SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
for more? Create your own outdoor spa, with a hot tub
integrated into your deck design.
• Trends in landscaping: With homeowners spending more
time outside, ambiance is important. Whether you have a
sprawling lawn or a quaint space for outdoor living, creating a
welcoming space can be easy. Smaller areas should make use
of multipurpose features, such as container combinations,
arranging multiple plants into one pot to add interest and
depth. No grass? Add green to the space with a plant wall and
succulents, requiring little maintenance and minimal space.
Have a lot of space to work with? Think about planting many
of the same type of plant to create a community garden. This
way you’ll only need to manage one type of plant, rather than
tend to the distinct needs of several types.
WINDOWS / DOORS
Homeowners are veering toward natural, clean looks this
year, focusing on bringing the beauty of the outdoors into the
home. Bright, airy rooms are trending in all areas of the home,
from living rooms to bathrooms—the more natural light, the
better. By lowering energy costs and brightening up your day,
homeowners are designing with daylight in mind.
• Transforming windows to doors: If you’re looking to
lighten and brighten up a room, do it with natural light.
Adding windows or creating larger, more expansive windows
will not only bring in more of the outdoors, but can also
change the look of a room. Large windows that were once a
custom option are now available in mainstream models, with
some that can expand up to 24 feet wide.
• Allowing the fresh air in: ‘Tis the season for spring
cleaning! When you’re working in the garage this spring, you
may find it helpful to have a retractable screen door for the
garage. Whether you are doing projects, or using the space as
a place to hang out, garage screens keep fresh air in and bugs
out.
• Smart windows with auto tinting: Gone are the days of
having blinds to dust, with the introduction of auto-tinting
windows. Newer on the market, smart windows are equipped
with sensors that can read room occupancy, sunlight, and
weather conditions to tint your windows appropriately.
While they are still a somewhat costly option, manufacturers
are marketing them as a way to save up to 20 percent on
monthly energy bills.
• Going solar: The cost of going solar has dropped every
year since 2009, providing more homeowners with the
option of harnessing solar energy to power their homes.
Solar installations are increasing in Pennsylvania, but
solar currently produces less than one percent of net
electri