It is without a doubt that 2020 will be a year that many will never forget, probably for all the wrong reasons. The global pandemic has forced businesses to adapt in order to survive – the fenestration industry included.
However, despite the uncertainty still in the country, there has been a surge in homeowners looking to make renovations to their homes – after being forced to spend more time at home than ever before
According to money.co.uk, 65% of homeowners have made improvements to their properties since the initial lockdown in March. That’s a staggering increase, especially at a time when people might be more strapped for cash.
But as a level of instability is still prominent in the economy, can the fenestration industry expect this demand to continue?
In this article, we look ahead to 2021 and what we can expect to see in the double glazing and home improvement sector this coming year.
Popular home improvements of 2020
The outdoor/indoor living boom
If the past year has shown us anything it is that, due to having to spend more time in their homes, homeowners have been inspired to make their properties a more comfortable place to live.
Home improvements that are designed to embrace outdoor space have been an area which has drastically risen in popularity. These renovations include things like conservatories, patios and bi-fold doors, and people have even gone to the extent of creating garden offices, home gyms and even bars due to the increased time spent at home. In essence, improvements that are focused on opening up outdoor space have shown a huge demand over the course of the year.
‘Stay at home’ offices
Working from home has become the new normal in 2020 with many employees being advised to work remotely, where possible, as opposed to travelling to offices. As a result, a new need for a home office space has presented itself. This has meant many homeowners have converted their spare bedroom or conservatories into an office.
For homes that are in short supply of indoor space, an increasing number of homeowners have invested in garden offices as a more permanent solution. With the current climate unlikely to change anytime soon, in 2021 more homeowners may follow suit.
Expanding homes
Multiple lockdowns have meant that families have all had to stay at home – highlighting a need for greater indoor space.
Extensions are a logical choice when looking to increase the amount of indoor space a property has.
Therefore, this would explain the increased demand for home extensions.
Not only that, money that may have been spent on holiday or meals out is now available for homeowners to spend on larger and more expensive home improvements like adding an extension to a property.
What to expect in 2021?
Whilst the year has been very difficult to predict, in terms of the fenestration industry, popular trends in 2020 are helpful in predicting what to expect for the industry in 2021. Here are some home improvement trends that we expect to remain in 2021.
- Outdoor living will continue to rise
In 2020, we saw a significant rise in the popularity of garden renovation and home improvements that embraces outdoor space and living. Although that demand has since plateaued, the current number is much higher than it was this time last year.
The long summer of 2020 was also a predominant factor in homeowners utilising their gardens and outdoor spaces. Therefore, It is fair to expect to see more of the same once we reach the warmer months of 2021.
- Staying healthy at home
Another thing that the initial lockdown showed us was a significant shift in people looking to become healthier and exercising more. However, where gyms are unable to open currently, many homeowners have turned to create their own gym at home. Where space isn’t available indoors, homeowners have resorted to building a purpose-built structure in their gardens. With more and more people focused on fitness and staying healthy, it’s likely that trend will extend into 2021.
- A smarter home
Technology has become intertwined with all aspects of our lives and we are seeing this reflected in our homes. Homeowners have increasingly been looking to incorporate smart technologies in their homes.
Smart windows are just one modern-home technology that has seen a steady rise in popularity.
As technology advances, we expect to see smart features becoming more predominant in 2021.
As the country still feels the impact of the pandemic, the surge in demand has become a much-needed crutch for the fenestration industry and provides a beacon of hope as we head into 2021.Why not speak to us today to see how TruFrame’s pioneering marketing support can help grow your business through 2021 and stay ahead of the curve?
