THIS OLD HOUSE: Charlestown Project 2014 (New Season Premiere)

Discover America’s leading home improvement series, the Emmy® Award-winning THIS OLD HOUSE®. Follow home renovations from start to finish with America’s favorite team of experts – Norm Abram, Tom Silva, Rich Trethewey, Roger Cook and Kevin O’Connor.

Courtesy of ©Anthony Tieuli

"35 Years Of This Old House" (part 1 of 8) airs Saturday, October 4 at 12 p.m. - The 35th season of THIS OLD HOUSE begins in Boston’s oldest neighborhood: Charlestown. Kevin and Norm highlight Charlestown’s historical importance, from colonial times through WWII. The new project is part of a cluster of 1850s-era Greek Revival houses tucked into the backside of Bunker Hill. Homeowner Angela Daigle shows Kevin features she loves, but also the outdated kitchen and poor organization of space that she’d like to improve.

Upstairs, Tom shows Norm the spaces needing minimal work: an existing guest room, guest bath and living room. The third floor will likely be a full gut to give Angela a better master suite with additional living space, assuming the city approves the plan to enlarge the existing dormers. Out back, Roger shows Kevin the crumbling retaining walls. Richard formulates a plan for the basement as Norm and Tom test for lead paint before beginning demo on the first floor.

"Brick Rowhouse Blues" (part 2 of 8) airs Saturday, October 11 at 12 p.m. - Kevin arrives to find Tom solving a major problem with the house - the exterior walls are bowing out from the weight of the roof over 160 years. In the basement, Richard shows Kevin the result of two weeks of hand digging and a week of rough plumbing: the floor is down several inches, the sewer line tucked in the floor, and the radiant heat/insulation system going in.

On the third floor, Norm shows Kevin how the roof has been under-structured since it was originally built. Tom joins to get the first of two massive LVLs tucked into the pockets in the brick sidewalls and fastened in place. To see how it's holding up, Norm revisits the townhouse TOH renovated in Charlestown 14 years ago. Back at the project house, Tom shows Kevin how he's going to open up the back wall for the new bump out.

"A Bridge to Charlestown" (part 3 of 8) airs Saturday, October 18 at 12 p.m. - Richard talks with Ted Zoli, structural engineer on one of Charlestown's most iconic structures, the Zakim Bridge. At the project house, the front of the building is obscured by scaffolding - it will be used to replace the failing asphalt roof and to build the dormer. Inside, Tom shows Kevin how he'll modify the old chimney for the new gas fireplace units, and they see the framing progress, including the bump out for the breakfast area. The third floor master suite is framed up, except the dormer, still in regulatory limbo. In the backyard, mason Mark McCullough presents options for rebuilding the retaining walls. Norm visits a salvage yard that has architectural elements from the Greek Revival period. Several days later, Mark starts installing the retaining wall. Richard shows Kevin the progress on the rough plumbing and electrical.

"Wood & Water" (part 4 of 8) airs Saturday, October 25 at 12 p.m. - Richard stops by the Charlestown Navy Yard to see a special guest arrive - the last wooden whaling ship in the world, the Charles W. Morgan, built c.1840. Tom shows Norm the progress on the approved dormer and how he's waterproofing its low slope roof. Inside, insulation is in and wallboard is going up. Out back, to tie in the new work with the old house, mason Mark McCullough installs a reclaimed brick veneer on the new kitchen bump out. Kevin checks on the kitchen design details, and Norm and Tom replace the fake shutters with operable shutters made of durable fiberglass and PVC.

"Gardens & Greek Revival Style" (part 5 of 8) airs Saturday, November 1 at 12 p.m. - Roger visits the Sullivan Square Community Garden, while Richard works with fireplace expert John Sullivan to rough in the ductwork for the new direct vent gas fireplace units. With plaster work and flooring completed, Norm and Tom add some subtle Greek Revival details to the interior window trim package. For inspiration for her own urban garden, Roger takes homeowner Angela Daigle to see some hidden gardens of Beacon Hill. Painting contractor Mauro Henrique paints the exterior window trim on the rowhouse and puts up samples of a few bold color choices for the new front door.

"Kitchens & Baths" (part 6 of 8) airs Saturday, November 8 at 12 p.m. - Tom gets ready for a major upgrade to the front of the house – a Greek Revival-style front door. In the kitchen, Angela’s cabinets have arrived; on the second floor, Tom and Kevin install new wood wainscoting to replace the old worn out, poorly made version. Norm learns about Charlestown’s ancient past from city archaeologist Joe Bagley, who provides a rare look at his warehouse of artifacts. Tile contractor Mark Ferrante uses a marble basket weave tile from an online supplier to make a feature wall insert in the master shower. At the back addition, Kevin and Tom install a small section of copper roof to add character and durability to the small roof.

"Rowhouse, Lighthouse" (part 7 of 8) airs Saturday, November 15 at 12 p.m. - Tom conceals a basement door behind a system of rails and stiles that look like paneling. Marble specialist Danny Puccio shows Kevin the new Cararra marble island top. Angela tells Roger her budget for the backyard is stretched and she can’t plant until next year. Fence contractor Mark Bushway installs a new PVC fence on top of the retaining wall to provide some privacy for the backyard. Richard learns how a homeowner is turning one of Boston’s lighthouses into a summer home. Norm and Tom restore the old, weather-beaten front steps with a grinder, a router, some epoxy and non-slip exterior paint. Stone specialist Steve Torok installs the salvaged marble mantel and surround in the sitting room.

"A Rowhouse Reimagined" (part 8 of 8) airs Saturday, November 22 at 12 p.m. - After five months of work in Charlestown, the exterior is restored with a new dormer, windows, shutters and front entry. Inside, Kevin finds systems integrator Greg Smizer test-driving the new internet-based security system, wireless music system and remote-controlled window shades with solar battery backup. Norm joins Richard in the partially unfinished basement to see the mechanical room, where the systems integrate to provide comfort for the whole house. On the third floor, Angela’s mission is accomplished: a serene master suite retreat. On the second floor, interior designer Kathy Marshall shows Norm the changes to the guest room, guest bath and the bold new living room. Downstairs, Kathy joins Angela and Kevin to see the former dining room transformed into a sophisticated sitting room, and all the details of the new kitchen: cabinetry, tile, storage, new powder room and the window seat addition.

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