This Old House

Kevin meets Detroit's mayor, Mike Duggan, to learn about the city's efforts to eliminate blight.

Richard snakes a camera down the main plumbing stack to rule out any major blockages to the street.

Richard snakes a camera down the main plumbing stack to rule out any major blockages to the street.

The homeowners have chosen ship lap, the hottest wall covering right now, for the third floor.

Richard snakes a camera down the main plumbing stack to rule out any major blockages to the street.

Tommy works with the family to remove peeling paint.

Tommy works with the family to remove peeling paint.

The kitchen island countertop is installed and the crew starts on a fieldstone wall in the front yard.

Tommy works with the family to remove peeling paint.

Roof shingles are installed on a challenging roof line.

Roof shingles are installed on a challenging roof line.

As construction nears an end, the yard gets planted.

As construction nears an end, the yard gets planted.

As construction nears an end, the yard gets planted.

Tommy uses a modern solution for some traditional decorative molding.

Tommy uses a modern solution for some traditional decorative molding.

As construction nears an end, the yard gets planted.

Tommy uses a modern solution for some traditional decorative molding.

Rough wiring is installed in the kitchen. A new HVAC system goes in.

Rough wiring is installed in the kitchen. A new HVAC system goes in.

Tour the completed project house, including the new addition at the back of the house, updated front hall, dining room and pantry, expanded master suite, spacious new bathroom and new front porch, and outside, new plantings and hardscape.

Rough wiring is installed in the kitchen. A new HVAC system goes in.

Tommy uses a clever fix for some damaged oak flooring.

Tommy uses a clever fix for some damaged oak flooring.

A new series begins in Detroit, Michigan, where terms like "bankrupt" and "deserted" are out and "revitalization" is in.

Tommy uses a clever fix for some damaged oak flooring.

The restored leaded glass bay windows are installed and modern wood-grain tile goes down in the kitchen.

The restored leaded glass bay windows are installed and modern wood-grain tile goes down in the kitchen.

Kevin meets Detroit's mayor, Mike Duggan, to learn about the city's efforts to eliminate blight.

The restored leaded glass bay windows are installed and modern wood-grain tile goes down in the kitchen.

As construction nears an end, the yard gets planted.

As construction nears an end, the yard gets planted.

With the new two-story addition built and an efficient floor plan on the interior, it's time to call it a wrap on the project; but first, the homeowners and the crew take part in a little town fun at the annual bed race.

With the new two-story addition built and an efficient floor plan on the interior, it's time to call it a wrap on the project; but first, the homeowners and the crew take part in a little town fun at the annual bed race.

With the new two-story addition built and an efficient floor plan on the interior, it's time to call it a wrap on the project; but first, the homeowners and the crew take part in a little town fun at the annual bed race.

Frank, Tamiko, their kids and Kevin start interior painting.

Frank, Tamiko, their kids and Kevin start interior painting.

With the new two-story addition built and an efficient floor plan on the interior, it's time to call it a wrap on the project; but first, the homeowners and the crew take part in a little town fun at the annual bed race.

Frank, Tamiko, their kids and Kevin start interior painting.

After seven months of hard work, the project is complete.

After seven months of hard work, the project is complete.

Richard snakes a camera down the main plumbing stack to rule out any major blockages to the street.

After seven months of hard work, the project is complete.

Tom and Kevin cross the bridge from Newport, Rhode Island to Jamestown, where they tour the next project -- a 1920s bungalow which will become a larger net zero house.

Tom and Kevin cross the bridge from Newport, Rhode Island to Jamestown, where they tour the next project -- a 1920s bungalow which will become a larger net zero house.

Tommy works with the family to remove peeling paint.

Tom and Kevin cross the bridge from Newport, Rhode Island to Jamestown, where they tour the next project -- a 1920s bungalow which will become a larger net zero house.

Shingles with asbestos are removed. Kevin visits a manufacturer in Pennsylvania that makes precast concrete walls.

Shingles with asbestos are removed. Kevin visits a manufacturer in Pennsylvania that makes precast concrete walls.

Tommy uses a modern solution for some traditional decorative molding.

Shingles with asbestos are removed. Kevin visits a manufacturer in Pennsylvania that makes precast concrete walls.

With the new two-story addition built and an efficient floor plan on the interior, it's time to call it a wrap on the project; but first, the homeowners and the crew take part in a little town fun at the annual bed race.

With the new two-story addition built and an efficient floor plan on the interior, it's time to call it a wrap on the project; but first, the homeowners and the crew take part in a little town fun at the annual bed race.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

Jeff shows Kevin how he's framing the net zero house.

Jeff shows Kevin how he's framing the net zero house.

The crew starts one of their oldest projects yet, a first period home in the town of Ipswich, MA.

Jeff shows Kevin how he's framing the net zero house.

New apprentices join the team in Rhode Island as the roof goes up.

New apprentices join the team in Rhode Island as the roof goes up.

Rough wiring is installed in the kitchen. A new HVAC system goes in.

New apprentices join the team in Rhode Island as the roof goes up.

Insulation is crucial to a net zero house. Kevin finds Jeff and the apprentices starting the work.

Insulation is crucial to a net zero house. Kevin finds Jeff and the apprentices starting the work.

Tommy uses a clever fix for some damaged oak flooring.

Insulation is crucial to a net zero house. Kevin finds Jeff and the apprentices starting the work.

Roof insulation is next step at the net zero house.

Roof insulation is next step at the net zero house.

The restored leaded glass bay windows are installed and modern wood-grain tile goes down in the kitchen.

Roof insulation is next step at the net zero house.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

Before demo begins, the main power is disconnected.

The electrician installs a load center. Tom and apprentices put up cedar roof shingles.

The electrician installs a load center. Tom and apprentices put up cedar roof shingles.

The electrician installs a load center. Tom and apprentices put up cedar roof shingles.

Richard watches as the home is sealed against air leaks.

Richard watches as the home is sealed against air leaks.

Frank, Tamiko, their kids and Kevin start interior painting.

Richard watches as the home is sealed against air leaks.

After seven months of hard work, the project is complete.

Tom and Kevin cross the bridge from Newport, Rhode Island to Jamestown, where they tour the next project -- a 1920s bungalow which will become a larger net zero house.

Roof shingles are installed on a challenging roof line.

Shingles with asbestos are removed. Kevin visits a manufacturer in Pennsylvania that makes precast concrete walls.

Jeff shows Kevin how he's framing the net zero house.

New apprentices join the team in Rhode Island as the roof goes up.

As construction nears an end, the yard gets planted.

Insulation is crucial to a net zero house. Kevin finds Jeff and the apprentices starting the work.

Roof insulation is next step at the net zero house.