Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, explores current homeowner priorities and explains how architects can utilise glazing to create beautiful homes that stand the test of time and offer a strong return on investment.

Britain is facing a challenging year. Rising interest rates, political instability, and high inflation will put pressure on many industries as consumers tighten their belts. The retail, hospitality, and travel sectors are predicted to be the worst hit as the cost-of-living crisis prevents many from splashing out on non-essential goods and luxuries. Thankfully, however, home renovations remain a top priority for homeowners, who value their living environment more than ever before. According to a recent survey by leading British door and window manufacturer, Origin, 70 per cent still plan to proceed with their renovation plans, despite the economic uncertainty.

Why do homeowners still want to renovate?
The desire for homeowners to continue with their renovation plans despite economic uncertainty stems from the pandemic. During lockdown, homeowners became more aware of the impact their living environment has on health and wellbeing. As Sarah Weir, CEO of the Design Council, explains in her report, A public vision for the home of 2030: “We have become more acutely aware of how well or not our homes enable us to function – to work well, care for others, stay connected with friends and family, and keep healthy and happy. The pandemic has brought into sharper focus the critical importance of homes in meeting both our physical and emotional needs.”

What renovation plans do homeowners have?
With homeowners spending more time at home, there is a growing demand for ‘broken plan living’ renovations to accommodate separate spaces to live, work, and socialise. However, this can limit the flow of natural light, which is a challenge given that homeowners are three times more likely to believe their home is bad for their wellbeing if it lacks natural light, according to Origin research. Delivering maximum amounts of light within a practical layout will therefore be crucial for architects.

A clever solution is to use internal glazed doors. The Origin Internal Door (OI-30), for example, provides an elegant way to divide living spaces, while allowing light to flow freely. Made bespoke and available in multiple configurations, the Origin Internal Door is ideal for all types of property, from modern spaces to heritage homes.

What are homeowners prioritising for their renovations?
Despite a desire to prioritise renovation plans, research shows that for those who are investing, reputation remains essential. Every homeowner who took part confirmed they only buy from trusted companies with a good reputation. They want to know that their hard-earned money is being spent well. It’s therefore vital that architects specify high-quality products from trustworthy manufacturers.

Made in Britain, the award-winning Origin Home Range is built to last. Each bespoke system is exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured in-house using premium-grade aluminium. As a result, Origin offers an industry-leading guarantee of up to 20 years for ultimate reassurance.

Alongside product, service is also important to a brand’s reputation. According to NAHB, more than 90 percent of build projects suffered delays in 2021, and any delay can have a significant impact on a renovator’s budget and timescales. To prevent this from happening and to preserve its reputation as a quality supplier, Origin is proud to offer a unique ‘Your Lead Time, Not Ours’ lead-time service which means products can be delivered when they are needed, even if that’s in as little as 24 hours.

Energy performance also shot to the top of the priority list for homeowners last year after a record 54 percent hike in the price of gas and electricity. The introduction of stricter building regulations has further emphasised the need for better thermal performance in new builds and renovations.

Architects shouldn’t have to compromise design, functionality, and style to achieve this. At Origin, we have invested in innovation to achieve superior energy performance. The Origin Home Range features clever design details that ensure our systems offer some of the lowest U-values on the market and allow for large expanses of glass in designs. Finally, ultra-slim sightlines create the perfect view from the home and let in an abundance of natural light.

Conclusion
Origin’s consumer insights show that although homeowners are more cautious with their budgets, creating a home environment that supports their health and wellbeing is of utmost importance. The majority remain determined to push ahead with renovation plans. By specifying systems from reputable manufacturers and suppliers, architects can help clients design a property that will fulfil all their needs and transform the way they enjoy their homes, now and in the future.

Contact Details
For more information, please visit the Origin website.