This Old House

For the new season, host Kevin O'Connor and master carpenter Norm Abram reveal that This Old House will be building a new, prefab, eco-friendly home that will feel like an old barn.

Host Kevin O'Connor finds contractor Tom Silva finishing demolition on the house.  In New Hampshire, Kevin meets architect Chris and homeowner Amy to take a virtual tour of the house before construction begins.

General contractor Tom Silva begins building the new house.  In New Hampshire, builder Tedd Benson shows Kevin the work in the timberframe office.  Landscape architect Wes presents a plan for the yard.

General contractor Tom Silva meets up with builder Tedd Benson to see about wall systems while master electrician Allen Gallant works to pre-wire the building with a new wiring system.

Despite continued rain, the crew completes the basement level, and Amy gives host Kevin a tour of that floor.  In New Hampshire, floor panels and insulation are made in a controlled environment.

The second week of the house raising.  Homeowner Pete Favat shows Kevin the new kitchen space, while master carpenter Norm Abram travels to New Hampshire to see the custom kitchen being finished.

Two weeks into the new house raising, master carpenter Norm Abram meets architect Chris Adams for a tour.  At the end of the day, the homeowners join the builders for a dedication ceremony.

Three weeks into the house raising, and the Bensonwood crew is placing the last of the roof panels.  Tom Silva shows Kevin O'Connor how the windows are flashed and installed in the workshop.

Host Kevin O'Connor arrives in Weston and finds masons just in from Wisconsin to help.  Tom Silva shows homeowner Amy the new synthetic slate roofing.

With the rough plumbing and electrical nearly complete and the cabinets in, Kevin O'Connor takes a look at the water system while Tom Silva lends a hand to finish the exterior wall panels.

Host Kevin O'Connor finds solar energy specialist Jeff Wolfe installing solar panels.  General contractor Tom Silva shows Kevin some of the special details being put into the house.

Landscape contractor Roger Cook installs granite steps and general contractor Tom Silva installs the flooring on the first floor.  Host Kevin O'Connor takes homeowner Amy to test drive new appliances.

The Favats take Kevin O'Connor to see a local farm.  Tom Silva puts down composite decking.  Commissioner Brian Donahue explains how the town is working towards sustainably harvesting trees.

Woodworker Kevin Bittenbender shows host Kevin O'Connor how they build window trim kits in the Bensonwood shop and general contractor Tom Silva shows Norm the new industrial steel staircase.

In Weston, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows Kevin O'Connor the house's new cooling system.  General contractor Tom Silva installs a handcrafted copper owl weathervane.

The project draws to a close and everyone puts their own prospective finishing touches on the house.  Builder Tedd Benson joins the crew to celebrate a job well done both in the shop and on site.

Kevin O'Connor and Norm Abram take This Old House on the road to New York City to restore a 1904 Brooklyn brownstone.  The owners will convert it into home while preserving and restoring period detail.

Kevin visits Prospect Park.  Norm checks framing and hears thoughts on kitchen layout.  Richard considers updating and/or upgrading the old steam heating system.  Roger visits a garden center.

Kevin and Richard visit NY Harbor.  Norm explores how to restore the house's wood finishes.  Designer Carole Freehauf shows period-appropriate tile combinations.  Richard gets an update on plumbing.

Kevin inspects the new exterior paint job.  White oak flooring with decorative cherry accents is laid down.  Plaster crown moldings are replicated.  A new retaining wall and brick patio is going down.

Norm checks progress in the owner's unit.  Richard shows the showerhead combination.  Carole shows Kevin paint color schemes.  Norm sees progress on the kitchen's woodworking.  A new fence is installed.

Kevin finds vintage spiral stairs and the new plaster medallion being installed.  Kevin lays down click-together linoleum floor tiles while ductwork over cabinetry is concealed.

Norm learns a faux painting technique to disguise old woodwork.  Finished countertops arrive for the kitchen and are installed.  A mud bed for garden tile and a mosaic bathroom floor are laid down.

Interior door trim in the new library.  Marble from Italy and manmade quartz is installed.  New electrical service is set up for the three-family house.  Unconventional method for grouting floor tile.

Restored white oak entry doors are reinstalled, connections to the appliances and sink are finished.  Norm sees the new temporary wall in the master bedroom.  Kevin gets a lesson in furniture shopping.

After final installations and a look at the whole transformation, the crew gathers on the front stoop to celebrate the completion of the project and to congratulate Michael Streaman on a job well done.