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Avoid These Design Mistakes by Hiring an Experienced Contractor for Your Bathroom Addition

July 21, 20150

Get the job done right with a contractor for home additions.

A contractor for home additions will get the job done right.

When starting a bathroom remodeling project, there are many minute details to consider. It can be easy to overlook what seems like an insignificant point and end up with a design disaster. Because of this, it’s important to cover every detail in the planning stages so you don’t end up with a major problem later on. Even though the bathroom is typically a smaller room, it can take a lot more effort when it comes to designing. Hiring a home improvement contractor can help you avoid these common design mistakes.

Include an Outside View

One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to include a window on an outside wall. Providing natural light helps people relax in the space. It can also be a source of fresh air, which can help prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If it isn’t possible to include a window in the bathroom, make plans for a skylight or solar tube to allow natural light.

Line of Sight

When possible, avoid placing a bathroom where it is in the direct line of sight to other rooms like a kitchen, living or dining room. Sometimes there is no way to avoid the bathroom being right off one of these rooms. In these cases, use a small alcove, partition or passage to mask the room so the toilet is not seen from an outside room. No one wants to see into the bathroom from the dining room table so plan ahead.

Doorway Disaster

Planning bathroom space can be tricky, but the proper design can help you avoid a doorway disaster. The door should not knock into a toilet, tub or vanity when it is opened. People should not have to squeeze in or out of a bathroom. Be sure to allow adequate space for a door and ease of passage. A Westwood contractor for home additions can take the proper measurements and help you avoid this mistake. They can also offer alternative solutions, such as a sliding pocket door, which takes up less space than a traditional door.

Create the ideal bathroom with the help of a home improvement contractor.

A home improvement contractor knows how to create a great bathroom.

Center Stage

Try to place the toilet so it isn’t the first thing you see when you walk in. The toilet and the shower should be out of direct sight. If possible, place the sink or vanity between the toilet and the rest of the room. If the bathroom is smaller, use design strategies so anything but the toilet is the first thing you see when you enter the room.

Bigger Is Not Always Better

The bathroom design should be a priority over the size of the fixtures and features. The bathroom should be designed to be functional, rather than trying to squeeze fixtures into a small space. The most important feature is functionality.

When you are ready to discuss your options for a room addition in Westwood and the surrounding areas, contact us. We can help you avoid design disasters.

A Room Addition Above the Garage Can Provide the Extra Space Your Growing Family Needs

July 14, 20150

Add extra space with room additions over the garage.

Room additions over your garage add extra space.

There are many ways to add more space to your home to accommodate a growing family. A room over the garage is one alternative that can prove to be an excellent choice. In many situations, there is nowhere for a house to expand so looking to the space above the garage is the perfect solution. Here are some of the top reasons to consider this option.

Additional Space for Virtually Anything

Before you begin any construction, talk to a home improvement contractor about the structure of your garage. As long as it is sound enough to manage a room on top, this space can be the perfect size for just about anything. It makes a good area for a home-based business, an extra bedroom or a workout room.

Additional Space Can Add Value to Your Home

No one doubts the functionality of an extra room, but it could provide much more. Adding a room above the garage can improve the curb appeal of the house and complement the home’s aesthetic look. In addition, an extra room means more square footage, which can increase the overall value of the home.

Talk to a home improvement contractor about a garage addition.

A home improvement contractor can help you can help you with an addition over your garage.

Additional Space for Extra Income

Whether you need the extra space now or just want to have it available for those just-in-case situations, it can provide extra income. An above garage room can easily be made into a small apartment, which can be rented out to college students or other individuals.

Considerations to Make Prior to Building

Building an extra room over the garage should first be discussed with a contractor. They can help you better understand the logistics and scope of the project. Here are some things you should discuss with your contractor before building room additions in Wellesley.

Check the garage for structure and framing

Provide adequate insulation

Do you want to add plumbing and where’s the best place for it?

Do you want outside access? Where will you put it?

Before contacting your Wellesley contractor for home addition advice, check to see if your home has to meet any building codes or zoning requirements. You will also want to check how an additional room might influence homeowner’s insurance and property taxes. In some regions, there may be some discounts on insurance rates as long as you meet certain building requirements.

Are you ready to add usable space to your home by adding a room above your garage? Contact us with your ideas and questions.

Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Countertop for Your Kitchen

April 2, 20150

Consider your countertops in kitchen remodeling.

Kitchen countertops are a critical element for kitchen remodeling.

The countertops are one of the most important features in your kitchen. Not only are they the place where you will prepare your food and store your kitchen appliances, but they are also one of the major contributing factors to the overall style and feel of your kitchen. Before you begin kitchen remodeling in North Attleboro, you need a home improvement contractor who can help you determine the best option for your kitchen.

Granite

Granite can be a great option for your new kitchen addition in MA for a number of reasons. It is available in various colors and is one of the hardest options available. This means it is extremely durable and will stand up to the rigors of regular use. However, if it isn’t sealed properly, it can absorb spills due to its porous nature.

Marble

Marble is an elegant choice for those going through kitchen remodeling in North Attleboro. This material holds up well to the heat, which makes it the ideal surface for baking. Unfortunately, it is easy to stain, even when properly sealed, and may scratch or chip.

Talk to your home improvement contractor about your countertops.

Your home improvement contractor can help you choose the right countertops.

Tile

A lower cost alternative to more expensive natural stones, tile can be made from ceramic or porcelain, both of which are durable materials that will hold up well under typical kitchen use. These tiles will not stain or scratch and withstand heat well. If one or several chip or break, they can easily be replaced. The primary downside is the uneven surface, which can make some cooking processes, as well as cleaning, more difficult.

Laminate

If you’re looking for a budget option, ask your home improvement contractor about using laminate countertops in your kitchen. These counter surfaces are available in a vast array of colors and styles, many of them easily replicating more expensive counter materials. However, this material is prone to burns, stains and scratching, as well as peeling if moisture gets below the surface.

Wood

For those who want a rustic look and aren’t concerned with damage, wood can be a great option for your kitchen countertops. If your kitchen addition is in a log cabin or other rustic home, these countertops will look great and complement the rest of the home. One benefit of wood countertops is the ability to easily restore them by sanding and refinishing instead of having to replace them entirely.

There are many options for countertops when you are going through kitchen remodeling in North Attleboro. Your home improvement contractor can work with you to determine what you need from your kitchen. With this information, they can help you make the right choice to best suit your needs.

If you’re looking for the ideal option for your kitchen countertops, contact us. Our Massachusetts home improvement contractors provide the guidance you need to create the kitchen of your dreams.

The Benefits of Adding Skylights to Your Home

March 26, 20150

Brighten a room with skylight installation.

Skylight installation can let more natural light in.

Skylights were once seen as a luxury addition to homes, but today, skylight installation is considered an eco-friendly option for just about anyone. If you are considering this change to your home, it’s important to talk to a local home improvement contractor to determine whether they will work well in your home and what benefits they can offer.

Additional Light

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of skylight installation in your home is to provide additional natural light. To help reduce your electric bill, it’s best to tap into the natural light of the sun as much as possible. Because the sun is located in an overhead position, skylights typically let in more light than your average windows.

Heat in the Winter

One of the suggestions a home improvement contractor may make to heat up the interior of your home naturally is to open the shades on your windows. When the sun is shining, skylights make the perfect avenue to bring more of this heat into your home. Because skylights have excellent insulation, they won’t leak out your heated air like older windows can.

Your home improvement contractor may recommend skylights.

Talk to your home improvement contractor about skylights.

Premium Ventilation

Roof ventilation is important to the quality of your roof, as well as the energy efficiency of your home. Many homes don’t have the proper ventilation to protect these elements of your home. Adding skylights to your home can provide additional ventilation for your attic space, greatly increasing positive air flow through your home.

Cost Savings

When you first work with a local home improvement contractor, one of the initial things you will discuss is how much the project will cost. Skylight installation may seem like a major expense, but when you compare it to the savings you will experience in your heating and lighting bills, you will quickly see it is a wise investment for many homes.

Strategic Placement

If you want to make the most of your investment in skylights, it’s important to ensure they are placed in the appropriate locations. Your local home improvement contractor will inspect your home closely and help you determine which area is the best option to enhance natural lighting and heat transfer. You can indicate which room you would like the skylights in and the contractor will let you know which locations will provide the results you’re looking for.

Skylight installation is no longer something few people can afford. Instead, it has become a green option that gives homeowners a large number of benefits. These skylights can provide additional natural light to help reduce your electric bill, as well as provide natural heat transfer, which can decrease the cost of heating your home. Once you realize all the benefits you can experience, talking with your home improvement contractor should be your next step.

If you’re interested in skylight installation for your home, contact us. Colony Home Improvement provides Massachusetts homeowners with skylights to lighten and heat their homes.

A Hallway Should Not Be Just a Thoroughfare from Room to Room: Ways to Bring It to Life

February 19, 20150

Many home plans include a hallway.

Have you ever given any thought to the purpose of your hallway? For most people, the hallway is simply a way to get from one area of the home to another. However, if you talk to a design build contractor about this aspect of home plans, you will see it can be much more. With the right décor and other home improvement elements, you can bring this area of your home to life, giving your home more character.

Consider Hardwood Flooring

Even if you use carpeting throughout the rest of your home, the hallway is a great place to showcase your beautiful hardwood floors, especially if you live in an older home. Check under your existing carpets to see if you already have a hidden gem, but if not, a home improvement contractor can help you install new hardwood flooring to brighten up this area of your home.

Add Cabinets

Your hallway doesn’t have to be wasted space; your design build contractor can help you choose beautiful cabinets that can line your hallways and give you plenty of extra storage space. Painting these cabinets in cheerful colors can add a bright touch to any hallway, especially one that doesn’t have access to natural lighting. Shelving units can also be used for a similar effect.

Paint the Woodwork

Another way to add a touch of color to the hallway is to paint the woodwork. Many people don’t even think about touching the natural look of woodwork. When you decide to paint it the same color as the walls or in a lighter shade, it will create a new, attractive look for your hallway.

Get hallway decorating advice from your home improvement contractor.

Ask your home improvement contractor what you can do for your hallway.

Create a Picture Gallery

If you have a narrow hallway that doesn’t leave room for cabinets or shelving that extends out from the wall, you need to find other ways to decorate your hallway and make it a more interesting space in your home. This is an ideal place to hang a collection of family photographs for everyone to enjoy. Another option is to hang pictures from your favorite vacations or pick up some prints that speak of your personality or unique tastes.

Install a Niche

Another alternative to cabinets and shelving is to create a niche or other recessed storage area. Your home improvement contractor can decide the best location without harming the integrity of the wall itself. Once installed, you can display knick-knacks, books or anything else you can think of to liven up your hallway and make your trips to the bedroom more interesting.

Your hallway may seem dark and boring, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Your home improvement contractor can help you make changes to your home that will brighten up the hall and make it an integral part of your home. Don’t let your hall become just a way to get around; liven it up a little.

If you’re looking for a design build contractor to help you transform your hallway, contact us. Our Massachusetts contractors can provide the services you need to create the home of your dreams.

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