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Kitchen, Remodeling and Kitchen Design News Articles

Create a Seamless Transition from Indoor to Outdoor Kitchen

The outdoor kitchen continues to gain in popularity as an enhancement for new homes and remodeling projects. The heart of the home is expanding to the great outdoors with cooking and lounging areas, often with nothing but blue skies for walls and ceilings. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the 1.8 million homes built last year included a patio, porch or deck, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA). Real estate professionals maintain that when designed well and accessorized with the most popular outdoor appliances, the return on investment for being able to dine al fresco is impressive -- possibly 100 percent or higher.

"We have noticed that more of our clients are pulling equity out of their home to finance home additions, like the popular outdoor kitchen trend, and remodeling projects rather than purchasing a new home," says Toni Hibbs, owner of Aspire Construction, based in northern California. "I think this is due to low interest rates coupled with the increased equities and the fact that they do not want a larger tax basis that comes with a new home."

Homebuilders surveyed by the National Association of Homebuilders say an outdoor area is the third most requested feature, just behind kitchen upgrades and fireplaces. Popular elements of today's outdoor kitchens include massive grills (gas or charcoal), sinks, small refrigerators, countertops, stereos, sofas, coffee tables and outdoor fireplaces.

In addition to the comfortable amenities, relaxed atmosphere and delicious food that an outdoor kitchen offers, an important, ever-present element should be convenience. If it's not easy to move from the indoors out, your frustrations will soon drive you back inside. Design both indoor and outdoor kitchens to make the transition seamless from outside to in when transferring food, ingredients, place settings, etc.

One way to create a clean, smooth traffic flow when remodeling a kitchen or building a new home is to strategically consider the patio door placement and style. In addition to sliding patio doors, many stylish options are available such as French hinged patio doors with or without grille patterns. And knowing that your hands will be full as you move from one kitchen work space to another, Pella Windows & Doors has designed the ultimate in style, convenience and safety for a high traffic patio door.

The Designer Series Collection of windows and doors features blinds or shades protected between panes of glass. That way, there are no cumbersome blinds, cords or strings to get in the way while opening, closing or sliding a door to get outside -- making a perfect transition to the outdoor kitchen. Shades or blinds can be raised, lowered, opened or closed all with one smooth-operating lever concealed in the sleek, stylish unit available exclusively from Pella. The Designer Series color palette for window treatments includes a full range of melt-in-your-mouth colors such as merlot, tomato, mocha, celery or butterscotch. Best of all, these window fashions and grilles can change as the seasons change or to match the theme of your next party.

For even greater convenience and protection from insect pests, equip your patio door with the exclusive Pella Rolscreen retractable screen. Pella's Rolscreen innovation is available on patio doors, windows and storm doors, rolls into place when needed to help keep insects out, and rolls out-of-sight when not in use, allowing more natural light to stream into your home.

Consider strategically locating windows with built-in shades in the kitchen, bedroom or bath. Pella's popular new line includes a top-down feature which gives you privacy in the lower half of the window but allows in the natural light for the top half -- ideal for above a bathtub, over a sink or in a bedroom. When this innovative window or patio door with the blinds between the panes of glass is used in the kitchen, splatters or stains showing up on your window treatments are a thing of the past. And because there are no dangling cords, there are no concerns about children, pets or other objects getting tangled in the blind or shade.

Homeowners with a fondness for the outdoors will also benefit from making sure patio doors meet ENERGY STAR requirements. Just as you would evaluate appliances on their energy efficiency, look for windows and doors that qualify for these important energy designations to maximize comfort and energy efficiency. Double- or triple-pane glass is a proven performer in windows and doors to keep the cool air in and the summer heat out.

To find a local Pella Window & Door store near you or to contact a local Pella expert, call (888) 84-PELLA or log on to www.pella.com. Courtesy of ARA Content