Home Improvement Blog

Home Improvements Can Save You Money During the Winter

January 13, 20150

Insulation is a home improvement project that keeps you warmer.

Installing more insulation is a great winter home improvement project.

Electricity bills can be brutal in the winter. From the up and down outdoor temps to the frigid drafts that can chill your home, keeping warm can be tricky on a budget. However, you can save energy and stay toasty at the same time this winter with these home improvement tips. Not only will you feel more at ease in your house, you won’t be shocked with high electric bills that can be overwhelming and cost-prohibitive.

Cutting Down on Drafts

Did you purchase an older home with single pane windows? Chances are you can feel the chill as the wind blows outside. The following simple home renovation ideas can really help you heat up your home without turning on the gas or electricity.

Seal Your Windows and Doors: Sealing your home’s windows and doors with a weather strip will help eliminate some of the hot air that escapes through small cracks around the frame. Easy to install, even for the novice, weather strips make sitting near a cold window a little more bearable.

Replace Windows: In addition to sealing window and door frames, replacing single pane windows with double panes will reduce your electricity bill and make your home’s heating system more efficient. Even if you can only replace one window at a time, you will be raising your home’s value with each so they are a small home renovation project that will payoff in the long run.

Add Curtains: Instead of hanging aluminum mini blinds, curtains and heavy draperies can cut down drafts. In addition, many people include the window coverings when they list their home for sale. This means if you select tasteful and elegant draperies, you will increase the desirability and perhaps resale value of your home.

If you don't have a fireplace, consider this home renovation.

Have you considered a fireplace as part of your home renovation?

Clean Your Fireplace: If you’re lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace, make sure you get the flue cleaned every year. In addition, your fireplace or chimney may need tuckpointing. Ensuring the maintenance of your fireplace before running it all season will have it working its best. By making good use of your fireplace instead of turning up the thermostat, you could save on your electricity bill.

New Insulation: Is it time to add or replace the insulation in your home’s attic? Insulation keeps heat from escaping through the walls and the roof of your home. Consider adding padded insulation or spray foam insulation for sealing and filling small areas. A home improvement specialist can replace your insulation and help you cut down on your winter electrical bill.

Stay Cozy and Warm All Winter

In addition to these small improvements that might help you save money this winter, it’s important to remember you should always try to maintain a constant temperature in your home. Turning your furnace up and down makes it work harder than if it remains at a more consistent temperature. Find a comfortable settings for all the residents in your home and then keep it set there for greater efficiency.

Winter doesn’t have to own your pocketbook. Small changes in your home can help ensure you stay cozy without the extra costs of heating and electricity. Contact us today for a home renovation consultation in Massachusetts.

Planning and Budgeting Home Improvement Projects

January 8, 20150

Ask your general remodeling contractor to help you set a budget.

A good general remodeling contractor will help you set an accurate budget.

Plan, prepare and set your budget before planning any home improving and remodeling projects so you can ensure you have the means to get it done right, the first time around.

Why Budgets Matter

Just as many people set budgets when they shop at the grocery store or for holiday gifts, setting one for home improving and remodeling costs is vital. Unless you know exactly what your money allotment is, you might find out later rather than sooner that you don’t have the funds to complete the project. How can you set a realistic budget before renovation begins?

How to Plan, Prepare and Set Your Budget

Once you have a home project and design build plans in the works, sit down and calculate anticipated expenses. While many people contract out for home improvements, some weekend warriors plan to do all the work themselves, including purchasing supplies and equipment.

Think Ahead: Is it just materials or supplies you need to factor into your budget? For example, if you plan on painting your home, will you need to purchase drop cloths, paint brushes and rollers in addition to the paint? These small expenses might seem unimportant, but they can really add up at the checkout counter. Think ahead about every little thing you’ll need to purchase to get the job started and to complete the project.

Set a Budget: Besides just calculating expenses, you’ll need to decide how much money you’re willing to sink into your home improvement projects. Put a cap on what you want to spend and stay below it. If you want to focus on small improvements that add to the resale value, consider replacing dated light fixtures and fans, updating the toilet and window treatments and removing wallpaper, as well as adding decorative paint colors to your walls. These rather inexpensive updates make it simple to stay within a realistic budget and really add style points and improvement to your home.

Work with your contractor on planning home improving and remodeling.

Home improving and remodeling requires careful planning.

What Happens If You Go Over Budget?

The fact of the matter is, not everyone has an endless cash flow to pour into home improvements. So what happens if you start a project you can’t finish? If you’re working with a general remodeling contractor or home improvement specialist, find out if they offer any financing options. If you have to stop a project mid-job, try to save and secure the completion of the job as quickly as possible. Nothing can hurt your home’s value more than having many unfinished jobs taking place at once. Find out exactly what is needed to finish the work and save to get it done.

Planning and preparing your home improvement budget will allow you to make changes to the exterior or interior of your home without the possibility of unexpected expenses. By planning properly and staying under your initial budget, you will likely have enough set aside to deal with any setbacks, if or when they arise. While it can be exciting to plan home improvements, it’s important to be smart with your investment and plan projects you can finish within your budget.

Are you seeking a general remodeling contractor? Please contact us today for a consultation and to begin your next renovation.

How to Make Your Sunroom Versatile Year Round

January 6, 20150

Make the most of your sunroom additions.

Sunroom additions can be used throughout the year.

Did you know you can enjoy your sunroom additions year round? It doesn’t have to be summertime to make full use of the most seasonal place in your home. The following sunroom addition ideas will make your room a four-season destination spot for a cup of tea, reading your favorite book or birdwatching from a rattan couch.

Tips for Sun Room Living

What makes a sunroom design so special? The unique area is a private, though often underused, space in a home. If your sunroom is left without the sun, you might be wondering how to make it inviting, even through the dark days of winter. These sunroom addition ideas will help make this room the coziest spot for intimate or relaxed gatherings.

Invest in Furniture: The key to creating a comfortable sunroom is in the furnishings. Rather than purchase regular outdoor furniture, consider placing slip-covered couches and loveseats, or perhaps even a recliner, in your sunroom. Add bold colored toss pillows to create a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. With a few throw blankets, you have the perfect spot to snuggle up with your morning cup of Joe.

Add Twinkle Lights: There is something so enchanting about a string of twinkling lights. Why not illuminate your sunroom surroundings by hanging a strand above the windows or around the doors? The glowing lights are sure to add a festive, romantic touch to the space in the evenings.

Add Plants: Whether they are real or artificial, adding greenery to your sunroom will make it even more inviting. Consider a few tall plants placed in small groups for a table display or flank both sides of the windows with tall potted trees. For a whimsical touch, you can even perch a few artificial birds in your plants to add to the ambiance.

Sunroom additions can be a great place to relax.

Did you know you can enjoy sunroom additions year round?

Garden Art: Garden art isn’t just for the garden. A favorite sculpture or gazing ball might be just the thing to enhance your coffee table in your sunroom. Bring a little of the outdoors in and create a living space that is fresh and packed with garden goodness. A potting shelf with old garden tools, watering cans and a few coffee table flower books will make your sunroom a welcoming spot. Keep a few garden journals around for when you are struck with inspiration for your spring-planting plans.

Hang Curtains: Curtains make sunrooms even more intimate because you can change the privacy of your home. If you have an abundance of windows in your sunroom, perhaps it’s time to invest in window coverings so you can enjoy the room without feeling exposed to the neighborhood. Plantation shutters, lace sheers and even muslin drapes look rustic and right at home in sunroom additions.

Book a Consultation

If you’ve found you’re not enjoying your sunroom during all four seasons, perhaps you need a little bit of decorating and redesign. Please contact us and speak with one of our Connecticut home improvement specialists today. We’d love to help you plan or redesign the sunroom of your dreams, even when it’s cold outside.

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.