This Old House: Jersey Shore Rebuilds, to Air This Weekend

During the anniversary month of Sandy, PBS’ Emmy Award-winning home improvement series THIS OLD HOUSE will premiere a special eight-episode series this weekend, focusing on three sets of homeowners rebuilding in the Bay Head, Point Pleasant and Manasquan areas.

THIS OLD HOUSE experts Norm Abram, Richard Trethewey, Roger Cook, and host Kevin O’Connor will report on individual communities’ restoration efforts in the heart of New Jersey’s worst storm damage, and highlight the best practices for coastal building there and around the country.

They will consult environmental experts, government officials, engineers, local builders and determined homeowners from all walks of life.

As part of the series, residential garage door manufacturer Clopay partnered with Dana Clark, owner and president of Ned Sickels Overhead Doors, to support the rebuilding efforts of the Santos family, who own a 1950s Colonial located on an inlet in Point Pleasant, NJ.

Clark’s company is located five miles from the shore in Tinton Falls, NJ. When Sandy hit last fall, he was without power for three weeks. He considers himself lucky to have only suffered that inconvenience.

“The communities here just got hammered. I couldn’t believe the damage when we were finally able to leave our house and see what was going on,” says Clark. “A year later people are still waiting for insurance money to rebuild, if they were fortunate enough to have insurance.”

A 45-year resident of the community, Clark was happy to support the Santos family, who were hit hard. “They are acting as their own general contractors so I got involved early in the process to help them choose the best doors for their home and walk them through the framing requirements as they cut the rough openings,” says Clark.

Like most houses in the area, the Santos's must be raised on pilings. The new garage doors will be located on the first level.

Clark recommended Clopay’s Canyon Ridge Collection Limited Edition Series carriage house doors. The overhead doors are constructed of a durable, low-maintenance composite material that looks like real wood, but it won't rot, warp, or crack due to moisture. Each doors is two-inches thick and features a polyurethane insulated steel core for maximum energy- efficiency and quiet operation. He also installed two new LiftMaster® openers.

“The stained carriage house garage doors match the style of the house as well as the new stained entry door,” adds Clark. “The Santos’s were so appreciative and easy to work with. It has been a great experience to be part of this project. I am glad THIS OLD HOUSE is telling the story so people don’t forget and can benefit from the lessons learned when they build in the future.”

Clark’s company is still replacing garage doors on the homes of Sandy victims. He anticipates the calls will remain steady for at least another year as people continue the rebuilding process.

For most residents of this area (depending upon their cable provider) THIS OLD HOUSE: JERSEY SHORE can be seen on PBS on October 5, 2013, at 8 p.m. Check www.thisoldhouse.com/tvschedule or your local listings for times.

Viewers will be able to watch full THIS OLD HOUSE: Jersey Shore Rebuilds  and additional episodes Sundays at 7 p.m. after each show premieres at www.thisoldhouse.com/watchTOH. Special features, such as a photo gallery, project overviews, products and services information, and a webcam will be available on www.thisoldhouse.com.