Outdoor improvements are gaining ground on the perennial favorites - kitchen and bath renovations - because of the added value and comfort they add to a home.

While outdoor living has become a major focus for homeowners, the opportunity is still knocking to create a truly inspired outdoor space by simply selecting the right patio door.

With warm weather here, can your home handle the sun's blazing rays? Insulation is like sunscreen for your home, and you need about 19 inches in the attic to maximize protection against the heat. Taking this step is one of the best ways to reduce your home's energy use for cooling.

Nothing says "summer" like outdoor entertaining. But if poor lighting means your outdoor activities end when the sun goes down, it may be time to brighten up.

If you plan to invest your extra cash in luxury upgrades the whole family can enjoy all year round, the bathroom is a good place to start.

There may be no place like home, but for more than 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies(1), there's no place for allergens in the home. Indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold and pet dander, are more common than people may think. In fact, at any given time, 80 percent of people in the U.S. are exposed to dust mites and 60 percent are exposed to cat or dog dander(2).

Remodeling your home by finishing a basement can increase your living space without the hassle of moving or the expense and environmental impact of building an addition. Finishing a basement is one of the most cost-effective remodeling projects, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2007 Cost vs. Value report, with homeowners seeing an average 75 percent return on investment when they sell the home in the first year.