This Old House: Trade School

Season 1

Home improvement experts and professionals provide viewers with a master class in building methods and disciplines as they renovate and restore America's homes from top to bottom.

Where to Watch Season 1

21 Episodes

  • Colonial Revival
    E1
    Colonial RevivalWork begins on a 300-year-old farmstead that is rich in Colonial history. The homeowners plan to preserve the historic part of the house, while adding space and modern amenities with two small additions.
  • Getting the Lead Out
    E2
    Getting the Lead OutPlants are temporarily transplanted; 3-D printed architectural models; the front entry porch and accessibility ramp are removed; lead paint is removed; excavation begins for the new addition; drain and sump pump systems are set up.
  • A New Foundation
    E3
    A New FoundationNorm Abram continues work on removing the old clapboards; a hole in the old fieldstone foundation is opened up; Tom's plans to patch a rotted sill; the oldest existing flag in the country; a new foundation is formed out of ICFs; concrete arrives.
  • Just Another Brick in the Wall
    E4
    Just Another Brick in the Wall
  • Vines Come Down, Walls Go Up
    E5
    Vines Come Down, Walls Go UpInvasive vines encroaching on the backyard are removed; the gable wall for the new family room is assembled and raised; repair of a historic window; a ceiling is demolished to provide more height.
  • Windows of Opportunity
    E6
    Windows of OpportunityA compromised structural beam must be fixed; Norm visits the window restoration specialist to see progress on the historic window sash; windows get insulated and improved mechanically; removing the wall separating the kitchen and new family room.
  • Raised Vegetable Beds
    E7
    Raised Vegetable BedsTopping off wall insulation; taking a trip to see raised-bed gardens at Elm Bank Reservation; constructing a raised-bed garden; waterproofing the roof.
  • The Electric Slide
    E8
    The Electric SlideTom Silva finishes up the last of the structural work; the restored historic window sash is reinstalled; the electrical service is upgraded to function as a workshop; removal of the more modern floor reveals historic boards underneath.
  • New Siding and a New Driveway
    E9
    New Siding and a New DrivewayTom Silva installs new red cedar clapboards on the oldest part of the house; a new horseshoe-shaped driveway is installed; a plumbing problem is fixed using a wet vent.
  • Making a Grand Entrance
    E10
    Making a Grand EntranceNorm Abram and Tom Silva create a more historically accurate front door surround; Kevin meets contractor Monica MacKenzie at an antique home she renovated; interior designers Dee Elms and Andrew Terrat share their design direction for the new space.
  • Step Into a Well Sealed House
    E11
    Step Into a Well Sealed HouseInstallation of a reclaimed granite front step and new wood windows; Norm visits the Col. James Barrett house; old ductwork is sealed and insulated.
  • Fasten Those Timber
    E12
    Fasten Those Timber
  • Follow the Winding Brick Path
    E13
    Follow the Winding Brick PathRoger Cook creates a winding brick path; kitchen designer Kathy Marshal shares the challenges of fitting a modern kitchen into an old house; Norm makes wainscoting out of old sheathing boards; white oak floor boards go down.
  • Time for a Clambake
    E19
    Time for a ClambakeAndy Tiplady shows Norm Abram how he's installing windows using a custom copper pan for flashing; Kevin visits the Hurricane Research Lab at the University of Florida to see their current research; a clambake at the beach.
  • Solar Powered
    E20
    Solar PoweredAndy Tiplady explains why he's using red cedar shingles; solar panels are used for electricity; Norm gets a behind-the-scenes look at The Elms, a famous mansion in Newport, RI.
  • Landscape by the Sea
    E21
    Landscape by the SeaCreating a sustainable coastal landscape using native plants in freshly harvested local sod; a lighthouse that doubles as an off-the-grid bed-and-breakfast for sustainability enthusiasts; solar hot water system.
  • Decorating Outside
    E22
    Decorating OutsideThe Brazilian hardwood garapa is used for the new deck; cedar shingles are cut into away pattern; a new paint that doesn't use black; hardwood floor installation; why polyurethane is better than PVC for exterior decorative brackets.
  • It's All About Cherry Wood
    E23
    It's All About Cherry WoodNorm visits a custom cabinet shop that is making cherry veneers for the kitchen; refrigerator installation; the new soaking tub is set in a bed of fresh plaster.
  • Awnings, Countertop and Air Conditioning
    E24
    Awnings, Countertop and Air ConditioningA retractable awning is installed; the new soapstone countertops are sealed with wax for a more durable finish; Andy dresses up the half-walls with oak caps and a scotia molding; a New England blacksmith makes the light fixtures.
  • The Views Inside and Out
    E25
    The Views Inside and OutLight green grout and glass tiles add color to a backsplash; installing a cable railing system; adding a gas stove to the living room; creating distinct spaces with layers of light.
  • Farewell to Barrington
    E26
    Farewell to BarringtonThe project winds down in Barrington, Ri; an advanced programmable thermostat; interior designer Lisa Newman Paratore shares the final decor choices.

 

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