This Old House Radio Hour

The Truth About Luxury Paint + Jake Tapper’s Lake Escape + Biodiverse Backyards

Is luxury paint actually worth the splurge, or are you just paying for branding? This week, we dig into what really separates high-end paint from the rest, from durability and scrub-ability to the chemistry inside the can. Then, CNN anchor Jake Tapper takes us to his quiet A-frame lake house in rural Virginia, a family refuge far from the chaos of Washington. And This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada explains how to create a biodiverse yard with native plants, layered landscaping, and habitat that supports birds, bees, and other wildlife.In This Episode You’ll Learn:* How to hang photos and curtain rods on old plaster walls in a renter-friendly way. (7:57)* What might be causing a hump in the floor of a 1909 Craftsman home. (14:19)* Ways to disguise a large crack in a wall-sized mirror. (20:31)* How to make a smart thermostat work in an older home with outdated wiring. (25:28)All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.Show notes:Find MPI’s Approved Products List or Decision Tree to help find the perfect match at MPI.net. (https://mpi.net/thisoldhouse/)

The End of McMansions + Jesse Thorn’s Victorian + Home Theater Secrets

We take a look at what comes after the McMansion, as architecture critic Kate Wagner explains how these oversized suburban status symbols came to define an era and why today’s replacement may be even blander. Then, Bullseye host Jesse Thorn takes us inside his lovingly preserved 1888 Queen Anne in Los Angeles, where original craftsmanship, city noise, and a lived-in sense of history make the house feel truly alive. And Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz shares simple ways to make your living room feel more like a real movie theater, from better sound to fewer distractions.In this episode you’ll learn:* Whether acoustic insulation above a bathroom ceiling can cause moisture problems, and why proper ventilation is the real key. (8:02)* How to deal with a sink cutout that’s too large for a replacement sink without replacing the whole countertop. (14:16)* The best way to remove raised plaster stencil designs from a wall before repainting. (20:59)* What it could mean when an older home’s floors suddenly develop a hump or slope, and when structural movement may be a concern. (26:09)All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Plug-and-Play Solar + A Refugee Family’s Blue House + A $39K Historic Steal

Energy bills are climbing, but a new wave of “plug and play” solar is making it easier for homeowners and renters to start generating their own power without a full rooftop install. Then, author Kao Kalia Yang takes us inside the drafty blue St. Paul duplex that helped her refugee family redefine what “home” could be. Plus, Cheap Old Houses spotlights an 1895 shingle-style Victorian in Arkansas for under $40,000, and the team breaks down what’s charming, what’s risky, and how historic tax credits can help bring a place like this back to life.In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How chain-drive garage door openers compare to belt-drive models, and what’s involved in switching (8:37)* What might cause eerie “whistling” in plumbing after you shut off a faucet, and a simple test to diagnose it (14:19)* Whether salvaging vintage windows for a period home is worth the effort, and how to shop for historically appropriate modern replacements (21:07)* How to prioritize foundation and HVAC concerns when you’re also planning a future addition or major renovation (26:00)

Tornado Shelter Truths + Renovation Red Flags + Tracy Sierra’s 300-Year-Old Colonial

As tornado season ramps up, we separate myth from fact about storm protection and explain what actually makes a shelter tornado-rated. Then bestselling author Tracy Sierra takes us inside her 300-year-old New England colonial, where squeaky floorboards, carved windowpanes, and a real bump in the night helped spark her latest novel. Finally, structural engineer Dr. Nehemiah Mabry lays out the clear line between cosmetic updates and risky renovations, including the warning signs that mean it’s time to call in a licensed pro.On this episode you’ll learn: * Whether insulating between an 1806 home’s basement and original first-floor wood floors is worth it, and how to do it without trapping moisture. * Why certain rooms and interior walls can feel unusually hot in winter and cold in summer with a ducted heat-pump system, and how to diagnose air leakage or airflow patterns. * What to do when a single slate shower tile starts turning to powder, including whether it’s a bad tile, a moisture issue, and how sealing and maintenance can help. * Options for updating a large vaulted popcorn ceiling in a 1992 home.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

The Truth About House Burping + Nick Offerman’s Farmhouse

We discuss the truth about “house burping,” when opening your windows helps, when it doesn’t, and what actually keeps your indoor air healthy. Nick Offerman returns to the Illinois farmhouse that shaped his love of building. Plus, we break down how to make sure your contractor pulls the right permits, before a small oversight turns into a big problem.In This Episode You’ll Learn:* How to fix a leaky glass shower door: where the water is really escaping and what stops it. (8:17)* How to switch a wood fireplace to gas or electric and which one is right for you. (14:28)* Which anchors to trust in drywall, how to pick the right strength, and how to secure things without wrecking your walls. (19:44)* The best lighting options for an unfinished basement, when to call an electrician, and why more outlets can save you headaches later. (26:52)All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.