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45 Articles

One and done? Not for home renovators

It’s a truism that work on an old house is never really finished. Whether renovating over time is the plan from the start or the inevitable reality as life happens, our houses need to evolve. No matter the age of our home, each life stage we enter makes its own demands on the space, and, as the years accumulate, necessitates fine-tuning and renewal. In this issue, we showcase inspiring ways homeowners are meeting these challenges on their own terms and in their own way. Consider first-time home buyers like Kaleb Wyse, for whom renovating is largely about making a space their own. When Kaleb overhauled his circa-1890 farmhouse’s kitchen, that also meant designing it to accommodate his work as a lifestyle blogger (page 13). Often, growing a family means a quest for…

One and done? Not for home renovators

Around The House

FAMILY MATTERS Like father, like daughter FOR THE SILVAS, DIT beats DIY any day. During the pandemic, Tom and his daughter, Kate, started creating—and sharing—a range of “Do It Together” projects on social media. A recent upgrade freed up Tom’s old lathe for Kate to try her hand at — and she quickly caught the woodworking bug, taking a turn at turning several times a week. But not without some needed guidance, of course. As any regular viewer of TOH knows, “my dad is the world’s best explainer,” Kate says. “He also has the most patience of anyone ever.” Tom’s take on their terrific teamwork: “We can laugh at ourselves and just have fun with it.” Fowl playtime SOME PEOPLE ARE IN IT just for the eggs. Not Mark McCullough, who’s been raising chickens…

Around The House

Better built-in TOH Insider: Alyssa Hart, Chesterfield, NJ Spending a lot of time working from home left me wanting to refresh my dated office built-in. To contain costs, I kept the existing cabinets, built new doors, removed the scalloped valance, and updated the hardware. I also built a low cabinet with a roll-out printer shelf. The changes completely transformed the space! A chair for the ages TOH Insider: Jeff Wyatt (son Copper John, shown), Hoover, AL Years ago, my father and I watched Norm Abram build a Windsor chair on TV, and I was hooked. Th is is one of several writing-arm Windsors I’ve made “from log to chair,” with maple and pine harvested from my property and a neighbor’s. Watching your shows with my dad and building projects with him are memories I carry…

Farmhouse refresh

FALL 2021 VOL. 26 NO. 3 INSPIRING SPACES, DESIGN DETAILS, AND FINISHING TOUCHES Loving an old house—even one that’s been in your family for ages—doesn’t mean you have to live in the past. Just ask Kaleb Wyse, whose family grows corn and soybeans in Mount Pleasant, IA, on land they’ve been farming for four generations. After buying his grandparents’ house, a circa-1890 American Foursquare, more than 10 years ago, Kaleb was ready at last to tackle the kitchen renovation. His challenge: to balance restoring the room’s “farmhouse soul” with his need for a practical workspace that suits how he cooks, entertains, and blogs (the food and gardening Wyse Guide website is his brainchild). The cook space, last redone in 1982, was “dark and closed off, with limited counter space, poor flow, and no seating,”…

Farmhouse refresh

1. Bridge faucet / DEVOL “This timeless design easily could have been in use a hundred years ago,” Kaleb says. “The unlacquered brass is already starting to patina, which I love.” Aged Brass Ionian Tap, $1,080; devolkitchens.com 2. Metal pendant / HUDSON VALLEY LIGHTING Brass-accented industrial lights tie the look together, and “painted metal shades are easier to clean than fabric—important in a kitchen.” Painted No. 2 Pendant, $650; hudsonvalleylighting.com 3. Workstation sink / KOHLER At 11 inches deep, this stainless-steel basin holds a party’s worth of dirty dishes. Kaleb makes good use of the cutting-board, drain-rack, colander, and wash bin inserts. Prolific Sink, $1,430; us.kohler.com 4. Barstools / McGEE & CO. Kaleb likes mixing new pieces that have clean lines with antiques to “quietly update a space.” Williamsen Counter Stool, $260; mcgeeandco.com…

Teenagers want to be with their friends, and parents want to keep them close — while giving them some independence, too. Th at was the case for the mom and dad who created this getaway space for their sons, 16 and 13, and, in turn, their 10-year-old daughter. Interior designer Kelly Mittleman had already helped them renovate their house, a 1919 Craftsman outside New York City. “But the kids were monopolizing the basement entertainment room playing video games,” says the father. “When their friends were over, it got loud.” The freestanding garage had a lot of unused space, however, so back came Mittleman to see what could be done with it. “It was a land of misfit toys and old furnishings—basically a second attic,” says the designer. Her challenge: Turn it…

A ROOM OF THEIR OWN

MAKE IT MODERN Teens typically go for bold colors and contemporary design, says Mittleman, who uses colorful accents like throws, pillows, and artwork. “I want things to look like an Apple store—great surfaces, fresh colors, and lots of white.” KEEP IT INCLUSIVE Skip gender-specific colors and themes. “These date themselves quickly as kids mature,” she says. FACILITATE FUN Include a media cabinet to hide cords and gaming gear. Enclosed storage and wipeable surfaces make tidying up no big deal. “Buy quality furnishings with performance fabrics that wear like iron—they look better, feel comfier, and last longer,” adds Mittleman. SET UP FOR SNACKING Provide a beverage fridge, a snack cabinet, maybe a microwave. A sink makes cleanup easier, especially if food delivery is on the menu. PLAN FOR CHANGE Choose rugs instead of carpeting, removable…

A ROOM OF THEIR OWN

all in it together

Walking past the tidy new fence and neat foundation plantings, climbing the refinished concrete steps, and pushing open the old oak entry door, now brightened with high-gloss burgundy paint, Carol Wideman was filled with emotion. It had been nearly two years since the fateful July Fourth night in 2019 when a stray firework that ignited her neighbor’s house caused her home in Dorchester, MA, to catch fire. For many months afterward, Carol wondered whether her family home of four decades—where children were raised and countless memories made—would ever be livable again. “Before Th is Old House came in, I wasn’t sure we’d be able to put the house back together,” she recalls. Today, the 1905 triple-decker is transformed. “There’s a lot of history in this house,” says Carol. “It’s been…

all in it together

My house is not your classic Cape Cod,” says Joan Beaulieu of her home in Rye, NH, built by her father, a general contractor, in 1953. “With the bumpout in front, it just looks out of proportion to me. I’d like to keep it in the family, but it needs an update.” On her wish list: replacing the windows, doors, and siding, as well as the rickety garage, ideally adding a room upstairs for family gatherings. We turned to Los Angeles architect Jeff Troyer for ideas to give her home more appeal. First up: He would add a full-width front porch with a roof that gently slopes out from the main roofline. “Th is incorporates the existing gable bumpout for a more traditional Cape Cod look,” he says. Corbels, a painted…

What makes it a Cape?

The earliest Cape Cod–style houses were built by Puritans in New England; the snug, one-story homes were designed to withstand the harsh environment. Many of their signature features still remain popular today. SIMPLE FORMS The original homes were either half Capes, with an entry door and two windows to one side, or three-quarter Capes, with a third window on the other side of the door. Both were common from the 1690s to 1850. The later full Cape, with a centered door and two windows on either side, is the style that prevails today. WEATHER RESISTANT The Cape’s steeply pitched, side-gabled roof was designed to shed ice and snow. In the 19th century, dormer windows appeared on the second floor to add light and space. Historical Capes were clad in long-lasting cedar shingles,…

FINISHING TOUCHES

CLASSIC COLORS Needlepoint Navy siding and Marshmallow trim refresh the exterior. About $50 per gallon; sherwin-williams.com RUSTIC ROOFING These asphalt shingles evoke weathered wood. GAF’s Timberline HDZ series in Oyster Gray, about $1.13 per sq. ft.; homedepot.com THUMB-LATCH HANDLESET The Colonial classic gets an update in a soft, silvery finish. Baldwin’s Cody Handleset in Distressed Antique Nickel, $503; build.com SHAPELY LIGHT This updated caged design is made of solid brass with an oil-rubbed bronze finish. Pacifica Lantern, $799; rejuvenation.com WOOD WINDOWS Dual glazing with low-e coating and aluminum cladding stand up to the elements. Signature Ultimate doublehung, from $660; marvin.com CARRIAGE DOOR The look of swing-open doors and divided lights lends vintage-style charm. Clopay’s Coachman garage door, $2,531; homedepot.com…

FINISHING TOUCHES

Light Touch Tudor

Often the evocative exterior of an old house hooks us, but the interior doesn’t prove to be as much of a catch. That’s what Katherine and John Breese discovered over time, having reeled in their dream home, a 1930s Tudor Revival in White Plains, New York, where they both grew up. Looking to move back to the area for Katherine’s job, they found themselves on the hunt for a house with an easy commute into Manhattan, a diverse school system, a good yard, and plenty of architectural interest. “We wanted a house with character,” John says. The one they landed just happens to be around the corner from Katherine’s childhood home, where her parents still live. Wrapped in stucco, with a steeply pitched front-facing gable, an arched entryway, a prominent chimney with…

Light Touch Tudor

Renovation recap

THE HOMEOWNERS: Katherine and John Breese, shown with their children, Vivian, age 11, and twins Deirdre and John, age 8. THE HOUSE: An existing 2,700-squarefoot Tudor Revival believed to have been built in 1932. With a graceful and picturesque facade, it had outdated interiors, including a cramped, dysfunctional kitchen. There was no mudroom, and the front entry was dark and closed in. WHY THEY CHOSE IT: The couple knew and loved the neighborhood of Gedney Farms; Katherine’s parents live around the corner, and they were taken by the house’s Tudor character. THEIR PLAN: Create a bigger, more functional kitchen; add a kids’ bath; move the laundry away from the kitchen; add a mudroom, a breakfast room, and a family room; enlarge a back deck to connect to the new spaces; and amp up…

Renovation recap

SIMPLY STRIKING

Long before the crew broke ground on her house in Afton, Minnesota, Amy Matthews was already thinking about the views. “I could tell you what you would see from any window,” she recalls. The former television host and licensed contractor has remodeled dozens of houses in her career. But this 4,090-square-foot “modern barnhouse,” a TOH 2021 Idea House, was Amy’s first opportunity to start from the ground up. Working with architects Colin Oglesbay and Aaron McCauley-Aburto, she developed a plan that merges her Scandinavian heritage with her love of modern design. The result is a simple, statement-making building that blurs the line between indoors and out, making the most of the 90 acres of conservation land that surround it. Even though the house is sited in a valley that is shaded…

SIMPLY STRIKING

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Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

EASY-ACCESS ENTRY

1. Barrier-free is best. Create a flush threshold, or one no higher than 1⁄4 inch if it’s beveled or 1⁄2 inch if it has tapered sides. 2. Add doors at least 36 inches* wide with easy-to-grasp lever handles. 3. A bench offers a place to change footwear and store it underneath. Hooks at various heights, usually 44* to 60 inches, catch coats and bags. 4. Rugs should be laid over nonslip rubber pads, the edges secured with carpet tape. An open aisle at least 40 inches* wide welcomes * Wheelchair-friendly measurements…

EASY-ACCESS ENTRY

Creating a forever home

FALL 2021 VOL. 26 NO. 3 KNOW-HOW YOU NEED TO GET HOME UPGRADES DONE RIGHT Just about everyone wants to live at home, well, forever, says James Vitale, an Altadena, CA, architect who specializes in disability access. But fewer than half of those age 55 or older and planning to remodel in the next three years paid attention to making their homes age-proof, a recent study by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found. Th is mind-set is changing, however, driving up the value of homes that are safe and comfortable for all, especially in areas that promote walkability and community ties. Call it universal design, accessibility, aging in place, or simply living in place; the goal is to make life easier for people of different ages and abilities, and it doesn’t have to mean…

AN AGELESS BATH

WHO SAYS an accessible bath can’t look great? Curbless showers with oversize niches are not only aging-friendly but also evoke boutique hotels—especially when coupled with a handshower that slides on a rail, an inviting bench, and warm air from a ceiling heater. Bidet toilet seats, leverstyle faucet handles, and entry doors that pocket or slide open like a barn door boost both style and function. While some homeowners crave a spacious, all-in-one wet room, Safdie argues that a bath with enough room to eventually accommodate a caretaker or a wheelchair doesn’t have to be bigger than 80 square feet. Salley adds that “someone who feels unstable is better off in a smaller shower because he can put out a hand for support.” Not ready to give up a tub? Drop a deck…

AN AGELESS BATH

A COMFORTABLE COOK SPACE

“IT’S ABOUT SPACE planning and understanding how you want the kitchen to function in its future life, as much as it is about choosing the right products and finishes,” Safdie says of the accessible kitchen. “It can still look the way you want it to look—there’s no countertop material you can’t use, no cabinet style you can’t have.” Open plans, already popular because they encourage socializing and keep the cook in the loop, also maximize the flow of light and sight lines. Layered lighting is pleasing as well as aging-friendly. Prep space at different heights also adds airiness to a space, as does a peninsula supported by a chairaccommodating pedestal. Safdie encourages renovators to build in flexibility. Slide-in base cabinets, installed over flooring that extends to every corner, can come out to…

A COMFORTABLE COOK SPACE

Make daily life a little easier

HELP ON WHEELS Bring the microwave or cooking supplies into right-where-you-needthem territory with a well-built cart on locking wheels. This steel one comes in maple (shown) or walnut, with wide side handles. Armin Kitchen Island, from $1,999; rejuvenation.com SOLID FOOTING Luxury vinyl-plank flooring that mimics a variety of wood species while standing up to wear, tear, and water? Sounds good, and even better when it meets standards for slip resistance. Optoro Collection vinyl planks, from $2.95 per square foot; tilebar.com SLIDE-OUT TABLE Seated workstations build in flexibility in a kitchen. This pull-out table, part of a collection of universal-design cabinets with lots of options, disappears when not in use. Passport Series two-drawer cabinet with Pull-Out Table, from $1,000; kraftmaid.com LIGHT THE WAY Night-lights are useful in hallways, stairwells, and many other places. LEDs mean less bulb burnout.…

Make daily life a little easier

1. Stairs 42 inches wide allow for a stair lift or for one person to help another. 2. Aim for treads at least 11 inches deep and risers 4 to 7 inches high. It goes without saying that stairs that don’t meet code need rebuilding. 3. A second handrail, 34 to 38 inches* above stair treads and at least 11⁄2 inches from the wall, allows for holding two rails at once —the best way to travel. A low-pile runner can improve traction. 4. The top and bottom of the stairs should be well lit, with paddle-style light switches 36 to 48 inches* above the floor. 5. Lighted outlets 18 to 24 inches high at the top and bottom, and at stair landings, improve visibility and are helpful should you install a stair lift. * Wheelchair-friendly…

AARP / The American Association of Retired Persons publishes the free HomeFit Guide for aging in place and other materials; aarp.org NAHB / The National Association of Home Builders offers an Aging in Place Checklist and runs a program to certify builders and others as specialists; nahb.org National Institute on Aging / An arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the institute has tips on how to plan for aging in place; nia.nih.gov Living in Place Institute / This private institute has a network of design pros who specialize in accessibility, and also runs its own certification program; livinginplace.institute Need a Lift? / Find helpful overviews of home elevators and stair lifts at retirementliving.com…

Ins and outs of dog doors

While most homeowners wouldn’t trade their dog for the world, having a furry family member means dealing with some inconveniences. A daily one: getting up to open the door every time your pup wants to go out. A dog door minimizes that hassle. But people often hesitate to add one because they don’t want warmed or cooled air escaping, or they’ve heard stories about intruders getting in. TOH general contractor Tom Silva knows a little something about this. His then 90-year-old mother once wriggled through the family shar-pei’s dog door when she got locked out of his brother Dickie’s house. “She told us she just crawled in, no problem,” he recalls. The story might have been good for a laugh, but it also illustrates how a dog door can leave your…

Ins and outs of dog doors

Door in door Many dog doors come as kits to be installed in the lower portion of your door. This can be a DIY project, unless it’s for a glass storm door, which requires special tools. Keep in mind that cutting a hole in an entry door to install a pet door likely voids the warranty. For a more polished, cohesive look, consider replacing an entry, storm, or sliding door with one that has built-in pet access added at the factory, such those made by Vintage Doors (vintagedoors.com). Sliding door panel Homeowners with sliding patio doors can buy a vinyl or aluminum sidelight frame with a glass or plexiglass panel on top and a dog door below. These mount between the edge of the slider and the jamb and are held in place…

CUSTOM SOLUTIONS

CUSTOM SOLUTIONS

End-of-summer cleanup

As sultry August gives way to the cooler months of September and October, fall’s lower temperatures and shorter days signal it’s time to get busy in the yard and garden. “Fall’s cool weather makes it a great time to work outside,” says TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada. “Giving plants some attention then sets you up for healthier landscape come spring.” Early on, before the leaves start raining down, focus on the lawn. Core-aerate to reduce soil compaction, add compost to improve soil fertility, and overseed to encourage denser turf. Tackling these tasks first allows seedlings to sprout and develop strong roots —then you can move on to the cleanup work ahead. Tidy up beds and borders Once autumn leaves have finally fallen, job number one is clearing them out of planting beds. Start…

End-of-summer cleanup

Right Rake, Right Job

Shrub rake Its 8-inch head maneuvers around plants without damaging them. This model’s 48-inch handle reaches deep into beds. Shown: True Temper Steel-Tine Shrub Rake, $13; homedepot.com Flathead rake Stiff, temperedsteel tines push and pull mulch; flip the head to do a final smoothing. Shown: 16-Tine Structron S600 Level Head Rake, $66; seymourmidwest.com Steel fan rake Flexible tines with bent tips remove matted leaves, which is essential for clearing lawns in fall. Shown: 24-Tine Steel Rake, $20; razor-back.com…

Right Rake, Right Job

Living under one roof

For a growing number of Americans, home is where mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the kids (and sometimes their kids) are. A 2021 survey by Generations United, a national advocacy organization, found that 26 percent of us live in households that include three or more generations. The same survey in 2011 found that only 7 percent were residing in multigenerational housing. While the pandemic and resulting economic pressure may have driven some families together, many are now sold on big family meals, more hands to help with schoolwork, and the ability to keep a closer eye on elderly parents. In the Generations United survey, nearly three-quarters of those in multigen households say they will stick with the setup. “People may have come together by need, but they are staying together…

Living under one roof

Until double-pane windows became popular in the 1970s, the only way homeowners could improve the thermal performance of drafty, single-pane units was to add exterior storm windows. For the more than 40 million homes that still have single-glazed windows, adding storms continues to be a smart way to protect the main sashes from weather, block out traffic sounds, and improve energy performance — for less than the cost of replacement windows. When added to handsome original windows worth preserving, they can uphold a historical home’s architectural integrity, too. Those familiar “triple-tracks,” which hold one screen and two glass sashes on separate tracks, were invented in the 1930s as a weather-resistant alternative to wood-frame storm windows; they allowed homeowners to swap glass for insect screens in summer, without having to remove the…

Are they right for you?

PROS + REDUCE ENERGY BILLS Low-e storm windows can cut utility costs by as much as 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. + PRESERVE EXISTING WINDOWS This is especially valuable to homeowners who appreciate the architectural interest that their original windows add. + COST LESS THAN NEW WINDOWS The price of a storm window is about 25 to 50 percent less than that of a replacement window. + PROTECT AGAINST THE ELEMENTS Storms shield a home’s windows from wind, rain, sleet, and snow. + BLOCK SOUND Storm windows help dampen noise from traffic, barking dogs, and leaf blowers. Some models claim they can reduce noise transmission by up to 95 percent. + CAN STAY IN YEAR-ROUND Double - or tripletrack storms allow windows to be opened and closed, so there’s no need to…

Anatomy of a “double-track”

While you can still buy triple-tracks, most storm windows today have two tracks. Instead of three operable panels (two glass, one screen), each on a separate track, a typical two-track system has an upper glass panel and a lower screen panel on the outer track, and a glass panel on the inner track that slides up and down for ventilation (as shown above). Fewer tracks allow for a thinner, less noticeable frame. Storms can also be labeled as combination; this catchall term means there’s a screen and movable glass panels, although the exact configurations vary depending on the manufacturer. TOH PRO TIP TOM SILVA General Contractor “Remove storms once a year to clear out any debris. Spray silicone dry lubricant on the tracks and locking clips to keep them operating smoothly.”…

Anatomy of a “double-track”

ALUMINUM Affordable and durable, aluminum units screw into the window frames or on top of the casings, and come with standard or low-e glass panels. The best models have coatings on the frames that resist corrosion to help ensure smooth operation. Some brands offer a wide range of color choices. Fixed These have slim, lowprofile frames that are less noticeable from the street. Shown: 502-PW Architectural Low-e Storm Window, available in 185 custom colors. $185 for a 28×58-inch unit; quantapanel.com Combination Their double-track design delivers a cleaner look than their bulkier triple-track predecessors. Shown: Performance Series L201ES Double-Hung Storm Window, from $85 for a 31×55-inch unit; larsondoors.com WOOD These are a specialty item and a custom order. The frames are typically solid wood with mortise-and-tenon joinery; they usually come primed or painted. They fit inside the window…

Installation tips

Measure the opening. Start by measuring the opening’s height. Then measure the width at three points: along the bottom, middle, and top. This tells you if the window’s sides are parallel; if you don’t get equal measurements, use the smallest one. Specify your casing style. This detail ensures the storm is properly sized for the window. Westernstyle casings have a “blind stop” on the inside of the opening (shown above, in red). This provides a place to attach storm windows so they are recessed and less noticeable. The width and height of the storm can be up to 1⁄4 inch smaller than the opening’s smallest measurement; this leaves room for the casing to expand in heat or humidity. Just make sure the storm’s fins don’t touch the inside edges of the…

Installation tips

Boost the view from the curb

> For a seamless look, match the color of the storm window frames to the exterior of the sashes. > With wood storms, consider painting the frames an accent color, perhaps matched to the front door. > With double-hung windows, line up the meeting rails on the storms with the ones on the main sashes. > For storms installed on top of the casings, leave as much of a reveal as possible around the frames.…

Boost the view from the curb

The interior option

Interior storm windows with features like low-e glass and airtight seals have been around for about a decade—and their popularity is growing. Homeowners like that they’re not visible from the street; they’re also the only option for windows that swing out, including most casement styles. Unlike exterior units, they don’t protect windows from the weather. But they do rival exterior storms when it comes to saving energy and reducing noise. They are either “permanent,” attached to the window jamb with screws, or held in place via a compression or magnetic frame. The panels come in glass or acrylic; some are fixed, while others slide open to let in fresh air. Interior units are made to order to your exact measurements. Expect to pay $240 and up for a 30×50-inch window. Acrylic panels,…

The interior option

Compression fit > These create an airtight seal when pressed into the window jamb. Some have soft silicone gaskets (indowwindows.com); others are made with spring-loaded vinyl frames (stormwindows.com). They are available with single acrylic or low-e glass panels. Magnetic strips > A system of adhesivebacked magnetic strips on both the storm window frame—which is typically aluminum (alliedwindow.com)—and the window jamb hold these units in place. Single or double acrylic panels may also come with magnetic strips mounted to a vinyl compression seal (climateseal.com ). The magnetic strips are also available as part of a DIY kit that comes with enough materials to build seven average-size storm window frames ($199, windowsaver.com); you supply the acrylic panels. Screw-in > These have an aluminum frame that either attaches to the window casing (quantapanel.com) or hangs…

Every time Megan and I come here, we’re reminded that this is definitely where we want to raise our family,” says Lincoln Pasquina of the 1880s Cape Cod–style house in Concord, MA. One reason is the land: three sloping acres with a meadow and woods, bordering a horse farm with a pond. Another is the house itself, an antique Cape that reminds Lincoln of his childhood on Boston’s North Shore, and marks a return for his wife, Megan, to the town where she grew up. But the house comes with some drawbacks, too, notably a dark, low-ceilinged first floor, an awkwardly chopped-up second floor, and a nondescript 1960s garage addition. With a 2-year-old son at home and plans to grow their family, Megan and Lincoln are looking to add more space—in…

FALL 2021 VOL. 26 NO. 3 NEW PRODUCTS, PRO ADVICE, AND HOW-TO PROJECTS Skill: Hard Cost: About $250 Time: 6 hours (2 people) Nothing spoils an outdoor gathering faster than mosquitoes and warm drinks. While Tom Silva hasn’t solved the first problem, he designed and built a handsome solution to the second one: an insulated, seat-height cedar chest that’s big enough to hold 100 pounds of ice cubes and keep dozens of bottles and cans refreshingly cold for hours. A custom copper liner with a built-in drain protects the wood from moisture damage, and saves you from fishing through icy meltwater to pick out your favorite beverage. The chunky legs that support its weight — and that of anyone perched on the bench top — are thick enough to be fitted with locking casters, so the cooler…

Cordless compact routers

As a rule, cords are a nuisance: They pose trip hazards, force you to hunt for a place to plug them in, and ruin your work if they snag on something. That’s why, among the several routers I own, my compact cordless ones get the most use. It wasn’t always so. When cordless routers were first introduced in 2009, their performance was less than stellar. Motors bogged down in dense stock, and batteries lost steam in long runs; the tools simply couldn’t keep up with their corded cousins. But with more powerful batteries and brushless motors, performance is no longer an issue. Now, even without a cord, the latest generation of compact routers—a.k.a. trim or palm routers — are up to any task their corded counterparts can handle, including hinge mortising,…

Cordless compact routers

1. Instant box bay Skycove This factory-built glass alcove brings the outdoors in as it captures light and views from four sides. At 25 inches deep, the units come in two sizes: 76 inches wide by 67 inches tall or 99 by 83 inches. The steel frame bolts to a properly reinforced and flashed wall opening; no additional support needed. Installation typically takes just half a day. Price upon request; marvin.com for retailers 2. Reel improvements 100' Professional Aluminum Chalk Reel Upgrades include a 6:1 gear ratio for faster rewinding, a hub lock, a fully retracting hook, and a one-way valve for dust-free refills. $17; crescenttool.com 3. Cross laser 842 Prolaser Bambino Intersecting, self leveling beams simplify cabinet installation and more. They have an indoor range of up to 50 feet, a fan angle of 100 degrees, and…

Console cabinet with cane

Why do we build? For me, the motivation is often practical: I see a piece of furniture that I love, but can’t abide the hefty price. Take this console cabinet, for example. I spotted a similar one online for $325. I loved its striking black color and cane door and drawerfront details. So I snapped a photo and did some research. My penny-pinching instincts again proved correct: I found that I could build it for about half the cost of the original. That was motivation enough for me to sketch out a plan and head to the home center to pick up some materials. Back in my workshop, I cranked up the music and was ready to make some sawdust. By the end of the following day, I had my own handsome…

Console cabinet with cane

Prep for cooler days ahead

Prevent outdoor faucets from freezing WATER EXPANDS WHEN IT FREEZES, and if that water is sitting in a pipe, the resulting pressure can be enough to crack it. Insurance companies say that just a ½-inch crack can cause enough damage to result in a $9,000 claim. Save your garden hoses, outdoor faucets, and their indoor pipes from freezing with these simple steps: Disconnect, drain, and store all hoses. Next, close the shutoff valve on the spigot’s water line inside the house, and open the faucet to let the remaining water drain outside. Leave the faucet slightly open until you plan to use it again. ❑ Replace damaged weatherstripping BLOCK DRAFTS AS THE WEATHER cools by making sure that weatherstripping around doors and windows is intact. Tour the house looking for worn, damaged, or…

Prep for cooler days ahead

ask This Old House

Vent for an upstairs dryer Previous owners moved the laundry room to the second floor and terminated the dryer vent in the attic space above, since it’s not near an exterior wall. What’s the best way to vent it to the outside? —NIKKIE COOPER, GIG HARBOR, WA TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey: It’s become popular to put laundry rooms on the second floor for the convenience, but venting a clothes dryer into an attic is a big mistake. Warm, moist air from the vent creates a perfect climate for mold to grow on the roof framing, sheathing, and anything you’ve stored in the space. In cooler weather, that damp air will condense on cold surfaces, soaking insulation and possibly damaging the ceiling below. And in snowy climates, all that extra warmth contributes…

ask This Old House

Build fence gates, quick and simple We have a lovely backyard and a little toddler, and we need to redo our falling-down fence and install a gate. We’d like to learn how to do this on a budget. —ADITI SUBRAMANIAM, BOSTON TOH carpenter Nathan Gilbert: Repairing a fence can get quite involved, depending on what it’s made of and how deteriorated it is. Consult a fence-building pro to find out what your options are. Building a sturdy wood gate is a more manageable DIY project. With some basic hand tools and a posthole digger, you can be finished in a day. Using pressuretreated wood, as I did here, will help keep your costs down. First, determine where you want the gate to go. Gates are typically between 3 and 4 feet wide; if your passage is…

Brick Italianate in a historic river town!

PRICE $75,000 LOCATION Wabash, IN CONTACT Paul Hayden, Indiana Landmarks; phayden@indiana-landmarks.org THE HISTORY This handsome Victorian-era house was built for Frank Morse, a prominent banker, and his wife, Florence, circa 1885. Morse, a Union Army commander during the Civil War, later worked his way up from cashier to vice president at the First National Bank of Wabash. The Morses owned the house until 1919; about a year later it was converted into rental apartments. The house changed hands six times before Indiana Landmarks took ownership in 2020, as part of a neighborhood revitalization project, and restored its single-family layout. WHY SAVE IT? The 4,000-square-foot house retains signature Italianate features that make it one of the most architecturally important in the East Wabash Historic District. Of particular note are its ornate bracketed cornice and tall,…

Brick Italianate in a historic river town!

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