The Spring Atlanta Home Show literally brings the outdoors in by having decks and other landscaping, lawn and outdoor products and services on display inside the Cobb Galleria Centre.
A number of the 350-plus exhibitors at the show, held March 22-24, represent the landscaping industry. Here is a look at three things you could see, do and discover at the event.
Redoing the deck
The 3,000-square-foot “See-Thru House” won’t just display the interior of a home, but will also feature a deck. The deck is often a major safety hazard for homeowners, said home inspector Stan Garnet, a Home Show speaker and founder of ConsultAHomePro.com, an organization of Atlanta area service providers who educate consumers on home construction and repairs. The “See-Thru House” will be staffed by plumbers, electricians, carpenters, general contractors and other experts with ConsultAHomePro.com.
Existing or new decks often don’t meet building code requirements, he said. Factors that make decks a hazard range from what’s on the deck, such as a grill, to how the deck is attached to the house. For example, if your deck moves when you walk onto it, there’s a problem, Garnet said.
“If I can get one person to pay attention and not have a deck fail on them and cause injury, then we’ve done a good job,” he said.
Cooling the outdoors
Patios and decks may have cozy seating and other amenities, but hot and humid temperatures could steal the enjoyment of outdoor living. Misting fans can cool people and extend the amount of time enjoying the outdoors.
Joape, a Brazilian manufacturer and green technology company, has created a line of misting fans that it says can reduce the temperature in the area by 10 to 20 degrees.
The cloud of mist is so fine that it keeps people from getting wet and keeps puddles from forming, said Susan Hobbs, president/CEO of Atlanta-based Longview Products, a Joape distributor.
“It builds this cloud of cool,” she said.
The misting fans, which come in tabletop (cooling up to 400 square feet) and larger versions (cooling up to 1,500 square feet), are quiet enough that they won’t drown out conversation, Hobbs said. The fans use tap water and are portable, but you need access to a 110-volt electrical outlet.
Entertaining while educating
The show’s Backyard Beer Garden, designed by Bruce Holliday of Landscape Plans Plus, will have experts available to discuss outdoor areas such as patios and walkways, as well as outdoor products ranging from fire pits to flowers to water features. The garden is a gathering spot, as Red Hare Brewing Co. will offer beer tastings for attendees age 21 and older (the $5 charge will benefit Hope Atlanta, the programs of Travelers Aid).
