"We make custom wood countertops," Denise Grothouse said explaining why "This Old House," a PBS television show, came to Germansville to film Oct. 11.

Grothouse said this was the company's fourth appearance on the program.

The film crew visited Grothouse Lumber Company in 2007. The other times, Grothouse went to the site of the house being renovated.

Cambridge House, Cambridge, Mass., is the new project for Grothouse and "This Old House."

Although the outside is a fine old Victorian house, the interior will be modernized.

Grothouse Lumber made a kitchen counter and the work crew showed how it was put together as it was filmed.

As work continued in one building a group of students from Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville, toured the center where the work of custom building is being done.

Jake Heiter, a worker for Grothouse, Kyle Cunningham, Luis Santos, Dustin Anderson, Matt Welsh, LCTI's instructor for cabinet making, Ngan Phung, and Matthew Rex listened as the work involved in making one piece was explained.

"These kids are so excited," Denise Grothouse explained.

She and her husband, Paul, are building their own house on the hill behind the shops, she said.

Paul Grothouse was talking to Norm Abram, host of "This Old House."

Abram, a master carpenter from the Boston area, said they did not want to make any dramatic changes to the house, although it is being remodeled from a two-family to a single-family home.

"It's a narrow house in the inner city," Abram said. "The show premiered last week. This episode will be shown toward the end. We filmed 12 episodes.

Abram, who has progessed from general contractor said this job is different.

"I get to work on the projects more," he said. "A contractor is keeping crews busy and sending out bills. Now I'm doing something new. 'This Old House" is partly dreaming.'"

Although the film crew and cast has seldom been out of New England over the last couple years work was in Cambridge and Essex this year they'll be branching out again.

They've done work from Hawaii to London, Abram said.

"This Old House" fans write and say "pick my house."

Abram said some people look at the renovations as a freebie but it is a documentary. Some products are donated or discounted. The purpose is a whole-house renovation.

"It is efficient the way we do one house for 15 shows," Abram said, adding when they needed a special countertop, they knew just where to come.

"We worked with Paul [Grothouse] in the past" Abram said. "He is one of the few who make wooden countertops. The way he joins them is different. The maple wood drops to the floor, a very unique piece."

Sarah Monzon said this is her first visit to Grothouse and she was impressed.

"The people are great to be around," she explained. "It's someone who can mix craftsmanship with state of the art technology so good for our show.

"This piece is the star of the house. I'm a recent addition but my background is this type of show. This is a great place to visit and it was a beautiful drive."

Abram said he spends a lot of time in the shop. Some of the furniture he makes in his house never gets finished.

He said the most ambitious project the show did was a highboy.

"We've done some pretty impressive things," Abram said. "We try to bring new technology to houses for people. They are energy efficient. We have new products to work with.

He has written five woodworking books. One of them is on the building of his own house, "Norm's Dream House," and one is on using hand tools.

To find when "This Old House" airs check local listings for PBS or Google the "This Old House" website.