This Old House Hour Season 16 Episode 14 Two Projects Begin in Charleston, SC

In season 16, episode 14 of the This Old House Hour, entitled "Two Projects Begin in Charleston, SC," the crew heads down south to begin not one, but two renovations in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Host Kevin O'Connor meets up with general contractor Mark Wilcox to get a sense of the two properties they'll be revamping and to discuss the challenges that lie ahead.

The first property they explore is a single-family home built in 1890. It's a typical Charleston home with a grand porch that stretches across the front of the house. The owners have lived in the home for 20 years and now want to open up the living space between the kitchen and the living room. They also want to create a more cohesive space for their family gatherings. However, before any of that can happen, the team first has to deal with some issues with the foundation. It's not uncommon for older homes in this city to have foundation problems, so the crew is well-equipped to handle the job. They begin by jacking up the house and installing new beams to support the structure.

Next, the team tackles a renovation of a different sort: a carriage house that needs to be transformed into a guest suite. The carriage house is on the same property as the main house and originally served as a space for the owner's horses and carriage. Over the years, it's been used as storage, but the owners now saw an opportunity to create a cozy space for visiting family and friends. The team will need to add a bathroom, kitchenette, and sleeping area to create a fully functional guest suite.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to see the process and challenges that come with renovating these older homes. One of the biggest challenges the team faces is working with the existing structure of the homes. As older homes, they are not built to the same standards as newer homes, so the team has to be extra careful when making changes. Additionally, the team has to be strategic about which materials they use. They need to ensure that the new materials they add to the home blend well with the existing structure and materials.

Finally, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how the show is produced. In between segments, Kevin and the crew share tips and tricks for homeowners looking to take on their own renovation projects. Overall, season 16, episode 14 of This Old House Hour is an informative and entertaining look at the challenges and rewards of renovating historic homes in Charleston, South Carolina.