Lenny | Colony Home Improvement

How to Make Your Home Addition Green and Earth-Friendly

June 16, 20150

A home addition can be eco-friendly.

If you’re planning a home addition, making sure it is environmentally friendly and sustainable may not be on your non-negotiables list. It should be, though. There’s only one earth; we all should be good stewards of our limited, finite natural resources. If that moral argument isn’t enough to convince you to go green, how does the prospect of saving green sound? That’s right: eco-friendly home plans can actually save you money.

How You Can Integrate Green Practices into Your Home Addition

Thanks to the growing demand for environmentally sound practices and products, the cost to go green is now more affordable than ever. The practice that once was trendy and reserved mostly for the wealthy is now mainstream, thanks to better education and readily accessible eco-friendly products. In a recent survey of home builders and remodelers, the most common eco-friendly practices requested by clients were:

Installing high-efficiency HVAC or water heaters, energy-efficient lighting and appliances and insulation exceeding minimum building code requirements.
Using engineered or prefabricated materials that are longer-lasting than wood.
Enhancing the quality of indoor air by using materials low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Installing appliances and fixtures that reduce water use.
Xeriscaping (choosing a landscaping approach that needs no or minimal supplemental water).
Reducing the amount of waste generated during the construction process.
Sourcing construction materials that are reused or reclaimed.

Eco-friendly home plans use green materials.

Incorporate green materials in your eco-friendly home plans.

Green Products to Incorporate into Your Home

In addition to working closely with your builder to develop eco-friendly home plans that maximize energy efficiency, minimize water consumption and cut down on hazardous chemicals, there are a vast array of green products you can incorporate into your new home addition. Here are a few examples:

Java-Logs: clean-burning fireplace logs made out of recycled coffee grounds.
BioBags: biodegradable trash bags.
Aerators: inexpensive faucet attachments mix air into the water that comes out of the sink or shower faucet, reducing water consumption.
Hot water recirculator: a pump installed beneath sinks that supplies hot water instantly so there is no need to run the water in the faucet waiting for it to heat up.

Little Changes Can Mean Big Savings

Once your new green addition is complete, you can also make small behavioral changes to be more eco-friendly and to save money. Did you know using a programmable thermostat or manually adjusting the temperature setting to 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer can reduce your electricity costs by 10 percent? Reducing your water heater’s temperature setting to 120 degrees and covering its pipes with insulation will also significantly cut costs. Odds are, you won’t even notice these small changes until you go to pay your utility bills.

If you’re in the market for custom built home plans in Dover and the surrounding areas, contact us. Colony Home Improvement specializes in home additions and renovations, and can suggest eco-friendly building improvements that will save you money. Regardless of the size or scope of your project, we will get the job done right and on time!

Bring the Comforts of the Indoors Out with Outdoor Fireplaces

June 11, 20150

Bring the inside out with outdoor living designs.

Outdoor living designs bring the inside out.

Even in the heart of Massachusetts summer, the evenings can turn chilly. Consider upgrading your outdoor living space with an addition that not only adds ambiance and centers your space, but is truly functional year-round: an outdoor fireplace. People naturally are drawn to the warmth and pleasing glow of a fireplace. Bringing this element outdoors will encourage you, your family and your guests to spend time dining and spending time al fresco. If you’re considering outdoor living designs that include a fireplace, read on for some tips before you draw up your fireplace plans.

Is It Legal?

Before you do anything, check your local ordinances and HOA rules to make sure outdoor fireplaces aren’t prohibited. In some fire-prone areas, they’re not allowed.

Where Should You Place It?

The placement of your fireplace is key because it will affect the flow of your space and your seating options. You can opt for a stand-alone unit or one that is built into a wall or a fence. If you have an outdoor kitchen, placing a fireplace near your grilling area will tie the atmosphere together and create a cohesive space for entertaining. Always take into consideration the direction of the prevailing wind in your yard. Ideally, the chimney will cut into the wind to prevent embers from being picked up and deposited.

What Will You Construct It With?

Brick, stucco, concrete and stone are all popular fireplace exterior options. Choose a material that complements the exterior of your house. If your home is a rustic style, the natural earthy look of stone is a good choice. If your home is sleek and modern, stained concrete might be the best option. Southwestern style house? Consider cost-effective stucco. Ranch style? You can’t go wrong with the timeless look of brick.

When you are entertaining, you need outdoor living areas.

Outdoor living areas are great for entertaining.

Wood or Gas?

Essentially, this choice comes down to personal preference. Wood is more authentic and provides the best ambiance. However, it also generates smoke. Gas burns cleanly and requires no chimney. However, unless you have an existing gas line running to your backyard, you will have to install one.

Incorporate a Storage Compartment?

Especially if you opt to go with a wood-burning fireplace, consider including a wood storage area in the outdoor living designs plans for your fireplace. You’ll probably want to stockpile wood. A storage compartment keeps it out of sight and keeps it dry in the event of rain or snow.

How Will You Accessorize Your Fireplace?

To make your fireplace really pop, make sure it includes a well thought out mantel. An outdoor fireplace looks amazing when it’s flanked by plants so make sure the mantel is wide enough to hold pots. And don’t forget about accent lighting — plus the fact you’ll need to run electricity and incorporate electrical outlets into the fireplace design plans.

If you’re ready to embrace the great outdoors and create a truly inviting outdoor living space, contact us. Colony Home Improvement specializes in creating amazing outdoor living areas in Brookline and the surrounding areas. Check out the many custom built floor plans in MA we have created for happy clients. We’d like to put our skills to work for you!

Tips for Planning and Budgeting Your Home Addition and Improvement Projects

June 9, 20150

Make sure you budget for your home addition.

Your home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make, and the initial purchase is just the beginning. Financial experts say homeowners should plan to spend between one and two percent of their home’s purchase price each year on home improvements and maintenance. More and more homeowners are opting to stay in their homes longer and remodel, rather than sell and purchase an upgraded house. Remodeling and upgrading makes sense from a personal and an investment standpoint. Just make sure to set out with a concrete plan and budget or else you may discover your home improvement and remodeling costs quickly spiral out of control.

Ask Yourself: “Is the Expense of This Project Worth It to Me?”

Before you start a project, determine the cost-benefit ratio. If you plan to sell your home in the short-term, a room addition or new roof may not make sense. Therefore, if you are remodeling with the goal of selling your home, focus on big-impact improvements that will add quick value, such as strategic kitchen or bathroom upgrades. If you plan to stay in your home for a while, it does make sense to add extra living space if it will make life more comfortable. Only you can determine what projects are a wise use of your money.

Decide on the Scope of Your Project

Rather than thinking “I’m going to remodel my kitchen,” create a list of specific improvements you would like to make to the room. A kitchen remodel might include refacing or replacing cabinets, adding granite countertops, upgrading appliances, adding a kitchen island, painting, changing out tile, etc. Prioritize your list accordingly.

Plan your project with home improvement contractors.

Home improvement contractors help you plan your project.

Determine Your Maximum Budget

Armed with your to-do list, create a budget. Make sure to include labor and material costs, equipment and tools, permits and clean up. If the estimated cost exceeds the scope of your project, pare the project down by focusing on the high-priority jobs on your list. Depending on your budget, you may be able to complete a large project all at once or you may find it a wiser move to complete the project in steps, over time.

Get Recommendations for Skilled Home Improvement Contractors in the Massachusetts Area

Simply look in the phone book and you will see there’s no shortage of home improvement contractors in the Massachusetts area. However, not all are experienced, reputable or trustworthy. Before you select a contractor, ask to see before and after photos of their work and customer testimonials, verify their licenses and credentials and find out how long they have been in business. It’s especially important to research your contractor when you’re tackling complex projects that require drawing up home addition floor plans. It’s imperative to choose a contractor committed to delivering projects on time and within budget.

Whether you are in need of extensive home addition floor plans or need help with a simple home improvement project, contact us. Colony Home Improvement is a Westwood home addition and remodeling company that provides outstanding workmanship and customer service. If your home doesn’t feel like your castle, we’ll help you change that and create a comfortable, functional, beautiful living space you will be proud to call home.

Granite Countertops Add Value and Elegance to a Ranch Style Home Plan

June 4, 20150

Granite countertops are great when you design your own home.

Design your own home with beautiful granite countertops.

Ask any realtor and he or she will agree: the kitchen and bathrooms are unquestionable focal points of any home. If you decide to put your home on the market, the quality of your kitchen and bathrooms will play a major role in how much you can expect to sell your home for. If you are working on a ranch style home plan or room addition or have a home you are planning to upgrade, don’t underestimate the importance of making sure these rooms are appointed with elegant touches. Granite countertops provide the biggest bang for your buck.

Why Go Granite?

Granite is naturally beautiful, smooth, durable and available in a vast array of hues. As people have come to appreciate the simplicity of natural materials, granite has skyrocketed in popularity. The wonderful thing about this trend is it’s a timeless style. The avocado green Formica countertops that were all the rage in the 1970s eventually (and thankfully) went out of style. However, granite, a natural material from the earth, will never go out of style. Bringing subtle, subdued, soothing natural elements into a home will always be appealing.

A ranch style home plan can benefit from granite countertops.

Granite countertops work well in a ranch style home plan.

So Many Colors, But How to Choose?

The toughest part of incorporating granite countertops into a ranch style home plan or room addition is choosing your granite slab. Should you go with dark or light countertops? Should you choose a solid color or one with swirls, flecks or veining? When all is said and done, it boils down to personal preference.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you’re contemplating granite colors:

Darker countertops look best in rooms with plenty of natural light.

Dirt and water stains are more noticeable on solid colored countertops.
One hot trend right now is incorporating two granite colors in the same room, such as a veined granite on a kitchen island and a solid granite on countertops.

If you want to coordinate the color of your granite countertops with any element in the room, coordinate it with your cabinets. Again, use personal preference as your primary guide, but realize there are color combinations that naturally complement each other – deep brown cabinets with green granite, cherry cabinets with peacock granite and light oak cabinets with tan or pearl granite, for example. When granite shopping, take a sample of your cabinets with you. To do this, you may need to remove a cabinet shelf or door.

An Extra Set of Eyes Never Hurts!

Whether you own a ranch style house that could use updating and aren’t sure where to start or you are drafting a brand new ranch style home plan, contact us. At Colony Home Improvement, not only can we assist as you design your own home in Wellesley and the surrounding areas, we also are standing by to serve as your trusted adviser for home renovations and room additions of all sizes. Got granite? We do, and we’ll be happy to get it into your kitchen or home plan!

Your Home Addition Renovations Should Include Custom Crown Molding

June 2, 20150

Make your home addition better with crown molding.

Crown molding can make your home addition even better.

What can turn a plain room in your house into an outstanding one? Attention to detail. It’s interesting how sometimes the smallest touches can make all the difference in transforming a space into a true showcase. If you are considering a home addition, keep that in mind. Before you sign off on your MA home addition floor plan, study it carefully. Does it include special touches like custom crown molding? You are the king or queen of your castle. If you want your home addition to be stunning, custom crown molding is a must!

Types of Crown Molding

There are several types of crown molding from which to choose, which means there’s a crown to complement any architectural style. Here are some of the most common types:

Federal Crown Molding. Characterized by beading (small indentations) and cavetto (concave profiles), this type of crown can make a room with a low ceiling feel more open and less confined.
Colonial Revival Crown Molding. Crisp, clean lines are the perfect marriage of Greek Revival and Federal architectural styles. This type of molding looks stunning in formal rooms of the house.
Early American Crown Molding. This type of traditional crown molding maintains a concave exterior edge and convex interior edge. It’s useful for making a room appear larger.
Dentil Crown Molding. Characterized by a series of squares or rectangles, boxy dentil molding is often placed on home exteriors.
Chair Rail Crown Molding. This molding gets its name for the fact that historically, architects would place this molding about a third of the way up a wall – to serve as a buffer between chairs and walls. Today, it’s still often applied at that height, even when there’s no risk of chair-to-wall mishaps. Why? It simply looks great!

Your custom built floor plan should include crown molding.

Don’t forget crown molding in your custom built floor plan.

Crown Molding: It’s Not Just for Ceilings

The most common uses for crown molding are to provide a decorative accent between a wall and a ceiling, to create a custom fireplace mantle and to frame in an entire fireplace. However, crown is a great, cost-effective way to dress up a room and even to hide design flaws. As you contemplate your home addition, think of creative ways to incorporate crown molding and add that extra oomph to your project. You can use crown to:

Frame and beautify windows and door frames
Punch up bookshelves
Mask awkward cracks and crevices
Trim stair cases
Frame kitchen and bathroom cabinets
Separate two walls of different colors
Create a clear distinction between areas of a room

When crown molding is in your design arsenal, you’re really only limited by your imagination.

Attention to Detail Is Our Specialty

Before you commit to a custom built floor plan in Scituate and the surrounding areas, make sure you contact us at Colony Home Improvement. We don’t just want our customers to be satisfied with our work; we want our customers to be ecstatic with their addition or remodeling project. We incorporate special touches like custom crown molding that make spaces showstoppers.

Author: Lenny