Windows are among the most paradoxical elements in building construction. Builders go to great lengths to create walls that are airtight and well-insulated, only to cut large openings in them and install windows. As architect Don Powers explains, windows may look simple, but they are highly engineered machines. Understanding the technology behind them — from […]
The way we frame houses today bears little resemblance to the methods used just two centuries ago. Modern builders reach for dimensional lumber, nail guns, and engineered sheathing, assembling walls on the subfloor and tilting them into place in a matter of hours. But this speed is the result of a long evolution driven by
Water flows through every aspect of our daily lives, yet most of us barely think about where it comes from or where it goes after it disappears down the drain. In the debut episode of Clearstory, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor sits down with author Charles Fishman, whose book “The Big Thirst” challenges everything
Every construction project, whether a small home renovation or a large commercial build, produces a significant amount of waste. Walk past any active job site and you will see a dumpster filled with scraps, packaging, lumber offcuts, drywall pieces, and roofing materials. The question few people stop to ask is where that material actually goes.
When Kevin O’Connor sat down with Bridget Lancaster, host of Proof from America’s Test Kitchen, for a special bonus episode of the Clearstory podcast, they explored a question that resonates far beyond the test kitchen walls: what does it truly mean to be prepared in the kitchen? Too often, homeowners focus exclusively on cabinets and
Electricity is undergoing one of the most dramatic transformations since the days of Thomas Edison. From wireless power transmission to transparent solar cells embedded in window glass, the way homes consume and generate electricity is evolving fast. This article explores both the cutting-edge technologies reshaping residential power and the practical electrical systems homeowners work with
From the simple act of flushing to the complex infrastructure hidden beneath city streets, the toilet represents a milestone in human engineering that rivals the printing press or the vaccine in its impact on public health. Yet most people never give it a second thought. The Clearstory podcast, produced by This Old House, dedicates an
Building science may sound like a discipline reserved for engineers and architects, but its principles directly affect how comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient your home actually feels. Whether you are dealing with drafty rooms, high utility bills, or persistent moisture problems, the concepts behind building science hold the answers. A growing body of research has
When it comes to structural protection, no building component takes more abuse than the roof. It endures wind, rain, snow, and relentless sun exposure while remaining largely out of sight and out of mind for most property owners. Yet understanding how roofs work, what materials perform best, and how to maintain them is essential knowledge
The holiday season brings family, food, and celebration, but it also creates a collision of domestic chaos and professional crisis. While homeowners scramble to prepare Thanksgiving dinner, plumbers and HVAC technicians field emergency calls from homes where something has gone wrong. The This Old House team asks who is worse off, the turkey or the
