SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
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
electricity generation, according to the state Department
of Environmental Protection. The main type of technology
used to turn sunlight into energy is photovoltaics (PV).
You’ll see PV devices in fields or on the rooftops of homes
where panel cells absorb sunlight and create an electric field
that allows electricity to flow into the home. Individual
PV cells, each producing up to two watts of power, are
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WEST ALLEGHENY
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SP R I NG 2018
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