Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of aluminium windows and doors, explores the predicted home renovation trends for the year ahead, and how the company can assist specifiers and homeowners.

2024 is set to be an interesting year for home renovations. A turbulent housing market with vast fluctuations in mortgage interest rates was the backdrop to 2023. This year, we predict a growing trend of homeowners opting to renovate their current property to better meet their needs for now and in the future, instead of committing to a costly and uncertain move. Rising energy bills and impending changes to building regulations with the Future Homes Standard (2025) have also put the importance of thermal efficiency front of mind for both homeowners and property developers.

Where will the renovation boom happen?
Whilst we anticipate the ‘don’t move, improve’ drive will be a consistent trend across the UK, London is projected to emerge as the epicentre of the renovation boom, having accounted for a substantial 14 per cent of all granted planning applications nationwide last year. Following closely are Surrey and Greater Manchester at 4 per cent each, solidifying their positions as significant renovation hubs.

However, despite London’s dominance in the rankings, it bears noting that the capital has one of the lowest application success rates in the country, standing at 81 per cent. Instead, architects may see greater success for planned projects in Hampshire, boasting an impressive 95 per cent approval rate, or Gloucestershire, where 93  of plans receive the green light.

What renovations will be taking place?
With more people opting to stay in their current property and adapt it to best suit their needs, 2024 could also see a surge in unconventional planning requests. A notable recent instance of this trend includes a devoted supporter of Leeds United Football Club applying to extend his Yorkshire property to house his football memorabilia collection.

Alongside the more unique requests, we anticipate homeowners wanting to make better use of their current footprints by dividing their floorplan into more functional spaces. This includes utilising unused lofts, basements, and garages as a shortcut to creating more liveable space in a home without investing in extending the property itself.

What about thermal efficiency?
At Origin, our team advises professionals and homeowners alike on the optimal glazing products for home renovations, offering solutions that prioritise practicality with aesthetics and quality.

Ahead of the Future Homes Standard coming into effect in 2025, and with an understanding that homeowners want to upgrade their glazing to reduce energy bills, Origin’s in-house R&D team has been working hard to design a whole suite of new products. Not only will they deliver on the all-new thermal requirements, but they will also offer cutting-edge design, aesthetics, and performance which have been designed to meet the demands of the market.

What to remember
2023 turned out to be a difficult year for many. Fluctuations in the housing market caused lots of uncertainty, with current homeowners not knowing if they could afford mortgage increases and prospective homebuyers feeling disheartened. But, as the market settles and recovers, homeowners are taking stock of their priorities. For some, the aim is still to move when it feels right. However, for most, considering how to improve their current property to better fit their needs will be a priority, and they will rely on their architect to help them achieve their goals.

So, despite the uncertainties in the housing market, these trends signal a positive outlook for the country’s future.

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