Ep 7. Charlestown 2014 - Rowhouse, Lighthouse

This Old House is a popular television series that has been on air since 1979, showcasing renovation projects of historic homes across America. In season 36, episode 7, Charlestown 2014 - Rowhouse, Lighthouse, viewers are taken to Charlestown, Massachusetts, to witness restoration work being done on a rowhouse and a lighthouse.

The episode begins with a tour of the rowhouse, which dates back to 1895. The current owner, Sally, purchased the house in 1995 and has been slowly upgrading it over the years. However, due to the age of the house and the long list of repairs needed, Sally has decided to bring in the professionals from This Old House to help her with the renovations.

The renovation team starts with the exterior of the house, specifically the roof, which has some serious water damage. They begin by removing the old shingles and replacing them with a new roofing system that includes a waterproof membrane and a standing seam metal roof. This new system will ensure that water doesn't seep into the house and cause further damage.

Next, the team moves inside the house to address some of the structural issues. They discover that the floor joists are not properly supported and have started to sag over time. To fix this problem, they install a new beam in the basement and add new joists to support the weight of the house.

Once the structural work is complete, the team moves onto the fun part of the renovation - the design. Sally has a clear vision of what she wants her home to look like, and the team works closely with her to make that vision a reality. They install new windows, update the electrical and plumbing systems, and add new finishes like crown molding and custom built-in bookshelves.

While all of this work is happening on the rowhouse, the This Old House team also takes on a separate project: the restoration of a historic lighthouse in Charlestown. The lighthouse was built in 1877 and has been out of commission for decades. However, There's good news: The Boston Marine Society has taken it over and is restoring and repairing the historic lighthouse.

The team starts by addressing the exterior of the lighthouse, which has suffered significant water damage over the years. They install a new exterior cladding, made of PVC, which is a low-maintenance material that will stand up to New England's harsh weather conditions. They also install new windows that not only look great but will provide better insulation for the lighthouse.

Inside the lighthouse, the team works to preserve as much of the original structure as possible while also making it functional for modern use. They add a new staircase, which is made of steel and glass and adds a modern touch to the historic building. They also restore the original lantern room at the top of the lighthouse, which provides stunning views of the Charlestown neighborhood and the Boston skyline.

All of the work done in this episode showcases the dedication of the This Old House team to preserving historic buildings and bringing them back to life. Whether it's the rowhouse in Charlestown or the lighthouse, the team shows that with a little creativity and hard work, anything is possible. With their continued efforts, viewers can expect to see more beautiful and historic buildings being restored to their former glory.