A Cellar in the Basement
The finished cellar. The archway, with wall framed in, waiting for its door. Cedar racks help wine age properly. Smack in the middle of the basement of the Milton house, the This Old House crew found an unused room filled with cobwebs and empty ... [... more]
This Old House |
Distinctive Doors
Closet remodeling typically focuses on adding shelving, a second clothes rod, storage drawers, shoe racks and other interior improvements. By taking it one step further — replacing existing closet doors — you can make the closet space more ... [... more]
This Old House |
Master Pieces
Too often, remodelers rampage through a house like an invading army, sledgehammering and crowbarring until only the shell remains. "It's easier to rip out the old stuff, trash it and bring in new materials that are straight and simple," says [... more]
This Old House |
Electrical
Use this detailed checklist as a guide as you look around for leaks, cracks, breaks, wear, and every other conceivable problem that can develop over the year. Then make a repair list to keep up on maintenance in the coming months. Check trees ... [... more]
This Old House |
All About Locks
Dead Bolts Keyed-Entry and Handle Sets Privacy Locksets Passage Sets Are you still relying on the lock that was on the front door when you moved into your house? The lock seems like an old, dear friend, but it may not be. Nearly 3 million U.S. ... [... more]
This Old House |
Here's How to Pick a Front Door
MANY FIBERGLASS-composite doors not only resemble real wood but also have wood components. This Arcadia door from Therma-Tru has kiln-dried oak edges and lumber reinforcement for the lockset. MOST CUSTOM DOORS are really modifications of a ... [... more]
This Old House |
Carved Door Casings
Elaborate casings like these were typically reserved for public rooms, where homeowners entertained. Private areas, such as second-floor bedrooms, had simpler trim. Carved Door Casings At the risk of sounding like a total old-house nerd, I must ... [... more]
This Old House |
Opening Act
SLIP the blade of the reciprocating saw between the side jamb of the window and trimmer stud to slice through any nails. MARK THE rough opening of the door on the house and cut out the wall section below the old window opening. YANK THE CUT wall ... [... more]
This Old House |
French Doors With Vintage Flair
If you plan to refinish a pair of old, paint-encrusted French doors, be sure to take precautions to avoid inhaling lead. Sanding can release toxic dust into the air. A door's primary function is to close one space off from another. But when the ... [... more]
This Old House |
Replacing a Threshhold
At the current This Old House TV project, now airing on PBS, the back-porch threshold had clearly suffered from years of abuse and neglect. You could tell at a glance that the wood's splintery, unpainted surface and deep lengthwise [... more]
This Old House |
Sliding-Door Tune-up
Dropping a broom handle into a sliding-door track keeps the door from opening, but it's not an ideal security device. "It looks terrible, and you have to bend down to put it in and take it out," says Joe Giagnorio. He prefers retrofitting a ... [... more]
This Old House |
Old Doors, New Uses
These arched-top Italianate doors would make for a dramatic entrance in a front parlor For centuries, doors have marked our comings and goings, shut out storms, and guarded against intruders. They've also provided a handsome focal point, whether ... [... more]
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