Hot trends for spring home improvement projects

Warmer temperatures, green grass and increased daylight help shake off the winter blues and inspire home and yard improvements to spruce up your surroundings.

Whether you're remodeling to stay put, or putting your home on the market, consider home improvement and design trends as you plan your renovation projects.

Add bold, bright colors
Need a color boost? Fresh color recommendations from the Pantone Color Institute include Tangerine Tango, Solar Power, Bellflower and Cabaret.

Try adding a splash of these vivid hues to help alter your mood and boost vitality and enthusiasm. Repaint a wall, bookcase or front door for a bold color burst. Or sprinkle splashes of color with new covers for patio furniture, area rugs, pillows or window treatments.

Go green, save green
Among the top green home trends from buildipedia.com is renovating to reduce your home's heating and cooling load. Add more insulation in the walls, roof and floors or seal up leaks or install new windows and doors.

Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified products that help lower your home's energy consumption, and in turn, your utility bills.

Low-maintenance Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and patio doors feature a premium look in an energy-saving design that is the most energy-efficient product line the company offers.

Energize your entry
No time for major renovations? Weekend projects, like installing a new front door to welcome guests to dinners, graduations and get-togethers, can transform your entryway with minimal hassle and cost.

Consider installing a 36-inch-wide entry door to add more room to maneuver. Whether you're carrying a baby or a bag of groceries, or need extra space for a wheelchair or walker, wider entry doors are ideal for nearly any home - especially multigenerational ones.

Today's hottest entry door trends revolve around styles, materials and performance.

"The Craftsman style remains a popular choice for entry doors," says Steve Brenizer, product marketing manager for Pella Windows and Doors. "Rustic door styles with hinge straps and clavos that create a distinctive look are also standouts. And customizing with decorative glass to let in natural light without sacrificing privacy, or adding decorative grilles are also sought-after style options."

Fiberglass is in
When it comes to exterior doors, fiberglass is surging in popularity, Brenizer says. "Fiberglass entry doors look like an authentic wood door, without the ongoing maintenance needs of wood," he adds. "Plus, fiberglass offers exceptional energy efficiency, weather resistance and outstanding durability to resist dents and dings."

New fiberglass Pella entry doors push industry performance standards to new levels. Their dual-seal technology provides two layers of protection to help block out the damaging effects of extreme wind and rain. Fiberglass doors are very customizable, Brenizer adds. Homeowners can choose their own exterior clad color, interior wood stain or paint color, or create a custom color to truly reflect their home's style. For more information visit Pella.com or call 888-847-3552.

Courtesy of BPT