Cordless tools, wireless-control systems, engineered beams, fiber-cement siding—we look at some of the innovative tools, building materials, and technologies that have revolutionized remodeling over the last four decades
“They don’t build them like they used to.” At This Old House, the reply to that curmudgeonly complaint is “That’s right. We build them better!” And that’s due in no small part to the inquisitive, adaptable contractors at the heart of this venerable TV show. When they find a product or material that performs better, lasts longer, and still looks good, or when they find a tool that enables them to work faster with less effort and without compromising quality, they’re quick to make it their new standard going forward.
On the following pages, we revisit some of the most notable advances in building technology since TOH launched 40 years ago. At that time, many of these changes would have been impossible to imagine, just as we can’t imagine what new developments might arise in the coming decades. But the trend lines are clear: Fewer tools will have cords, more things will be controlled by our phones, and we’ll be using energy and water more wisely. And the good contractors of the future, the ones who strive to improve their craft and their clients’ lives, will be honestly giving the same answer to future curmudgeons: “You’re right. We’re building better than they used to!”
Tools
The first cordless tools had brief run times, minimal power, and long recharge times. But lighter, smaller, and more powerful lithium-ion tool batteries, coupled with highly efficient brushless motors, made it possible to cut the cord on almost any electrical tool, including table saws and compressors. Now these batteries are even replacing the gas engines on chainsaws and lawnmowers.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September/October 2019 من This Old House Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September/October 2019 من This Old House Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Mobile kitchen island
TOH DIY expert Jenn Largesse shows how to build a rolling kitchen cart with a butcher-block top
Bathtub tray
TOH general contractor Tom Silva and TOH host Kevin O'Connor construct a slatted zebrawood caddy to hold grooming essentials, a book, and even a glass of wine, for those who like a long soak
Navigating the rise in mortgage rates
Looking to buy—or refinance—and feeling frustrated by lenders’ sky-high interest rates? Here’s how to get the best deal
Graceful grasses
With dramatic foliage and distinctive plumes, ornamental grasses come in sizes to suit virtually any garden
A better asphalt driveway
It's long-lasting and recyclable, and it weathers extreme temperatures. You can repair small cracks and divots in asphalt, too. Here's what you need to know to get-and maintain-a great-looking asphalt driveway
Modernizing a mid-century house
A family turns to TOH to renovate a 1960 house that had been awkwardly expanded over time. Their goal: to create a contemporary, energy-efficient, open-plan home that is fully accessible for a son with mobility issues
Making a house her own
Renovating in stages over nearly two decades, a homeowner transforms a once forlorn bungalow into a cozy, very personal space
A little house that lives large
A reimagined interior and second-story addition double the living area inside a narrow shotgun house, while respecting its historical roots
Before & After: Bath Fit for a Queen Anne
Classic meets modern in this primary-suite retreat
Before & After: Kitchen Moving a wall makes it work
Grabbing a few feet from the adjacent dining room yields major layout improvements
