This Old House

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

The old fireplace firebox is demolished leaving the chimney for the new fireplace.

The newly restored timber frame structure is reassembled on site.

The newly restored timber frame structure is reassembled on site.

Preparation for the new foundation begins. A centuries old cistern is uncovered.

The newly restored timber frame structure is reassembled on site.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

While old fixtures are salvaged and asbestos is removed at the house, Norm, Richard and Kevin head back to where it all began 40 years ago, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

A warm roof is installed to keep the cold out. New framing poses plumbing challenges.

A warm roof is installed to keep the cold out. New framing poses plumbing challenges.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

A warm roof is installed to keep the cold out. New framing poses plumbing challenges.

The foundation of the house has no footings, so Mark McCullough pours a buttress.

Rotted sills are repaired before the new clapboards are installed.

Rotted sills are repaired before the new clapboards are installed.

The timber frame structure in the ell is carefully dismantled.

Rotted sills are repaired before the new clapboards are installed.

Kevin gives a full progress tour. Rainwater management is discussed, and a harvesting system is installed.

Kevin gives a full progress tour. Rainwater management is discussed, and a harvesting system is installed.

The old fireplace firebox is demolished leaving the chimney for the new fireplace.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Kevin gives a full progress tour. Rainwater management is discussed, and a harvesting system is installed.

A granite veneer water table is installed. The old roof boards are installed on the ceiling of the new ell.

A granite veneer water table is installed. The old roof boards are installed on the ceiling of the new ell.

The newly restored timber frame structure is reassembled on site.

A granite veneer water table is installed. The old roof boards are installed on the ceiling of the new ell.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Finishing touches are revealed. New wide plank floorboards mimic the look of the original flooring.

Finishing touches are revealed. New wide plank floorboards mimic the look of the original flooring.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Finishing touches are revealed. New wide plank floorboards mimic the look of the original flooring.

The modest 1720's gambrel has been restored. From the front, not much has changed; except for the color; but towards the rear, a new ell and barn element make for a dramatic transformation.

The modest 1720's gambrel has been restored. From the front, not much has changed; except for the color; but towards the rear, a new ell and barn element make for a dramatic transformation.

A warm roof is installed to keep the cold out. New framing poses plumbing challenges.

The modest 1720's gambrel has been restored. From the front, not much has changed; except for the color; but towards the rear, a new ell and barn element make for a dramatic transformation.

Tommy and Kevin cruise around Brookline in a '57 Chevy before rolling up to the latest project: a lackluster 1957 mid-century modern house in need of a total overhaul.

Tommy and Kevin cruise around Brookline in a '57 Chevy before rolling up to the latest project: a lackluster 1957 mid-century modern house in need of a total overhaul.

Rotted sills are repaired before the new clapboards are installed.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Tommy and Kevin cruise around Brookline in a '57 Chevy before rolling up to the latest project: a lackluster 1957 mid-century modern house in need of a total overhaul.

While old fixtures are salvaged and asbestos is removed at the house, Norm, Richard and Kevin head back to where it all began 40 years ago, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

While old fixtures are salvaged and asbestos is removed at the house, Norm, Richard and Kevin head back to where it all began 40 years ago, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Kevin gives a full progress tour. Rainwater management is discussed, and a harvesting system is installed.

While old fixtures are salvaged and asbestos is removed at the house, Norm, Richard and Kevin head back to where it all began 40 years ago, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Norm teaches the apprentices how to lay a sill on a new foundation, while Richard scopes the sewer to see what might be lurking inside.

Norm teaches the apprentices how to lay a sill on a new foundation, while Richard scopes the sewer to see what might be lurking inside.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Norm teaches the apprentices how to lay a sill on a new foundation, while Richard scopes the sewer to see what might be lurking inside.

The crew heads South to Atlanta, GA where work on an 1890s Victorian with rich history is about to begin.

The foundation of the house has no footings, so Mark McCullough pours a buttress.

The foundation of the house has no footings, so Mark McCullough pours a buttress.

A granite veneer water table is installed. The old roof boards are installed on the ceiling of the new ell.

The foundation of the house has no footings, so Mark McCullough pours a buttress.

Kevin meets electrician Heath Eastman to learn about in-counter outlets.

Kevin meets electrician Heath Eastman to learn about in-counter outlets.

Finishing touches are revealed. New wide plank floorboards mimic the look of the original flooring.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Kevin meets electrician Heath Eastman to learn about in-counter outlets.

Jenn and the homeowners select pavers for hardscape.

Jenn and the homeowners select pavers for hardscape.

The modest 1720's gambrel has been restored. From the front, not much has changed; except for the color; but towards the rear, a new ell and barn element make for a dramatic transformation.

Jenn and the homeowners select pavers for hardscape.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Tommy teaches Kevin how to calculate the risers for a set of stairs.

Tommy teaches Kevin how to calculate the risers for a set of stairs.

Tommy teaches Kevin how to calculate the risers for a set of stairs.

Tommy shows Kevin the careful process of installing rafters for a cantilevered roof.

Tommy shows Kevin the careful process of installing rafters for a cantilevered roof.

Tommy shows Kevin the careful process of installing rafters for a cantilevered roof.

Mark McCullough rebuilds a century-old Puddingstone wall.

Mark McCullough rebuilds a century-old Puddingstone wall.

Mark McCullough rebuilds a century-old Puddingstone wall.

Kevin travels to the Midwest to see the manufacturing of plate glass and windows.

Kevin travels to the Midwest to see the manufacturing of plate glass and windows.

Kevin travels to the Midwest to see the manufacturing of plate glass and windows.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Kevin and Tom remove and save the kitchen cabinets for reuse.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Mark Ferrante lays giant porcelain tile in the main living spaces of the house.

Mark Ferrante lays giant porcelain tile in the main living spaces of the house.

Mark Ferrante lays giant porcelain tile in the main living spaces of the house.

Finishing touches abound as the project wraps up: closet systems, modern baseboards and a linear wall drain in the master shower are all installed.

Finishing touches abound as the project wraps up: closet systems, modern baseboards and a linear wall drain in the master shower are all installed.

Finishing touches abound as the project wraps up: closet systems, modern baseboards and a linear wall drain in the master shower are all installed.

After months of hard work, the lackluster mid-century box is a modern marvel once again.

After months of hard work, the lackluster mid-century box is a modern marvel once again.

After months of hard work, the lackluster mid-century box is a modern marvel once again.

The crew heads South to Atlanta, GA where work on an 1890s Victorian with rich history is about to begin.

The crew heads South to Atlanta, GA where work on an 1890s Victorian with rich history is about to begin.

The crew heads South to Atlanta, GA where work on an 1890s Victorian with rich history is about to begin.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Kevin and Charlie work together to remove aluminum siding from the house.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

The Atlanta house is in disrepair, so layers are peeled back to uncover the extent of the damage.

The Atlanta house is in disrepair, so layers are peeled back to uncover the extent of the damage.

Richard meets with the HVAC subs who are here to re-duct the house to make the system more efficient.

The Atlanta house is in disrepair, so layers are peeled back to uncover the extent of the damage.

The Atlanta Beltline is toured. A stem wall foundation replaces the existing footings, and the crawl space gets a vapor barrier.

The Atlanta Beltline is toured. A stem wall foundation replaces the existing footings, and the crawl space gets a vapor barrier.

Tommy and Kevin cruise around Brookline in a '57 Chevy before rolling up to the latest project: a lackluster 1957 mid-century modern house in need of a total overhaul.

The Atlanta Beltline is toured. A stem wall foundation replaces the existing footings, and the crawl space gets a vapor barrier.

New framing replaces the once termite eaten studs.

New framing replaces the once termite eaten studs.

While old fixtures are salvaged and asbestos is removed at the house, Norm, Richard and Kevin head back to where it all began 40 years ago, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Charlie visits a made-to-order window trim factory in Springfield, MA.

New framing replaces the once termite eaten studs.

Progress is made on the interior and exterior of the house.

Progress is made on the interior and exterior of the house.

Norm teaches the apprentices how to lay a sill on a new foundation, while Richard scopes the sewer to see what might be lurking inside.