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Consider sunrooms in your home additions.
home additions, sunroom addition

MA Home Addition Contractors Can Turn Your Sunroom into a Four Seasons Room

October 13, 20160

One of the most rewarding home additions in MA is transforming a three-season sunroom into a room that can be enjoyed year-round. There’s no denying in Massachusetts, most residents prefer to spend most of their winter days indoors. By making strategic improvements to a sunroom, home improvement contractors in Wellesley are able to give homeowners welcome extra square footage they can make use of when they are relegated to the warmth of their homes. Having more room to spread out is always a benefit!

Three-Season Rooms Versus Four-Season Rooms: What’s the Difference?

As the names indicate, three-season sunrooms aren’t designed to be used during winter. They’re built to allow a home’s residents to enjoy beautiful views of the outdoors without being bothered by insects or the elements. Four-season rooms are designed to be used year-round. Either setup adds valuable square footage to a home. Many homeowners use their sunrooms as “bonus rooms” that serve as lounging/reading areas, craft rooms, playrooms, homework rooms, workout rooms or extra dining space when they’re hosting guests. The beauty of a sunroom is you can make it whatever you wish to make it!

Four season sunrooms is a great option to discuss with your home improvement contractor.

Talk to your home improvement contractor about four season sunrooms.

How Home Addition Contractors in MA Can Retrofit Your Sunroom

In three words, the approach contractors will use to turn your sunroom into a four-seasons room is this: insulation, insulation, insulation. Insulation blocks cold and wind from infiltrating into the room and making it uncomfortably frigid. Additionally, if your sunroom’s windows are not energy-efficient, your Wellesley home improvement contractor will probably recommend upgrading your windows to thicker, double- or triple-paned energy-efficient models. Windows will also be sealed and gaps between windows and walls filled in with caulk. In some instances, contractors may recommend installing a heated floor or incorporating your home’s HVAC system into the sunroom if it is not already. Overall, upgrading a sunroom is one of the more affordable options for home additions in MA. The space already exists; it simply needs to be retrofitted with materials to help keep the cold out and the heat in.

What You Can Do to Add Warmth to Your Four-Season Room

Even after your contractor has worked his magic and weather-proofed your sunroom, you’ll still have the same struggles to keep that room warm as you do warming the rest of your home. To get through the winter comfortably, here are some simple steps you can take:

  • Cover tile or wood floors with rugs
  • Hang insulated curtains over windows
  • Equip the room with portable space heaters
  • Keep plenty of blankets easily accessible
  • Opt for “warm” colors, such as reds, browns and oranges, for your décor and paint. This can actually trick your mind into feeling a space is warmer than it is.
  • Burn candles or incense to create a cozy, warm feeling in the room

Winter is fast approaching! If you’d love to be able to comfortably use your sunroom in the frigid months to come, contact us at Colony Home Improvement for a consultation.

The right backsplash should be part of your kitchen remodeling.
home additions, kitchen remodeling

How to Choose the Perfect Backsplash for Your MA Kitchen Remodel

October 6, 20160

If you’re planning to pursue kitchen remodeling in MA in the near future, you’ve probably got ideas about your ideal kitchen floor plan, what type of appliances you would like and what material you prefer for your flooring and countertops. There’s one important detail you may not have considered: what backsplash will you choose? Here are three things to keep in mind when considering your options.

What Is Your Budget?

Kitchen remodeling in MA ranges from sprucing up a space while staying within tight budget constraints to creating a dream kitchen regardless of the cost. One of the great things about choosing a tile backsplash is tile is suitable for all budgets. Backsplash tiles are available in a head-spinning array of colors, materials, patterns, shapes and sizes. Regardless of budget, tiles of varying sizes and colors can be combined for a whimsical, completely custom look. For a more traditional look, choose one subway or mosaic tile that inspires you (and you can afford) and use it to create a simple, solid backsplash. Whether you prefer bright and bold or understated and subdued, you are sure to find a tile you can afford that will put the finishing touch on your kitchen remodel.

Consider a unique backsplash in your custom built home plans.

Custom built home plans can include a unique backsplash.

What Size Backsplash Do You Want?

Home addition contractors in MA are reporting more homeowners are foregoing traditional four-inch high backsplashes in favor of backsplashes that go as high as the bottom of the kitchen cabinets or even higher. If you decide to extend your backsplash, you’ll want to make sure the material and color you choose blends well with the rest of your space. As noted, tile is a popular choice because it’s available in so many styles, sizes and colors. Other options include marble and granite. These natural materials are more durable than tile and, when sealed properly, are low-maintenance. Granite and marble are ideal materials for covering a large space in a kitchen with a classic style. Like tile, these natural materials are available in a wide array of colors and price points.

How Important Is Low-Maintenance?

When considering materials for your backsplash, take into account the fact some options require more maintenance than others. One increasingly popular backsplash trend is metal tiles, such as stainless steel and copper. Beautiful and shiny upon installation, they quickly lose their luster unless they’re polished regularly. Another up-and-coming backsplash trend is cork. It’s beautiful, but it also needs to be sealed regularly to prevent stains. The functional purpose of a backsplash is to protect walls from the splatters and splashes common in a kitchen. If you cook a lot and prefer a low-maintenance kitchen, you’ll probably be happiest with a backsplash that can easily be wiped clean.

Whether you are ready to design your own home in Scituate or simply update to your existing home’s kitchen, contact us at Colony Home Improvement. Our team would be happy to show you examples of our custom built home plans in Scituate, photos of our completed projects and testimonials from happy customers.

Consider windows in your home additions.
home additions

Planning on a Home Addition? Let the Light Shine In!

September 15, 20160

One of the most exciting things for homeowners planning home additions in MA is they’re able to embrace their creativity and work with a skilled Hingham home improvement contractor to bring their ideas to life. On the top of many homeowners’ wish lists? Brightening up a dark and sometimes depressing home. Here are some great ways to accomplish that.

Add Windows and Skylights

The most obvious way to brighten up your home is to incorporate more or larger windows and/or skylights into your Hingham home addition. Brightening up your home by letting the sun shine in not only will boost your mood, but it may also save you money by cutting down on the need to turn on the lights. Just be aware not all windows are created equally. There are many options from which to choose, including single- or double-pane windows, bay windows, awning windows, casement windows, double-hung windows and more. Home addition contractors in MA who have expertise in home additions will be able to recommend windows and skylights that will work best with the design of your home.

Walk to your home improvement contractor about adding windows.

A home improvement contractor can help you choose the right windows.

Incorporate a Sun Room into Your Home Addition

If adding windows will brighten up your home, just imagine what adding a room of windows will do! A sun room will add valuable lighting and square footage to your home. When the time comes to sell, every square foot equates to a higher asking price! You can use it as a sitting area, a kid’s room, a dining area, a music room; you’re limited only by your imagination. Your contractor will be able to provide guidance on where best to situate a sun room so you’ll be able to use it comfortably during all four seasons.

Carefully Consider Your Choice of Flooring

When you’re considering flooring for your home addition and your goal is to make your home feel brighter, consider skipping the carpet and choosing a light, shiny tile or even a warm wood or faux wood. These materials reflect light and will make your home feel cheerier. They’re also much easier to clean than carpeting. If you do insist on carpeting, choose a light color and the most durable, stain-resistant style you can find. There is nothing bright and cheerful about dingy, stained carpeting!

The Right Paint Colors Will Brighten Up a Space

One of the last phases of your home addition will be painting the walls and trim. You may be enamored by magazine photo shoots featuring navy blue or charcoal gray walls, but if your goal is to brighten up your space, opt for soft whites, yellows or grays. Lighter colors will also make a room appear larger, whereas dark colors make it feel smaller. You can always bring in your favorite bold colors through your artwork and accessories.

If you’re ready to remodel or add on to your home, make sure to partner with a skilled, reliable contractor who can bring your ideas to life. Contact us at Colony Home Improvement today! We would love to work with you to create your dream home!

Bathroom remodeling requires large decisions.
bathroom addition, bathroom remodeling, home additions

6 Important Decisions to Make Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

September 8, 20160

When the remodeling bug hits, it often hits with a vengeance. Once you’ve made up your mind to proceed with a home addition in Duxbury or to pursue bathroom remodeling in MA, you may be anxious to get the show on the road. While that’s certainly understandable, it will benefit you in the long run to spend time contemplating the specifics of your project before scheduling a time for your contractor to begin. If your next home improvement in Duxbury will be a bathroom remodel, make sure you answer the six questions below before you get started.

What Is Your Maximum Budget?

This, arguably, is the most important consideration before beginning your project. Your answer will guide how many wants you’ll be able to fit in to go along with your basic needs for the project.

Do You Want to Emphasize Style or Substance?

One important question to answer before beginning your bathroom remodel is who will be using the bathroom and for what? Will it be used by school-aged children who will be rushing to get ready and out the door in time to meet the bus? Or are you an empty-nester who values luxurious bubble baths? The answer to this question will have a huge effect on many of your choices for the room.

Bathtub or No Bathtub?

Some homeowners say they can’t live without a bathtub. Others say they rarely, if ever, use theirs. If you aren’t a big bathtub fan, deciding to go without one in your new bathroom will free up space for a larger walk-in shower, a double vanity, a walk-in closet or other amenities.

Plan well for your home addition.

Your home addition requires plenty of planning.

Do You Want to Go Green?

In recent years, the assortment of energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and water-saving faucets and shower heads has soared. You may pay a bit more upfront for green products. However, over time, expect to recoup those upfront costs in the form of lower electric and water bills. Green options are also better for the environment. If environmentally friendlier options are important to you, let your contractor know before he begins your project.

Custom or Stock Cabinets and Vanity?

Built-in cabinets and custom marble or granite countertops often cost more than off-the-shelf cabinets and pre-assembled vanity/countertop options. Before beginning your project, discuss your options with your contractor. Often, contractors have relationships with carpenters and fabricators and can negotiate an affordable price for custom cabinetry if that’s how you’d like to proceed.

What Type of Tile Do You Want?

It’s a safe assumption your bathroom will include tile. Most bathroom floors are tile, as are shower walls and floors. Decorative mosaic tiles are a popular option, but they often cost more than larger, more common tiles. If you insist on a pricey tile, you may have to compromise elsewhere in your budget.

A bathroom remodel will invigorate your space and make it more functional and more appealing to potential buyers down the road when you decide to sell. Colony Home Improvement has been completing beautiful home additions in MA for decades. We’ve completed hundreds of bathrooms of all styles and sizes. Contact us to get started on your project and to ensure it is completed professionally.

Kitchen remodeling means picking new appliances.
home additions, kitchen remodeling

How to Choose Appliances for Your New Brookline, MA, Kitchen

September 1, 20160

One of the most popular home improvement projects is a kitchen remodel. In many homes, the kitchen serves as the heart of the home. Meals are cooked, heated up or delivered and enjoyed. Lunches are prepared and packed for the next day. Conversations are had and laughter is enjoyed while all of these utilitarian functions take place. Whether you cook regularly or rarely, your kitchen is probably a treasured gathering place in your home. When you’re ready to spruce up your kitchen, buying new appliances is an important part of the project. Read on for tips on choosing three of the most used appliances for your new kitchen.

Choosing the Ideal Refrigerator

When you are in the planning stages of your project for kitchen remodeling in MA, you may visit home improvement stores or peruse magazines looking for ideas. One of the most important appliances you’ll choose is a refrigerator. Even if you don’t cook at all, you’ll want to keep your heat-and-eat foods and drinks cold! Before you decide on a side-by-side fridge packed with bells and whistles or a pricey, custom built-in unit, first you need to do your homework and decide which of the many home improvement contractors in Brookline, MA, will oversee your remodel. Why? You cannot choose a refrigerator until you have an idea what the floor plan for your new kitchen will look like. Buying a refrigerator is like buying a piece of furniture. If it won’t fit in your space, it won’t work.

Talk to home improvement contractors about your kitchen appliances.

Home improvement contractors can help you choose appliances.

Choosing an Appropriate Cooktop for Your Lifestyle

Arguably, the most important cooktop consideration is gas versus electric. If your kitchen is not equipped with gas and you have no desire to invest in running a gas line, the decision is obvious. If your kitchen does have gas, you have a decision to make. Many cooks prefer gas because it allows them to specifically regulate the flame and degree of heat. Electric cooktops don’t deliver this level of control. They do, however, heat things up faster. Gas cooktops lose almost half of their heat from burner to pan. Electric cooktops lose minimal heat so they are extremely efficient.

Choosing an Oven You’ll Love

All ovens essentially do the same thing: they cook foods by delivering heat at a steady level. There are subtle nuances that can make a big difference if you cook often. Convection ovens are ideal if you cook regularly and value efficiency. These ovens are outfitted with fans that circulate heat to cook food quickly and evenly. If you use your oven primarily to bake cakes, cookies, muffins and other baked goods, you probably prefer a traditional oven. If you want to have your cake and eat it too, choose a double-oven configuration with one of each!

Not all people, couples or families have the same interests and habits. Some kitchen remodeling projects demand high-end appliances. Others definitely don’t. You know what you like, but when you’re preparing for your project, it is wise to consult an experienced Brookline, MA, kitchen remodeling contractor to guide the job. You may not cook often. If there’s a possibility you will sell your home in the coming years, though, it’s smart to give at least minimal consideration to how your appliance choices may impact your ability to attract a buyer. Not all home addition contractors in MA have the expertise to give you solid advice. Colony Home Improvement has decades of expertise guiding homeowners and delivering beautiful results. Contact us today for help with your project!