Bring the sunshine and backyard into your home this summer

(ARA) - Warm weather means it's an ideal time to redo or create a new outdoor living space that you can enjoy all summer. When designing your ideal backyard, add a new patio door to your plans to help bring the sunshine, fresh air and outdoor fun into your home.

This season's hottest outdoor living spaces are kitchens and entertaining areas, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects' 2010 outdoor living trends survey. Overall, consumers are opting for essentials - seating/dining areas, weatherized outdoor furniture and fire pits/fireplaces - over expensive and elaborate yard features. They're also looking for time- and money-saving features.

Lowe's offers creative ideas to update your backyard - whether it's redoing the deck, creating raised garden beds or adding paved pathways around the landscaping - the name of the game is aesthetics and enjoyment. Visit lowes.com and click on "Spring 101: Your Inspiration Starts Here" for backyard ideas.

"Homeowners want to create an outdoor space for their family, friends and neighbors to soak up the sunshine, the fresh air and relax as they enjoy their backyards," says Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella Windows and Doors spokesperson. "Now's the time to bring that outdoor feeling into your home year-round by installing a stylish, energy-efficient patio door."

Choose the right patio door

When choosing a patio door to connect and help protect your home from the great outdoors, consider the amount of space available, climate conditions, your home's style and your budget. Patio doors are an impressive focal point. They draw the eye outdoors and spotlight your yard, patio or deck.

There are two basic patio door types - hinged and sliding.

Consider a hinged patio door if you have ample space to allow the door to swing and want to make a grand entrance to your outdoor area. Consider installing French-style hinged patio doors with two movable doors that swing open from the sides, or single-hinged doors that create simple elegance.

Another popular option is a sliding patio door. They don't swing, so they require less open floor space than a hinged door. A unique design from Pella puts the sliding panel on the outside - so when the wind blows against it, it creates a tighter seal, helping save energy. For added convenience and protection from insects, the self-storing retractable Rolscreen for sliding doors rolls out of sight when not in use.

Need privacy?

Patio doors can be a valuable source of sunlight, but when you want some privacy consider designs with between-the-glass window fashions. Options from Pella come with factory-installed or optional snap-in between-the-glass blinds, fabric shades and decorative panels that won't collect dust and won't tangle in the summer breeze like traditional curtains and vertical blinds.

Need fresh air but not a new door?

Storm doors are a great, cost-effective option for allowing in more natural light and fresh air when used with an existing entry door. From full-view doors to retractable screens to designer interchangeable glass panels, there are many models from which to choose to let the sunshine and cool breeze in, while affordably adding energy efficiency and curb appeal to your home.

Choose energy-efficient options

Many patio doors built with energy-saving Low-E insulating glass with argon meet or exceed U.S. Energy Star guidelines. These doors help reduce heating and cooling costs, and ultraviolet (UV) damage to furniture, carpet and drapes.

Whether you plan to create an outdoor kitchen, build a new deck or simply enjoy burgers on the grill every weekend, a functional, fashionable patio door can add some sizzle to your home. For more information on patio or storm doors or to contact a sales representative, visit www.pella.com or call (888) 847-3552. Follow Pella on Twitter.com @Pella_News.

Courtesy of ARAcontent