Ep 22. The Dorchester Triple Decker: Three of Everything
- May 9, 2021
- 23 min
In This Old House season 43 episode 22, titled "The Dorchester Triple Decker: Three of Everything," the team takes on a unique renovation project in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. The home in question is a triple-decker building, which means that there are three separate living spaces stacked on top of one another.
The challenge of renovating a triple-decker is that everything needs to be done three times over. This includes plumbing, electrical work, and even basic structural repairs. Throughout the episode, viewers get to see just how complex this process can be.
One of the biggest tasks facing the This Old House team is repairing the home's foundation. In order to do this, they have to jack up the building and install new support structures underneath. This requires a delicate touch, as any misstep could cause the entire building to collapse.
The team also has to deal with the fact that the home is over 100 years old. This means that there are plenty of outdated features, such as knob and tube wiring and old-fashioned plumbing fixtures. The This Old House crew has to carefully remove these features and replace them with modern alternatives, all while staying true to the home's historic character.
One of the most unique aspects of this triple-decker renovation is that each unit is being updated for a different family. In each living space, the This Old House team has to take into account the specific needs of the occupants. For example, they might install a wheelchair ramp in one unit or add extra soundproofing in another.
Throughout the episode, viewers get to see the progress being made over the course of several weeks. They also get an inside look at some of the challenges that arise when renovating an old home, such as dealing with unexpected plumbing issues or finding hidden structural damage.
Ultimately, the This Old House team is able to transform this triple-decker into a modern, livable space that reflects the needs and personalities of its new occupants. Through their skillful work and attention to detail, they demonstrate that any home, no matter how old or complicated, can be transformed into a beautiful and functional space.
