If you need to make a saw cut over a long distance, here's an easy way to make your cut perfectly straight. First, strike a chalk line the entire distance. Then, tack a length of strapping parallel to your cut line, set back the distance between the saw blade and the edge of the circular saw. Make your cut by pressing the saw firmly against your guide. You'll get a perfectly straight cut every time.

Loss of the roof causes the greatest amount of damage during hurricanes. Construction techniques have been developed for securing roofs during high winds. Use metal clips to tie the rafters to the top plate. Improve the attachment of the roof sheathing by spacing nails closer together. Seal the sheathing joints with an adhesive membrane (to prevent water penetration.)

Use a shingle ripper to remove cracked or damaged shingles without having to reside the whole wall. First, determine which shingles are to be removed. Slide the notched end of the shingle ripper up behind the shingle. Feel around until the notch catches on the nail and then pull. Apply a small piece of flashing before nailing up the new shingle.

For a first-rate shower installation, be sure what's behind the tile is waterproof. Start with a layer of 15lb felt paper to shield insulation and wall studs from escaping moisture. Instead of drywall, use cement board: it cuts and trims like drywall, but it provides a protective layer under wall or floor tile.

…dishwashers and TVs are melding into the woodwork. And that s just where many homeowners want them. Kitchens are looking more like extensions of living rooms; small appliances are being streamlined to fit in just about any room. Sub-Zero is credited with being…

…and with good reason, says Louis Cohen, founder and president of LBC Design in Aventura, Fla. Outdoor rooms have become extensions of the home and are living areas, recreation areas and much more, he says. Cohen notes that outdoor areas bridge a design…

…to help extend the life of your spray tips. Check how loud the sprayer is when operating. A sprayer that takes tip extensions is great for high ceilings, foyers and hard-to-reach spaces. Make sure replacement parts are available. Ask if…

…warm or cool light source should appear. Indirect lighting such as linear fluorescents will maximize room surfaces as extensions of light source, soften shadows, reduce glare and create impressions of brighter spaces. It s also a good technique to…