The BEST episodes of This Old House season 45
Every episode of This Old House season 45, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of This Old House season 45!
This Old House celebrates the fusion on old world craftsmanship and modern technology. Each season features two renovation projects. Project One traditionally consists of eighteen or more so episodes and is filmed in Massachusetts. Project Two is taped in a different region of the country to highlight the variety of American architectural styles and renovation issues.
#1 - Lexington: Phased Out
Season 45 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/4/2024
The renovation has reached the halfway point. Kevin O'Connor gets a lesson on stucco from Mark McCullough before meeting with homeowner Michelle and kitchen designer Melinda Guglieta to learn about the finish chosen for the kitchen cabinets. Back at the house, Tom Silva begins installing the nickel gap siding. Out back, Jenn Nawada and Charlie Silva address the drainage concern for the patio.
#2 - Lexington: Seven Layer Floors
Season 45 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/11/2024
Mid-century modern details are taking shape on the exterior. On the interior, rigid foam is installed on the subfloor to meet strict energy codes. The homeowner goes shopping for door hardware with accessible considerations. A single tile prep and waterproofing system is used to create a watertight bathroom for zero threshold entry to the shower. A motorized multi-slide door is installed.
#3 - Glen Ridge: A Breath of Fresh Air
Season 45 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/9/2024
The two primary suites to accommodate multigenerational living are taking shape, and the first-floor foyer is opened up, highlighting the new staircase. The local shop where the stairs were fabricated is toured. At the house, a new brick walkway adds curb appeal. The builder demonstrates the new wood fiber insulation, and details on HRVs, ERVs, and period trim are discussed.
#4 - Lexington: Drop in the Gutter
Season 45 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/16/2023
The roof of the Lexington project is a mix of multiple roof types and pitches. A custom gutter with a downspout is recessed into the overhang to manage the volume of rainfall it will yield. The house next door, one of three designed and built by the same original architect and still maintains much of the original mid-century modern features, is toured. New energy-efficient windows are installed.
#5 - Glen Ridge: Next Level Tight
Season 45 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/2/2024
The project is at the halfway point. The homeowner designs a custom stained-glass sidelight, vapor-tight electrical boxes are roughed in, and a custom jamb and threshold are built for the existing front door. Various types of water-resistive barriers are compared. The local stained-glass manufacturing studio is visited. Back at the house, installation of the exterior trim continues.
#6 - Lexington: Upcycled
Season 45 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/25/2024
Progress continues on the mid-century modern house in Lexington. Exterior painting and interior flooring installation are underway. The elevator cab is built and is operable. The kitchen island gets a decorative finish using some of the white oak hardwood flooring. Audio-visual technologies are explored for accessibility for the home, and solar panels are installed on the roof.
#7 - Glen Ridge: Small But Mighty
Season 45 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/11/2024
There has been major development on the 1887 Victorian. The original cedar shingles have been exposed and are in bad shape. Extensive termite damage results in additional structural work. A local community garden is visited. An existing concrete slab is made level, and a high school student works as a framer on the project. The original clay pipe is replaced with a trenchless system.
#8 - Glen Ridge: Roughed In
Season 45 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/25/2024
Since the last visit, significant progress has been made on the 1887 Victorian in Glen Ridge, NJ. Steps are shared for installing the new wood flangeless windows. The homeowner assumes the job of installing the home audio system. Meanwhile, a trip is taken to the Empire State Building. Back at the house, the porch decking is installed and the new hybrid manifold homerun plumbing system is discusse
#9 - Glen Ridge: Tested and Approved
Season 45 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/16/2024
The house has been restored to its original Victorian look, and it has been made airtight. The results of a blower door test is revealed. A baseboard installation becomes a focal point at the house's entrance. The borough's shade tree commission chair speaks on the decline of older trees. A prefabricated shower niche aids in a perfect tile layout, and a prefabricated window casing is installed.
#10 - Lexington: Accessible Made Modern
Season 45 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/22/2024
Just ten months ago, construction began in historic Lexington, MA, to make a 1960 mid-century modern home accessible for a family whose son has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Because the prognosis of the disease is a complete loss of mobility within a year, Charlie Silva and his team of experts fast-tracked this project to meet this deadline. Today, the crew is back to check out the transformation.
#11 - Lexington: Judgement Day
Season 45 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/15/2024
The homeowners son has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For this reason, the 1960 mid-century modern home is being renovated to make it accessible. Outside, a pool lift was installed, and a patio with zero-threshold access to the interior was built. A final review of the geothermal system is done. Accessible kitchen appliances and a fire-rated door are installed. A blower door test is performed.
#12 - Glen Ridge: QR Construction
Season 45 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/18/2024
The new two-story addition is framed, and the front porch is being rebuilt. Painting starts on the new wood windows. An interior wall is framed to straighten out a sag in the upper floor. Exterior colors are chosen, plumbing pipes are isolated from cold weather, and header-less window opening is framed. A foolproof method of laying out plumbing and electrical fixtures is shared.
#13 - Lexington: Gone Geo
Season 45 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/26/2023
A tour of the progress and upcoming changes are shared, including the new wall of glass with a zero-threshold sliding glass door to the back patio. Framing begins for the new slider. The geothermal heating and cooling system is explained, and back at the house, the wells are dug. At the front of the house, steel columns and a beam which will be the entrance's new focal point are being installed.
#14 - Lexington: Electrical Bond
Season 45 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/18/2024
The therapy pool is scheduled to be delivered onsite. To reduce the risk of shock, Heath Eastman installs bonding around the pool's perimeter. Inside, Interior designer Rachel Dunham talks tile selections with Kevin O'Connor. Tom and Charlie Silva recap the construction processes of the integrated ramp at the front entrance. Electrical work for the elevator begins. The therapy pool is craned in.
#15 - Lexington: Install With Care
Season 45 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/1/2024
The new mechanical room is revealed. Heath Eastman installs in-wall lights at the front ramp. Richard Trethewey and plumber Abe Bilo install an offset sink drain. Kevin O'Connor visits a local glass studio where the homeowners' son Wix is assisting glass artists Andrew Iannazzi and Emery Wenger with making a custom piece. Tom Silva begins installing support bars in Caffrey's bathroom.
#16 - Lexington: All in the Family
Season 45 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/8/2024
The project is just weeks away from completion. The homeowners sit down for an interview about their son Caffrey's diagnosis with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. His room gets a contemporary painted accent wall. The new staircase, which is a combination of steel railings and stringers and oak stair treads, is installed. Both new plants as well as some existing rose bushes are planted.
#17 - Lexington: On a Mission
Season 45 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/28/2023
The crew starts a new project in Lexington, MA, to make a 1960 mid-century modern home accessible for a family with a son who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The crew meets the homeowners to learn about the disease and the challenges the current setup of the house poses. The project is a race against time, but the crew is determined to get the family back into their home as soon as possible.
#18 - Glen Ridge: Vintage
Season 45 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/4/2024
Work begins on the 1887 Victorian to make it suitable for multigenerational living. Demolition is underway on the third floor, where a bottle of 1887 Bordeaux was found during the process. The builder talks about his start in construction, and the architect shares his plan for restoring the home. The mayor gives a history lesson on the borough. The old asbestos siding is removed.
#19 - Glen Ridge: Multi-Generational
Season 45 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/28/2024
The crew heads to New Jersey for the second project of the season - an 1897 Victorian in the Borough of Glen Ridge that's being renovated for multi-generational living. The homeowners give the crew a tour and explain how the new spaces will be used.
#20 - Lexington: Reworked and Rewired
Season 45 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/2/2023
The project house is progressing with an eye toward accessibility and the mid-century modern aesthetic. Geothermal pipes are run from the wells into the house. Wood blocking is installed for the future mounting of assistive devices. The new floor system allows for running new electrical wires without being visible. Old receptacle boxes in the original brick walls are replaced without damage.
#21 - Lexington: The Big Dig
Season 45 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/12/2023
Accessibility is at the forefront of this renovation, which requires major changes. A new mechanical space is being created out front and will be connected to the old mechanical space by a new concrete block wall. Out back, a new foundation has been poured for a larger walkout basement. The new HVAC ducts are installed considering the new energy code. Framing for the new elevator begins.
#22 - Lexington: Ramping Up
Season 45 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/9/2023
A progress tour of the house is given, starting at the back addition, through the walkout basement and mechanical spaces, then up to the main floor. Repairs are made to the 1960 brick, including matching the original color and texture of the mortar. The homeowner gets help building a DIY ramp. Nearby, a modern accessible house is toured. New energy codes prompt changes to the exterior trim plan.
#23 - Lexington: Shore We Can
Season 45 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/5/2023
Construction begins on the 1960 mid-century modern home in Lexington, MA project. The interior is fully demolished, and work begins on the foundation to address the depth. The architect gives an overview of the new design plan which prioritizes accessibility. An accessibility solutions showroom is toured. A new energy code affects the construction.
#24 - Lexington: Engineered For Accessibility
Season 45 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/19/2023
Great progress is being made on the project house. The primary addition is being framed and the rooms are starting to take shape. A sound deadening wall is built. A lally column is removed and a larger ridge beam is installed to create an open kitchen and dining area. The homeowners choose hardscape finishes based on 3D renderings. An accessible designed bathroom is toured.