Ep 23. Detroit: Stain Glass Revival

This Old House season 34 episode 23 titled "Detroit: Stained Glass Revival" follows the crew as they make their way to Detroit to help homeowners restore a nearly century-old stained glass window. The episode begins with a brief introduction to the city and the neighborhood where the house is located.

Upon arrival, the team is greeted by the homeowners, Marie and Keith, who proudly show off their stunning but damaged stained glass windows. The windows are original to the house, which was built in 1929. Marie and Keith purchased the house in 2008 and have been slowly restoring it ever since. The stained glass windows are the final piece of the puzzle.

The first step in the restoration process is to remove the damaged panes of glass. Kevin O'Connor, the host of the show, explains the process and showcases the intricate designs of the windows up close. The glass is carefully removed, labeled, and taken to a studio where it will be restored.

The team then goes to the stained glass studio where they meet with Rachel, the artist responsible for restoring the windows. Rachel gives the crew a tour of her studio and explains the process of restoring stained glass. She shows them her collection of antique glass that she uses to recreate the original look of the windows.

Back at the house, the crew begins working on the window frames. The frames are made of old growth cedar, which is a valuable resource that is difficult to find these days. The team carefully removes the frames and begins the process of stripping them down to the bare wood.

To protect the wood from future damage, Tommy Silva, the show's resident general contractor, applies a special epoxy that seeps into the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective barrier.

While the frames are being restored, the crew also works on repairing the window sashes. These sashes are responsible for holding the panes of glass in place. With the windows being so old, the sashes were in poor condition and needed to be replaced. Tommy and his team custom build the sashes to fit the exact dimensions of the window frames.

With the frames and sashes restored, the team goes back to the stained glass studio to see how the restoration is coming along. Rachel shows the crew how she is using antique glass to recreate the original designs of the windows.

The episode concludes with the team back at the house, reinstalling the restored stained glass windows. The beauty of the newly restored windows is breathtaking, and the homeowners are thrilled to finally have them back in place.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the history and culture of Detroit. The city has a reputation for being tough and gritty, but Marie and Keith's stunning home and the restored stained glass windows are a testament to the beauty and resilience that can be found in Detroit.

Overall, "Detroit: Stained Glass Revival" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the expert craftsmanship and dedication of the This Old House team. The restoration of the stained glass windows is a testament to the beauty and history that can be found in even the oldest homes.