Home Improvement Blog

How to Transform Your Basement into a Space the Whole Family Can Enjoy

September 2, 20140

Basement finishing transforms the entire space.

Transform your space with a basement finishing project.

For many, the basement feels like wasted space only suitable for storage and your laundry room, if you don’t have one on the first floor. With the help of a basement remodeling company, you can complete a basement finishing project to create a space your whole family will love. The basement can be the ideal place to expand the usable space in your home.

Consider Your Needs

Some homeowners want finished basements so they can use the space any way they’d like. If you have specific needs your current home doesn’t meet, such as extra space for a playroom, weight room or even a guest bedroom, the basement can be the ideal location for creating this space to avoid adding onto your home or moving to a bigger one. Basement remodeling is one of the most affordable remodeling options for many homeowners. Once you know what you want from your basement, you will be able to move forward with your project.

Work on a Design

Finding the perfect layout for your basement finishing is important to maximize your use of the space and its functionality. Hiring a remodeling company to help with this process can produce the best results. They will send someone to your home to evaluate the current layout of your basement and how much space you have to work with. Once they know the dimensions and where everything, such as your staircase, is located, they will make recommendations based on your desired uses for your basement. For instance, adding a bathroom to your basement will work best in a different location than a playroom or office.

Create a place to spend time with basement finishing.

A basement finishing project can create a comfortable living space.

Add Popular Features

There are plenty of extra features you may want to add to your basement remodeling project. For instance, it is important to choose mold- and mildew-resistant materials to combat the moisture problems many basements experience. You also need to consider whether you want to construct walls to separate certain areas, or if furniture is suitable for creating separate spaces. Accent lighting, heating and cooling and a wet bar are all popular features many people want in their basements. Talk to your contractor to find out what options they recommend to meet your needs.

Transforming your basement into a livable, usable space for your whole family can maximize the potential uses of your home. It can also reduce the amount of clutter by restricting certain activities to your basement, instead of the rooms on your main floors. An experienced contractor can help with your basement finishing project to create the ideal space to meet your every need. With their recommendations, your basement will become the favorite place in your home.

If you are looking for an experienced contractor in MA, contact us. We can help you design and carry out your basement remodeling project to create functional space.

Custom Cabinets Can Add Character to Your Kitchen

August 28, 20140

Custom cabinets are an easy way to change the look of your kitchen.

Add style with custom cabinets for your kitchen remodeling.

It’s true, the kitchen is the heart of your home. You might be thinking about remodeling so your kitchen better matches the warmth and love your family represents. If you can’t afford full kitchen remodeling, it’s amazing what change something like new kitchen cabinets can make to your space. Whether it’s the color, material or positioning, custom cabinets can be an easy way to improve your kitchen and the value of your home. There are a few things to think about if you’re debating between custom and semi-custom cabinets to add character to your kitchen.

Freedom of Choice

You may be wondering whether it’s worth the cost of custom cabinets over stock cabinets you could pick from a catalog. Included in the higher cost is the ability to customize cabinets to fit your ideal dimensions and storage purposes. With custom cabinets, you are able to select:

the finish
the crown molding
the colors
the trim

If you opt for lighter woods, your kitchen will appear brighter and more cheerful. If you prefer bolder colors, choose darker woods. For a particular color you want in your kitchen, you have the option to choose custom paints or stains for your cabinets. All of the unique characteristics you prefer can be included in made-to-order cabinets, crafted with your creative ideas in mind. You can also easily change a traditional kitchen into a modern one with the help of your custom cabinet choices or visa versa.

Change the look of your kitchen with kitchen remodeling.

Choose the right custom cabinets to suit your kitchen’s new style.

Quality Matters

The kitchen is a valuable part of your home, so why not update it with the best quality material? With custom cabinets, you can have the quality you desire because your options are limitless. The purpose of your cabinet upgrade is not only to change the atmosphere in your kitchen, but to create a user-friendly addition that allows for comfort and fits your family’s style. And don’t forget about the wear your cabinets experience from heat in the kitchen, water droplets from the dishes or the occasional food transfer from a spill or a dirty hand. Purchasing custom cabinets that withstand everyday wear can make the difference in the durability you wish to maintain with your customized cabinets.

Although there is a lot that goes into the kitchen remodeling process, planning for, purchasing and installing your custom cabinets doesn’t have to be a headache. When you finally decide to go with custom cabinets, bank on Colony Home Improvement in MA for the complicated installation process. With more than 40 years of experience under our belts, you can tell us what you want and rest assured your vision will come to fruition. Contact us when you’re ready to get started.

Kitchen Additions Are Money Well Spent

August 26, 20140

Custom cabinets can transform your kitchen.

Change the look and style of your kitchen with custom cabinets.

With all the home improvement television shows about remodeling and renovation and the housing market constantly changing, many homeowners are concerned about investment. Where is a homeowner’s money best spent? This can be a tough question to answer, especially if you are looking to sell your home. It seems the answer may lie in your kitchen.

Kitchen Additions and Remodeling

Many real estate agents will tell you just how important the kitchen is when trying to sell a house. Buyers often look for a kitchen they love and don’t have to spend a lot of money to fix up. That’s why many kitchen makeovers have a return of more than 60 percent. The kitchen is often seen as a style focal point of the house, and a kitchen that isn’t updated will not entice people to buy. Anything that can be done to bring the kitchen up to date will greatly increase the value of your property.

It may sound like a scary and expensive job to take on, but the result will be more than worth it for you in the long run. Be sure to take a good, objective look at your kitchen before deciding how to proceed. What does it really need? You may discover certain elements are perfect the way they are. If your kitchen needs a full overhaul, it is best to put in the work for a greater return on investment. If only part of the kitchen needs updated, you can save time and money with somekitchen additions, such as custom kitchen cabinets, and still get the look the buyer wants. You can even update the existing cabinets by adding a fresh coat of paint, re-facing old, worn cabinets and adding under-cabinet task lighting for better functionality.

Custom kitchen cabinets can be a beautiful addition.

Create the look you’ve always wanted with custom kitchen cabinets.

Custom Cabinets

Cabinetry is the first thing many people notice about the kitchen. In fact, it can make or break the entire style of the room. Luckily, there are many ways cabinets can be customized to fit in with the style of your kitchen to bring them into this century. The simplest choice for custom cabinets is a coat of paint. A bright color can make the kitchen look modern and vibrant if the space seems dreary. Darker cabinets, on the other hand, can bring in the right amount of contrast for light-colored countertops. Try crown molding on your cabinets for that extra touch of elegance. It can really pull a space together and give your kitchen an appearance of luxury, even if the rest of the house is simple in comparison.

When it comes to making over your kitchen, there are an endless number of possibilities. If you are trying to add value to your home, you can count on Colony Home Improvement. Our home improvement services will help you with the perfect plans and materials for your new kitchen. To begin designing custom kitchen cabinets or other kitchen additions for your Massachusetts home, contact us today.

Energy Efficient Windows Are More Affordable Than You Think

August 21, 20140

Energy efficient windows can save money and the environment.

Energy efficient replacement windows are an affordable home improvement project.

Finding ways to cut back on energy usage is a big deal, especially in the cooler and warmer months when energy bills tend to skyrocket. Windows play a big part in the hike in price due to leaks from insufficient amounts of insulation. This is particularly true for older homes. A good money-saving home improvement option is to replace older windows with energy efficient windows, which will help prevent the unwanted loss of energy, saving you money in the long run.

What Are Energy Efficient Windows?

The frame around your windows may be aesthetically pleasing, but it’s really all about the glass. Energy efficient windows keep the cooler air in and the heat and UV rays out during the summer, while keeping the heat in and the cold air out during the cooler months. Newer energy efficient replacement windows have a large variety of options. Thermal-paned windows, which have an insulated glazing that reduces heat transfer, leave you with a lower utility bill and a decrease in energy consumption. For an extra installation fee, choose a double- or triple-paned window, which provides more insulation and will increase in value.

Replacement windows can add value to your home.

Increase the value of your home with energy efficient windows.

An Investment for Your Home

Even if you’re not currently thinking about selling your home, you do want to make good home improvement choices for the prospect of selling in the future.Replacement windows are attractive to buyers looking to save on home improvement costs. In addition, think about how much you will save from low-maintenance, energy-efficient windows. There are also government incentives and tax breaks, such as a partial reimbursement, for installing energy saving windows in your home. Not only will you have a lower utility bill, you won’t have to worry about improving them later.

How to Tell If Your Windows Are Energy Efficient

If you’re wondering whether you already have energy efficient windows, look for a sticker with National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) ratings, which qualifies your windows for Energy Star status. The sticker will cover the U-Factor, measuring a window’s resistance to heat loss, as well as the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which measures the amount of heat that enters through the glass. The lower the numbers, the better. As a bonus, these windows come in different shapes and sizes so you will still be able to achieve the look you want with your windows. Since having energy efficient windows means less energy lost, you will also be responsible for shrinking your carbon footprint. Ultimately, it’s good for your wallet and the environment.

Are you ready to make a money-saving investment in your MA home? Contact usand request a no obligation quote. Colony Home Improvement specializes in replacement windows and other quality home improvements.

What You Should Know Before Adding a 2 Story Addition Above Your Garage

August 19, 20140

A garage addition can add usable space above your garage.

A 2 story addition can be a great option for your garage.

Many people see a garage as a place to store your vehicles, as well as any outdoor tools and machinery for caring for your yard. However, if you add a 2 story addition to your garage, you can create space that is useful for a number of purposes. Before work starts on a garage addition, it is important to know what to look for to ensure the job is completed correctly and you get the space you want.

Check Building Codes

Just because you want to add a second story to your garage doesn’t mean you will be granted permission. Every locality has its own list of regulations and building codes that need to be followed. Talk to your city hall about any permits that may be needed and whether you can move forward with your project. Hiring a local contractor for your 2 story addition will help you with this process. These contractors are familiar with these projects and the codes in place within your area so you can make the best decision for your home.

Create the Right Look and Stability

Other concerns when it comes to garage additions and adding a second story are creating a look of symmetry and ensuring the stability of the structure. This is another reason a professional eye can work to your advantage. Your contractor will be able to design an addition that matches well with the rest of your home’s shape and style so it looks like your new addition was always a part of your home. They will also ensure the stability of the structure so you don’t have to worry about any unsafe conditions.

Add a second floor with a garage addition to add more space.

Hire an Experienced Contractor

There are many reasons homeowners choose a 2 story addition for their garage. Some people want to create an apartment over the garage so a loved one can move in or they can bring in extra income. Others want a functional space to add to the other rooms in their existing home, such as another bedroom, a bathroom or an entertainment room. Regardless of your purpose for this addition, it’s important to work with an experienced contractor who has already completed similar projects; this is not a project you should tackle on your own. Garage additions are different from many other additions. They demand specific insulation requirements to lock out dangerous gases and keep spaces warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

A garage addition can be a great way to add space to your home over your garage. While a 2 story addition on a home is also a popular option, if you already have a second floor or you don’t need that much space, adding another floor to your garage can provide just what you need. Before you start working on your project, contact the professionals for an assessment and their recommendations.

If you are interested in a 2 story addition for your garage in Massachusetts, contact us. We can determine if this project is allowed and help you complete all the work to give you the additional space you need.