Ideal Home Show 2018 sponsored by Zoopla , heralds one of the busiest times of the year for the DIY and home improvements industry . This year ’ s show took place at Olympia London , from 17 March to 2 April , and celebrated 110 years since its inception . Despite the average property shrinking , the nation ’ s obsession with home improvements continues to expand .

With the number of dwellings grown in Great Britain from 7.7 million in 1908 to more than 23 million in 2017^ , the average home today is smaller than when the Ideal Home Show started in the 1900s . Research from the National Association of Estate Agents + shows the average 1920s

The Queen at the Ideal Home Show

dwelling was around 153 square metres , while almost 100 years later the average home has nearly halved to 83 square metres .

Conversely , the price of the average property has grown from an estimated £ 290 ( the equivalent of

around £ 32,000 today ) to £ 211,756 . Houses have also become less affordable ; in 1930 , the average house cost three times the average wage – today the figure is ten **. Once on the home-owning ladder , today ’ s Britons

keep spending . The Office for National Statistics Family Spending Survey estimates the average UK household spends around £ 32 a week on repairs , maintenance and alterations . Essential housing repair and maintenance accounted for £ 27 billion of Britain ’ s £ 150-billion construction activity in 2016 .

A 2017 study by Co-Op Insurance^^ found that 91 % of homeowners believe their property has increased in value since it they bought it , with 60 % of homeowners saying their renovation

work has led to an increase in value .

The trend looks set to continue : Barbour ’ s ABI Home Improvers Report 2017 showed a 6 % rise over the previous year in home improvements requiring planning permission . The home and garden products market in the UK rose to over 39.1 billion in 2017 compared to 37.6 billion the previous year ++. Converting the loft , turning the garage into living space and fitting a new kitchen are top home improvements designed to maximise a home ’ s value , according to Zoopla .

Britons ’ fascination with their homes matches the original theme of the Ideal Home Show , which took a quote from HM King George V : “ The foundations

of the nation ’ s greatness are laid in the homes of the people .”

This year ’ s show homes focus on enhancing every centimetre of liveable space , with a modernised Victorian terrace ‘ innovation home ’, Liv-in beach huts , and specially-designed garden pods providing extra office or bedroom space in the garden .

Celebrities and experts offer demonstrations and top tips on home improvements , gardening , food and drink , alongside over 600 exhibitors . Celebrity chefs and drinks industry experts will also take to the Foodie Stage and Drinks Station situated within the co-located Eat & Drink Festival with free access for Ideal Home Show visitors .

REHAU ’ s AGILA sliding door has gone on display at ERA ’ s new customer suite in Wolverhampton , to demonstrate the bespoke security hardware featured on the popular door system .

ERA ’ s custom-made hardware for the AGILA sliding door meets the requirements of PAS24 and includes security handles , a 12-point locking system and additional corner hooks for added security . ERA is so confident it ’ s the best on the market that the hardware comes with a Total Security Guarantee , giving customers a replacement door free of charge , plus £ 5,000 compensation should they suffer a break-in due to the failure of the hardware .

To showcase this market-leading hardware to ERA customers , an

AGILA Sliding Door was fitted in the newly refurbished customer suite by REHAU Fabricator and authorised partner , Fenster Trade Frames . The AGILA Sliding Door now forms part of the ERA Home section of the showroom , where the latest products and innovations can be seen on actual doors and windows , allowing clients to try the products out for themselves .

Clare Higgins , Product Manager from REHAU , said : “ The ERA hardware and lifetime guarantee is a key selling point for our AGILA Sliding Door , and more and more REHAU customers are now choosing these large span sliding doors , confident that they meet the grade for style and security . We hope that the inclusion of the AGILA sliding door in the ERA customer

suite encourages others to follow our lead and improve the security specification of their patio doors to give customers absolute peace of mind .”

The new customer suite is part of a brand new purpose built premises for ERA , which opened on January 31st . The new layout , presentation and technology offers customers the chance to try out a product for themselves and there is a number of product displays and an interactive smartware wall to enable customers to get to grips with the entire ERA range .

Darren Waters , CEO at ERA , said : “ Our brand-new home is a great fit with our long-term business strategy and will help to differentiate our brand , both as an innovative supplier and as a responsible employer .

“ The new site is home to our state-of-the-art research and product development hub , manufacturing and warehousing , as well as test and training facilities .

“ In addition , our bespoke Customer Suite showcases the entire ERA Total Security portfolio .“

For more information visit rehau . uk / AGILA