1 00:00:00,566 --> 00:00:02,866 Kevin: Today on "This Old House"... 2 00:00:02,933 --> 00:00:04,900 Mauro: I'm calling in some extra help to paint this modern wall. 3 00:00:04,966 --> 00:00:07,800 You're looking for a job? Caffrey: Yeah. 4 00:00:07,866 --> 00:00:09,400 Charlie: And how do you build a staircase? 5 00:00:09,466 --> 00:00:12,433 Tom: One step at a time. 6 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:15,766 Jenn: And now it's time to see my landscape plans come to life. 7 00:00:15,833 --> 00:00:18,666 How's it look from that angle? Lee: It looks really good. 8 00:00:18,733 --> 00:00:21,400 ♪♪ 9 00:00:21,466 --> 00:00:25,833 ♪♪ 10 00:00:25,900 --> 00:00:27,966 Man: Ahh. That's it. 11 00:00:28,033 --> 00:00:36,066 ♪♪ 12 00:00:36,133 --> 00:00:44,433 ♪♪ 13 00:00:48,033 --> 00:00:49,966 Kevin: Hey, there. I'm Kevin O'Connor, 14 00:00:50,033 --> 00:00:51,766 and welcome back to "This Old House." 15 00:00:51,833 --> 00:00:54,500 We are just weeks away from finishing up our project here 16 00:00:54,566 --> 00:00:58,300 in Lexington, Massachusetts, the first project of Season 45. 17 00:00:58,366 --> 00:01:00,833 So, right now, I am standing above the garage, 18 00:01:00,900 --> 00:01:02,933 which was built years after the original house. 19 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,766 And when we got here, this was the primary suite. 20 00:01:05,833 --> 00:01:08,133 Well, now that has been moved to the far side of the house, 21 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:11,300 and this is now a guest suite. So we've got a guest bathroom 22 00:01:11,366 --> 00:01:13,066 with an adjacent bedroom right there, 23 00:01:13,133 --> 00:01:16,200 sliders to the outside. We also have two office spaces. 24 00:01:16,266 --> 00:01:19,100 We've got one right here with views to the backyard 25 00:01:19,166 --> 00:01:21,300 and one in the corner right there. 26 00:01:21,366 --> 00:01:23,866 And then as you turn the corner here to this landing, 27 00:01:23,933 --> 00:01:26,666 you may recall that there was a temporary staircase right here. 28 00:01:26,733 --> 00:01:28,233 Hey, Charlie. Charlie: Hey, Kevin. 29 00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:30,166 Kevin: So temporary staircase is gone. 30 00:01:30,233 --> 00:01:31,833 What do we have coming in to replace it? 31 00:01:31,900 --> 00:01:33,300 Charlie: Well, they're all going to be made out of steel, 32 00:01:33,366 --> 00:01:34,733 including the railing system, 33 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:36,600 and they're going to be all pre-painted black. 34 00:01:36,666 --> 00:01:37,866 Kevin: Very nice. Charlie: There's going to be 35 00:01:37,933 --> 00:01:40,066 a stringer on this side and one on this side. 36 00:01:40,133 --> 00:01:42,733 And in between them is going to be a floating tread 37 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:44,166 which is 3 3/4 thick 38 00:01:44,233 --> 00:01:46,266 that will match the white oak. Kevin: So a nice, sleek, 39 00:01:46,333 --> 00:01:47,766 modern look for this house. Charlie: Yes. 40 00:01:47,833 --> 00:01:49,366 Kevin: Due to arrive when? Charlie: Should be here soon. 41 00:01:49,433 --> 00:01:50,433 Kevin: Sounds very cool. Thank you. 42 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:51,766 Charlie: Alright. 43 00:01:51,833 --> 00:01:52,900 Kevin: So in here, if you look around that corner, 44 00:01:52,966 --> 00:01:54,900 that is the entrance to the garage. 45 00:01:54,966 --> 00:01:57,566 So this is a mudroom. We've got the cabinetry going in. 46 00:01:57,633 --> 00:01:59,433 There's a closet over there. 47 00:01:59,500 --> 00:02:02,066 And even though this feels like a big, spacious foyer, 48 00:02:02,133 --> 00:02:04,400 remember we're going to have that staircase coming down 49 00:02:04,466 --> 00:02:07,333 and take up some of the room. Through the front door, 50 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:10,266 there will be a half-bath right here 51 00:02:10,333 --> 00:02:11,400 and then into the living room. 52 00:02:11,466 --> 00:02:12,666 Heath, Mauro, good morning, boys. 53 00:02:12,733 --> 00:02:14,133 Mauro: Kevin. Kevin: You can see we've got 54 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:15,666 our gas fireplace in, 55 00:02:15,733 --> 00:02:18,733 a nice, modern feature to go with the decor of this house. 56 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:22,433 Built-ins on that side going in, as well, as over here. 57 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:24,900 And then, there will be a bar counter built right there, 58 00:02:24,966 --> 00:02:28,266 and you'll be able to walk right into the kitchen. 59 00:02:28,333 --> 00:02:30,100 Now, to give you a lay of the land in here, 60 00:02:30,166 --> 00:02:32,566 obviously we've got a big island in the center. 61 00:02:32,633 --> 00:02:34,533 We've got a coffee bar going in there. 62 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,066 We've got the stove and hood over there 63 00:02:38,133 --> 00:02:40,566 and then, a wall of cabinets. 64 00:02:40,633 --> 00:02:43,266 These cabinets will open with a push, 65 00:02:43,333 --> 00:02:44,800 and then you can see here, we've got a spot 66 00:02:44,866 --> 00:02:46,366 for the microwave and for the oven. 67 00:02:46,433 --> 00:02:49,733 And notice that they are low. These are just a few features 68 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,366 that have to deal with accessibility. 69 00:02:52,433 --> 00:02:54,400 As we've been telling you the entire season, 70 00:02:54,466 --> 00:02:55,866 the family's middle child, 71 00:02:55,933 --> 00:02:59,166 Caffrey, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 72 00:02:59,233 --> 00:03:01,433 and a big goal of this renovation 73 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:04,266 is to make this house as accessible for him 74 00:03:04,333 --> 00:03:06,566 as it is for everybody else. 75 00:03:06,633 --> 00:03:08,366 A few months ago, before we broke ground, 76 00:03:08,433 --> 00:03:11,066 I sat down with Caffrey's parents, Billy and Michelle, 77 00:03:11,133 --> 00:03:13,000 to learn more about Caffrey's condition 78 00:03:13,066 --> 00:03:15,733 and also their goals for this renovation. 79 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:18,366 Tell me about the family. Billy: Five of us, three kids 80 00:03:18,433 --> 00:03:21,166 and Michelle and I. Caffrey is our middle child. 81 00:03:21,233 --> 00:03:23,966 He's 12 and has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 82 00:03:24,033 --> 00:03:26,166 ♪♪ 83 00:03:26,233 --> 00:03:29,233 Kevin: Can you tell me about this disease? 84 00:03:29,300 --> 00:03:30,466 Michelle: Basically, what happens 85 00:03:30,533 --> 00:03:32,466 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy 86 00:03:32,533 --> 00:03:35,466 is the muscle cells can't repair themselves. 87 00:03:35,533 --> 00:03:38,933 So over time, there's a weakening of the muscles. 88 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:42,366 And these muscles are affected everywhere in the body, 89 00:03:42,433 --> 00:03:46,166 not just the ones that help us walk and stand, 90 00:03:46,233 --> 00:03:48,233 but also the ones that help us breathe 91 00:03:48,300 --> 00:03:51,600 and have our hearts be able to beat regularly. 92 00:03:51,666 --> 00:03:55,866 So it really takes over the entire body. 93 00:03:55,933 --> 00:03:58,100 This is a catastrophic diagnosis. 94 00:03:58,166 --> 00:04:02,566 It's one where, you know, over time, you know, 95 00:04:02,633 --> 00:04:05,266 like, the numbers of years that a person will be able 96 00:04:05,333 --> 00:04:07,800 to live with this condition will be limited. 97 00:04:07,866 --> 00:04:10,433 And even though it's not happening today, 98 00:04:10,500 --> 00:04:13,733 even though Caffrey will have many years ahead of him still, 99 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,966 you still grieve, like, the typical life 100 00:04:17,033 --> 00:04:19,400 that every parent wants to have for their kid. 101 00:04:19,466 --> 00:04:21,533 ♪♪ 102 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:23,966 Kevin: When did you tell Caffrey about the disease? 103 00:04:24,033 --> 00:04:25,433 Michelle: I think it was probably a couple of weeks 104 00:04:25,500 --> 00:04:26,900 after the official diagnosis, 105 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,633 which is when we shared the news, and I -- 106 00:04:29,700 --> 00:04:33,900 I'll never forget that weekend that we told him. 107 00:04:33,966 --> 00:04:37,300 You know, in some ways, it was a bit of a relief for him 108 00:04:37,366 --> 00:04:40,733 to actually have a name. Like, he knew he was different. 109 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,966 And it was a little bit reassuring to know, 110 00:04:44,033 --> 00:04:46,633 "Oh, okay, it has a name. It actually is a real thing. 111 00:04:46,700 --> 00:04:48,833 It's not just, you know, in my head 112 00:04:48,900 --> 00:04:50,466 or just something I can't do. 113 00:04:50,533 --> 00:04:52,833 It's actually something that's going on." 114 00:04:52,900 --> 00:04:55,366 And so I think there was a bit of a relief, 115 00:04:55,433 --> 00:04:58,066 but then there was a fear that came from it, too. 116 00:04:58,133 --> 00:05:00,100 And it was probably the next day 117 00:05:00,166 --> 00:05:02,933 after we told him where he asked us, 118 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,733 "Am I going to die from this?" 119 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,966 Kevin: And what did you say? 120 00:05:10,033 --> 00:05:13,500 Michelle: What we said is, you know, our job is to figure out 121 00:05:13,566 --> 00:05:15,733 everything that we can possibly do 122 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:19,133 to make sure that he can have a long and fulfilling life, 123 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:21,800 just like we want for all of our kids. 124 00:05:21,866 --> 00:05:25,233 And none of us knows when we're going to die. 125 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:27,833 So let's not worry about that right now. 126 00:05:27,900 --> 00:05:30,300 Let's focus on what it is that we can do to make sure 127 00:05:30,366 --> 00:05:32,866 that you get the best care possible. 128 00:05:32,933 --> 00:05:35,566 I mean, he's got so much courage, right? 129 00:05:35,633 --> 00:05:38,866 And he just takes it in stride. 130 00:05:38,933 --> 00:05:40,066 I have to say, you know, 131 00:05:40,133 --> 00:05:43,200 for somebody with that type of diagnosis, 132 00:05:43,266 --> 00:05:44,666 you wouldn't normally expect 133 00:05:44,733 --> 00:05:47,866 this type of happy-go-lucky kind of attitude, 134 00:05:47,933 --> 00:05:50,700 just live in the moment and just be a kid. 135 00:05:50,766 --> 00:05:52,200 But that is what he is, 136 00:05:52,266 --> 00:05:55,300 and he just does what he needs to do. 137 00:05:55,366 --> 00:05:57,433 Kevin: And so what is it that you're trying to do 138 00:05:57,500 --> 00:05:59,300 with the renovation specifically? 139 00:05:59,366 --> 00:06:00,700 How does it help Caffrey, 140 00:06:00,766 --> 00:06:02,733 and what are you hoping that it's going to do 141 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:04,833 for your family and for him? 142 00:06:04,900 --> 00:06:06,133 Michelle: It's very much about 143 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:07,633 how do we make it more accessible? 144 00:06:07,700 --> 00:06:09,666 How do we make it as comfortable as possible? 145 00:06:09,733 --> 00:06:12,133 How do we make sure that we're thinking about the things 146 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,333 that are going to make life as easy as possible 147 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,733 so that all of us, not just Caffrey, right, 148 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,866 but all of us can be together as a family 149 00:06:20,933 --> 00:06:23,466 and enjoy our environment together. 150 00:06:23,533 --> 00:06:25,533 Billy: And be independent. That's important. 151 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:29,866 His ability to come home from school by himself, 152 00:06:29,933 --> 00:06:33,133 get in, get himself a snack, go to his room, 153 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:34,400 do whatever he needs to do 154 00:06:34,466 --> 00:06:36,666 without anything being a hindrance at all. 155 00:06:36,733 --> 00:06:39,333 And that's why we're doing this renovation. 156 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,366 Caffrey: Whoo! 157 00:06:41,433 --> 00:06:50,133 ♪♪ 158 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:52,033 Kevin: Hey, Mauro. Mauro: Kevin. 159 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:53,700 Kevin: How you doing? Mauro: Very good. 160 00:06:53,766 --> 00:06:55,366 Kevin: Marlowe, Caffrey, how you guys doing? 161 00:06:55,433 --> 00:06:57,133 Caffrey: Good. Kevin: What is going on here? 162 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,700 Mauro: Well, I know Caffrey wants to have something 163 00:06:59,766 --> 00:07:01,700 really special in his room. 164 00:07:01,766 --> 00:07:03,666 So the interior designer, Rachel, 165 00:07:03,733 --> 00:07:06,633 came by and helped me out to tape up all different shapes, 166 00:07:06,700 --> 00:07:08,866 different patterns. And then we're going to work 167 00:07:08,933 --> 00:07:12,466 with the four different colors on this whole wall together. 168 00:07:12,533 --> 00:07:14,400 Kevin: So just an accent wall, just this one? 169 00:07:14,466 --> 00:07:16,866 Mauro: Just this one. And the base coat 170 00:07:16,933 --> 00:07:19,533 is an off-white that goes throughout the whole room. 171 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,233 Kevin: Gotcha. Mauro: Ceiling, walls, doors. 172 00:07:22,300 --> 00:07:23,766 Different finish, but the same color. 173 00:07:23,833 --> 00:07:25,700 Kevin: Okay. So, Caffrey, you're jazzing up the room 174 00:07:25,766 --> 00:07:27,066 a little bit, huh? Caffrey: Mm-hmm. 175 00:07:27,133 --> 00:07:28,366 Kevin: So, what do you think of the pattern here? 176 00:07:28,433 --> 00:07:30,000 Lot going on. 177 00:07:30,066 --> 00:07:31,366 Caffrey: I like it. Kevin: Well, good, 178 00:07:31,433 --> 00:07:32,900 'cause it's your room. And how about the colors? 179 00:07:32,966 --> 00:07:34,133 Did you get to pick them? Caffrey: Yeah. 180 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:35,500 Kevin: What did you pick? 181 00:07:35,566 --> 00:07:38,033 Caffrey: Orange, blue, light gray, and dark gray. 182 00:07:38,100 --> 00:07:40,300 Kevin: Very nice. And you got your sister to help. 183 00:07:40,366 --> 00:07:41,800 Very smart. Mauro: Big help. Big help. 184 00:07:41,866 --> 00:07:44,600 Kevin: So, what's the plan, Mauro? How do you pull this off? 185 00:07:44,666 --> 00:07:46,500 Mauro: Well, each one is going to have a color. 186 00:07:46,566 --> 00:07:49,933 I will do the blue. Caffrey will do the orange, 187 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,133 and then Marlowe will do the grays. 188 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:53,733 Kevin: Beautiful. Mauro: So, you guys ready 189 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:54,966 to have some fun? Marlowe: Yeah. 190 00:07:55,033 --> 00:07:56,200 Caffrey: Yeah. Kevin: Alright, have fun. 191 00:07:56,266 --> 00:07:57,433 Good luck. Mauro: Thank you. 192 00:07:57,500 --> 00:07:59,533 Let's do it, guys. Alright, guys? 193 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:01,600 Here's your LG. Marlowe: Thank you. 194 00:08:01,666 --> 00:08:04,200 Mauro: And here's your orange. Alright. 195 00:08:04,266 --> 00:08:07,400 What I'd like you guys to do is very -- going to be fun. 196 00:08:07,466 --> 00:08:10,166 It's nice and easy. You're going to do two coats. 197 00:08:10,233 --> 00:08:12,800 Start it right here at this edge, alright, 198 00:08:12,866 --> 00:08:16,100 and come all the way across on a big stroke 199 00:08:16,166 --> 00:08:18,633 as much as you can. If you need more paint, 200 00:08:18,700 --> 00:08:21,000 dip it in, get more paint on your brush. 201 00:08:21,066 --> 00:08:22,900 And go back and forth. Same thing here, 202 00:08:22,966 --> 00:08:24,666 same thing here. Don't go over the line, 203 00:08:24,733 --> 00:08:27,600 'cause it's a different color right there, okay? 204 00:08:27,666 --> 00:08:32,466 And then before you paint, remove this little tape here 205 00:08:32,533 --> 00:08:36,033 which is the reference for your color, and go to work. 206 00:08:36,100 --> 00:08:37,533 Alright? You guys ready to have some fun? 207 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:38,566 Marlowe: Yeah. Caffrey: Yeah. 208 00:08:38,633 --> 00:08:40,333 Mauro: Alright. Let's do this. 209 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:43,166 ♪♪ 210 00:08:43,233 --> 00:08:44,733 Remember, we can always go back 211 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:47,100 and fill in the areas that you missed. 212 00:08:47,166 --> 00:08:53,266 ♪♪ 213 00:08:53,333 --> 00:08:59,466 ♪♪ 214 00:08:59,533 --> 00:09:02,866 When you see like a sharp corner like this, 215 00:09:02,933 --> 00:09:05,233 you can also go like this. Look. 216 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:09,800 ♪♪ 217 00:09:09,866 --> 00:09:13,366 Hey, Caffrey, that looks really nice over there. 218 00:09:13,433 --> 00:09:15,533 You looking for a job? Caffrey: Yeah. 219 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:17,500 Mauro: [ Chuckles ] 220 00:09:17,566 --> 00:09:21,733 ♪♪ 221 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:23,100 First coat is done. 222 00:09:23,166 --> 00:09:25,400 Let's wait for that to dry, and we'll come back, 223 00:09:25,466 --> 00:09:28,300 and we'll put the second and final coat on. 224 00:09:28,366 --> 00:09:32,266 ♪♪ 225 00:09:32,333 --> 00:09:34,466 Second coat is completely dry. 226 00:09:34,533 --> 00:09:36,900 It's time for us to pull the tape off. 227 00:09:36,966 --> 00:09:42,666 Just give it a little bit of an angle, like a 45 degrees. 228 00:09:42,733 --> 00:09:46,233 Alright? Just like that. 229 00:09:46,300 --> 00:09:48,133 You don't need to rush or anything. 230 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:52,033 Just go nice and easy. 231 00:09:52,100 --> 00:09:53,666 Caffrey: I really like it. Mauro: You really like it? 232 00:09:53,733 --> 00:09:56,900 Caffrey: Yeah. 233 00:09:56,966 --> 00:09:58,366 Like this? Mauro: Yeah, like this. 234 00:09:58,433 --> 00:10:00,366 Beautiful. Perfect. 235 00:10:00,433 --> 00:10:09,000 ♪♪ 236 00:10:09,066 --> 00:10:17,600 ♪♪ 237 00:10:17,666 --> 00:10:26,200 ♪♪ 238 00:10:26,266 --> 00:10:27,666 Boom. That looks good. 239 00:10:27,733 --> 00:10:30,133 Alright, let's take a look from here, guys. 240 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:32,833 Well, what do you guys think? Marlowe: That looks really good. 241 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:34,666 Caffrey: I really like it. Mauro: Well, this is your room 242 00:10:34,733 --> 00:10:37,966 now, and you guys helping, that was perfect. 243 00:10:38,033 --> 00:10:41,000 But one thing, though. I have a lot of work on this house. 244 00:10:41,066 --> 00:10:42,966 Are you guys able to help me out? 245 00:10:43,033 --> 00:10:45,033 Caffrey: Yes. Mauro: Let's get it done, guys. 246 00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:53,366 ♪♪ 247 00:10:53,433 --> 00:10:55,733 Charlie: Well, our steel has arrived for our stairs. 248 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:56,933 Tom: Yeah. Charlie: And this is the first 249 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:58,666 of five pieces. 250 00:10:58,733 --> 00:11:00,800 Tom: You guys got it? Man: Mm-hmm. 251 00:11:00,866 --> 00:11:02,600 Tom: And you can see the cleats on the floor. 252 00:11:02,666 --> 00:11:05,233 They're going to push that steel right up tight to that. 253 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:06,633 Charlie: That's right, and this is the first piece 254 00:11:06,700 --> 00:11:09,100 of the floating stairs that Michelle really envisioned 255 00:11:09,166 --> 00:11:11,300 from the start going up to the office space. 256 00:11:11,366 --> 00:11:13,800 Tom: Yeah, the floating stairs with the wooden treads 257 00:11:13,866 --> 00:11:15,466 and the steel is going to be beautiful. 258 00:11:15,533 --> 00:11:16,766 Charlie: Yep. Tom: Alright, the first piece 259 00:11:16,833 --> 00:11:18,733 to go up is the handrail. 260 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:23,233 They're pre-drilling all the holes for the screws. 261 00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:25,400 By doing that and you drill at the right size, 262 00:11:25,466 --> 00:11:29,733 that screw actually holds better than in wood that's not drilled. 263 00:11:31,700 --> 00:11:34,533 He drives the lag bolts in with the impact driver, 264 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:37,566 but he holds the tip just away from the steel 265 00:11:37,633 --> 00:11:39,633 so he doesn't scratch it. 266 00:11:39,700 --> 00:11:43,233 Then he comes back and tightens them all up by hand. 267 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,300 Alright. Now this is the piece 268 00:11:49,366 --> 00:11:53,433 that's going to receive the stringer for the stairs. 269 00:11:53,500 --> 00:11:54,866 This has to be pretty precise. 270 00:11:54,933 --> 00:11:57,166 If you look at that little space right there, 271 00:11:57,233 --> 00:11:59,566 that's where the stringer that comes up the sides 272 00:11:59,633 --> 00:12:01,666 will actually sit in there. 273 00:12:01,733 --> 00:12:02,966 And there's a little shelf 274 00:12:03,033 --> 00:12:05,633 for the bottom of the stringer to sit on. 275 00:12:16,166 --> 00:12:18,666 Alright, so, the riser piece is installed 276 00:12:18,733 --> 00:12:20,066 and ready for the stringers. 277 00:12:20,133 --> 00:12:21,966 So we bring them in one at a time. 278 00:12:22,033 --> 00:12:23,200 Man: [ Grunts ] 279 00:12:23,266 --> 00:12:24,900 Man #2: Okay? Man: Yeah. 280 00:12:28,533 --> 00:12:29,733 Down! Tom: Hold on. 281 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:31,166 Man: The bottom. 282 00:12:31,233 --> 00:12:33,866 Man #2: On top. There you go. 283 00:12:33,933 --> 00:12:35,000 Okay. 284 00:12:35,066 --> 00:12:37,533 Tom: Get one bolt in there. 285 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:39,166 Charlie: Tell me what to do. 286 00:12:39,233 --> 00:12:41,600 Tom: Wait a minute. Trying to get a bolt in. 287 00:12:41,666 --> 00:12:43,700 Man: We got one started. Tom: Okay. 288 00:12:43,766 --> 00:12:45,866 Man: Just hang in there for a little bit more. 289 00:12:45,933 --> 00:12:47,366 Okay. 290 00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:49,633 Tom: Nice. Let's bring the other one in. 291 00:12:49,700 --> 00:12:51,166 Man #2: All hands on deck. Man: Go. 292 00:12:51,233 --> 00:12:53,466 Tom: Up. [ Grunts ] 293 00:12:57,633 --> 00:13:00,466 Man: [ Grunts ] 294 00:13:00,533 --> 00:13:02,233 Tom: I'm good. Man: Down a little bit more. 295 00:13:02,300 --> 00:13:04,433 Man #2: Little bit, tiny bit more out to you. 296 00:13:04,500 --> 00:13:06,166 Man: There you go. 297 00:13:08,166 --> 00:13:09,766 Man #2: There we go. 298 00:13:13,333 --> 00:13:16,266 Tom: Alright, so the stringers are temporarily in place. 299 00:13:16,333 --> 00:13:17,533 They have to be bolted. 300 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:21,633 But now I want to check our stair tread to see 301 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:25,000 how the height of the riser is and how they're going to fit. 302 00:13:25,066 --> 00:13:27,800 Now, this LVL doesn't run in this orientation. 303 00:13:27,866 --> 00:13:30,700 If you look right here, you can see how they're all standing up. 304 00:13:30,766 --> 00:13:33,533 Well, this was laying down and this way. 305 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:35,433 We wanted the orientation of the grain 306 00:13:35,500 --> 00:13:38,833 to be going up and down, because it's stronger that way. 307 00:13:38,900 --> 00:13:40,533 So we ripped them down, 308 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:43,333 planed them down, and screwed them together. 309 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,766 Now what I have to do is I have to cover this 310 00:13:45,833 --> 00:13:49,766 with this white oak flooring, the lock mitered corners. 311 00:13:49,833 --> 00:13:52,233 So if I put this in place like that, 312 00:13:52,300 --> 00:13:55,700 and I take a measurement from the finished floor 313 00:13:55,766 --> 00:13:58,033 to the top of my tread. 314 00:13:58,100 --> 00:14:01,966 I am 7 3/4. 315 00:14:02,033 --> 00:14:05,800 I need 7 1/2. So that's all going to work out good, 316 00:14:05,866 --> 00:14:07,466 because what I want to do 317 00:14:07,533 --> 00:14:09,700 is I'm going to make a rabbeting cut, 318 00:14:09,766 --> 00:14:12,433 remove that piece, and bring it right down 319 00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:15,100 the 1/4 inch exactly where we want it. 320 00:14:15,166 --> 00:14:16,900 And I got to do that on each end. 321 00:14:16,966 --> 00:14:21,733 Alright, I made a quick jig to guide my router 322 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,633 so I can cut my rabbet right here. 323 00:14:24,700 --> 00:14:28,200 I basically have a straight cutting router bit. 324 00:14:28,266 --> 00:14:30,400 I set my router bit to 1/4-inch depth 325 00:14:30,466 --> 00:14:33,033 which is the thickness of the steel. 326 00:15:01,133 --> 00:15:02,366 Alright, that's one side. 327 00:15:02,433 --> 00:15:04,633 Now we'll take it off and do the other side. 328 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:06,566 This combination handrail and guardrail 329 00:15:06,633 --> 00:15:09,533 is the fifth and final piece of steel for the staircase. 330 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:11,866 Charlie: We gonna go right in? Man: Yep. 331 00:15:18,133 --> 00:15:20,066 Good? Okay. 332 00:15:24,133 --> 00:15:27,266 Man #2: Yep, yep, perfect, perfect. Perfect. 333 00:15:27,333 --> 00:15:28,600 Alright, so I got one in. 334 00:15:28,666 --> 00:15:30,466 Tom: Now we're ready to put the structural part 335 00:15:30,533 --> 00:15:31,933 of the stair tread down. 336 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,466 We've got pre-drilled holes. I've got spacers here. 337 00:15:34,533 --> 00:15:36,633 And this is basically like a cardboard. 338 00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:39,200 And the reason we want that down is, over time, 339 00:15:39,266 --> 00:15:41,033 we don't want the stairs to squeak. 340 00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:42,733 Alright. Let's see here. 341 00:15:52,766 --> 00:15:54,266 Good. Charlie: Alright. 342 00:15:54,333 --> 00:15:59,000 These are our white oak treads. They should be very snug. 343 00:15:59,066 --> 00:16:04,000 ♪♪ 344 00:16:04,066 --> 00:16:05,566 Perfect. 345 00:16:05,633 --> 00:16:14,133 ♪♪ 346 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:22,700 ♪♪ 347 00:16:22,766 --> 00:16:31,233 ♪♪ 348 00:16:31,300 --> 00:16:32,933 And this piece of oak here 349 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:36,000 is going to hide the underside of all of these treads. 350 00:16:36,066 --> 00:16:38,266 Tom: Yeah, that'll recess right up underneath 351 00:16:38,333 --> 00:16:40,366 and be flush with the bottom edge of the tread. 352 00:16:40,433 --> 00:16:41,766 Charlie: Alright. I'll cut the next one. 353 00:16:41,833 --> 00:16:43,533 Tom: Okay. 354 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:50,800 ♪♪ 355 00:16:50,866 --> 00:16:58,033 ♪♪ 356 00:16:58,100 --> 00:17:05,233 ♪♪ 357 00:17:05,300 --> 00:17:07,700 Kevin: The front of our house is really coming together. 358 00:17:07,766 --> 00:17:10,633 You can see all of this siding is up. 359 00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:13,366 This is a synthetic material with a wood grain, 360 00:17:13,433 --> 00:17:16,800 and it runs all the way down to the end of the garage. 361 00:17:16,866 --> 00:17:20,633 It's been run vertically, and it also goes to the underside 362 00:17:20,700 --> 00:17:23,966 of our overhang right there. Just a terrific look. 363 00:17:24,033 --> 00:17:25,800 The ramp leading up to the sidewalk 364 00:17:25,866 --> 00:17:28,833 is all made out of bluestone. This has been thermaled. 365 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:32,466 Looks terrific with the granite on the foundation over here 366 00:17:32,533 --> 00:17:34,300 with the nickel gap above it. 367 00:17:34,366 --> 00:17:37,000 We've also got granite on these two retaining walls 368 00:17:37,066 --> 00:17:39,700 capped with the same bluestone. 369 00:17:39,766 --> 00:17:41,166 And here's a nice feature right here. 370 00:17:41,233 --> 00:17:43,366 They've got this sleek linear drain 371 00:17:43,433 --> 00:17:44,533 currently covered with tape, 372 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:46,400 but that will eventually be uncovered. 373 00:17:46,466 --> 00:17:49,400 It's a great look that will help manage the water down here. 374 00:17:49,466 --> 00:17:52,066 The two retaining walls create this space right here, 375 00:17:52,133 --> 00:17:53,433 perfect for some plantings, 376 00:17:53,500 --> 00:17:56,766 and we've got plantings going in all over the place. 377 00:17:56,833 --> 00:17:58,733 Jenn, Fred, how are you guys? Jenn: Hey, Kevin. 378 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:00,233 Kevin: A lot of industry today at this job site. 379 00:18:00,300 --> 00:18:01,466 Jenn: Well, it's planting day, 380 00:18:01,533 --> 00:18:03,666 so Fred and I are just reviewing the plans. 381 00:18:03,733 --> 00:18:05,000 Here's the dogwood. 382 00:18:05,066 --> 00:18:06,333 And then continuing down the line, 383 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,166 we have -- These are all the transplanted roses 384 00:18:08,233 --> 00:18:10,066 that we saved from the beginning of the project. 385 00:18:10,133 --> 00:18:12,633 Kevin: Nice. Jenn: I inserted a new tree 386 00:18:12,700 --> 00:18:13,966 here. It's a ginkgo tree. 387 00:18:14,033 --> 00:18:15,900 I thought it needed a little bit of height. 388 00:18:15,966 --> 00:18:17,300 And then continuing down this way, 389 00:18:17,366 --> 00:18:19,433 we have a hedgerow of boxwood. 390 00:18:19,500 --> 00:18:20,933 And then when cars come down the street, 391 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:22,466 the headlights shine right in, 392 00:18:22,533 --> 00:18:26,133 so I put screening trees. These are Western arborvitae. 393 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:27,633 They're going to eventually grow together 394 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:29,933 and create a green wall and really block 395 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:31,266 and help give a little privacy. 396 00:18:31,333 --> 00:18:32,733 But they didn't come in this load. 397 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,666 So our colleague Lee Gilliam is delivering them for us. 398 00:18:35,733 --> 00:18:37,233 Kevin: That sounds good. Jenn: Yeah. 399 00:18:37,300 --> 00:18:40,733 [ Reverse alert beeping ] 400 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,600 Kevin: Alright! Lee, how are you, man? 401 00:18:43,666 --> 00:18:45,233 Lee: Good, Kevin. How are you? Kevin: I'm doing alright. 402 00:18:45,300 --> 00:18:46,833 Good to see you again. Lee: Good to see you again. 403 00:18:46,900 --> 00:18:48,566 Jenn: Thank you. Thanks for that. 404 00:18:48,633 --> 00:18:50,300 Lee: No worries. Hey, Fred. Good to see you. 405 00:18:50,366 --> 00:18:52,433 Kevin: So, what do you think of our Lexington project? 406 00:18:52,500 --> 00:18:54,000 Lee: Lot going on. Kevin: A lot going on. 407 00:18:54,066 --> 00:18:55,933 Lee: Lot going on. Beautiful. Kevin: And we got more going on 408 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,033 now that you brought us a truck load of arborvitaes. 409 00:18:58,100 --> 00:18:59,333 Jenn: Yeah, you want to help? 410 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,133 Lee: I'm here. Let's go. We'll get it done. 411 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:02,833 Jenn: So what we need to do is take the tarp off. 412 00:19:02,900 --> 00:19:04,066 We'll unload them, place them, 413 00:19:04,133 --> 00:19:05,500 and then maybe you and I get them in? 414 00:19:05,566 --> 00:19:06,933 Lee: Okay. Kevin: Alright. Thank you guys. 415 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:08,500 Jenn: Thanks. 416 00:19:08,566 --> 00:19:15,333 ♪♪ 417 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:22,133 ♪♪ 418 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:29,000 ♪♪ 419 00:19:29,066 --> 00:19:30,566 Good. 420 00:19:30,633 --> 00:19:32,633 ♪♪ 421 00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:34,333 Lee: Goes with aisle one. 422 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:43,433 ♪♪ 423 00:19:43,500 --> 00:19:52,500 ♪♪ 424 00:19:52,566 --> 00:19:53,700 Jenn: How does it look from that angle? 425 00:19:53,766 --> 00:19:55,766 Lee: It looks really good. Jenn: Okay. 426 00:19:55,833 --> 00:20:02,866 ♪♪ 427 00:20:02,933 --> 00:20:05,200 Let's start digging. 428 00:20:05,266 --> 00:20:07,300 Lee: I want to go as deep as the root ball itself, 429 00:20:07,366 --> 00:20:08,633 like 16 inches. Jenn: Right. Yep. 430 00:20:08,700 --> 00:20:10,400 Lee: But I'd like to go wide, really wide, 431 00:20:10,466 --> 00:20:12,266 then we'll fill it back in with this good loam that we have. 432 00:20:12,333 --> 00:20:14,200 Jenn: So the roots could reach. Lee: Correct. Exactly. 433 00:20:14,266 --> 00:20:16,466 So what I do is I take, like, a stick like that. 434 00:20:16,533 --> 00:20:17,566 Jenn: Yep. 435 00:20:17,633 --> 00:20:21,066 Lee: That is good. Jenn: Alright. 436 00:20:21,133 --> 00:20:22,566 Lee: Good. 437 00:20:22,633 --> 00:20:31,500 ♪♪ 438 00:20:31,566 --> 00:20:40,500 ♪♪ 439 00:20:40,566 --> 00:20:49,433 ♪♪ 440 00:20:49,500 --> 00:20:51,300 Jenn: So now that the arborvitaes are in... 441 00:20:51,366 --> 00:20:53,166 Lee: Yes. Jenn: ...and I have a few extra 442 00:20:53,233 --> 00:20:54,500 pair of hands, 443 00:20:54,566 --> 00:20:56,366 I want to get these roses in the ground, okay? 444 00:20:56,433 --> 00:20:59,733 So these actually lived in the front before the project began. 445 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:01,600 We dug them up. We healed them in. 446 00:21:01,666 --> 00:21:03,366 Good night, little one. 447 00:21:03,433 --> 00:21:05,633 See you in seven months. 448 00:21:05,700 --> 00:21:07,666 Now it's time to transplant them back. 449 00:21:07,733 --> 00:21:10,333 So what I want to do is place them. 450 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:11,833 Lee: Okay. 451 00:21:11,900 --> 00:21:15,666 Jenn: I'd like to just stagger them and lay them gently. 452 00:21:15,733 --> 00:21:18,200 When we're digging our holes, do our twice as wide? 453 00:21:18,266 --> 00:21:19,800 Lee: Yes. 454 00:21:22,900 --> 00:21:25,133 Jenn: Whenever I transplant any flowering shrub, 455 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:27,566 I like to add organic soil to get them started. 456 00:21:27,633 --> 00:21:29,500 Lee: Perfect. 457 00:21:29,566 --> 00:21:31,900 Jenn: Yeah, we'll just mix it right in. 458 00:21:35,233 --> 00:21:37,500 That looks pretty good. Lee: That's a great fit. Nice. 459 00:21:37,566 --> 00:21:39,466 Jenn: I like how this is sitting in the hole. 460 00:21:39,533 --> 00:21:41,133 The roots are very rigid. Lee: Yeah. 461 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:42,566 Jenn: We're -- I'm not going to bend them. 462 00:21:42,633 --> 00:21:44,466 I'm going to just backfill around them. 463 00:21:44,533 --> 00:21:45,800 Lee: It looks great. Jenn: Yeah. 464 00:21:45,866 --> 00:21:47,033 Lee: I'm going to give you some of this, okay? 465 00:21:47,100 --> 00:21:49,100 Jenn: Alright. We'll mix it all together. 466 00:21:49,166 --> 00:21:51,333 Lee: Yep. 467 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,433 Jenn: Since the roots are really rigid, 468 00:21:53,500 --> 00:21:55,266 there's going to be a lot of air pockets. 469 00:21:55,333 --> 00:21:56,633 Lee: Sure. Jenn: So I'm not 470 00:21:56,700 --> 00:21:59,900 compacting the soil, but gently pushing it in around, 471 00:21:59,966 --> 00:22:02,900 because the first watering, if there's a big air pocket, 472 00:22:02,966 --> 00:22:05,000 it's just -- The soil's just going to wash out, right? 473 00:22:05,066 --> 00:22:06,166 Lee: Yes. 474 00:22:08,433 --> 00:22:10,666 Kevin: Alright. That is starting to look good. 475 00:22:10,733 --> 00:22:12,066 Jenn: It's looking amazing. 476 00:22:12,133 --> 00:22:13,266 Kevin: Yeah, that's some good progress. 477 00:22:13,333 --> 00:22:14,566 And just in time, 'cause we are 478 00:22:14,633 --> 00:22:16,566 in the home stretches here with this project. 479 00:22:16,633 --> 00:22:17,900 Jenn: We are, we are. 480 00:22:17,966 --> 00:22:19,300 Kevin: So while you guys are finishing up outside, 481 00:22:19,366 --> 00:22:21,266 we're going to continue working inside on things 482 00:22:21,333 --> 00:22:22,800 like our mechanical systems, 483 00:22:22,866 --> 00:22:24,866 including our geothermal heating and cooling, 484 00:22:24,933 --> 00:22:27,033 and we're going to get the kitchen appliances in. 485 00:22:27,100 --> 00:22:28,366 So until next time, 486 00:22:28,433 --> 00:22:30,100 I'm Kevin O'Connor, Jenn: I'm Jenn Nawada. 487 00:22:30,166 --> 00:22:31,566 Lee: I'm Lee Gilliam. Kevin: For "This Old House" 488 00:22:31,633 --> 00:22:33,266 here in Lexington. 489 00:22:33,333 --> 00:22:36,266 How did you end up with roses that still have flowers on it? 490 00:22:36,333 --> 00:22:37,900 Jenn: I've got magic. 491 00:22:40,366 --> 00:22:42,566 Kevin: Next time on "This Old House"... 492 00:22:42,633 --> 00:22:44,533 Richard: To heat and cool this mid-century modern... 493 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:46,700 Ross: We tapped into the earth's energy. 494 00:22:46,766 --> 00:22:48,033 Kevin: Then we'll reveal 495 00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:50,766 what makes these kitchen appliances accessible. 496 00:22:50,833 --> 00:22:53,000 Man: Traditional cooktops have a spot 497 00:22:53,066 --> 00:22:55,066 for each particular pan. Kevin: Right. 498 00:22:55,133 --> 00:22:56,533 Man: This cooktop does not do that. 499 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:57,933 You can put a pot anywhere 500 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,600 on this surface here. Kevin: Oh, very nice. 501 00:23:00,666 --> 00:23:02,200 Charlie: And it's judgment day. 502 00:23:02,266 --> 00:23:04,900 Let's see if all the hard work we put into this house 503 00:23:04,966 --> 00:23:07,966 to make it energy efficient pays off.