The End of McMansions + Jesse Thorn’s Victorian + Home Theater Secrets
17/03/2026 | 51 mins.
We take a look at what comes after the McMansion, as architecture critic Kate Wagner explains how these oversized suburban status symbols came to define an era and why today’s replacement may be even blander. Then, Bullseye host Jesse Thorn takes us inside his lovingly preserved 1888 Queen Anne in Los Angeles, where original craftsmanship, city noise, and a lived-in sense of history make the house feel truly alive. And Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz shares simple ways to make your living room feel more like a real movie theater, from better sound to fewer distractions.
In this episode you’ll learn: * Whether acoustic insulation above a bathroom ceiling can cause moisture problems, and why proper ventilation is the real key. (8:02) * How to deal with a sink cutout that’s too large for a replacement sink without replacing the whole countertop. (14:16) * The best way to remove raised plaster stencil designs from a wall before repainting. (20:59) * What it could mean when an older home’s floors suddenly develop a hump or slope, and when structural movement may be a concern. (26:09)
All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.
Plug-and-Play Solar + A Refugee Family’s Blue House + A $39K Historic Steal
10/03/2026 | 51 mins.
Energy bills are climbing, but a new wave of “plug and play” solar is making it easier for homeowners and renters to start generating their own power without a full rooftop install. Then, author Kao Kalia Yang takes us inside the drafty blue St. Paul duplex that helped her refugee family redefine what “home” could be. Plus, Cheap Old Houses spotlights an 1895 shingle-style Victorian in Arkansas for under $40,000, and the team breaks down what’s charming, what’s risky, and how historic tax credits can help bring a place like this back to life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How chain-drive garage door openers compare to belt-drive models, and what’s involved in switching (8:37) * What might cause eerie “whistling” in plumbing after you shut off a faucet, and a simple test to diagnose it (14:19) * Whether salvaging vintage windows for a period home is worth the effort, and how to shop for historically appropriate modern replacements (21:07) * How to prioritize foundation and HVAC concerns when you’re also planning a future addition or major renovation (26:00)
As tornado season ramps up, we separate myth from fact about storm protection and explain what actually makes a shelter tornado-rated. Then bestselling author Tracy Sierra takes us inside her 300-year-old New England colonial, where squeaky floorboards, carved windowpanes, and a real bump in the night helped spark her latest novel. Finally, structural engineer Dr. Nehemiah Mabry lays out the clear line between cosmetic updates and risky renovations, including the warning signs that mean it’s time to call in a licensed pro.
On this episode you’ll learn: * Whether insulating between an 1806 home’s basement and original first-floor wood floors is worth it, and how to do it without trapping moisture. * Why certain rooms and interior walls can feel unusually hot in winter and cold in summer with a ducted heat-pump system, and how to diagnose air leakage or airflow patterns. * What to do when a single slate shower tile starts turning to powder, including whether it’s a bad tile, a moisture issue, and how sealing and maintenance can help. * Options for updating a large vaulted popcorn ceiling in a 1992 home.
All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.
The Truth About House Burping + Nick Offerman’s Farmhouse
21/02/2026 | 51 mins.
We discuss the truth about “house burping,” when opening your windows helps, when it doesn’t, and what actually keeps your indoor air healthy. Nick Offerman returns to the Illinois farmhouse that shaped his love of building. Plus, we break down how to make sure your contractor pulls the right permits, before a small oversight turns into a big problem.
In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How to fix a leaky glass shower door: where the water is really escaping and what stops it. (8:17) * How to switch a wood fireplace to gas or electric and which one is right for you. (14:28) * Which anchors to trust in drywall, how to pick the right strength, and how to secure things without wrecking your walls. (19:44) * The best lighting options for an unfinished basement, when to call an electrician, and why more outlets can save you headaches later. (26:52)
All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.
Building Tomorrow: A Special Look at the Future of Housing
17/02/2026 | 51 mins.
Building Tomorrow is a special collaboration between Marketplace and This Old House Radio Hour that asks a simple but urgent question: how do we build homes that can last the next hundred years? From wildfire rebuilds to factory-built housing, this hour explores how new materials, new methods, and new ideas about community are reshaping the future of housing in America. Hosted by Jenn Largesse and Marketplace’s David Brancaccio, the episode blends reporting, lived experience, and hard science to show what’s possible right now.
In this episode you’ll learn about:
* A massive prefab factory where homes are built like cars on an assembly line. * A disaster research campus where engineers crash-test houses against hurricanes, hail, and wildfire. * A cutting-edge microfactory using software and small factories to build homes faster, locally, and at scale. * Touring a pioneering cross-laminated timber home built as a living case study in low-carbon construction. * How a 100-year-old house is transformed into a net-zero, future-ready home. * A tiny-house community redefining retirement, aging, and what “home” really means.
Note: In the segment featuring Aloe Blacc's pre fabricated home, the exterior is made of cement fiber but the interior is not. The home's fire resilience comes from a combination of steel framing, fiber cement siding, and triple paned windows.
This Old House has been America’s most trusted source for home improvement, expert renovation advice, and DIY inspiration for over 40 years. Now, that trusted guidance comes to your ears with This Old House Radio Hour—a weekly home improvement podcast designed to help homeowners, renters, and renovators take better care of the places they live. Hosted by This Old House editor Jenn Largesse, and featuring fan-favorite experts like Zack Dettmore (general contractor), Richard Trethewey (plumbing and HVAC specialist), and Jenn Nawada (landscape designer), each episode offers practical, step-by-step solutions to real home improvement problems. Listeners can expect weekly episodes packed with actionable advice on everything from plumbing and electrical upgrades to bathroom remodels, basement waterproofing, HVAC maintenance, flooring installation, window repair, insulation tips, and more. We answer listener questions, break down renovation techniques, and spotlight smart fixes for everyday challenges. Whether you're a first-time DIYer, a seasoned weekend warrior, or just trying to make sense of home maintenance, This Old House Radio Hour is your go-to podcast for trusted home improvement tips, expert advice, and project ideas that actually work.
Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and start building a better home, one episode at a time.
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