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Season guide

This Old House: Season 4

26 episodes Premiered May 15, 1982 Updated Sep 26, 2026

The Arlington House

Previously on This Old House

Season 4 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of This Old House Season 3.
  • ⚡ Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
  • ⚡ Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
  • ⚡ Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.

Season overview

The Arlington House

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Season 4 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 4 Progress Shield

Future titles & synopses blurred. Tap "Reveal" on any card to peek.
Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 4: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

12%
88%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (23): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S4·E1 Mytharc

The Arlington House - 1

May 15, 1982

Our host takes you on a tour of the newest project - a three-story Greek Revival farmhouse in Arlington, Massachusetts. Over the next 26 weeks, he and his crew of building craftsme

S4·E2 Core

The Arlington House - 2

May 28, 1982

Our host considers the many remodeling possibilities for the old house with architect Jock Gifford and landscape atchitect Tom Wirth. Where to begin!

S4·E3 Core

The Arlington House - 3

Jun 1, 1982

Our host brings in the crane and demolition of a portion of the old farmhouse begins. Later, our hosts talks with a slate contractor about the old slate roof and discusses the meri

S4·E4 Core

The Arlington House - 4

Jun 15, 1982

Our host and his crew jack up the garage, relocate it, and consider turning it into a workshop/garden shed. The crew also conducts a window and door energy audit.

S4·E5 Core

The Arlington House - 5

Jun 28, 1982

Our host and master carpenter undertake the task of framing in the new 1982 wing of the 1850s Greek Revival farmhouse.

S4·E6 Core

The Arlington House - 6

Jul 1, 1982

Our host and crew tackle the insulation of the old farmhouse's new wing.

S4·E7 Core

The Arlington House - 7

Jul 15, 1982

Our host and crew assess the old farmhouse's electrical need and update wiring for today's lifestyle.

S4·E8 Core

The Arlington House - 8

Jul 28, 1982

Our host and crew shingle the new wing and plaster ceilings in the old portion of the 1850's farmhouse.

S4·E9 Core

The Arlington House - 9

Aug 1, 1982

Our host and crew waterproof an exterior deck. Later, he discusses electrical wiring in new and existing walls and talks with restoratian specialist Dr. Judy Selwyn about the origi

S4·E10 Core

The Arlington House - 10

Aug 15, 1982

Our host conducts a room-by-room analysis of lighting needs for the old house and visits a lighting showroom to look at options. Back at the old farmhouse, our master carpenter ins

S4·E11 Core

The Arlington House - 11

Aug 28, 1982

Our host pays a visit to a prototype exercise room room to get ideas for the old house's new spa and weight room. In the process, our host discovers the virtues of a steam shower,

S4·E12 Core

The Arlington House - 12

Sep 1, 1982

Our host and his crew install the whirlpool tub in the bathroom of the master bedroom suite. Next, he tackles the problem of insulating the attic.

S4·E13 Core

The Arlington House - 13

Sep 15, 1982

Our host visits a prototype wine cellar for discussion of storage techniques, lighting and climate control. Later, he travels to Walpole Woodworkers to see how a fence is made.

S4·E14 Core

The Arlington House - 14

Sep 28, 1982

Our host visits Weston Nurseries to select planting materials for the Arlington site. He chooses shrubbery, trees and plants to enhance the landscape and complement the farmhouse.

S4·E15 Core

The Arlington House - 15

Oct 1, 1982

Our host travels to to Sturbridge, Massachusetts, for a visit with master cabinetmaker Jack Cronin. Cronin takes us through the process of building kitchen cabinets for the farmhou

S4·E16 Core

The Arlington House - 16

Oct 7, 1982

Our host travels to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a look at El Dorado, a community built around the sun. He explains how the subdivision utilizes passive and active solar heating and c

S4·E17 Core

The Arlington House - 17

Oct 14, 1982

Our host discusses the site preparation for and assembly of a redwood hot tub. Later, the crew carries out the tub installation.

S4·E18 Core

The Arlington House - 18

Oct 21, 1982

Our host discusses the problem of roof damage on the newly expanded dining area. Next, he visits a super-insulated home in Aurora, Illinois, and talks with its builder Perry Bigelo

S4·E19 Core

The Arlington House - 19

Oct 28, 1982

Our host talks with landscape architect Tom Wirth about plans for the farmhouse grounds. Later, the crew begins installation of kitchen cabinets in the auxiliary apartment.

S4·E20 Core

The Arlington House - 20

Nov 1, 1982

Our host welcomes Better Homes and Gardens interior designer Bob Ditmer. Ditmer walks through the Arlington House and makes recommendations for the decor. Later, our master carpent

S4·E21 Core

The Arlington House - 21

Nov 7, 1982

Our host and the crew work outdoors installing the farmhouse's redwood gazebo and stockade fence. In the apartment kitchen, Richard Trethewey explains the installation of a sink an

S4·E22 Core

The Arlington House - 22

Nov 14, 1982

Our host and the crew install Palladian windows on the garage and then outfit the apartment kitchen, Richard Trethewey explains the installation of a sink and hot water heater.

S4·E23 Core

The Arlington House - 23

Nov 21, 1982

Our host and the crew install a Palladian window on the garage and then outfit the apartment kitchen with appliances. Later, our master carpenter builds and installs a passive lock

S4·E24 Core

The Arlington House - 24

Nov 28, 1982

Our host reviews the installation of a projection television system in the media room and tile in the main kitchen. In the wine cellar, expert Phillipe Pascal makes suggestions for

S4·E25 Mytharc

The Arlington House - 25

Dec 1, 1982

Our host walks through the Arlington farmhouse for another look at lighting needs, then discusses mirrors and equipment for the exercise room. German wine expert William Steifensan

S4·E26 Mytharc

The Arlington House - 26

Dec 7, 1982

Our host takes a final tour of the fully decorated ""dream house of the 1980s."" Starting on the second floor, he guides viewers through the exercise room, master bedroom and bath,

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