This Old House Season 9 Episode 15 The Westwood House - 15

The Westwood House - 15 episode of This Old House season 9 takes us on a journey to a beautiful Westwood house built in the 1930s and in dire need of improvements. The team of experts at This Old House has taken on the challenge of renovating and retrofitting the entire house, keeping in mind the traditional aesthetic of the home while also making it modern and energy-efficient.

The episode begins with the team working on the exterior of the house. The original stucco walls were in poor condition, and the team has decided to replace them with new stucco walls finished with a float texture. To add a personal touch to the home, the team has decided to add a charming walkway made of stone pavers leading to the front door.

Once inside, the team is faced with the daunting task of renovating the kitchen. The old, outdated kitchen is unappealing and consists of cramped working space that doesn't meet modern-day standards. One of the priorities of the renovation is to create a larger and more functional kitchen space. The team has decided to knock down the walls separating the kitchen from the dining room, allowing more natural light to come into the space while creating a more open floor plan.

The episode then moves on to an exciting and innovative project where the team installs a water heater that runs entirely on solar power. Solar panels installed on the roof of the house generate electricity to power the water heater, which is a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional water heaters that run on fossil fuels. The team also shows the installation of an efficient heat pump and a radiant heating system, which helps regulate the temperature of the house without using as much energy.

As we move upstairs, one of the more challenging aspects of the renovation is revealed. The team has discovered that the attic of the house wasn't insulated, causing significant energy waste. To rectify this, the team is using cutting-edge insulating techniques to ensure that no energy is wasted, and the home remains warm in winter and cool in summer.

The Westwood House - 15 also showcases the beauty and character of the old home, and the team pays homage to this throughout the renovation process. The team has made sure to restore much of the previous design elements throughout the home while adding modern touches to make it usable in the modern era. The team refurbishes the original trim and baseboards that had been painted several times over the years to restore the original appearance. The team also installs new windows, in keeping with the traditional style, with updated folding hardware.

Towards the end of the episode, the team tackles the painting of the entire house, making sure that the colors and painting techniques stay true to the traditional design of the house. The team takes great pride in the finishing touches and ensures the house looks as good as new once the paint job is complete.

In conclusion, The Westwood House - 15 episode of This Old House is a testament to the expertise of the team involved in renovating and retrofitting traditional homes while maintaining the integrity of the original design. The episode showcases the value of preserving old homes with the latest modern technology for energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. The team does an incredible job, making it the perfect episode for those interested in home design and renovation projects.