Five Cost Effective Ways to Add Value to your New Jersey Home

New Jersey homeowners considering improvements to their property, will benefit from undertaking projects that offer a good return on their investment. This is especially true for homeowners who expect to sell their New Jersey homes in the near future. With an increased number of homes on the market, homeowners who wish to sell, and sell quickly, are looking for ways to help their home make an excellent first impression and stand out among the rest. However, because many homeowners are operating with a limited budget, it is important to devote those resources to home improvement projects that will add the most value to their home. Today we have found five home improvement projects which are likely to add more value per dollar spent are:

1. Exterior Paint:

Fresh exterior paint can provide a home with a much-needed facelift, brighten the home's appearance and create curb appeal. If the exterior paint is in good condition, perhaps refreshing the trim and adding a new coat of color to the front door would be a cost-effective option.

2. Interior Paint:

Removing outdated wallpaper is a very inexpensive way to give a room a larger feel. If selling your home, creating a neutral color palate helps prospective buyers imagine their furnishings in the home.

3. Bathroom Remodel:

An outdated NJ bathroom, especially in a master suite, is a big turn off. By remodeling, the current owner can enjoy an en suite retreat, and prospective buyers will envision their own spa days to come! Bathroom remodels can create a spa-like feel with improvements such as new fixtures, updated flooring, or new tile work.

4. Kitchen Improvements:

In most homes, the kitchen is the center of family activities. If a kitchen has outdated cabinetry, counters and appliances, it will not attract potential buyers. Instead of a complete remodel, consider which items in the kitchen are in need of the most attention and prioritize from there. Often, outdated cabinetry can be given a whole new appearance with paint and new hardware, or by being refaced with new doors. Instead of upgrading to hardwood flooring, consider less-costly, but great looking laminate floors. Lastly, if the kitchen appliances are old or in disrepair, upgrading with mid-range but visually appealing appliances can give your New Jersey kitchen a new look.

5. Lighting:

Lighting is often overlooked but can be a crucial way to highlight the best features of your home. With old, dated fixtures or insufficient lighting, a home will take on a depressing, cave-like feel. Brightening the home with accent lighting that shows off its best features will help the home seem larger and more open.

Call M&M Construction Specialist today at 908-378-5951 to set up a free in-home estimate to discover the ways we can help you improve your New Jersey home.

Turn your NJ Basement into a Family Room

Whether you have a large basement or a small basement; you can build that family room downstairs for even more room in the home. You can leave the outer walls bricks and apply a sealer and a coat of paint. For the rest of the basement, build walls to separate the family room from the wash area and the furnace and water heater. In other words, add another room to your house by building interior stud walls.

Install a drop ceiling or sheetrock ceiling and some lighting to create a comfortable room.Add an engineered floor, which is great for basements or use a carpeting of some kind for extra cushioning.

Always remember to design the room first, you may wish to make changes if the room size does not fit your needs.

Turning the basement into a nice family room does not cost a lot of money and if done to any dry basement, can raise the resell value of your home. If you do have a wetter basement adding a sump pump helps to eliminate this problem and prevent water in the basement. Since you will not have limited or no windows, plan your lighting accordingly. Many homeowners choose to add a pool table, decorative bar area, or home theater to their finished basement.

Call M&M Construction Specialist today at 908-378-5951 to set up a free in-home estimate.

Radiant Floor Heat in New Jersey

There is no doubt that radiant floor heating is a superior method of heating your NJ kitchen or NJ bathroom. Its popularity is steadily increasing as people discover that not only is it the most comfortable form of heating, but also the most cost efficient. 

Though comfort and cost are the two biggest benefits of this heating system there are many others:

• Silent operation - no hum or whistle of a forced air system.
• Inconspicuousness of the system - you don't see vents or air blowing.
• A healthier home - forced air systems can spread dust, pollen, and germs.
• Even, quiet warmth: even with wood, tile, or uncovered concrete floors.
• Also, radiant heat is less likely to dry out your breathing passages and skin.
• The warmth of the floor on a cold winter morning would probably be enough to convince a lot of people that radiant floor heating is the best thing since sliced bread. However, after discovering the cost savings, there is usually no going back. 

Radiant floor heating concentrates the heat in the lower half of a room where the human body needs it most. Since heat is evenly distributed in the floor, the thermostat can be set 2 - 4° less than a forced air heating system. This can reduce energy cost by 10-30%. Homes and building with high ceiling will save even more in heating costs as heat generated by forced air systems quickly rises to the top of these structures, where it is of little use.

Whereas a forced air system delivers heat which quickly rises to the ceiling - a radiant floor heating system radiates heat from the floor and delivers the heat evenly throughout the rooms.

In a radiant floor heating system warm water circulates through tubing beneath the floor. This turns the flooring into an efficient, low temperature radiator. 

Though radiant floor heating is not a complicated system, there are components which are required, and that the homeowner should be aware of - the heating source, the boiler, the pump and the tubing.

The heating source can be electricity, solar, natural gas, propane, oil, wood, or any other heating source.

The tubing for a radiant floor heating system is located either in the concrete, under wood subfloors, or on a subfloor of wood, precast concrete or concrete slab-on-grade, then covered with gypsum.

M&M Construction can help you keep your feet warm all winter long! Call us today at 908-378-5951 to schedule a free in-home estimate.

10 Important Kitchen Remodeling Design Tips

During the cold New Jersey winter, many outside projects are put on hold and inside projects take precedent - many homeowners look to update their NJ kitchens and NJ bathrooms.


So we have compiled 10 important guidelines for you to consider when thinking about your kitchen design project.

1. For efficiency, the work triangle (the space between the sink, refrigerator, and stove) should measure 26' or less with no single side longer than 9', or less than 4'.

2. In kitchens smaller than 150 sq. ft., opt for at least 13' of base cabinets, 12' of wall cabinets, and 11' of countertop. In kitchens which are larger, go with at least 16' of base cabinets, 15 1/2' of wall cabinets, and 16 1/2' of countertop.

3. For convenience, plan work aisles to be at least 42" wide for one cook, and at least 48" wide in multi-cook kitchens.

4. Specify a minimum of 24" of counter space on one side of the sink and at least 18" on the other.

5. To create the most accessible landing for unloading groceries, allow at least 15" of counter space on the handle side of a standard refrigerator; on both sides if it's a side-by-side model. Or include a landing area directly across from the refrigerator, but no more than 48" away.

6. For cleanup ease, install the dishwasher within 36" of one edge of the sink and allow for at least 21" of standing room next to it.

7. For microwaves and ovens, provide at least 15 " of counter space nearby, at least 16" deep.

8. For optimum clearance, no entry, appliance, or cabinet doors should interfere with another. 

9. For comfort and to help avoid repetitive-motion injury, plan for work counters of different heights; between 28 and 36" off the floor (easier for chopping and seated-use access), and between 36 and 46" for general tasks (higher counters accommodate taller cooks).

10. To install a cabinet unit above the cook top, make sure the clearance is at least 24" for a fireproof surface, 30" for an unprotected surface.

Designing a kitchen is as much a science as it is an art. Knowing the recommended measurements to use when planning the project can make all the difference in the final outcome. M&M Construction Specialist has design consultants ready to help you with all your design challenges. Give us a call today: 908-378-5951 or visit our web site: www.mmbuilds.com

GAF Certified NJ Roofing Contractor

We are proud to announce that M&M Construction Specialist is now a GAF Certified NJ Roofing Contractor. GAF has certified us for installing New Jersey roofing products and offers GAF's System Plus Limited Warranty on all residential or commercial New Jersey GAF roofs.

What does this mean to you when contracting your roof replacement with M&M?

• It means we build to a higher standard using materials from the largest manufacturer of roofing supplies in North America.
• It means we install a system rather than a mix of products that happen to be on sale that week at the local hardware store.
• It means we offer more long term benefits by way of the manufacturers warranty that you can’t get if your roofer is not certified.
• It means you get more . . . more performance, more professionalism, more value.

If you are looking to replace your roof or fix a roof leak, consider getting a FREE estimate from M&M Construction Specialist or simply call us at 908-378-5951.

Make your New Jersey Modern Home Stand out with Awesome Roofing Materials

Everyone wants a home that stands out. Here are a few ideas you may want to consider when building or renovating your home. By having a modern New Jersey roof will give your home that edge you are looking for.



Metal 
Metal cannot be underestimated in the design of a modern home's roof. There are many different metals to choose from in roofing material and each has its own benefits. Aluminum is the least expensive of the metal options and is excellent for creating sharp, sophisticated edges and angles. Copper is one of the most durable metals and weathers to a beautiful patina that is easily recognizable.

Stainless Steel offers unparalleled luster and shine and is a highly weather and corrosion resistant material. While each metal offers its own unique look, there is one thing that they all have in common: Metal roofs are extremely durable and provide homeowners with roofs that can last well beyond 100 years. Although they are expensive to install, they last so long that they end up paying for themselves in the long run.

Green Roofs
If your home is contemporary with a green, eco-friendly appeal, a green roof might be just the thing to set it apart from its neighbors. A green roof is one that makes use of the roof space available to install solar panels and/or gardens. Gardens are especially popular, because they offer homeowners a chance to actually eat some of the fruits of their labor. It is a good way to cut down on the food bill while also helping to insulate your home's roof. Rooftop gardens can be seen in modern hotels, apartment buildings and single homes. They are an excellent and unusual alternative to traditional roofing materials.

Glass
It may seem impractical to install a glass roof, but today's glass roof manufacturers know that homeowners want a lot more from their products that people did in the past. The glass roofs of today are very modern and contemporary and offer homeowners a chance to add significant natural lighting while also making a statement. Most glass is designed with tinting that helps to prevent breakage and reduce sun glare. If you are worried about the amount of heat or cool air that might get into the home, take into consideration that many glass panels now have insulating properties that help to prevent energy loss.

Whether you are looking for a modern look that is abundant in metal design or something that is a little more see-through, there are roofing materials that are perfect for your contemporary home. Do not be afraid to think outside the box when selecting NJ roofing materials. If your home has the look that you want, then you have chosen the correct roofing system.

Use Reflective Roofing Materials in New Jersey

The temperature of your New Jersey roof plays a very important part in a number of different environmental factors within your home. If your roof collects heat without reflecting any then your home will get incredibly hot during the summer months meaning you will have to pay more for energy bills to keep your air conditioning running or face long sweaty days with no reprise from the searing temperatures. This extra heat can also cause a build up of moisture inside your roof and eventually cause damage to the timber structure; this damage may manifest itself in the form of cracks, warped materials and leaks. Also in winter, your home will get very cold and you will have to pay more for heating to keep your home at a reasonable temperature. There are essentially four main types of reflective roofing materials you may want to consider using for your roof.

Reflective roofing materials – metal roofs


Aluminum, brushed stainless steel and other materials are used to create the metal roof. They are usually durable and hardy giving you an extended life on your roof and homeowners with metal roofs have reported savings of 20% on their annual energy bill. Don’t forget that cooling buildings accounts for an incredible 1/6th of all the energy that is used in the average home. The problem with metal roofs is that while they prevent the heat from being emitted in your home they actually trap it and so they do not actually reflect the heat as well as other types of reflective roofing material. If combined with a polymeric coating they become even more efficient and you could realize greater energy reduction within your home.


Reflective roofing materials – roofing tiles


When considering roofing tiles as reflective roofing materials the most important factor to consider is the color of the tiles. Anyone who has been out on a summer day wearing a black t-shirt will know that dark colors do not reflect heat and anything they protect gets very hot very quickly. The same is also true when considering reflective roofing materials. Whether you choose ceramic or fabricated concrete you should select a light color that will do an effective job of reflecting the heat away from your home.

Reflective roofing materials - Roofing membranes


Again, with roofing membranes it is important to opt for the right kind of color. Lighter is always better, and if you opt for the darker membranes that give your roof a similar appearance to that of one using slate shingles it will have very little reflective quality to it and you will need to pay through the nose for your air conditioning and you might also face damage to the roof itself.


Reflective roofing materials - White reflective coatings


Possibly the easiest of all the reflective roofing materials because you can have it placed over virtually any type of roof. They are designed specifically to reflect the sun’s rays and the heat away from your building and do a very good job of it. They do, however, attract UV rays so it is important that you select a good quality coating that not only works as reflective roofing materials but also prevents the potentially damaging UV rays from getting through and onto the surface of your roof.


Keep in mind, a good reflective roofing material will save your NJ roof from excessive heat and keep your energy costs down. Consider looking into a reflective roof today before the weather begins to warm up!