This Old House Season 11 Episode 18 The Concord House - 18

The episode "The Concord House - 18" from season 11 of This Old House follows the renovation of a historic home in Massachusetts. The Concord House was built in 1710 and is in need of significant repairs and updates to bring it up to modern standards.

The host, Steve Thomas, begins the episode by giving viewers a tour of the exterior of the home, pointing out areas that need particular attention. The house has a large front porch, which is a key feature of many historic New England homes. However, the porch on the Concord House is in disrepair and will need to be completely rebuilt.

Next, Steve brings in the lead contractor, Tom Silva, to discuss the plan for the porch. Tom explains that the team will need to remove the existing porch and rebuild it from scratch. They will use traditional methods and materials to ensure it matches the look and feel of the rest of the home.

As work begins on the porch, Steve takes viewers inside the house to see what other renovations are underway. The kitchen is a major focus of the renovation, and the team is working to completely gut the space and start from scratch. The homeowners want a modern, open-concept kitchen that is still in keeping with the historic feel of the home.

The team runs into a few challenges as they work on the kitchen, including outdated plumbing and wiring that needs to be brought up to code. They also need to make some structural changes to the walls to open up the space, which requires a lot of careful planning and execution.

While the kitchen renovation is underway, the team is also tackling some smaller projects throughout the rest of the home. They repair and repaint the walls throughout the first floor, update the electrical system, and replace some of the older windows.

One of the more fascinating parts of this episode is the team's work on the fireplace in the living room. The original fireplace had been covered up by a more modern unit, and the new owners wanted to restore it to its former glory. Tom and his team carefully remove the old fireplace unit and reveal the stunning brickwork underneath. They clean up the bricks, rebuild the hearth, and install a new insert to make the fireplace functional once again.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers get a sense of how the various projects are progressing. The porch is mostly complete, and it looks beautiful. The kitchen is still under construction, but the team has made a lot of progress in a short amount of time. The changes throughout the rest of the home are subtle but significant, and they help to bring the home back to its original beauty.

Overall, "The Concord House - 18" is an interesting episode for anyone interested in historic homes and renovation projects. The team demonstrates a deep understanding of the unique challenges that come with renovating an older home, and they work tirelessly to ensure the end result is a beautiful and functional space.