Ep 18. Pantry Doors; Reflective Shingle

In Ask This Old House season 18 episode 18, titled "Pantry Doors; Reflective Shingle," the team heads to Nashville where they help a homeowner revamp her pantry doors. The homeowner wants to add some character to her plain white doors and is looking for suggestions on how to make them stand out. Host Kevin O'Connor and carpenter Nathan Gilbert come up with a plan to add trim to the doors, creating a more traditional, farmhouse-style look. They demonstrate how to cut and install the trim and provide tips on how to properly paint the doors to achieve a smooth, even finish.

Next, Kevin meets with roofing expert Tom Silva to learn about the benefits of reflective shingles. Tom explains that reflective shingles can help reduce energy costs by reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption. He also shares tips on how to properly install the shingles and explains some common mistakes to avoid. To test the effectiveness of reflective shingles, Kevin visits a homeowner who recently had them installed and measures the temperature difference between her roof and a neighboring non-reflective roof.

Finally, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner with a leaky radiator. Richard explains how to properly bleed a radiator to remove any trapped air, which can cause the radiator to not heat up properly. He also shares tips on how to maintain a radiator system to avoid future leaks.

Throughout the episode, the team provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for homeowners looking to tackle these projects themselves. From adding trim to pantry doors to installing reflective shingles and fixing leaky radiators, Ask This Old House offers practical solutions for all types of home improvement projects.