QUESTION: Repaint or reshingle? The cedar shingles on the walls of my 80-year-old house are original to the house, and while most are in reasonably good shape, some have blown off. Should I repaint or put up new shingles?

ANSWER: Those shingles have served far longer than a lot of siding in New England, and the fact that some have blown off indicates that they are wearing thin, and more will blow off every time the wind rises a bit. So, give yourself a break and do not repaint. Instead, tear the shingles off and put up white cedar shingles exposed 5 inches to the weather. Do not stain, paint, seal, or do anything with them; they will weather to that so-called Cape Cod Silver and will last another 80 years. Well, 40 anyway.

QUESTION: I plan to put in hardwood flooring. The store people suggested using wood glue to install the hardwood. Would that be OK?

ANSWER: If the hardwood is made of tiles or parquet squares, then glue is a good idea. If the hardwood boards are strips, I suggest nailing and gluing.

QUESTION: When it snows, I am getting water in my dining room. A roofer said he would put ice and water shield on the edges of the roof. Can that be done in any weather?

ANSWER: Roof work can be done almost any time, but it is generally suggested to do the work when the temperature is around 40 degrees F. Since shingles must be removed in order to put the ice and water shield on, new shingles must be installed over the shield.

If your roof is more than 25 years old, you are due for a new one, so it is best to install a new roof while you are at it.

QUESTION: My wood baseboards are stained very, very dark brown. I would like to paint them a lighter color, but is there a way that I can paint without that dark brown stain bleeding through?

ANSWER: Yes, there is a way, and it is called a primer sealer, or stain killer. You could use a latex enamel undercoater, which will prevent bleeding. If it doesn't, use latex-based Kilz. Then apply two thin coats of any kind of latex eggshell finish paint and you will bask in the light of those baseboards.

QUESTION: What are the best roof shingles and what are the brand names? Can a roofer find them when he does my roof?

ANSWER: Those "best" shingles are organic, which are made with a core of saturated felt instead of fiberglass, and I feel they stand up better than fiberglass, and are less brittle and therefore easier to install. Two brands are IKO and BP, both Canadian firms. A roofer can find them, although not many stores sell them. My roofer found organics when I asked for them, and the installer was impressed by their quality.

Handyman on Call Peter Hotton is available 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton also chats online about house matters from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursdays. Go to www.boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@globe. com

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