The 33rd annual Spring Atlanta Home Show opens Friday and runs through Sunday at the Cobb Galleria.

More than 375 local home improvement companies will sell a wide array of home products, while other vendors educate attendees on energy efficiency and deck safety.

Show Director Michael Schoppenhorst said this year's show is even bigger than last, which could be a sign the economy is improving. Schoppenhorst said the 150,000-square-foot Galleria showroom will be wall-to-wall with vendors. Last year's show had about 325 to 350 vendors.

"We're seeing signs that the market is coming back around," Schoppenhorst said. "There seems to be a lot of pent up demand for remodeling and home improvement. I think people have been sitting back for the past few years and trying to wait out the economy and recovery and see what happens. People are finally deciding that things are getting better and they want to invest in their home, since they're there everyday, and enjoy it a little bit more."

One of the show's features is a 1,600-square-foot home built by ConsultAHomePro.

com called the See-Thru House. The model home is constructed with open walls to demonstrate how plumbing and climate control systems work, and how electrical systems are installed, among other usually hidden aspects.

"The goal is to give customers a clear visual understanding of a house inside and out," said Jason Fritz, president of TrueCraft, who is helping to build the exterior of the house. "It's hard to explain (to a customer) why something could be a potential hazard. All of these things are easier to explain with the See-Thru House."

This is the fourth year the Marietta-Square based company TrueCraft has participated in the construction of the See-Thru House. The model is a collaboration of 46 home construction and improvement professionals, who contribute everything it takes to build a home - from the roof to the floor to the kitchen cabinets.

Johnny Yarbrough, owner of Marietta-based Yarbrough Roofing, which roofed the See-Thru House, will be on site this weekend to answer questions about his profession.

"We're expecting a lot of people this weekend, especially with the hail storms last weekend," Yarbrough said. "The interest in the community through the website is showing we're going to have a lot of people here."

Yarbrough said his business just recently became a member of ConsultAHomePro.com, which markets itself as a group of local businesses who have been vetted as reliable sources specializing in home building, remodeling, buying, selling and inspecting.

"It's good to be a part of a group like this," Yarbrough said. "All of the people who are part of ConsultAHomePro have a solid business. We can feel good about referring business to each other."

Other Home Show exhibits include The Total Wine and Design Experience, a wine tasting that features design vignettes from Atlanta-area interior designers and allows attendees to "sip wine, talk design and help a worthy cause," Schoppenhorst said.

The Wine and Design Experience costs an extra $5, but supports Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta.

The Granite Transformation Home Show Stage will feature demonstrations from HGTV personalities Tonya M. Williams of "Designed to Sell" and "Bang for your Buck," and Joe Washington of "Ground Breakers." Walter Reeves and Dave Baker will broadcast their WSB radio shows live from the stage on Saturday as well.

Schoppenhorst encouraged anyone interested in improving his or her home or building a new one to attend.

"They're going to find things here that they probably won't find at other businesses because a lot of the guys bring in factory displays and the latest products," he said.

The doors open for the 33rd Annual Spring Atlanta Home Show at 10 a.m. Friday. Tickets to the show are $10 per person, free for adults over 65 and children under 12, and buy one get one free for military personnel and first responders. For more information or to win free tickets visit the Home Show website at www.atlantahomeshow.com.