Home Improvement Blog

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Paint Color for the Exterior of Your Home

October 9, 20140

Ask your home improvement contractor about paint colors.

Your home improvement contractor ensures your home looks great.

The outside of your home is the first thing your guests and neighbors see. The exterior adds personality to your home and to your neighborhood. Using the right design build plans can help you figure out the perfect paint color for the exterior of your home. A new color is a great way to give your house a facelift. Whether you want to make a statement or add curb appeal, keep these tips in mind when choosing your paint color.

Figure out Your Home’s Personality

The first step to choosing the perfect paint color for the exterior of your home is to determine what kind of personality your home has. It all depends on the style of your home, the type of neighborhood you live in, your family lifestyle and your geographic location. Choosing the right shade of paint can help reflect the design and style of your home. For example, a bold shade will make your home appear trendy and urban. On the other hand, a subdued palette can make your home look more refined.

Consider Your Neighbor’s Exterior Paint Colors

Before painting, consider which colors would work well in your neighborhood. Think of your neighborhood as your canvas and what colors would work on that canvas. A home improvement contractor can give guidance during this process, helping you look at your home from an artistic standpoint.

Choosing the right exterior paint colors can also give your reputation a boost in the neighborhood. It shows you are considerate when it comes to your neighbors and the appearance of the homes. Think about the colors you want to use. Will they fit in with the surrounding home construction? Do they blend in with the look and feel of your area?

Before you choose paint, talk to your home improvement contractor.

A home improvement contractor understands how to pick an exterior color.

Use Your Natural Environment for Color Selection

The surroundings of your home can have an impact on the colors you choose. Keep your setting in mind when choosing the right exterior paint colors for your house. Research the colors used most around your home. For example, a home on the beach may feature tans, whites, blues and yellows, while a home in the mountains might consist of more earthy shades. Match the paint colors before you consider which design build plans to use on your home.

Use Color Tools to Help You Choose

When in doubt, use color tools to help select the right exterior paint colorsfor your home. You can use a color wheel or a color fan to help you select the right shade. Ask your home improvement contractor if you can borrow his fan or if you can try some samples on your home. You can also buy a fan from professional stores and hardware shops.

Once you chose a color you like, have a wet sample painted on the outside of your home. The colors on the wheel can look different than they do on the actual material of your home. The color may look lighter or darker than you want.

If you are interested in home improvement in MA, contact us for a free quote. An experienced home improvement contractor on our team can give your home a new look and help you decide what paint colors to use.

Tips for Remodeling the Perfect Front Porch

October 7, 20140

Decks and porches make a great home improvement project.

Make your home more welcoming with decks and porches.

Front porches are a fantastic way to enjoy the scenery surrounding your home. If you are currently looking to add decks and porches to your home, you may need a home improvement contractor to make sure the job is done right. Adding features to your existing home is subject to city building codes and regulations, which can be difficult to understand if you don’t have prior experience with renovations. Before you make any improvements to your home’s exterior, there are some helpful remodeling tips to keep in mind.

Use

Before you even start picking the wood you want to use, it’s important to determine exactly how you want to use your new decks and porches. For example, if you want a space for your small children, make sure your design does not include dangerous stairs. If you enjoy entertaining, a bar or fire pit may be an essential feature. Swings and rocking chairs make great additions to a front porch if you want a place to sit and watch the sun go down. Figuring out which features you want for your new addition will help your home improvement contractorcreate the best plans for you.

Looking for home improvement projects? Consider decks and porches.

Decks and porches create a finished look for your home.

Seasons

It’s critical to consider the type of weather your region experiences. For home owners living in warm or rainy climates, an awning or other covering to protect your exterior home improvement may be a great addition. On the other hand, those living in areas that have more cold days may need to add options to keep the deck free of ice. Your local home improvement contractor has experience making your outdoor space a great place year-round.

Practicality

You want to make your decks and porches as user friendly as possible so you can spend the most time on them. Make sure you don’t forget to add small creature comforts, such as lights, ceiling fans and plenty of seating. These items create an inviting space for family time or entertaining.

If you are looking for a design and building contractor in Massachusetts to make renovating your decks and porches hassle free, contact us. We have years of experience and can make your next outdoor space the perfect place to spend time with your loved ones.

Add More Windows and Skylights to Your Home and Let the Sun Shine In

October 2, 20140

Skylights installation adds more natural light.

Bring more natural light into your home with skylights installation.

Homes lacking adequate amounts of natural light can begin to feel like dark caves. There are many ways to increase natural illumination in your home. Perhaps you are considering replacing home windows with new models, which protect from UV rays, allow more light and conserve energy. Others might consider installing skylights to add extra illumination and a wonderful view of the night sky. No matter what the design, style or age of your home, there are lighting solutions that can help brighten rooms, as well as your mood.

Benefits of Using Natural Light

There are many advantages to using natural light to brighten your house. Replacing home windows with larger units allow greater illumination and can make the room feel more spacious and comfortable. Well lit areas can help you feel less cramped and help improve your mood, increase energy and improve productivity. Aside from these aesthetic and health benefits, you can save energy, while reducing reliance on electrical lighting. As a general rule, we all respond, feel and act better in a home lit using natural sources.

Skylights installation enhances the beauty of any home.

You can transform the look of your home with skylights installation.

Proper Placement of Skylights and Windows

When installing skylights, it is important to note they provide an excellent source of natural light, but they can also be a passive source of solar heat. Roof windows or skylights placed on a north-facing roof offer constant illumination, which is relatively cool. These units placed on an east-facing roof can provide a maximum amount of light and offer solar heat during the morning, while those facing west offer afternoon light but can also provide larger amounts of heat, specifically in the late afternoon. Skylights installation typically is beneficial in areas where it’s not practical to add more windows, such as in hallways or in closed kitchen areas. Adding a window in the home’s entryway can also help it appear more welcoming.

Other Ways to Brighten Your Home

Aside from installing skylights and windows, there are other strategies that can help make good use of natural light sources. For example, replacing interior solid doors with French doors helps share light among rooms. If possible, inside walls can be removed to make a space seem roomier and offer shared lighting opportunities. Front doors can be lined with windows providing sidelights or solid doors exchanged for designs featuring paned glass. Adding customized lighting in areas around focal points like fireplaces or artwork can add beneficial light to a room.

If you are considering increasing the natural light in your home by installing skylights or replacing home windows, contact us. At Colony Home Improvement in Massachusetts, we have the experience and expertise to help you achieve optimal lighting.

Ten Things You Should Consider before Beginning Your Second Floor Addition

September 30, 20140

A second floor addition can be a great option.

Add space to your home with a second floor addition.

Second floor additions are one of the most under-used ways to add more space to your existing home. Adding another floor requires research, planning and plenty of construction. Before you make the decision to renovate your home, there are a few important things to consider that may have an impact on the structure..

Seamless Integration

Because your home was built years before your addition plans, it is essential to ensure your new home improvement looks similar to the rest of your home. This can be difficult due to changing trends in contracting and home décor. Work with your contractor to make sure your second floor addition looks like part of your home’s original build, rather than a completely different space.

Structural Impact

A new second floor will weigh considerably more than your existing roof. Your contractor will need to calculate how much weight your current walls and foundation can hold, reinforcing them if necessary to meet building codes.

Adding Stairs

Make sure your current floor plan has enough room to add the stairs you need to get to your second floor addition. Although you are effectively creating more space with your addition plans, adding stairs may create spacing issues for your original floor plan.

Learn what you should consider for a second story addition.

A second story addition adds space and increases the value of your home.

Mechanical Additions

Your new second story addition needs the same mechanical elements as your current home, such as water and electricity. If you don’t use a contractor who already provides these services, you may experience higher costs.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are an essential part of all addition plans. Unless you intend to make your second floor a large, dark space, you’ll need to plan for the additional costs of adding new windows and doors to your second story addition.

Siding

To match the look of your new floor to the rest of your home, you may need to buy new siding. Depending on the age of your current siding, it may prove challenging to find a good match for your new addition.

Other Considerations

Along with adding doors, windows and other stylistic features, keep in mind you may have to invest in the following elements for your second story addition:

· Insulation for temperature regulation

· Finishing touches, such as door knobs and light switches

· New roofing for your second floor

· Extending your chimney if needed

A new second floor addition is a great way to expand your current home as your family grows. While there are many things to consider with your addition plans, a good contractor can help you add more space to your home.

If you are looking to create another floor in your house, contact us. Our experienced design and build contractors in Massachusetts have the experience you can count on to make sure your project is done right the first time.

When It Comes to Kitchen Remodeling, Which Is Best…Open or Closed?

September 23, 20140

Do you want an open or closed kitchen remodeling project?

Open or closed….these are your options when it comes to kitchen remodeling.

If you are currently making kitchen remodeling plans, you may have spent some time researching the latest looks and trends in home renovation. Kitchens can have a variety of features, including the ability to be open or closed. If you are having a difficult time deciding whether to add more walls for a closed look or tear down a few for a more open space, there are some advantages and disadvantages to both types of kitchen additions.

Closed Kitchens

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, many homeowners are looking to convert their current kitchens into open living spaces. Creating an open kitchen could mean major construction and tearing down your existing walls, which could greatly increase the cost of your kitchen remodeling plans. If you would rather focus on upgrading other features, such as appliances and cabinets, a closed option could save money.

Other advantages of a closed kitchen include:

· More walls mean more room for cabinets and other storage options

· Messes are easily hidden because your kitchen isn’t so open

· Cooking odors are contained

While closed kitchen additions provide more storage, they do have some disadvantages. For example, if you have small children or pets, it can be more difficult to keep an eye on them if you need to stay in the kitchen. Adding or having more walls in your kitchen remodeling plans can also take up more of your current square footage than an open floor plan.

Your kitchen remodeling options include open and closed designs.

Which design do you prefer? Open or closed kitchen remodeling.

Open Kitchens

Open kitchens are currently one of the most popular home renovation trends. Many new homes already include these open spaces, but if you have an older home and are looking for the same design, kitchen remodeling can help you get the kitchen of your dreams. Along with tying all of your living spaces together, open kitchens:

· Provide a full view into other rooms, such as the family area

· Create a social hub for parties and entertaining

· Allow conversation while cooking

· Bring in more light from windows

Open kitchen remodeling plans can help your family stay connected throughout your home, even when you are busy cooking. Open plans let you keep an eye on small children and pets without leaving the room. Unfortunately, if you don’t currently have an open space and are looking to add one, wall demolition may be needed, which will add to your kitchen additions cost.

If you are looking to add a beautiful open or closed kitchen to your home, contact us. Our Massachusetts design and build contractors have the experience you need to make your dream home a reality.