Lenny | Colony Home Improvement

Benefits of Installing a Storm Door

December 25, 20140

Consider asking local home improvement contractors to add screen doors.

Talk to local home improvement contractors about screen doors.

Have you ever noticed not all homes have a screen door? Whether homeowners love their entry door so much they don’t want to hide it or they don’t see a need for one, these doors serve a specific purpose. Many local home improvement contractors emphasize the importance of considering one of these doors in order to provide your home with a long list of benefits.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Many homeowners are looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. If you talk to any licensed general contractor, you would find out these types of projects are among the most often requested from home improvement companies. A storm door creates a pocket of air between the outside world and the interior door, which can provide the buffer necessary to keep warm or cool air inside your home. When you leave your interior door open on a warm winter day, the sun’s rays through the glass can help heat up your home without letting the cold air inside.

Convenience Features

Another reason your Massachusetts home improvement contractor may recommend installing a storm door is for the convenience features they often offer. Many homeowners like to open up their homes in the warmer months to let the fresh air inside. You wouldn’t open up your windows without screens to keep the bugs and debris out of your home, so why would you leave your entry door open without the same level of protection? A storm door can also add a level of security. Studies have proven burglars are more likely to skip a home that requires going through two doors to gain entrance because it slows them down and increases the risk of being caught.

Talk to your licensed general contractor about a storm door.

A licensed general contractor can recommend a good storm door.

An Aesthetic Addition

While there are functional benefits to installing a storm door, you may want to add one for aesthetic reasons. Some people simply don’t like the look of a home without a storm door. Others choose a beautiful door that adds to the character of their home. Local home improvement contractors typically offer a variety of styles from which you can choose, including etched glass, retractable screens, split windows and more. Your licensed general contractor can help you choose the best option that looks great on your home and offers the functionality you’re looking for.

A storm door may seem like an extra element you don’t need on your home, but it actually serves a number of purposes. These doors can increase the overall energy efficiency of your home and can provide a variety of other convenience features. It can also enhance the look of the exterior of your home to create the aesthetic you’ve always wanted. Your Massachusetts home improvement contractor can help you weigh your options and make the right decision.

If you are interested in adding a storm door to your home, contact us. Our experienced contractors can help you decide which one will enhance your home’s curb appeal.

While Classic Siding Colors Are Always in Style, Sometimes It’s Fun to Be Trendy

December 18, 20140

Exterior siding options come in a variety of colors.

Consider trendy colors for your exterior siding options.

Take a look around your neighborhood. What colors do you see on the homes around you? Chances are many of the exterior siding options in your neighborhood are a mix of some of the classic siding colors homeowners turn to time and again; however, not everyone wants to settle for the same colors everyone else is using. In fact, sometimes it’s fun to be trendy and choose siding options no one else around you has.

Earthy Tones

When you ask your vinyl siding contractor about the various exterior siding options available for your home, make sure you discuss the various colors in which the siding is available. Many homeowners enjoy using earthy tones because they blend well with the landscaping and create a seamless look for the exterior of your home. Variations of yellow, green and brown can look great on the outside of your home if they are used appropriately.

What color do you want in your exterior siding options?

Consider a number of color options for exterior siding options.

Shades of Blue

Many people avoid shades of blue when exploring their siding options, but there’s no reason not to choose this color if it appeals to you. While you may find some homes in your neighborhood that use blue, paint companies are constantly developing new shades that will trend for a short period of time. Talk to your vinyl siding contractor about which blues are currently trending so you can find one that suits your style.

Dark Colors Are In

While many homeowners tend to choose lighter colors for their homes, dark colors are currently trending, which can help your house stand out from the others in the neighborhood. Various dark shades of green, red, brown and gray can be found on homes throughout the country, giving you the opportunity to express your sense of style through your exterior siding options.

Keep Your Neighbors in Mind

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a siding option for your home. There are certain colors that seem to always be in style, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask your vinyl siding contractor about the other options that are currently available. On the other hand, you don’t want your home to stand out too much in your neighborhood that it creates an eye sore. For this reason, it’s important to take the overall look of your neighborhood into consideration before you make a final decision.

There are many exterior siding options that can help you create the beautiful home you’ve always wanted. The colors you choose for the exterior of your home can play a major role in the value of your home and its curb appeal if you decide to sell. Before you choose the right color for your home, be sure to work with an experienced vinyl siding contractor to get a professional opinion.

If you are looking for a vinyl siding contractor to help you choose your next house color, contact us. Our Massachusetts contractors are ready to make the decision-making process easier.

Getting Your Home Ready for the Winter Season

December 11, 20140

Protect your home for the winter with home improvement projects.

Certain home improvement projects protect your home for the winter.

When the weather gets cold, your home is put under additional stress that doesn’t exist with warmer temperatures. Before the temperatures really drop, it’s important to take the right home improvement steps to protect your home and decrease the amount of energy you need to use to heat your home. Here are some of the ways your Massachusetts home improvement contractor can help you prepare your home for winter.

Tune up Your Heating System

Your heating system stays dormant all summer long after working hard the previous winter. To ensure your furnace is operating at peak efficiency, make sure you schedule a tune up with your local heating and cooling technician. This will ensure your furnace is ready to keep your home warmer this winter.

Consider Your Windows

Older windows have a tendency to leak, allowing the warm air in your home to escape and the cold air to seep in. This causes you to spend more money on your heating bills. If you have older windows, it may be time to contact a Massachusetts home improvement contractor to go over the benefits of installing energy efficient windows instead. If you can’t afford new windows, use plastic or another sealant to plug up the leaks.

Keep your home cozy with home improvement projects.

Ask your home improvement contractor what you should do before winter hits.

Weatherproof Your Home

In addition to your windows, there are other ways your home could waste energy in the winter months. Doors are often a common culprit. If you can pass a dollar bill under your shut door, you may want to consider a replacement. In some situations, replacing the seal around the door can remedy the problem.

Clean out the Gutters

It may seem like cleaning out the gutters is unnecessary to protect your home this winter, but it’s never a good idea to allow dead leaves and debris to build up in your gutters. Cleaning them out will ensure melted snow can flow easily and will prevent the buildup of ice dams on the roof. Failure to prevent ice dams can result in serious damage that will require professional repair once warmer weather returns.

Pad Your Pipes

Another common energy drainer in your home is your pipes, especially those that are located close to outer walls. When hot water flows through cold pipes, the water will cool down as well, wasting the energy your water heater used to heat it up in the first place. Installing padding around your pipes will help hold the warmth in.

As the weather cools off, homeowners need to take the proper steps to ensure their home is ready for winter. Hiring a Massachusetts home improvement contractor to help you tackle some of these projects before winter sets in can help you reduce energy costs and the risk of needing repairs once spring arrives.

If you are looking for an experienced contractor to help you prepare for winter, contact us. Our Massachusetts home improvement company is ready to assist with all types of projects.

How to Prepare and Protect Your Basement from Flooding

December 4, 20140

Protect your basement with basement remodeling contractors.

Basement remodeling contractors can keep the water out of your basement.

There’s nothing worse than trying to walk into your basement, only to find your basement has flooded. Whether there is just enough water to make the floor wet or you are dealing with several inches of water, you could be facing high repair costs. Knowing how to protect your basement from flooding by working with experienced basement remodeling contractors will help you protect your home and your basement from costly damage.

Why Do Basements Flood?

Before you start your basement finishing project, it’s important to understand why basements flood so you can find ways to prevent the damage. In most cases, basement flooding occurs when rain water doesn’t divert away from the house and seeps through the foundation. Some of the biggest reasons this happens is if your downspouts are too close to the house, the land doesn’t slope away from your home or your gutters are clogged. Your basement remodeling contractors can evaluate the state of your foundation and basement walls to detect any possible problems so they can be fixed before moving forward with your basement remodeling project.

Keep your home dry with basement remodeling contractors.

Find out how your basement remodeling contractors can keep your home dry.

What Can You Do?

In addition to talking to your remodeling contractors about how to protect your basement from flooding, there are steps you can take to reduce your risks. Every spring and fall, it’s important to clean out your gutters so water can flow freely through the system instead of overflowing under your roofing material or directly next to your home. If your downspouts are too close to your home, you can purchase extensions to channel water further from your home. Check your yard during heavy storms to identify where water pools. If you have large puddles close to your home, you may need help from a professional to resolve the issue.

Another important element in any basement finishing project is a sump pump. If your home doesn’t already have one, talk to basement remodeling contractors about adding one. These pumps draw excess moisture out of the ground immediately surrounding your home and funnels it through a pipe, depositing it a safe distance from your home. Some homeowners feel more secure when installing a backup sump pump in case the main pump fails. It can also be helpful to install a generator large enough to operate the sump pump if you lose electricity.

When you undertake a basement finishing project, you need to know how to protect your basement from flooding to further protect your investment. Many basement remodeling contractors are aware of best ways to reduce the risks of flooding so you can enjoy your basement to its fullest without concern over whether the items you store there may be damaged due to flooding.

If you are concerned about basement flooding, contact us. Our experienced Massachusetts contractors can complete a basement finishing project that can protect you from flood damage.

Important Questions You Should Ask Before You Begin Your Second Story Addition

November 27, 20140

Be prepared before adding a second story addition.

Before considering a second story addition, ask these questions.

Sometimes you just don’t have the room to build an addition out from your home. Whether your home is too close to the property line or you don’t want to use up precious space in your yard, a second story addition can be the ideal alternative. Before you start making your addition plans, ask a contractor these questions to determine whether this is the best choice to expand the usable space in your home.

How Much Does It Cost?

One of the most important questions is how much this type of project will cost. A second story addition will lead to different costs than adding an expansion onto the first floor of your home. For instance, to build the addition, more demolition is required, such as the roof, and the systems in your home, including plumbing and electricity, need to be revised. Talking to your contractor will help you understand the costs so you can evaluate whether it is worth it to move forward.

Is It Possible?

As you create addition plans, you will realize not all homes are built with the structure to hold the weight of an entire second floor. Your contractor will be able to check the integrity of your home and determine the viability of this type of project. Sometimes adjustments can be made to allow for this type of addition. If it isn’t possible, your contractor can help you decide whether there are any better options.

Can your home accommodate a second story addition.

Are you ready for a second story addition?

Is a Full Addition Required?

You may not envision your home with a full second story addition. A remodeling contractor can create addition plans that only provide a partial addition to give you the space you need without adding a full floor to your home. Perhaps you only need an extra room or two. Your contractor can help you decide what type of addition you need to provide the amount of space you require.

Does the Contractor Have Experience?

Adding a second story can be a difficult process that requires specific skills and expertise. You don’t want to leave these addition plans in the hands of an inexperienced contractor. With the wrong technique, you could be putting your entire home at risk. A poor second story addition can cause undue stress on your foundation and could ultimately destroy your existing home, costing you more money in repairs.

When you want to expand your home, you basically have two choices: expand out or expand up. Addition plans can be complex, especially if you choose a second story addition over expanding outward from your existing home. This makes choosing the right contractor to ensure the job is done correctly without putting your entire home at risk.

If you are interested in discussing addition plans with a Massachusetts contractor, contact us. We can help you design and build your second story for a beautiful home.

Author: Lenny