Lexington: Engineered For Accessibility

October 19, 2023

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This Old House - S45 - E4

A lally column stands in the way of the new open floor plan. As a solution, it is removed, and the ridge beam is replaced with a trio of engineered beams. The new landscape is previewed in 3D, and tips are shared for creating an accessible bathroom.

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This Old House: Season 45 - 26 Episode s

45x1 - Lexington: On a Mission
September 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.
45x2 - Lexington: Shore We Can
October 5, 2023
The interior is demoed, and rebuilding has begun. The new design and energy code are explained.
45x3 - Lexington: The Big Dig
October 12, 2023
Accessible features integrated into the design begin at construction. A new mechanical room connects to the old via a block wall tunnel, HVAC ducting is buried underground, and after learning about residential elevators, framing begins for one.
45x4 - Lexington: Engineered For Accessibility
October 19, 2023
A lally column stands in the way of the new open floor plan. As a solution, it is removed, and the ridge beam is replaced with a trio of engineered beams. The new landscape is previewed in 3D, and tips are shared for creating an accessible bathroom.
45x5 - Lexington: Gone Geo
October 26, 2023
A zero-threshold entry to the patio is framed. Geothermal energy is explained, and wells are dug.
45x6 - Lexington: Reworked and Rewired
November 2, 2023
The fully framed front of the house is revealed; work continues on the geothermal system; the connection to the interior is made; blocking is installed in the framing; replacing and rewiring old receptacles.
45x7 - Lexington: Ramping Up
November 9, 2023
Repairing the original brick; building a DIY ramp; touring a modern accessible home; adding trim to the exterior.
45x8 - Lexington: Drop in the Gutter
November 16, 2023
A walking tour of the roof reveals its various pitches; installing a built-in gutter system; rough-in begins on the interior; energy-efficient windows are installed.
45x9 - Lexington: Phased Out
January 4, 2024
Work on the house is divided into phases for efficient workflow; the back foundation gets a stucco finish; kitchen cabinet selection; installing siding; the back patio gets proper drainage.
45x10 - Lexington: Seven Layer Floors
January 11, 2024
The slab-on-grade foundation is built up; accessible AV solutions are explored; prep begins for a curbless shower; installing an automatic zero threshold door.
45x11 - Lexington: Electrical Bond
January 18, 2024
Copper bonding is installed before the therapy pool is craned in; tile selections are revealed; the integrated entrance ramp gets snow melt and a final layer of concrete; elevator disconnects are installed.
45x12 - Lexington: Upcycled
January 25, 2024
Building the elevator cab; using leftover flooring to make a modern feature for the kitchen island; exploring AV solutions for accessibility; installing new solar panels.
45x13 - Lexington: Install With Care
February 1, 2024
Work on the internal geothermal systems begins; installing in-wall lighting to illuminate the entrance ramp; installing an offset p-trap; a visit to a glass-blowing studio; grab bar installation begins.
45x14 - Lexington: All in the Family
February 8, 2024
Landscape planting begins with screen trees and rose bushes; the children pitch in on a painting project; the homeowners discuss Duchenne muscular dystrophy; a modern staircase is installed in the foyer.
45x15 - Lexington: Judgement Day
February 15, 2024
Geothermal is in; kitchen appliances are installed; the new HERS score is revealed.
45x16 - Lexington: Accessible Made Modern
February 22, 2024
The completed renovation of the 1960 mid-century modern home accommodates a family of five, including a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the crew returns to go through the changes with the family.
45x17 - Glen Ridge: Multi-Generational
March 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.
45x18 - Glen Ridge: Vintage
April 4, 2024
Demo has begun uncovering 150-year-old wine bottles in the walls. A chimney is demolished, and the roof is reframed. The architect shares his inspiration for the project, and the mayor gives a tour of the Borough's gas lamps. Asbestos is abated.
45x19 - Glen Ridge: Small But Mighty
April 11, 2024
Termite damage has caused major construction changes. New footings are needed in the basement. A historic community garden is toured. A 15-year-old student talks about working on the project. The old sewer line is replaced without trenching.
45x20 - Glen Ridge: QR Construction
April 18, 2024
Installing helical piers for the new porch; prepping new windows for installation; protecting plumbing pipes from cold weather.
45x21 - Glen Ridge: Roughed In
April 25, 2024
The new flangeless windows are installed water and air tight. Preparation begins for in-ceiling speakers. The Empire State Building is visited. Porch decking is installed to minimize waste, and a hybrid plumbing system is chosen for the house.
45x22 - Glen Ridge: Next Level Tight
May 2, 2024
Air tightness is taken to the next level with vapor barrier electrical boxes. The homeowner designs a custom lead glass sidelight. Various types of weather-resistant barriers are explored. Drip edge flashing and exterior window trim are installed.
45x23 - Glen Ridge: A Breath of Fresh Air
May 9, 2024
The new staircase is manufactured in a shop and assembled on-site. The shop is toured. The homeowner installs a new brick walkway. Wood fiber insulation and the new HRV system are explored. The architect talks about the interior trim details
45x24 - Glen Ridge: Tested and Approved
May 16, 2024
A blower door test reveals the home's airtightness; a baseboard trim gets a radius detail; discussing the borough's effort to maintain its tree-lined streets; installing a prefab tile niche; prepping interior trim for paint finish.
45x25 - Glen Ridge: Spring Forward
May 23, 2024
Building a custom mudroom bench from reclaimed wood; the primary bathroom gets a custom paint finish; spring landscaping; installing kitchen crown molding above the cabinets and recessed lighting.
45x26 - Glen Ridge: Next Generation Victorian
May 30, 2024
Renovation of the 1887 Victorian is completed; the builder installs the custom lead glass sidelight; the crew gets a tour from the homeowners.

45x1 - Lexington: On a Mission

45x2 - Lexington: Shore We Can

45x3 - Lexington: The Big Dig

45x4 - Lexington: Engineered For Accessibility

45x5 - Lexington: Gone Geo

45x6 - Lexington: Reworked and Rewired

45x7 - Lexington: Ramping Up

45x8 - Lexington: Drop in the Gutter

45x9 - Lexington: Phased Out

45x10 - Lexington: Seven Layer Floors

45x11 - Lexington: Electrical Bond

45x12 - Lexington: Upcycled

45x13 - Lexington: Install With Care

45x14 - Lexington: All in the Family

45x15 - Lexington: Judgement Day

45x16 - Lexington: Accessible Made Modern

45x17 - Glen Ridge: Multi-Generational

45x18 - Glen Ridge: Vintage

45x19 - Glen Ridge: Small But Mighty

45x20 - Glen Ridge: QR Construction

45x21 - Glen Ridge: Roughed In

45x22 - Glen Ridge: Next Level Tight

45x23 - Glen Ridge: A Breath of Fresh Air

45x24 - Glen Ridge: Tested and Approved

45x25 - Glen Ridge: Spring Forward

45x26 - Glen Ridge: Next Generation Victorian

S0: Specials

S1: Season 1

S2: Season 2

S3: Season 3

S4: Season 4

S5: Season 5

S6: Season 6

S7: Season 7

S8: Season 8

S9: Season 9

S10: Season 10

S11: Season 11

S12: Season 12

S13: Season 13

S14: Season 14

S15: Season 15

S16: Season 16

S17: Season 17

S18: Season 18

S19: Season 19

S20: Season 20

S21: Season 21

S22: Season 22

S23: Season 23

S24: Season 24

S25: Season 25

S26: Season 26

S27: Season 27

S28: Season 28

S29: Season 29

S30: Season 30

S31: Season 31

S32: Season 32

S33: Season 33

S34: Season 34

S35: Season 35

S36: Season 36

S37: Season 37

S38: Season 38

S39: Season 39

S40: Season 40

S41: Season 41

S42: Season 42

S43: Season 43

S44: Season 44

S45: Season 45

S46: Season 46