 - The New Orleans House - 5

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

#8 - The New Orleans House - 4

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

#9 - 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.

#10 - 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.

#11 - 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.

#12 - 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.

#13 - The Reading Ranch - 7

Season 7 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/16/1986

We go on an encore field trip to Ryland Homes, Maryland-based manufacturers of prefabricated houses renowned for low cost and energy efficiency. Back at the construction site, our host and our master carpenter work with Frank to build the deck on his new second-story addition.

#14 - The Newton Cottage - 7

Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/21/1985

Tile is installed in the new addition. On an excursion to Seattle, Washington, our host looks at a renovated hotel and visits elegant houseboats.

#15 - Brookline Mid-Century Modern House: Finally Finishes

Season 40 - Episode 25 - Aired 6/22/2019

Installing closet systems, modern baseboards and a linear wall drain in the master shower; selecting door hardware; installing floating bathroom vanities.

#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: 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.

#18 - 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.

#19 - Lexington: Engineered For Accessibility

Season 45 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/19/2023

Great progress is being made on the project house. The primary addition is being framed and the rooms are starting to take shape. A sound deadening wall is built. A lally column is removed and a larger ridge beam is installed to create an open kitchen and dining area. The homeowners choose hardscape finishes based on 3D renderings. An accessible designed bathroom is toured.

#20 - The Newton Cottage - 2

Season 7 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/17/1985

Final plans for the addition are reviewed with the architects. Then we make an encore visit to the United Wrecking Company to see what gems can be culled from the Connecticut salvage yard.

#21 - The Jamaica Plain House - 18

Season 12 - Episode 18 - Aired 12/29/1990

The final day. Boston's Mayor Ray Flynn drops by to welcome Hazel to the city and gives her a wreath. Designer Joe Ruggiero shows us the three different treatments he gave each floor of the triple-decker, and we see how the stenciling and checkerboarding in the foyer were done. Out at the workshop, the guys build a folding screen for the first-floor dining room.

#22 - The Lexington Bed and Breakfast - 18

Season 10 - Episode 18 - Aired 12/29/1988

The crew installs a metal railing on the granite patio using hydrolic cement. We then visit a single-family home development in Aurora, Illinois, featuring houses so energy-efficient the builder guarantees that annual heating bills will not exceed $200.

#23 - The Santa Barbara Bungalow - 4

Season 9 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/10/1988

Work on the California bungalow continues with the homeowners pitching in. The crew starts shingling the new roof, and our master carpenter starts to assemble the pergola. Electrician Rudy Escalera stops by and landscape architect Grant Castleberg shows his rough design plans. Later, our host takes a tour of the Hearst Castle in San Simeon.

#24 - The Westwood House - 20

Season 9 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/11/1988

Our host leads us on a tour of the finished and decorated Weatherbee Farm with interior designer Jean LeMon. Upstairs, designer Joe Ruggiero shows us simple decorated techniques used in the master bedroom and bath.

#25 - The Phoenix House - 3

Season 8 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/19/1987

Tom and Ellen's Phoenix home receives exterior insulation and flashing, as well as a typical Southwestern viga and latilla ceiling in the master bedroom for added protection from the heat. The balcony piers and staircase are finished with adobe plastering, and viewers learn how to install flagstone paving. Our host pays a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Talesin West.