Home Improvement Blog

Painting the Basement Adds Value to Your Home (You Can Even Paint the Floors)

February 3, 20150

Have you considered painting in your basement finishing project.

Painting is beneficial as part of you basement finishing project.

When most people think of using paint in their home remodeling project, they think of the exterior of their home or their primary rooms on the main floors. However, painting can be an effective tool in basement finishing as well. When you use paint as part of your basement remodeling in Brookline, you can increase the value of your home.

Create a Finished Look

It can be difficult to spend time in your basement when it’s cold, dark and damp. This is what you can expect to experience in an unfinished basement, leaving you to wonder what use this space can really be. One of the most popular home remodeling projects many homeowners choose is basement finishing for this reason. When you apply some paint to the walls and maybe even the floor, you will create a finished look that exudes a warmer feel and makes you feel like you are in any other room inside your home.

A Variety of Unique Options

Many people like to give their basement a different feel than other areas of their home. When it comes to painting, there are a vast number of options from which you can choose to create the exact look you want. For instance, you can use various textured techniques to create the look of a stone wall or any other unique features. Talk to your painting contractor about your choices so you can create the right illusion for your basement rooms.

Have you considered basement finishing for home remodeling?

Finishing the basement is a valuable home remodeling project.

Special Preparation

The only difference in using paint in your basement versus other areas of your home is the techniques used in applying the paint. Basements are naturally damp areas that require mold-resistant paint to keep issues at a minimum. This is especially true if you intend to paint the floor. Painting the floor of your basement can be useful in opening up the space and adding a brighter tone.

Add the Finishing Touches

Basement remodeling in Brookline is about more than the paint you use. There are other finishing touches that can provide the look you want and add value to your home. For instance, crown molding can be the ultimate finishing touch to complete any project, giving the room depth and making it more livable.

Basement remodeling can be an ideal way to increase the amount of living space in your home and provide a fun new area of your home. Many people choose to transform their basement into a playroom for the kids, a recreation room for relaxation or a den or TV room. Regardless of the purpose you envision for your basement, the use of paint on the walls and the floor can not only create a new look, but offer greater value in your home.

If you want to complete basement remodeling in Brookline or the surrounding area, contact us. Our contractors can help you choose the right paints and complete your remodeling project.

Custom Windows Not Only Enhance the Beauty of Your Home, They Are Energy Efficient

January 29, 20150

Replace your current windows with energy efficient windows.

Energy efficient windows can save money and make your home more beautiful.

When your older windows begin to show signs of wear, such as frame warping, glass cracking or drafts, it’s time to look for energy efficient replacement windows. If you opt to replace the windows yourself, you run the risk of purchasing a window that doesn’t quite fit. Shimming or other modifications will need to be made to disguise this poor fit, increasing your energy expense. Opting for custom windows may cost more upfront but will pay off in the long run in energy efficiency and comfort for your home. To help you with your decision, here are a few reasons custom windows may be your best option.

Visual Appeal

Replacing your windows with a different style of window can make your house more attractive. If you want to brighten up a room, replace a smaller window with a larger one or convert a solid wall to one with windows. If you’d like to add more visual appeal to your home, consider adding a bay window or a garden window when looking at a home window replacement. This type of custom design could be made into the focus for the room.

Condensation Reduction

A high performing window can result in added warmth for your interior, resulting in less condensation and frost than windows with lower efficiency.

Save money with home window replacement.

Home window replacement can offer the beauty you want for your home.

More Light, Less Fading

Custom windows with special coating or glazing are now available that are more energy efficient, yet unlike their older tinted glass counterparts, are able to provide a clearer view without sacrificing light. Furniture coverings, paintings, photos, carpeting and woodwork can fade with too much exposure to sunlight, but energy efficient windows treated with the newer coatings can greatly reduce this fading.

Eliminates Drafts

Installing better performing windows can help improve the comfort of your home and have the added benefit of reducing utility costs. If you are sitting by a cold window, you will feel colder, regardless of the established temperature in the room. Custom windows that use the newer glazing techniques are warmer on the glass facing the interior of the house, allowing you to feel more comfortable.

Reduces Heating and Cooling Costs

Using lower performing windows can result in higher risk of condensation, air seepage, loss of heat, colder window surfaces, lack of comfort and ultimately, higher utility bills. Using energy efficient windows will reduce these issues and lower your energy costs. Once the new windows are installed, you may find the large HVAC unit you once needed can be replaced by a smaller, more efficient model able to handle the newly decreased load.

If you are in the market for energy efficient replacement windows in Massachusetts, contact us. Colony Home Improvement is ready to help you find a custom window design to fit your needs and your budget.

How to Protect Your Roof from the Massachusetts Winter

January 27, 20150

Proper maintenance can keep roof repair costs down.

Keep roof repair costs down with proper maintenance.

With winter upon us and temperatures sometimes dropping into the teens, saving your roof from bad weather should be a top priority. With a good plan of action, you can keep your roof repair costs at a minimum and reduce the impact on your budget. Here are a few tips to guide you in protecting your roof this season.

Keep Rain Gutters Unclogged

Cleaning out your rain gutters will help prevent ice from building up and causing serious damage. If water freezes and is allowed to accumulate, neglected gutters can begin to pull away from the roof, resulting in a costly repair. If you find ice in one of your gutters, you can carefully break it up with a hammer and remove it. This process takes an experienced hand so if you are not sure how to remove ice from your roof or gutter, reach out to your roofing contractor for assistance.

Keep Roof’s Drain Spout Openings Clear

Make sure the openings around your drain spouts are free of any debris or other obstacles. This will make it easier for snow to melt and flow away from your house, instead of accumulating, freezing and causing problems.

Find out how to remove ice from your roof.

Do you know how to remove ice from your roof?

Clear Snow and Debris from Your Roof

During harsh winter days, snow can collect on your roof and weigh heavily enough to cause serious damage or cause an older roof to collapse. Invest in a roof rake or use a plastic or light-weight shovel to remove snow from your roof before this becomes a problem. Remove debris, such as broken branches and twigs, to prevent holes. Clear or clean off animal droppings, which can cause mildew to form on your roof. If you find your roof is already damaged, a reputable roofing contractor in Massachusetts can make the repairs.

Prune Overhanging Branches

While trees may be beautiful in the winter with all that snow and ice attached to their branches, a tree’s loaded boughs spread over your roof can cause an increase in your roof repair costs. Even if the branches are not packed with snow or ice, branches can scratch against your roof’s shingles, creating holes and causing water damage to your house. Keeping your trees’ branches adequately pruned away will protect your roof from this preventable issue.

Check Your Attic Insulation

Look over the insulation in your attic and identify any gaps in coverage or reach out to a professional to do this for you. One easy way you can tell if more insulation is needed is to watch your roof after it snows. Notice where snow melts faster in some places than in others. The slower melting spots can indicate the need for more insulation in your attic in these areas.

If you are looking for an experienced roofing contractor in Massachusetts, contact us. Colony Home Improvement has more than 40 years of professional experience and is ready to assist you with your roofing repairs.

Redecorating and Repurposing Empty Bedrooms Once the Kids Are Gone

January 22, 20150

Repurpose a room with home improvement and remodeling.

Home improvement and remodeling can be a great way to repurpose a room.

Your kids are all grown and the last child to fly from the nest just moved out. What will you do with all that wonderful extra space? The possibilities are limitless. With a little home improvement and remodeling, you can have the room of your dreams. Maybe you just want to redecorate it and keep it as a guest room. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Endless Possibilities

What do you like to do in your leisure time? Maybe you’ve wanted a special room where you can just relax or maybe it’s a space dedicated to a particular hobby. Here are some possible ways you might consider repurposing your newly emptied bedroom.

Home office

Reading room or library

Sewing or craft room

Wood-working or other tooled hobbies

Game room

Artistic endeavors, such as painting pictures, sculpting or ceramics

Music room

Exercise room for weights or Yoga

Guest bedroom for the in-laws or friends

Making Design Plans

Once you decide what you’ll do with your space, you’ll want to make some plans. If you are doing some serious remodeling to accommodate the changes, you’ll want to meet with a reputable Massachusetts home improvement contractor to prepare for the work being done. Most likely you’ll be repainting so think about using colors that match the purpose of the room, while reflecting your own personal tastes. Will you need to remodel areas of the room or expand? You may even consider adding more windows or a skylight.

Talk to a Massachusetts home improvement contractor about making changes to your home.

A Massachusetts home improvement contractor can help you repurpose a room.

Preparing Your Family

During the process of making any home improvement and remodeling plans, it is always wise to make your family aware of your plans before moving forward. This is especially true of the child who’s just vacated. Your offspring may have sprung, but they may also have left behind a lot of personal items. Since you may not be sure if these are treasures or trash, it’s a good idea to offer them an opportunity to stop by and box up anything they’d like to keep. If they currently live too far away and cannot stop by before you begin your plans, box up and store away any questionable treasures for junior to look over later.

When Is the Right Time to Decorate?

Parents can sometimes find it therapeutic to get to work right away on redecorating the room their child left. It works as a diversion and takes their minds off that empty nest feeling. Other parents may want to wait a while, absorbing all those old memories just a bit longer by temporarily leaving the room as it is. Another consideration is if your child will be away for a long time but may return. In that case, you’ll want to plan a dual purpose room where you’ll be able to use it for its new function, yet they’ll have a place to sleep when they stay. Once you are ready to begin, get in touch with your Massachusetts home improvement contractor to get things rolling.

If you are looking for a dependable licensed general contractor in MA to remodel and repurpose a room, contact us. Colony Home Improvement is ready to help you make your dream room come true.

How to Create the Illusion of Space in a Small Bedroom

January 20, 20150

Consider these bedroom remodel ideas to create the illusion of more space.

Bedroom remodel ideas can help you create the illusion of more room.

Do you have a modest-sized bedroom that’s making you feel a bit claustrophobic? In a smaller living space, where all our furniture and possessions can make us feel confined, it can get frustrating trying to arrange things in a way that makes the room appear larger. In today’s world, we sometimes live in our bedrooms. We not only sleep there, but watch television, study, work and even sometimes just relax. When making the room larger is not an option, what should you do when you’re faced with the dilemma of how to make space in a small room? Here are some ways you can create the illusion of space in your small bedroom.

Make Good Use of Color

When you use dark colors or dark paneling in your room, this gives the effect of it being even smaller than it actually is. Use light colors, such as shades of white, pale gray or light pastels. If you prefer wallpaper or other wall coverings, make sure you stick with the lighter shades and patterns that are on the smaller side.

Rethink Your Lighting

Good lighting is key in giving your bedroom a more open, spacious look. Assess the room for dark spots. Make sure your lighting adds brightness without being overwhelming. You’ll want to feel at home and at ease here. If you add lamps, be sure to choose those that are slender, not bulky. Windows are a good way to brighten a room. If you are looking into bedroom remodel ideas, installing a skylight or larger windows can really open up the room. When you are selecting curtains or other window treatments, go with simple lines.

Do you know how to make space in a small room.

Learn how to make space in a small room.

Remove Clutter

Simplify your space. Clear personal items off your bedside tables and dresser. Remove odds and ends stacked in the corners or visible under tables. While you are at it, remove any unnecessary furniture and store it elsewhere. This will open up your room and make it appear larger. Just remember, less is better.

Modify Your Storage

For home improvement ideas, meet with a reputable home builder about adding a closet, expanding closet space or creating a special storage solution that could free up space in your bedroom. If building storage is not an option for you, consider modular units for under your bed or for making smarter use of your closet space.

Add Mirrors

A simple way to create visual magic is by adding a large mirror on one wall or by decorating with mirrors or mirror art.

Furniture – Size Matters

Large, heavy furniture takes up a lot of room so swap out that king sized bed for something smaller where you can clear pathways around the room. Another option in how to make space in a small room is to custom build. Combining drawers for storage with the bed unit can free up space and eliminate the need for other furniture in the room. Go with a lighter colored finish on your furniture as well.

If you are looking for bedroom remodel ideas, contact us. Colony Home Improvement proudly offers 40 years of experience in remodeling, serving the Boston area, Southeastern and Metro West Massachusetts.