This Old House (1-year)

If you're looking for d.i.y. information on maintenance and minor repairs for your old house, skip this one. As the publisher says, it's pretty much all about major restorations by professionals, and there's very little the average homeowner could even participate in, let alone do on his or her own. If you want to learn how an architect chooses historically correct replacement windows for your old ones that stick, buy "This Old House." If you just want to know how to get the old ones unstuck, move on to "Family Handyman."

If you are a fan of This Old House, then you probably want to get this magazine. If you have been watching the show for a long time (who hasn't?) then you will feel like you are reading a magazine about family, as there is usually something in each issue from each of the show's participants.

The magazine offers more in-depth information about the projects you see on television. A big reason to get the magazine is to learn more about the materials used in the projects and where you can get them. In addition, there are projects covered in the magazine which are not done on the television series.

While the magazine, in my opinion, is a bit short on exact specifics, or "how-to's," one has to keep in mind that a lot of the attitude of the show seems to be "use a professional." While I can understand doing that if you have the financial resources, it just isn't always practical. Still, if you want to be informed when you do call the professionals, this is one way to do it.

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This is a magazine for old house lovers -people who like the style of an older home, for whom the things that break and the things that creak inspire renovation not cursing.

My wife and I live in our second old house, and have watched the TV show since before our first. For us pragmatic Norm the woodworker, blow-dried Steve the host, and spendthrift Richard the plumbing/HVAC guy are like family. This magazine provides occasional coverage of the project house you see on PBS which is a bonus for fans. But its main focus is to show you how you can fix up your own old house.

It is a great source of ideas, inspiration, and the vendors who can sell you what you'll need. Got an old house and the money and patience for renovation? If you do, get this magazine.

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This is a magazine for paid product-placement in articles, tons of ads, and so-so articles. You are paying for the name, and getting much less in return.

I HIGHLY recommend Fine Homebuilding instead of This Old House. You will not only see fabulous new and old construction, but actually take something away from it (that is the point behind magazines, right?) A magazine that actually saved me money!

I'm cancelling my subscription to T.O.H. and adding another year onto my Fine Homebuilding subscription. It's money well spent.

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This magazine has lots of nice pictures.....but lacks the indepth articles that Fine Homebuilding or Fine Woodworking offers. Its basically a promotional of the long running tv series, and will disapoint anyone above a novice in construction.

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