This Old House backdrop
Documentary•Reality

The Best Episodes of This Old House Season 8

Every episode of This Old House Season 8 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of This Old House Season 8!

TV's original home-improvement show, following one whole-house renovation over several episodes.

Airs on
PBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons47

All1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    This Old House Season 8 Episode 1 - The Reading House - 1
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - The Reading House - 1

    S8:E1

    Our host reviews last season's projects - including the popular ranch-home makeover - and introduces the new project: the renovation of a 40-year-old Cape-style home. Homeowners Claire and John tour the house and our master carpenter surveys the project.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. This Old House Season 8 Episode 2 - The Reading House - 2
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - The Reading House - 2

    S8:E2

    Architect Scott Finn goes over plans for renovating John and Claire's Cape-style home, and demolition and excavation begin. Richard Trethewey gives advice on plumbing and heating needs; and our host takes viewers on a tour of a 200-year-old Cape home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. This Old House Season 8 Episode 3 - The Reading House - 3
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - The Reading House - 3

    S8:E3

    The mason arrives to work on the footings and foundation of John and Claire's Cape home. Our host then takes viewers to a high-tech concrete block factory. Our master carpenter starts framing the family room addition, and our host looks at the new windows the homeowners have selected. John and Claire start planning the interior design of the new addition, while the crew begins demolition of inside walls.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. This Old House Season 8 Episode 4 - The Reading House - 4
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - The Reading House - 4

    S8:E4

    The guys review progress on the Cape renovation, and then our master carpenter shows how to cut rafters and frame the roof, which is sheathhed with plywood.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. This Old House Season 8 Episode 5 - The Reading House - 5
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - The Reading House - 5

    S8:E5

    Our host reviews the progress to date on the renovation of John and Claire's Cape-style home. New windows are installed, and we turn our attention to the roof, where roofing paper, snow-and-ice shield, and shingles are applied.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. This Old House Season 8 Episode 6 - The Reading House - 6
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - The Reading House - 6

    S8:E6

    Work on the Cape's mechanical systems begins, as rough plumbing, a central vacuuming system, and wiring for a new security system are installed. Our master carpenter starts the foundation for a new deck to be built at the back of the house, and the gas line is laid for the new heating system.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of This Old House

    READ
  7. This Old House Season 8 Episode 7 - The Reading House - 7
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - The Reading House - 7

    S8:E7

    Homeowner John shows our host his expertise in the fine points of blueboard. Our master carpenter works on the foundation of the new desk, and the plumber pays a visit.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. This Old House Season 8 Episode 8 - The Reading House - 8
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - The Reading House - 8

    S8:E8

    We travel to the New Yankee Workshop to see work begin on custom cabinets for the Cape home, with assistance from a expert woodworker. Our host takes a side trip to admire old-fashioned kitchen cabinets in an antique home, and homeowner John demonstrates his plastering technique.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. This Old House Season 8 Episode 9 - The Reading House - 9
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - The Reading House - 9

    S8:E9

    Custom-made kitchen cabinets are installed in John and Claire's home, and Claire turns her attention to the new bathroom, where she installs tiles. Our master carpenter works on interior trim.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. This Old House Season 8 Episode 10 - The Reading House - 10
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - The Reading House - 10

    S8:E10

    Our host takes a trip to see how the synthetic marble material for the new kitchen countertops is made. Plumbing fixtures are installed in the new bathroom; a lighting consultant pays a visit; and an energy-efficient hot water heater is installed. John and Claire visit a lighting supply store.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. This Old House Season 8 Episode 11 - The Reading House - 11
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - The Reading House - 11

    S8:E11

    The Cape receives new flooring and our host visits Sweeden to tour the factory where this do-it-yourself product is manufactured. The exterior of the house is stained.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. This Old House Season 8 Episode 12 - The Reading House - 12
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - The Reading House - 12

    S8:E12

    Work on John and Claire's Cape home is completed. Interior designer Bette Rosenberg leads a tour the house, with its new kitchen featuring high-tech appliances, family room, upstairs bedrooms and bath.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. This Old House Season 8 Episode 13 - The Brimfield House - 1
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - The Brimfield House - 1

    S8:E13

    In search of inspiration for a vacation home, our host visits Hyannis on Cape Cod to tour a beach-front home, a luxury condominium and lakeside property. The season's second project gets underway as our host tours Bob Houde's mountainside land in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and they begin to plan the building of a vacation home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. This Old House Season 8 Episode 14 - The Brimfield House - 2
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - The Brimfield House - 2

    S8:E14

    A dowster explains the art of finding water to our host and landover Bob Houde; a well is dug; and a surveyor goes over the fine points of a perc test. The importance of a water-quality test is explained, and our host looks at the special water pump.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. This Old House Season 8 Episode 15 - The Brimfield House - 3
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - The Brimfield House - 3

    S8:E15

    We visit a vacation home similar to the one being built in Brimfield, and the homeowner meets with architect Jock Gifford. Later, the new vacation home begins to materialize as lumber arrives and the structure is raised.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. This Old House Season 8 Episode 16 - The Brimfield House - 4
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - The Brimfield House - 4

    S8:E16

    Our master carpenter shows us how to install double-hung windows, explains skylight installation and puts a sliding glass door in the vacation home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. This Old House Season 8 Episode 17 - The Brimfield House - 5
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - The Brimfield House - 5

    S8:E17

    Ricard Trethewey pays a visit to Brimfield to discuss the vacation home's heating needs with our host and the homeowner. An exhibition in Malmo, Sweeden, shows the latest designs in manufactured housing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. This Old House Season 8 Episode 18 - The Brimfield House - 6
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - The Brimfield House - 6

    S8:E18

    The vacation home receives interior finishes such as decorative, low-maintenance plywood paneling. Viewers visit our master carpenter's workshop to watch as he builds screens for the veranda.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. This Old House Season 8 Episode 19 - The Brimfield House - 7
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - The Brimfield House - 7

    S8:E19

    An energy-efficient wood-burning stove is installed in the vacation home. Our host larns about the new water purifier. We then learn how to hang interior doors. Kitchen appliances and plumbing fixtures installed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. This Old House Season 8 Episode 20 - The Brimfield House - 8
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - The Brimfield House - 8

    S8:E20

    Our host takes viewers on a tour of the finished vacation home. A flooring expert shows how vinyl floors are installed and the vacation home receives various electrical finishing touches, such as smoke detectors, fans and a thermostat.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. This Old House Season 8 Episode 21 - The Phoenix House - 1
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - The Phoenix House - 1

    S8:E21

    This Old House visits Pioneer, Arizona, a typical ""Wild West"" town, and our host meets Phoenix homeowners Tom and Ellen to tour their adobe-style house. The homeowners meet with their architect and and contractor.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. This Old House Season 8 Episode 22 - The Phoenix House - 2
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - The Phoenix House - 2

    S8:E22

    Our master carpenter pays a surprise visit to This Old House's Phoenix renovation project, and Tom and Ellen begin work on their Southwestern renovation project.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. This Old House Season 8 Episode 23 - The Phoenix House - 3
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - The Phoenix House - 3

    S8:E23

    Tom and Ellen's Phoenix home receives exterior insulation and flashing, as well as a typical Southwestern viga and latilla ceiling in the master bedroom for added protection from the heat. The balcony piers and staircase are finished with adobe plastering, and viewers learn how to install flagstone paving. Our host pays a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Talesin West.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. This Old House Season 8 Episode 24 - The Phoenix House - 4
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - The Phoenix House - 4

    S8:E24

    The flat roof of Tom and Ellen's Phoenix home is protected with cold membrane roofing, and tiles are laid on the balcony. Our host takes viewers on a tour of an unusual modern ""castle"" on Camelback.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. This Old House Season 8 Episode 25 - The Phoenix House - 5
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - The Phoenix House - 5

    S8:E25

    Fixtures are installed in the remodeled bathroom of Tom and Ellen's Phoenix home, and the house receives energy-efficient windows. Our host checks on the progress of the new reading nook, and takes viewers on a visit to the renowned Arizona Biltmore Hotel.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 8 Ratings Summary

"The Reading House - 1" is the best rated episode of "This Old House" season 8. It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/16/1986. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "The Reading House - 2".