SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
OUTDOOR WINDOWS / DOORS
Outdoor trends for 2018 are focusing on using nature to
nurture. From flower gardens and modern green spaces to
reflection pools and water features, outdoor spaces are bringing
serenity to your home. Create an outdoor living area that calls
you in with cushioned sectionals, accent pillows and outdoor
rugs that are inviting and functional. Add a focal piece such as a
fireplace or fire pit to add warmth and a relaxing ambiance to the
space.
• Patios that add style: When choosing your concrete style,
less is more. Paving in sections allows you to add interest to the
space. Whether it’s using a combination of concrete and grass,
or concrete and gravel, add depth and dimension by varying
shapes or sizes of concrete sections.
• Back decks get a facelift: Decks are getting a lot of love and
attention this year with more people wanting to spend their
time entertaining outdoors. Add multiple levels to a deck to
create separate spaces for dining, cooking, and relaxation.
No room for adding on to your deck? Get the same effect
by grouping different types of furniture together to create
distinction between the spaces. Water features are also making
a splash this year. Small whimsical fountains have a calming
flow of water to bring serenity to any area. Looking 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. 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
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WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
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SPRING 2018
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