EXHIBIT 5


                                  July 26, 2005


Masco Corporation
21001 Van Born Road
Taylor, Michigan  48180

         RE:      MASCO CORPORATION
                  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
                  2005 LONG TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Dear Sirs:

         I am acting as your counsel in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, registering
an aggregate of 25,000,000 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value (the
"Shares"), of Masco Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which
may be issued pursuant to the terms of the Company's 2005 Long Term Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

         I or attorneys on my staff who report to me have examined and are
familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my
satisfaction, of such documents or corporate records as I have deemed necessary
or advisable for the purpose of this opinion. Based upon the foregoing, I am of
the opinion that:

         (1) The Company has been duly incorporated and is a validly existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with
corporate power under such laws to issue the Shares; and

         (2) The Plan has been duly authorized by appropriate corporate action
and the Shares, when issued pursuant to further action by the Board of Directors
of the Company or an appropriate committee thereof and in accordance with the
provisions of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
assuming that the exercise price of stock options is not less than par value and
that prior to awarding shares of restricted stock there is a determination by
the Company's Board of Directors or an appropriate committee thereof that the
Company has received consideration having a value not less than the par value of
the shares awarded.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             /s/John R. Leekley

                                             John R. Leekley
                                             Senior Vice President and
                                               General Counsel