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The Best Episodes of This Old House

Every episode of This Old House ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of This Old House!

The Best Episodes of This Old House

TV's original home-improvement show, following one whole-house renovation over several episodes.
  1. Background image for Weston; Amy Lends a Hand
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Weston; Amy Lends a Hand

    S30:E15

    At the project house in Weston, landscape contractor Roger Cook installs a berm and fence in the front yard to screen out the busy street. Landscape architect Wes Wirth and homeowner Amy Favat review the native plants they've chosen for the new planting beds. Amy takes host Kevin O'Connor to a showroom and workshop in Florence, Massachusetts, where they both lend a hand in making the concrete countertops and sink. Back in Weston (after a 30-day cure time) master carpenter Norm Abram finds the countertops being installed in the kitchen. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows Kevin how the house is being cooled, with an a la carte, split-type air conditioning system featuring outdoor heat pump units and indoor wall mounted units. These provide zoning control in the different areas of the house. Upstairs in the master bedroom, Kevin finds Amy and designer Carole Freehauf putting down eco-friendly carpet tiles that are easy for DIY-ers to install.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for Glen Ridge: Next Generation Victorian
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #2 - Glen Ridge: Next Generation Victorian

    S45:E26

    Renovation of the 1887 Victorian is completed; the builder installs the custom lead glass sidelight; the crew gets a tour from the homeowners.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Glen Ridge: A Breath of Fresh Air
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #3 - Glen Ridge: A Breath of Fresh Air

    S45:E23

    The new staircase is manufactured in a shop and assembled on-site. The shop is toured. The homeowner installs a new brick walkway. Wood fiber insulation and the new HRV system are explored. The architect talks about the interior trim details

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Lexington: Engineered For Accessibility
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #4 - Lexington: Engineered For Accessibility

    S45:E4

    A lally column stands in the way of the new open floor plan. As a solution, it is removed, and the ridge beam is replaced with a trio of engineered beams. The new landscape is previewed in 3D, and tips are shared for creating an accessible bathroom.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Lexington: Judgement Day
    7.7/10(6 votes)

    #5 - Lexington: Judgement Day

    S45:E15

    Geothermal is in; kitchen appliances are installed; the new HERS score is revealed.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Lexington: All in the Family
    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #6 - Lexington: All in the Family

    S45:E14

    Landscape planting begins with screen trees and rose bushes; the children pitch in on a painting project; the homeowners discuss Duchenne muscular dystrophy; a modern staircase is installed in the foyer.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for Lexington: Accessible Made Modern
    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #7 - Lexington: Accessible Made Modern

    S45:E16

    The completed renovation of the 1960 mid-century modern home accommodates a family of five, including a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the crew returns to go through the changes with the family.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for The Dorchester House - A Tour of the House
    7.4/10(9 votes)

    #8 - The Dorchester House - A Tour of the House

    S1:E1

    Our host, a Boston designer and builder, tours the dilapidated turn-of the-century house in Dorchester, Massachusetts, that will completely renovated in the next 13 weeks. Our host talks with a realtor and a house appraiser to determine the condition and problems of the property.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Roxbury; Project with Purpose Begins
    7.4/10(6 votes)

    #9 - Roxbury; Project with Purpose Begins

    S31:E17

    For the second project of This Old House's 30th Anniversary Season, the crew takes on an issue that's top of mind in the country: foreclosures. Partnering with the City of Boston and local non-profit Nuestra Comunidad, they will take a foreclosed and abandoned two-family house from the 1870s, and turn it into two units of affordable housing in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Local general contractor David Lopes shows host Kevin O'Connor just how extensive the damage to the old house is, and they quickly get to work demolishing the parts that can't be saved, including a three-story rear extension, which has rotted through from roof to floor. Joining the project will be apprentices from YouthBuild Boston looking to earn jobs in the building trades. In order to recruit two young carpenters from the program to work with the crew, master carpenter Norm Abram visits YouthBuild's annual carpentry challenge.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Charlestown 2014: Part 2: Brick Rowhouse Blues
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #10 - Charlestown 2014: Part 2: Brick Rowhouse Blues

    S36:E2

    A fix for a major problem: exterior walls that are bowing outward. Two weeks of work in the basement, meanwhile, has lowered the floor by several inches; the radiant heat-insulation system is installed; and it's shown how the roof is under-structured. In other events, Norm revisits a Charlestown townhouse featured on the show 14 years ago.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Charlestown 2014: Part 5: Gardens & Greek Revival Style
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #11 - Charlestown 2014: Part 5: Gardens & Greek Revival Style

    S36:E5

    The ductwork for the new direct vent gas fireplace units is worked on; subtle Greek Revival details are added to the interior window trim; and the exterior window trim is painted. Also: Sullivan Square Community Garden; and Beacon Hill's hidden gardens.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Charlestown 2014: Part 6: Kitchens and Baths
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #12 - Charlestown 2014: Part 6: Kitchens and Baths

    S36:E6

    A major upgrade begins: adding a Greek Revival-style front door. On the second floor, new wood wainscoting is installed; a feature wall insert for the master shower is created with marble basket weave tile; and small section of copper roof is added to the roof.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Charlestown 2014: Part 7: Rowhouse, Lighthouse
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #13 - Charlestown 2014: Part 7: Rowhouse, Lighthouse

    S36:E7

    A basement door is concealed; the new Cararra marble island top is spotlighted; a PVC fence is installed on top of the retaining wall; the front steps are given new life with a grinder, a router, epoxy and non-slip exterior paint; and the salvaged marble mantel and surround are installed in the sitting room. Also: the transformation of a Boston lighthouses into a summer home.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Detroit | Rebuilding Motor City
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #14 - Detroit | Rebuilding Motor City

    S38:E17

    A couple plan to renovate an abandoned home themselves, beginning with the leaky roof.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Lexington: Shore We Can
    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #15 - Lexington: Shore We Can

    S45:E2

    The interior is demoed, and rebuilding has begun. The new design and energy code are explained.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Lexington: Upcycled
    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #16 - Lexington: Upcycled

    S45:E12

    Building the elevator cab; using leftover flooring to make a modern feature for the kitchen island; exploring AV solutions for accessibility; installing new solar panels.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Weston; A Prefab Timberframe Project House Begins
    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #17 - Weston; A Prefab Timberframe Project House Begins

    S30:E1

    For the new season, host Kevin O'Connor and master carpenter Norm Abram reveal that This Old House will be building new—a prefab, eco-friendly home that will feel like an old barn. Homeowners Amy & Pete Favat love their land, but have outgrown their 1970s-era home, so they'll deconstruct the old house to make way for a new one that will better suit their active family. To achieve their vision of a vacation home "all year round", custom homebuilder Tedd Benson and his staff are designing and prefabricating the new state-of-the-art timberframe home, with general contractor Tom Silva pulling it all together on site. To see how Tedd's panelized system looks in the field, Norm and Tedd visit a recent project in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, while back in Weston, Tom works with deconstruction contractor John Grossman to take the old house apart by hand, in a way that saves landfill space, and allows the reuse of building materials.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for New York City; A This Old House Brownstone in Brooklyn
    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #18 - New York City; A This Old House Brownstone in Brooklyn

    S30:E17

    For the first time in the show's history, host Kevin O'Connor and master carpenter Norm Abram take This Old House on the road to New York City to restore a neglected 1904 brownstone in Brooklyn. Homeowners Karen Shen and Kevin Costello will convert the former rooming house into a three family home while preserving and restoring period detail wherever possible. In Brooklyn, Norm meets veteran brownstone remodeling contractor Michael R. Streaman at a similar job down the street to see how he transformed one of these rooming houses into a beautiful, modern family home. Back at the project house, Streaman gets to work on demolition and also starts stripping the paint off the back of the house to prepare the brick for re-pointing and eventually the installation of new energy-efficient windows.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Roxbury; More Trouble than We Thought
    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #19 - Roxbury; More Trouble than We Thought

    S31:E19

    Master carpenter Norm Abram meets up with general contractor David Lopes to check out the progress that has been made on the house both outside and in. They find that there has been extensive framing work completed, but unfortunately, a great majority of the house had to be rebuilt due to the dire condition of the structure. Out front, a concrete truck arrives to pour the footing for the new front entry, which will be one of the last sections to be reframed. Up on the mansard roof, David shows Norm how he's putting down the new roof using architectural shingles made to look like the slate that would have been on the house originally. Days later, the new, energy-efficient vinyl windows have been installed, and work continues on the exterior PVC trim. Host Kevin O'Connor catches up with carpenter Ed Curet to see how he's installing the new siding, which was both pre-primed and pre-painted, saving time and money.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Roxbury; Help From Our Friends
    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #20 - Roxbury; Help From Our Friends

    S31:E21

    Despite the bitter cold, landscape contractor Roger Cook works with a group of students from YouthBuild Boston to spread soil and put down sod in the backyard. Meanwhile, fence contractor Mike McLaughlin and his crew install a PVC privacy fence along the perimeter of the yard. Inside, master carpenter Norm Abram and lead carpenter Colin Paterson are adding some period charm to the bay window area by installing custom casings and paneling. The house's existing plaster ceiling medallions were beyond repair, so Norm brings back preservation plasterer Rory Brennan to replicate them on site. Fortunately, the originals were nearly identical to the medallions from the Charlestown project years ago, so Rory mixes up some plaster and pours a new medallion from the Charlestown mold. Afterward, they install a completed casting in the front parlor. At the end of the day, the fence is nearly complete and the sod is finished, thanks to our group of intrepid apprentices.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Roxbury; Looking Back and Looking Ahead
    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #21 - Roxbury; Looking Back and Looking Ahead

    S31:E25

    With just one week left in Roxbury, tile contractor Angelo McRae shows Kevin how to install meshed white subway tiles with a rail cap for the kitchen backsplash. Kevin visits our Washington, D.C. project house to meet the family that moved in and see how our last venture in non-profit development turned out. Then, general contractor Tom Silva lends a hand to lead carpenter Colin Paterson, who is customizing and installing the stair treads and newel post for the new stairs.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Auburndale; A Ho-Hum House on The Charles River
    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #22 - Auburndale; A Ho-Hum House on The Charles River

    S32:E1

    This Old House opens a brand new season by helping the Sharma family renovate their 1940's house on Boston's famous Charles River. Out front, the home's bland exterior will receive a curb-appeal makeover thanks to the creative ideas of architect Chris Chu. On the inside, the house will get a new, larger kitchen, updated baths and loads of new windows to take advantage of the spectacular views out back. General contractor Tom Silva conducts a structural investigation and cites concerns about a new EPA law affecting all contractors dealing with lead paint in 2010. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey finds asbestos in the usual spots in the basement, but with the help of asbestos inspector Glenn Potter, it's also discovered hiding in the ceilings, walls, under the kitchen sink and even in the joint compound.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Charlestown 2014: Part 1: 35 Years of This Old House
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #23 - Charlestown 2014: Part 1: 35 Years of This Old House

    S36:E1

    Season 36 opens in Boston, where an 1850s-era Greek Revival house is to be upgraded. The homeowner would like to improve the kitchen and the third floor, where the master suite is located. The retaining walls also need work.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Charlestown 2014: Part 4: Wood and Water
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #24 - Charlestown 2014: Part 4: Wood and Water

    S36:E4

    The progress on the now-approved dormer is spotlighted. Elsewhere, Insulation and wallboard are put into place; and a reclaimed brick veneer is installed on the kitchen bump out. Also: the world's last wooden whaling ship is observed arriving at the Charlestown Navy Yard.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Belmont Victorian: The Kitchen Came Tumbling Down
    7.2/10(8 votes)

    #25 - Belmont Victorian: The Kitchen Came Tumbling Down

    S37:E2

    Roger saves the plants that have to come out to make way for the porch. Tommy starts demo to open up the kitchen and determine how he’ll support the weight of the house. Norm learns about Victorian details. The window pulley systems are repaired.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Weston; Amy Lends a Hand" is the best rated episode of "This Old House". It scored 8.2/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/7/2009. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Glen Ridge: Next Generation Victorian".