There are a lot of ways to add interest to your home and help it stand out from all the other houses on the block. Adding stonework, for example, to the front of the house can give your house that special touch that makes it unique to your and your style. However, stonework has, in itself, a ton of choices: the shape of the stones, color, and location, just to name a few.

So where to get started? This is when the home style and design experts at Carolan Contractors come in. We can help you plan out a terrific upgrade to your house that is all your own.

How? Well, in this article, we’re going to take some inspiration from a gorgeous project we did on a rustic-style Verona Craftsman House to discuss some ways to add character, elegance, and charm to your home.

Ways To Add Character and Charm To Your Home

To get your own creative juices flowing, here are some of the methods Carolan Contractors used to improve this Verona Craftsman house, which included giving the facade a major upgrade:

• Metal roofing accent: a new mansard roof over the garage, clad in bronze-colored metal roofing
• Custom masonry
• A new bracketed portico
• Gable ornaments
• Two-toned siding (clay and canyon), mixing clapboard vinyl siding and cedar shake impressions vinyl siding
• Mixing siding profiles/types
• New fiberglass front door by ProVia

Adding A Portico To Your New Jersey Home

Carolan Contractors are master craftsman, and adding a portico to your house in will provide quite a few benefits, such as adding dimension to the front of your house, so it’s not flat and/or plain. In addition, not only is a portico stylish, but it’s functional! Porticos provide shelter from the rain or snow when you’re getting your keys out.

And as you can see in the picture featured here, cladding the portico in metal roofing gives a farmhouse accent while still looking appropriate for your New Jersey neighborhood. Just that little bit of style goes a long way!

Why Metal Roofing in New Jersey Is A Great Choice

While we do roofs in all kinds of styles and materials, we love when a client is looking for metal roofing. This is because metal roofing is long lasting, available in a wide variety of colors to match your home style, and very popular in farmhouse decor. In addition, if you’re a fan of home design shows, you’ll see it used all the time–just watch an episode or two of Fixer Upper.

Learn more about our roofing services here.

What To Consider When Renovating Or Installing New Doors

A door is not just functional, but is a statement for someone entering your home. (Read more about our entryway services here.) Fiberglass is nice because it’s maintenance free, which is extra important in NJ, since we have harsh winters and harsh summers. In addition, Fiberglass doors are more energy efficient than wood.

It’s also important to consider which manufacturers and suppliers your contractor is working with. One thing we like is that there are hundreds of door options from ProVia, one of our preferred door partners, including different wood grains, different colors and stains, decorative art glass in a variety of styles, hardware upgrades, door shapes/profiles, and much more. This variety allows us to work with our clients to get that exact, specific look for their home.

View all of our suppliers here.

Materials Needed To Add Character and Charm To Your Home

Great ideas is only part of the solution, obviously. You still need to make it happen! So what products went into creating this new dream home?

• Cedar Impressions
• Vinyl siding
• ProVia Doors
• Entry Doors
• Stonework/Custom Stonework/Masonry/Stone Veneer
• Metal roofing
• Gable ornaments for an added touch of character

Add Curb Appeal and Stand Out From the Other Houses In Your Neighborhood

We all know how important curb appeal is when determing the value and sellability of your home. Having a house that stands out from the pack is not only aesthetically pleasing to you as a homeowner, it will also help attract more potentials buyers and, hopefully, more bids if and when you’re ready to sell.

A beautiful home is also a comfortable and nice place to live, and we here at Carolan Contractors want to make that a reality for all of our clients. Give us a call today at (973) 857-1555 for a free quote or contact us here so we can discuss your project.

The post How To Add Character And Charm To Your Home appeared first on Carolan Contractors.

Selecting A Window Material: Wood

Historically, only wood windows were available in color/paintable. Wood is still the best option if you like to mix up your color scheme, as they can be scraped/sanded and repainted again and again.

For wooden windows, we work with Andersen and Marvin. Both companies offer stock colors as well as custom paint colors, and they can also be ordered primed and painted onsite. As a rule of thumb, however, remember that a factory paint job will hold up better than windows painted on site.

Finally, one cost saving tip when working with colored windows is to pick a stock color (non-custom), and base your color scheme around that. 

Selecting A Window Material: Vinyl

A more economic alternative to wood windows can be found in Sunrise Vinyl Windows. These windows also come in stock colors or custom, but they must be factory finished. It is not advisable to field paint vinyl windows.

For that reason, Sunrise is a great option for those willing to commit to a window color for the long haul. Be advised, though, that this can be a double-edged sword: on one hand, windows will not require costly paint maintenance; on the other hand, you will have to live with that color for 20+ years.

Selecting A Color Scheme and Design

Carefully designing a color scheme is an important step in making the most of your renovation. There are a number of color scheme frameworks to consider, and they all produce a different look or style:

• A monochromatic color scheme, where your homes siding, trim, and accents are all one color is a traditional colonial look. While it has fallen out of fashion now, it still produces a very charming result.
• An analogue color scheme is created by selecting 2 or three different shades of a similar color for your base, trim, and accent. This is more commonly thought of as a “shades of…” color scheme, such as shades of neutrals, shades of blues, etc. This is still a traditional look, but it looks more deliberate than other options. Taking the time to select complimentary shades that work together to produce a great look makes your home look more custom and more luxurious.
• A complimentary color scheme is one which makes good use of a color wheel. Two colors opposite each other on the color wheel are called compliments, and traditionally look very good when mixed. For example, in Victorian design often a yellow home will be given purple trim to add punch and contrast
• A dichromatic color scheme where only two colors are used is probably most popular today. A classic example of this is the ever popular modern farm house style. Crisp white walls and trim are grounded by black windows which add the modern flair customers are looking for. Other examples of a dichromatic color scheme would be when walls are painted one color, and trim and windows are painted another. This produces a homey, cottage-like effect, adding charm and warmth.

Final Thoughts

These are just some options, and one should consider their home’s architecture when selecting a color scheme. Often customers feel they need to work with a color consultant, which is a great option if you have the extra cash; however, we can offer complimentary color design with your window project to ensure our customers get the most out of their project. Give us a call today at (973) 857-1555 to see how we can help!

The post All About Colored Windows appeared first on Carolan Contractors.

In this article, we’re going to offer some window replacement tips and tricks that we’ve learned over the decades serving Northern New Jersey.

So you’re thinking about replacing your windows–here are some of the most important aspects to consider:

1. What are your biggest goals in replacing your windows?

Typically, customers are looking for a few things when replacing their windows:

• Increase the energy efficiency of their home
• Improve the look of their home, both inside and out
• Maximize their home value and curb appeal

Keep the balance of these in mind when selecting a window manufacturer. You should always ask your contractor for information about the energy efficiency of the proposed new windows, as well as ask to see, if possible, a couple of homes where the product has been previously installed.

2. Do I need my windows replaced using the standard replacement or new construction method?

There are two options for getting windows, standard replacement, or new construction. The replacement method entails fitting a new “replacement” window into the existing frame of an original window. This is a very common and more economic option, but you must make sure your contractor plans to insulate any hollow pockets around the replacement window.

The new construction method entails removing the trim and installing the window either in the old frame or in a new opening.

3. The State of the Original Windows

When you’re thinking about replacing your windows, there are a few questions you need to answer about the original windows in order to figure out the best strategy:

• What is the condition of your current windows?
• Are they original to your home, or previously replaced?
• Are they wooden or vinyl?

If you have stained wooden windows and trim and prefer to keep that look, you have two options: a range realistic wood laminates offered by Sunrise Vinyl Windows on the one hand, and pre-finished wooden replacement by Andersen, Pella, Marvin, on the other. Typically, vinyl replacement is a more economic option, while wooden replacement is best for those looking to most closely replicate what they have now, but in a more energy efficient form.

If your windows are original, you’ll need to know if they are large enough to accommodate a replacement application (which slightly reduces the glass size). Because of the Narrowline Frame from our manufacturer, Sunrise Windows, most of the time the answer to that question is no. Sunrise’s frames minimize one of the larger drawbacks to replacement windows, which is thick unappealing frames. The frames on Sunrise Windows are narrower than others on the market, and they are double contoured to add curb appeal and depth.

If they have been previously replaced, think about if you could benefit from the Narrowline Frames of Sunrise Windows–and if you’re not sure, feel free to call us at (973) 857-1555 and we can help advise you.

4. Do I need the window trim replaced inside or out?

When installing windows using the replacement method, typically the trim does not need to be disturbed. If your trim is in bad condition on all or some windows, or if you would like the trim painted, ask your contractor for a price ahead of time.

Some window install situations, call for the new construction method, which will always require re-trimming and thus added cost.

Next Steps

All in all, our best advice when thinking about replacing your windows in Northern New Jersey is to plan ahead! Know what you are trying to achieve, and work with your contractor to make it happen. If you have specific goals or concerns with your window replacement, make your contractor aware of them so you are all on the same page. And when you’re ready to get started, give us a shout and we’ll be happy to provide a free quote.

The post Window Replacement Tips, Tricks, and More appeared first on Carolan Contractors.

Woodgrain or Vinyl Window?

White Vinyl windows are the most affordable option, but don’t expect a lack of quality. Sunrise White Vinyl Windows are made right here in the USA, outside Detroit, Michigan. They have double-paned Low E glass, insulated with a layer of Argon Gas for an extra thermal barrier. They have a narrower frame than your typical low-cost vinyl window, allowing the most sunlight in as possible while maintaining a very attractive look.

If you need a woodgrain finish to match existing woodwork in your period home but need to stay within a certain price range, you may want to consider Sunrise’s line of Wood Laminate Interiors. This is a high-quality laminate application, printed to have a very realistic woodgrain look. Specials and finishes include English Walnut, Colonial Cherry, Provincial Oak, Norwegian Maple, and More.

If you live in a home that calls for real wood, we recommend the Andersen Woodwright 400 series. This may possibly be the most expensive option, but there is something to be said for real authentic wooden windows. Andersen Windows are famous for looking like a historically accurate window and performing like a modern window. They are truly the best of both worlds, but you pay a premium price. That being said, if you’ve gotten Andersen quotes already that were too high, consider having us give you our best price on them, we may surprise you!

Choosing your Grid Style

The most cost-effective option will be to get no grids. This may not look as nice as other options, but you will save a bit of money and still get a beautiful new window

The first upgrade is to flat, between-the-glass style grids. This gives the appearance of colonial style grids, but still at an affordable price point.

The next upgrade is Divided lights. This is the most historically accurate and high-end finish, the grills are on the outside of the windows, simulating the days when high glass costs meant windows were made of small panes joined together by grids.

While 9 out of 10 customers choose traditional colonial style windows, you are not limited to those options–we love getting creative!

Next Steps

These are just a few of the considerations you will have when choosing to replace your windows, but as with any project, unforeseen complications may always arise. That’s why it’s great to have professional help, and Carolan Contractors specializes not only in replacing windows, but in aesthetics and design as well. Contact our office today at (973) 857-1555 if you want to talk more about how we can complement your home’s existing style!

The post Navigating the Replacement Window Market appeared first on Carolan Contractors.