Building homes to survive hurricanes is the topic of a program taped in Punta Gorda, Fla., which was battered by Hurricane Charley in August 2004. Host Bob Vila visits two homes in the same neighborhood; one was destroyed, while the other (built to exceed hurricane codes) was undamaged. Also: Florida lieutenant governor Toni Jennings and Secretary of Community Affairs Thaddeus Cohen discuss rebuilding efforts around the state.

The storm-ready house in Punta Gorda, Fla., receives steel-reinforced concrete walls. Also: Wayne Sallade, director of the Charlotte County, Fla., Office of Emergency Management, discusses the fallout from Hurricane Charley, and how the county is preparing for future hurricanes.

Punta Gorda, Fla., storm-ready house: the roof, which features a truss system with engineered straps and tie-downs, and roof tiles that are attached with two screws apiece.

The Punta Gorda, Fla., storm-ready house: Impact-resistant windows are installed in the concrete structure.

Punta Gorda, Fla., storm-ready house: installing metal stud framing and mold-resistant drywall. Also: a backup generator.

In Punta Gorda, Fla., work includes installing a small splash pool outside and a master-bath whirlpool tub inside.

The exterior of the storm-ready house in Punta Gorda, Fla., is covered with a paint that retards water permeation during high winds. Inside, walls are textured and doors are installed, as are Spanish floor tiles with a metallic glaze.

At the storm-ready house in Punta Gorda, Fla., garage and porch concrete is stained to match interior tiles, and a heat pump with a ducting system sprayed with a soy-based foam is installed. Also: problems with soffits in high winds; lessons learned from recent hurricanes.

At the storm-ready house in Punta Gorda, Fla.: installing cabinets, countertops and an energy-efficient dishwasher.

At the storm-ready house in Punta Gorda, Fla., a textured surface is sprayed on to the pool deck to prevent slipping accidents, and a toilet-bidet is installed in the master bathroom. Also: the importance of a sturdy garage door during high winds.

Punta Gorda, Fla., storm-ready house: the focus is on environmentally sustainable landscaping.

Punta Gorda, Fla., storm-ready house: the outdoor pool. Host Bob Vila looks at how it's kept clean, and examines safety features and wind barriers.

The storm-ready house in Punta Gorda, Fla.: installing Brazilian-walnut flooring that adheres directly to a concrete-slab base; bamboo sliding panels; an oil-rubbed bronze kitchen faucet; and a ceiling fan-light for the kitchen island.

The storm-ready-house project in Punta Gorda, Fla., concludes with a look at the house's furnishings, and a recap of its storm-resistant features.

A kitchen-and-deck remodeling in Rowley, Mass., begins with a tour of the 125-year-old Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse, where host Bob Vila meets homeowners David and Jean Masher, as well as the project's architect and general contractor. Then demolition work commences.

Rowley, Mass., kitchen-and-deck remodeling: Work begins on the new roof and, inside, demolition continues to make room for new French doors connecting the Victorian kitchen with the new backyard deck.

The Rowley, Mass., kitchen-and-deck remodeling continues. Exterior trim is added to the addition and polyurethane foam is sprayed onto its interior walls. In addition, host Bob Vila learns about the environmental benefits of the propellent used to apply the foam.

A prefinished oak floor is laid over a newly installed radiant heating system in the kitchen of the Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse.

The Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse: framing the deck; laying handmade bathroom tiles. Also: pressure-treated lumber.

Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse project: Western red-cedar decking and the addition's copper roof are installed. Inside, host Bob Vila restores old windows.

Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse project: Cherry kitchen cabinets are installed and a cultured-stone veneer is applied to the retaining walls around the deck. Also: work on the red-cedar deck rails.

Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse project: Kitchen countertops, a sink and appliances are installed.

Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse project: Bronze bathroom fixtures are installed. Also: kitchen moldings and casings; advice on planting trees.

Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse project: exterior painting. Also: Ruth Foster on planting perennials and composting.

Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse project: A fire escape is installed. Also: lighting for the kitchen, dining room and deck; and reproduction-Victorian hardware for the front door.

The conclusion of the Rowley, Mass., Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse project: Host Bob Vila tours the finished kitchen, dining room, cedar-and-stone deck and the patio, and examines the window treatments and roll-away screen doors.