Tag: ma home improvement contractor

Should You Have Your Southeastern MA Home Improvement Contractor Paint Your New Concrete Floor?

Talk to your home improvement contractor about using concrete floors.

Your home improvement contractor can help you with your concrete floors.

Painting your new concrete basement floor offers practical advantages, but it can also be a quite attractive option. Concrete flooring is no longer just for the basement but has become a design trend eastern MA premier home builders have watched develop over the past decade. In fact, today’s concrete floors can be gorgeous, sophisticated and stylish. Concrete floors, ground smooth, polished, stained, dyed, painted and even stenciled, are appearing in kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms far more frequently.

Practicality Comes First

The rise in the popularity of this flooring option has to do with improved coloring and sealing technologies. Properly sealed and painted, a concrete floor is extremely durable. Unlike lesser flooring options, concrete floors finished by skilled eastern MA premier home builders resist surface damage from high heels, heavy furniture, pet claws and other normal household wear and tear. It also resists damage from moisture when properly sealed with a quality sealant.

Concrete floors are typically easy to care for and often require just a quick pass with the broom and mop. They resist staining and don’t absorb odors. They aren’t high maintenance either. Depending on how highly used the area is, you may want to replace your sealant coat every one to three years. With muddy springs, wet autumns and snowy winters, it’s no surprise painted and sealed concrete floors are an increasingly popular choice for home remodeling in Dover and the surrounding areas.

Consider painting concrete for your home remodeling.

Painting concrete can be great for home remodeling.

Let’s Talk About Looks

While some types of beauty may be fleeting, unable to withstand the test of time, that is far from the case when you paint, tint, dye or stain a concrete floor. When you use a knowledgeable, skilled southeastern MA home improvement contractor, you can expect your painted concrete floor to retain its good looks for years to come. With today’s polishing, coloring and sealing technologies, that floor will typically outlast the usual flooring options.

There’s an incredible array of options to choose from when painting your concrete floor. You can go old-school, keeping that industrial sort of look you’d typically see in a basement or you can go for a highly polished, gleaming and gorgeous concrete floor. You can use stencils to create the look of hand-painted medieval tiles or amazing Byzantine art inspired geometric patterns.

Coloring concrete floors can produce several visual effects, depending on the products used. Tinted stains offer a full spectrum of shades. Acid-based stains tend to be more translucent and more subtle in nature. Water-based stains can have those qualities, but they are also available in deeper, more paint-like colors. You can even include metal flakes, adding some shimmer to your floors.

Another way of painting concrete floors is with dyes, which add a rich depth of color due to the higher degree of color saturation. For marbled color effects, you can use water-based dyes. Add a high-gloss sealing coat and you’ll have a gorgeous floor that, with proper care, can last for decades. When you consider the lifespan of a painted concrete floor, it is a highly cost-effective choice.

Once you see the wide style potentials of painting a concrete floor, you may want to talk to your local eastern MA premier home builders about concrete floor painting options that are right for your custom built or remodeled home. Contact us to learn more about painting your new concrete floor.

Use a Local MA Home Improvement Contractor to Make Sure Your Roof Is Ready for Winter

Find out, Is your roof ready for winter?

Is your roof ready for winter?

Damage to roofs may start small and can be difficult to detect, but over time and with the havoc created by a severe winter storm, your roofing problems may begin to snowball. The combination of weather, trees and animals can be a triple threat when it comes to keeping your roof in good shape.

Weather

Is your roof ready for winter? MA home improvement contractors are familiar with the following damages caused by harsh northern winters.

  • Wind and wind-blown debris accumulates and clogs drains and downspouts.
  • Rain and inadequate rain water drainage – are your gutters and downspouts clear and securely attached?
  • Hail damages shingles by wearing away the granules. This exposes the asphalt, which can dry up and crack from sun exposure.
  • Ice and packed snow can weaken and rot out surfaces. Snowfalls can worsen gutters that are already weakened from too much debris.

Trees

As much as we enjoy the majesty of trees, they require ongoing maintenance for the protection of your roof. MA home improvement contractors regularly inform their clients of the importance of tree trimming. Overhanging branches can brush against the roof, and heavy winds will cause those branches to wear down shingles over time. They also create a pathway for termites and carpenter ants to gain access to your roof and attic. If tree branches block too much of the sun over your house, moss can grow on the shingles.

Trees are also subjected to fierce winds, which can snap weak tree limbs, twigs and other flying debris and throw them against your roof. You may need to clear the limbs, twigs, pine needles and other debris from your roof.

Animals

Squirrels and raccoons can create a lot of damage. They chew on surfaces to keep their teeth trimmed, as well as to gain access to your attic for warmth during the winter. Squirrels can gnaw through anything but metal so thoroughly check your roof surfaces, soffits, soffit vents and fascia. Squirrels and rats can enter your attic through holes as small as two inches. Use caulk or foam sealant to close up any holes you find and then paint over them.

Now that you know how much abuse your roof can take, especially during the winter season, here’s where to look for problems and some tips on how to make sure your roof is ready for the winter weather.

Ask an MA home improvement contractor to check your roof.

An MA home improvement contractor can check your roof.

Inspect from the Inside

Go into your attic during daylight hours with a flashlight. Turn the flashlight off and look for cracks of light appearing through the roof and note where these cracks are so you find them when you’re outside inspecting your roof.

With the flashlight on, check for dark spots on the attic ceiling and flooring and dark trails down the attic walls. Notice any sagging areas along the roof deck. Also look for evidence of animals that may have gained access to your attic and where they may have entered.

Inspect from the Outside

Home improvement contractors for Dover and the surrounding area will advise you check these areas for holes, cracks, crevices, moisture, mold and rot:

  • Soffits and soffit vents
  • Fascia
  • Flashings around roof windows, dormers, chimneys and skylights
  • Gutters and downspouts are free of debris and drain water properly

Regular Inspections

  • Maintain a log of your inspections. Note the date and any flaws, such as shingles that are curled, blistered, worn or broken, in addition to any other holes, cracks and wear around your roofing system that should be checked periodically.
  • Perform any repair and maintenance tasks and note the date and time of repairs.
  • Take photos for insurance validation or for a reminder of repairs needed.

Not every DIYer is willing to climb up to the roof and inspect for damage, but if you’re one of those who do, take the appropriate precautions. Roof inspections and repairs can be more dangerous than even police and fireman occupations.

If you have conducted an inspection and would rather leave the repair work to a professional home improvement contractor in Dover, contact us at Colony Home Improvement. We can ensure your inspections were performed thoroughly and the repairs are done correctly.

 

How to Prepare for a Consultation with an MA Home Improvement Contractor

Consider custom built home plans for your project.

Work with your contractor on custom built home plans.

Before you start working with Newton contractors for home additions, it’s critical to schedule consultation. At this meeting, you will be able to go over your custom built home plans and ask all the questions you need to help you choose the right company for the job. Preparing ahead of time will help you find the right MA home improvement contractor.

Set Your Budget

Before you even get started on your custom built home plans for Newton and the surrounding towns, it’s important to know how much you can spend. One of the fastest ways to overspend on this type of project is to begin working with contractors before you have a budget in mind. A good home improvement contractor will work hard to stay within your budget.

Determine Your Funding Plans

Most people don’t have the money necessary to pay for home remodeling projects upfront. While setting a budget is an important step in the process, so is determining how you will get the funds you require. Securing this financing ahead of time will help you set your budget and ensure you can move forward with the project once you find the right contractor for the job.

Before hiring, talk to an MA home improvement contractor.

Talk to an MA home improvement contractor before hiring.

Research Your Options

Some people wait until they’re already working with an MA home improvement contractor before they start thinking about what they really want. However, this can make it difficult to match up with the right contractor. Newton contractors for home additions need to know what you have in mind, even if you don’t have a clear picture. This makes knowing what you want before you even sit down with contractors a critical step.

Gather a List of Questions

When you have a consultation with a contractor, it’s your time to ask questions to help you make the right decision. Before you sit down, it’s important to create a list of questions so you don’t forget any of them. For instance, you need to know who will handle the permits, if they allow changes, if they require approval when changes will cost more, plus a number of other questions. Write down the answers you receive, especially if you will be meeting with more than one contractor before making a final decision.

Custom built home plans for Newton and the surrounding towns require working with an experienced contractor. However, it can often be difficult to find the right contractors for home additions without having a consultation first. Before you sit down with any MA home improvement contractor, it’s important to prepare yourself so you don’t miss any of the details required to ensure you pick the right company for the job you have planned.

If you’re looking for an MA home improvement contractor for your next project, contact us. We are eager to meet with you to go over your plans and give you an estimate on the work.

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Pantry for Your New Custom Built Floor Plan

A great pantry should be part of your custom built floor plan.

A custom built floor plan should include a great pantry.

For those who love to cook, having a great kitchen pantry is an absolute must. When creating a custom built floor plan with the help of an MA home improvement contractor, it’s important to consider the right location and size for this critical element. Before you start working with a contractor for room additions in Plymouth County, be sure to consider these factors to help you make the right decision.

Visibility

While it may seem best to keep your pantry hidden from view, this can create challenges when you’re trying to cook. After all, who wants to keep going back and forth for missing ingredients when they could be within easy reach? Placing your kitchen pantry in close proximity to your cooking area will ensure the functionality you want. If you still want to hide the contents from visitors and your family, consider installing a pocket or accordion door that complements your kitchen cabinets.

Shelving Is Critical

It may seem obvious the shelves can make or break your kitchen pantry design, but some people overlook this important detail. Not only does a quality shelving system create the storage space you need, but it also adds value to your home and will last much longer. Because of the weight of some of the products or kitchen tools you will store here, it’s important to feel confident your shelves will hold up to the wear and tear. Talk to your MA home improvement contractor about making the best use of the space.

Talk to your home improvement contractor about a kitchen pantry.

A home improvement contractor has plenty of ideas for your kitchen pantry.

Consider Hidden Storage

Not everything has to be immediately visible. In fact, your custom built floor plan in Duxbury can include hidden storage to keep small items organized and out of the way, yet easily accessible. For instance, consider installing a drawer in the pantry to place smaller items like notepads, pens, scissors and anything else that typically clutters your kitchen countertops.

Variety Is the Spice of Your Pantry

Installing a few shelves at the same depth and distance apart may look symmetrical, but it won’t offer the type of space you need in your kitchen pantry. The items you will store there will come in many sizes and shapes, making variety an essential element in your shelving. In addition to using shelves, your plan should include wire racks and pull-out drawers to help keep everything organized.

custom built floor plan in Duxbury and the surrounding areas should include a pantry for your kitchen, especially if you love to cook. This important element will allow you to easily organize everything you need for cooking, keeping it close at hand. When you follow these tips, you will be able to create a functional space that will add value to your kitchen and make it the perfect place to make your favorite recipes.

If you’re looking for an MA home improvement contractor to help with your kitchen pantry design, contact us. We can help you create a custom built plan that takes all of your needs into consideration.