Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows, discusses how to appeal to homeowners who have smaller renovation budgets.
The UK economy remains uncertain, and families are tightening their belts. Rising mortgage interest rates have slowed the housing market, while the enduring cost-of-living crisis means people have less disposable income to spend, resulting in many households postponing large-scale renovation plans. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Despite being more frugal, homeowners remain committed to improving their living space.
Contemporary home entry hall with polished concrete floors
We know from experience that homeowners continue to invest in areas of their lives they find the most value. This point was proven during the pandemic when, despite economic flux and future uncertainty, the construction industry had never been busier, with homeowners booking projects up to a year in advance. Whilst the economy is in a different situation now to what it was then, the principle of people prioritising their living environment remains the same. By understanding current homeowner requirements and how they are re-prioritising their budgets, glazing professionals can use these insights to succeed in a challenging market.
What’s different?
The biggest change we are seeing is the scale of projects that homeowners are committing to. Whilst they are still keen to improve their homes, the full house renovations or grand extensions they had planned are being put on the back burner. Instead, they are focusing their attention on projects that cost less but still have an impact on how they feel about their home. Projects of this calibre range from upgrading their front door or replacing their old patio door, to putting in new flooring or painting throughout the property.
One way homeowners are improving their homes is by maximising the space they already have instead of investing in extending. For decades, large open-plan spaces have been popular, but this is no longer practical for modern living. Not only does it make compartmentalising life more difficult, but it also costs more to heat large rooms – another key concern for homeowners.
The rise of broken plan
We are seeing homeowners creating ‘broken plan’ footprints using internal glazing. Using internal glazed wall and door systems like Origin’s Internal Door (OI-30), homeowners can create separate spaces without hampering the amount of natural light flowing through the property. This means they can create functional spaces for work, life, and play, without having to settle for lots of small, dark rooms. It also means they don’t need to invest in extending for extending’s sake. They are making better use of the space they already have.
Origin’s Internal Door
The Origin Internal Door (OI-30) is available in several configurations to meet all needs. For example, the OI-30 can be specified as a single or French door, or a combination can be coupled with a corner post to create an entirely new room. The doors can also be used as a fixed screen to replace the need for nib walls. Together, this helps create separate zones that can be used for different functions, from a home office to a playroom or a formal dining space, whilst still retaining the natural light that homeowners love. The OI-30 can also accommodate clear, reeded, and frosted glass, providing additional privacy for use in bathrooms and utility rooms.
Beyond their functional capabilities, the OI-30 offers a sophisticated, steel-style aesthetic that homeowners want. The use of high-grade aluminium ensures that the OI-30 offers a cost-effective solution compared to steel alternatives, all while preserving the sleek, modern appearance that homeowners crave.
Like every Origin product, the OI-30 is made bespoke to exact customer specifications. Homeowners can opt to incorporate Georgian bars and have a diverse range of hardware and colour options to choose from. From heritage to industrial, there is an option for all property types.
Looking ahead
Despite economic uncertainty, homeowners are still willing to invest in their homes. Whilst they may be cutting back on holidays abroad or meals out, they recognise the value their home environment has on their lives.
However, this does highlight the need for installers to understand what homeowners want to deliver on their expectations. There is a clear sales opportunity from internal doors. While smaller projects that create a big impact are the focus for homeowners right now, we anticipate that this will evolve as the market improves.
Don’t miss out on the Origin advantage. Become an Origin Partner today: trade.origin-global.com/partner-with-origin
Sponsored news via Origin Global
Subscribe for FREE below to receive the weekly DGBulletin newsletter and monthly digital magazine!
