ALUMINIUM Extra
Proud sponsor of Aluminium Extra
Windows : Not Just an Essential
Ben Brocklesby , Director at Origin , discusses the opportunity windows present fenestration professionals when talking to homeowners .
» WINDOWS ARE AN ESSENTIAL part of any property . Their primary function is to let in natural light but in doing so , they have a responsibility to ensure the home remains weather tight and secure . Secondary to functionality , they can improve the overall aesthetic of a house too .
Over the years , larger glazing products , such as bi-folding and sliding doors , have become the priority investments for homeowners . These products have a large impact on a home , both visually and functionally . When open , they connect the inside to the outside , creating perfect entertaining spaces for the whole family . When closed , they allow lots of natural light to flood into a room and make a striking visual impression . This increased perception of value is why homeowners are willing to invest in them .
Windows , on the other hand , are still seen by many homeowners as a necessity rather than a commodity . They install and replace them because they have to , but they don ’ t spend as long considering the different options available to them as they do with bigger glazing products .
Our consumer research suggests this is because of a lack of understanding about the breadth of window designs . There is a common misconception that all windows are the same . They are made of different materials and come in different colours , but fundamentally , they perform the same function .
This isn ’ t true . Not all bi-folding or sliding doors are the same , and it is the same for windows .
Despite the housing market experiencing a slow period in Q1 of 2023 , we are starting to see positive signs for Q2 and beyond . We know that whilst homeowners are still willing to invest in their properties ,
they are prioritising smaller renovations over large-scale projects . This includes replacing old French door sets with new bi-folding or sliding doors and replacing old uPVC windows with modern ones .
This presents an opportunity for those in the fenestration industry to educate homeowners on the options available and explain how the right windows can help them meet their wider property goals . One obvious example of this is thermal efficiency .
With increasing energy costs , homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to make their homes more thermally efficient as a long-term way to reduce household bills . Windows are an effective way to do this and will have more impact than a single front door or set of bi-folding doors will . The Origin Premium Window ( OW- 80 ) offers an optional upgrade of Aerogel technology , the world ’ s best insulator originally used in spacesuits . When used within the thermal break of the OW-80 , it can achieve an ultra-low U-Value of 0.8 W / m 2 K and the highest possible A ++ rating .
Security is another factor that homeowners don ’ t consider windows in the same way as they do for doors . For ultimate peace of mind , Origin ’ s Premium Window ( OW-80 ) and Slimline Window ( OW-70 ) have achieved the police-approved Secured by Design accreditation , but not every window on the market is capable of this . Alongside differences in thermal efficiency and security capabilities , all windows offer different aesthetics too . Whilst uPVC has been the most popular choice for decades and is what homeowners are accustomed to seeing in most cases , frames are bulky and sightlines are thicker . Aluminium options offer a sleeker profile , that is capable of slimmer sightlines and flush casements . This means more light can enter a property , views out are maximised , and they perfectly frame the outside instead of inhibiting it .
Despite uncertainty in the housing market , homeowners continue to prioritise their well-being and the renovations that will have the biggest impact on how they feel about their property . Windows have an important part to play in this . With homeowners carefully considering their renovation options , they will value advice from a knowledgeable professional on how to best spend their money . Converting sales is more important than ever , so this also presents an important business opportunity to fenestration professionals .
To open an Origin Trade account and benefit from consumer insights , please visit https :// trade . origin-global . com / partner-with-origin
74 MAY 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM