Getting Your Home Ready for the Winter Season

Protect your home for the winter with home improvement projects.

Certain home improvement projects protect your home for the winter.

When the weather gets cold, your home is put under additional stress that doesn’t exist with warmer temperatures. Before the temperatures really drop, it’s important to take the right home improvement steps to protect your home and decrease the amount of energy you need to use to heat your home. Here are some of the ways your Massachusetts home improvement contractor can help you prepare your home for winter.

Tune up Your Heating System

Your heating system stays dormant all summer long after working hard the previous winter. To ensure your furnace is operating at peak efficiency, make sure you schedule a tune up with your local heating and cooling technician. This will ensure your furnace is ready to keep your home warmer this winter.

Consider Your Windows

Older windows have a tendency to leak, allowing the warm air in your home to escape and the cold air to seep in. This causes you to spend more money on your heating bills. If you have older windows, it may be time to contact a Massachusetts home improvement contractor to go over the benefits of installing energy efficient windows instead. If you can’t afford new windows, use plastic or another sealant to plug up the leaks.

Keep your home cozy with home improvement projects.

Ask your home improvement contractor what you should do before winter hits.

Weatherproof Your Home

In addition to your windows, there are other ways your home could waste energy in the winter months. Doors are often a common culprit. If you can pass a dollar bill under your shut door, you may want to consider a replacement. In some situations, replacing the seal around the door can remedy the problem.

Clean out the Gutters

It may seem like cleaning out the gutters is unnecessary to protect your home this winter, but it’s never a good idea to allow dead leaves and debris to build up in your gutters. Cleaning them out will ensure melted snow can flow easily and will prevent the buildup of ice dams on the roof. Failure to prevent ice dams can result in serious damage that will require professional repair once warmer weather returns.

Pad Your Pipes

Another common energy drainer in your home is your pipes, especially those that are located close to outer walls. When hot water flows through cold pipes, the water will cool down as well, wasting the energy your water heater used to heat it up in the first place. Installing padding around your pipes will help hold the warmth in.

As the weather cools off, homeowners need to take the proper steps to ensure their home is ready for winter. Hiring a Massachusetts home improvement contractor to help you tackle some of these projects before winter sets in can help you reduce energy costs and the risk of needing repairs once spring arrives.

If you are looking for an experienced contractor to help you prepare for winter, contact us. Our Massachusetts home improvement company is ready to assist with all types of projects.

Inspiring Ideas to Transform Your Basement Into the Extra Room You’ve Always Wanted

October 30, 20140

If you want to change your basement, hire a licensed general contractor.

A licensed general contractor can help you transform your basement.

If you’re looking to add extra space to your home, you should look no further than your basement. It can be the ideal spot for a variety of uses, such as an entertainment area or providing additional room for guests. With these basement remodeling ideas, you’ll be inspired to transform your space into a comfortable, welcoming spot everyone can enjoy.

Adequate Lighting

The right lighting is a simple way to improve any room. If it’s possible, add windows to your basement for warm, natural light. You can also buy lamps that feature natural light bulbs for a similar effect. Other basement remodeling ideas for lighting include installing French doors, hanging mirrors and painting your walls a lighter color to make the space feel brighter.

Additional Space

Like light, additional space in your room is an important characteristic for transformation. Create an open floor plan with a licensed general contractor to help make your room feel more spacious.

Moving pipes and ducts along the walls or ceilings can greatly improve the space in your room. If you have a ceiling that hangs lower than others in your home, you may want to remove any objects that might make it feel lower than it is.

Change your basement with a general licensed contractor.

A general licensed contractor can help you transform your basement.

Consider the Safety of Your Space

Basement remodeling ideas are a great way to transform your home and give it extra space, but you should also consider safety when creating an open floor plan. Your licensed general contractor will say safety is the most important step in any home improvement project. This includes finding safe materials and features to improve your room.

For example, all rooms should have two methods of exit in case of a fire. Having a second exit will make it easier for firefighters to access the home in an emergency. Bedrooms in basements also require a second form of escape.

Include a Small Kitchen

If you’re creating room in your basement for guests or entertaining, a small kitchen is an excellent feature to include. This will allow your guests to have some extra privacy while staying with you or make hosting get-togethers even easier. A kitchenette is a great option. A typical kitchenette often includes cabinets, a refrigerator, a sink, a microwave, mini appliances and outlets but doesn’t require the space a standard home kitchen does.

When considering this option, be aware stoves are illegal to use in basements. Make sure you follow the coding requirements when including appliances in your kitchenette. Your Massachusetts general contractor can help you with this information.

Add a Bathroom to Your Space

It can be inconvenient for guests to use the upstairs bathroom when they’re staying downstairs, especially during the night. If you plan on using your basement as a space for out of town friends and family, a full or half bathroom can be a valuable addition.

No matter how you plan to use your new basement space, there are factors you should address with a licensed general contractor before you get started on any improvement project. Your contractor will be able to ensure all building codes and regulations are met and your new space is safe, sound and secure.

If you are looking for a Massachusetts home improvement contractor for a basement remodel or other project, contact us. Our experienced team can help you transform your vision into reality.

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