KUED Programs

Kevin and Richard get a taste of culturally diverse Cambridge by visiting what's known locally as "Japan Town." Norm shows how Tom has matched the exterior trim details and how the clapboards are going on over an underlayment that will let them dry out. Then, up on the roof deck, he lends a hand as Tom creates a staggered shingle pattern on the half walls to match what is on the existing house. Kevin heads to Boston's South End to visit interior designers Andrew Terrat and Dee Elms. Back at the house, Richard and project plumber Abe Bilo add floor warming radiant heat to the first floor from below and a state-of-the-art condensing boiler to fuel both the radiant and the hydro air systems. In the second half of the hour, on ASK THIS OLD HOUSE, Roger works with a fencing contractor to install a vinyl privacy fence. Then, Roger, along with Kevin, Richard, and Tom, asks "What is it?" Afterward, Richard replaces a clogged shower valve.

Norm and Kevin arrive to find the painters putting up a tinted primer with airless sprayers, turning the house from grey to a sunny yellow. Inside, Tom and Norm get to work trimming out the double hung widows on the second floor with an elegant, modern detail specified by the architect. Back outside, Norm finds custom gutter fabricator Augustin Crookston on site again to form and install the custom copper half-round gutters for the project. Richard meets fireplace specialist John Sullivan to see the Danish-designed zero-clearance wood burning fireplace insert he's providing for the living room. In the second half of the hour, on ASK THIS OLD HOUSE, Tom installs interior window trim. Then, Richard installs a new device that will heat a swimming pool for free using the excess heat produced by a central air conditioner.

Tom shows Kevin how he's installing Southern yellow pine board accents in key spots for architectural interest, and to coordinate with the prefinished maple flooring that Norm is installing. Tile's going in the master bath, and the roof deck gets PVC porch boards and a custom rail treatment. In the second half of the hour, on ASK THIS OLD HOUSE, Roger shows a homeowner how to properly mulch his garden beds. Then, Roger, Kevin, Richard and Tom ask, "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard installs a natural gas line for a barbeque grill.

Roger installs new granite steps, and Kevin helps Tom build a timeless window seat and some MDF doors cleverly disguised as wainscoting. Norm works on the treads and newel cap on the stairs, and the pine ceiling accents get whitewashed and lacquered. In the second half of the hour, on ASK THIS OLD HOUSE, Tom demonstrates the proper way to use hand planes. Then, Tom, along with Kevin, Richard and Roger, asks, "What Is It?" Afterward, Roger helps a homeowner repair a cracked stone walkway.

After a visit to "this old record store," Kevin helps Roger install plastic drywells to keep the yard from flooding in heavy rains and checks out the sleek new cabinets with kitchen designer Kathy Marshall. Learn about thermostats that program themselves and Ipe deck tiles that go right over an old deck. In the second half of the hour, on ASK THIS OLD HOUSE, Kevin and electrician Scott Caron head to Denver to install a ceiling fan on a cathedral ceiling. Then, Kevin, Tom, Richard and Roger ask, "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard visits New Jersey to install a water softener.

Roger is getting the plants in despite the rain; the hearth and woodbox are lined with rustic sandstone. Norm visits Paul Grothouse in Pennsylvania to see how he's fabricating the huge butcher block countertop with waterfall edge and dovetail key detail. Richard installs wall-mounted lavatory faucets. In the second half of the hour, on ASK THIS OLD HOUSE, Roger helps a homeowner temporarily transplant a mature rose bush while exterior work takes place. Then, Roger, along with Kevin, Richard and Tom, asks, "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom and Kevin replace old outdoor lighting with new fixtures.