You would be very surprised to learn how you can utilize the space you already have. You can take all that wasted basement space and turn it into a TV room, a bar room, a bedroom, or even a mini apartment for that kid that grew up but won’t move out yet,(or better yet, you’re mother-in-law!). The attic is always a good spot to look to see if you can reclaim some precious space. If you have a new baby coming home soon, it is a great idea to add a room or two up there. You can put the older siblings up there or use it for the playroom so your home isn’t strewn with toys. You can keep it a mess and not worry too much about your guests thinking you’re messy. Pop up a dormer to create a passage, a little creativity and some good old fashioned workmanship, and viola, more room on a decent budget! If we really put our brains in high gear, we can come up with creative ways to restructure our current living space to get the most from it. Rearranging closets, moving walls, adding openings and levels can all add to the useable space in our homes. Enclosing a porch is a great way to give you that much needed elbow room.

The basement can offer quite a bit. Usually it is cozy and out of the way, so it can be used as a sanctuary for a bit of privacy from guests. Whichever type of space you decide to create, you will need to consider a few things. First is escape passages in the event of emergencies, such as egress windows or bilco doors. Second is the height in correlation to what you want to do with the area. If it is to be a TV room, then most of the time you will be sitting or lying down. If it is going to be a bar room, you will probably need more height to stand comfortably. Basements tend to be more humid or even damp. You will need to accommodate for this by either waterproofing with paint or lifting the floor with a moisture barrier underneath. In some cases you may need a sump pump and a special closet to house it. If you choose to put a bathroom down there, you may have to dig through the foundation and install a mini septic tank with a pump. You may need to install heating and air conditioning as well, depending on what’s there already.

The attic can have some plusses and minuses. That all depends on how big it is and how you can get to it. Usually the roof needs to be raised in one or more spots to make headroom, like a dormer over a stairway or in a room where the existing slanted roof is too low. However, it does offer more daylight and a better view. It would also keep the personal areas, like bedrooms, up and away from guests, and offer better supervision of loved ones. The attic is more subject to the weather; therefore you would definitely need better insulation and temperature control.

The porch may be the best option to increase living space for the entire family. They are usually right off the living room and are somewhat boxed in already. All that would need to be done is close it in and insulate, add windows and doors where appropriate, then create open access to it.

All of these options are great for cutting down the budget, removing zoning obstacles, and shortening the build time. Permits can be a real hassle to get for additions. There are so many variables to consider. Consequently the process for an addition can take 8 months just for the approvals. Permits are much easier for remodeling the inside. Call us to discuss all the specific details and possibilities for your home. We’d love to show you!

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Chances are, buying a home is the single biggest investment that the average American will make in their lifetime. Improving upon the value of this vital piece to your own economic puzzle should be paramount. An instant way to increase the value of your prime investment is an increase in the square footage. But, how can you increase the square footage of a home without an expensive addition? The answer is simple, waterproof your wet basement for more livable room.

By sealing your foundation and creating a waterproof seal you can instantly add livable square footage and finally realize that comfortable finished basement you’ve always dreamed of. Whether it’s to become a large bedroom for a child whose outgrown their childhood bedroom, or a fully functioning bar and games area, a finished basement increases both the perceived and actual value of your home.

In addition to those obvious values, with a finished, waterproofed basement you can also stop worrying about costly flooding because of unpleasant weather. That means no more moving boxes around whenever it rains. Finally by keeping your basement dry you significantly reduce the risk of dangerous mold occurring in your home.

If you’re interested in more information about waterproofing your basement or converting to a finished basement please contact us, we’re happy to take questions and provide serivce should you require it.

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HardiePlank is an alternative to Vinyl & Wood siding. Out of the three most common sides of siding, Wood, Vinyl and HardiePlank, Vinyl is the least expensive and wood is the most expensive. Hardi Plank is a happy medium. The Mazzei group will proudly design your home or business exterior and install HardiePlank making it look fabulous for many years with little or no maintenance.

Here are some HardiePlank facts and comparisions:

• HardiePlank is fire resistant unlike wood and vinyl which is combustible
• HardiePlank is green, made from abundant materials to include sand cement and cellulose fibers and is warranted for 50 years.
• HardiePlank is available in many colors or you can order it primed and paint it any color and it looks much like wood.
• HardiePlank is as thick as wood. In comparison to thin Vinyl siding, HardiePlank is much more sturdy.
• HardiePlank is insect resistant..
• HardiePlank is cheaper than actual wood siding, but more expensive than vinyl.

If you are interested in purchasing and installing HardiePlank on your home or business, please contact The Mazzei Group at 347 723 1825 or email us at ettore@ mazzeigroup.com.

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Steel Decks with IPE Wood decking are becoming popular in all neighborhoods in NYC.

On July 1^st, 2008 the NYC fire department adopted a new fire code based on the model code of the International Fire Code (IFC). One of purposes of the new code is to protect neighboring houses from catching on fire when another is burning. When applying for a new permit to renovate the fire department in conjunction with the NYC Building Department is requiring sprinkler systems and non combustible materials for decks in some instances depending on the distance between neighboring houses.

IPE hardwood also known as Ironwood is naturally resistant to fire, moisture, insects and can be used in ground contact without preservatives or additional treatments. It is rated in the same class as steel and concrete.

The initial capital investment will be greater to build with steel and IPE wood and in the long run your cost per year will decrease given that you will probably never have to replace the deck or decking.

Call RIGHT NOW for your FREE ESTIMATE: (347) 723 – 1825