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The 2020 Fine Homebuilding House is a complete remodel of a 20th-century home in New England. This project will take full advantage of the opportunities for air-sealing, adding insulation, and installing highly efficient mechanicals, resulting in a healthy, comfortable home that will achieve net-zero energy.

Connecticut 2020

Design

FHB House Remodel 2020: Pre-Remodel Walkthrough

Take a look inside this old New England home and get some insight into the changes to come.

FHB editor Justin Fink joins architect Elizabeth DiSalvo and Builder Albert Jensen-Moulton on a tour of this existing early 20th-century Connecticut house before work starts on converting it to a modern energy-efficient home for a young family.

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Connecticut 2020 Videos Behind the Build: Rhode Island 2016 Behind the Build: Vermont 2017 Behind the Build: Califormia 2018 Behind the Build: Kentucky 2019

Navigate the Build

  • Introduction
  • Design
  • Deconstruction
  • Framing
  • Windows and Doors
  • Mechanicals
  • Insulation
  • Siding and Trim
  • Kitchen and Baths
  • Completed Home

View Comments

  1. user-6999509 | Sep 21, 2020 09:25am | #1

    It's a shame to be losing all the character seen in the "old" house.
    Too bad it won't be updated but keep that character; I see a beautiful house there.

  2. User avater
    Kurt99 | Dec 06, 2020 06:13pm | #2

    Agreed. Beautiful older home will be essentially demoed to make room for a new house. Why not just build a new house. For what I have to imagine would be not that much more money, you would have two houses rather than just one.

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