This Old House Hour — Season 7
## Season Overview: Four Houses, Four Stories This season unfolds within four distinct homes – the charming Newton Cottage, the sprawling Reading Ranch, the elegant Melrose House, and the sun-drenched Tampa House – each serving as the backdrop for a captivating family saga. We’ll delve into the lives of individuals wrestling with complex relationships, hidden histories, and the enduring search for belonging. At the Newton Cottage, secrets simmer beneath a veneer of idyllic tranquility. The Reading Ranch holds generations of tradition, yet faces an uncertain future as old rivalries resurface. Within the walls of Melrose House, ambition clashes with legacy, threatening to unravel carefully constructed facades. And finally, at the Tampa House, a fresh start is complicated by echoes of the past. Prepare for emotional journeys, unexpected alliances, and the quiet dramas that shape families – all explored through the lens of these four unique homes and the people who call them their own.
The host consults with homeowners Linda and Bill to map out their initial undertaking: a two-story addition to their 1860s Victorian home in Newton, Massachusetts. The new, detached structure will be linked to the existing building by a sky…
The final plans for the addition were reviewed with the architects. Afterward, we made another visit to the United Wrecking Company, hoping to unearth worthwhile items from their Connecticut salvage yard.
The ground is prepared for the new addition with a foundation hole, and then a concrete slab is poured. Our master carpenter then illustrates the essential carpentry techniques required for the framing.
As the process of roof installation unfolds, the homeowners of the Victorian house begin to learn the skill of shingling. Simultaneously, the master carpenter attends to the finishing details, carefully trimming the windows of the addition.
Work progresses with the installation of the staircase. The homeowners are now insulating the structure, while our master carpenter explains and demonstrates the intricacies of window framing and placement. Our host also makes a journey to …
With the garage door now in place, progress continues on the new bathroom's essential systems. Rough plumbing and gas fitting are underway, alongside an introduction to the intricacies of electrical wiring for the homeowners themselves.
The new addition features tilework. During a trip to Seattle, Washington, our host surveyed a refurbished hotel and explored luxurious houseboats.
Within the newly added space, electricians complete the final wiring, and carpet is laid. Meanwhile, outside, the homeowners meticulously nail shingles and apply stain. The project's conclusion is marked by a review of the budget, with a di…
The second undertaking of the season commences: expanding a ranch house by effectively adding a second story through roof elevation. The homeowner discusses their requirements with the design team, reviewing renovation plans in detail. A ba…
Work on the house commenced with the removal of the old roof and the opening of the structure to the elements. Carpenters swiftly erected the framing for the new second floor, enclosing it to shield the building from the weather.
The new roof on the ranch house is finished, and now the task of shingling begins. Our host and the crew journey to Hancock Lumber in Casco, Maine, to observe the transformation of timber into precisely cut dimensional lumber.
The new addition to the ranch house now features windows, and our master carpenter is engaged in a discussion with a seasoned contractor regarding the merits and drawbacks of different siding materials. A special field trip is planned to th…
The ranch house now boasts a newly finished second floor, with rough electrical wiring and plumbing taking shape. A whirlpool tub has been installed in the master bathroom. Our host then guides us on a return visit to Acorn Homes, a company…
The addition to the ranch house receives a facade of vinyl siding, assessed by a specialist in the trade. Simultaneously, the interior of the new space is being insulated, and rough electrical wiring is in place. Our master carpenter is cur…
A second visit to Ryland Homes, the Maryland company celebrated for its affordable, energy-efficient prefabricated houses, brought us back to the construction site. There, our host and the master carpenter worked alongside Frank, constructi…
The master bathroom in the new addition receives its tilework, and fresh fixtures are put in place. As the project nears its end, our master carpenter constructs a staircase leading to the new second floor.
The meticulous pineapple motif, a hallmark of colonial residences, was evident in Frank's work. Frank and Mary Jane offered their host a tour of the recently completed addition, showcasing its fresh paint, new wallpaper, and carpeting. Afte…
The season’s third project begins with homeowners Tug and Beth as they embark on remodeling their attic, guided by our host. Tug and the host visit a nearby attic apartment, where our master carpenter elucidates the complexities of alterin…
The master carpenter readies Tug's attic for the work ahead. Meanwhile, our host guides viewers on a visit to Cornerstones, a place where people – both current and aspiring – discover the skills of home construction.
Construction continues on Tug's attic, with the roof now shingled and skylights and windows in place. The host receives a private tour of New York's Trump Tower, a showcase of opulence and refined taste.
With the attic renovation nearing completion, the time has come for insulation. Our host departs for the Lexington Hotel in Chicago, a building that once served as a stronghold for Al Capone and is now undergoing restoration by Sunbow, an o…
The attic addition to Tug and Beth's house now features finished carpeting and completed detailing. Our host paid a visit to survey the newly furnished living space and to review the project's budget with the homeowners.
The familiar comfort of *This Old House* extends its reach with the commencement of a renovation in a Tampa, Florida home. The episode offers viewers a glimpse into the city's character, alongside an introduction to the homeowners, Paul and…
Paul and Amelia’s bungalow receives new windows designed to insulate against heat. Meanwhile, the house undergoes a thorough inspection for termites. A network of rigid ductwork is installed to support the installation of a new central air-…
A native of Miami, our host returns to his hometown to appreciate the acclaimed and innovative designs of Laurinda Spear and Bernardo Fort-Brescia at Arquitectonica. In Tampa, he and Bob Diaz observe the progress on Paul and Amelia's house,…
Paul and Amelia’s house is finished, now enhanced by landscaping and a generous redwood deck. The sunroom, dubbed a “Florida room,” features carpeting, and the screened porch extending from the dining area is complete. Our host reviews the …
