Property Drop Issue 44

HOME IMPROVEMENTS
31
The changing motivations
of window buyers
Windows are one of the most important elements of a property affecting the way our homes look, feel and
function. So the decisions we make when the time comes to replace our windows have considerable implications.
The decision process of replacing windows is
not always a simple one. In fact, the factors
motivating home-owners to replace their
windows is changing all the time. Here, we take a
look at the modern approach to window buying,
considering how home-owners’ attitudes are changing.
The old school
Some time ago, the priorities of window buyers
were clear. The top priority of buyers was cosmetics, with home-owners vying to
maximise the kerb appeal of their properties.
The second main concern for window buyers in the past was ease of maintenance.
This is one of the main reasons behind the move towards UPVC frames. Estimates
from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) place the life expectancy of today’s
new UPVC windows at a minimum of 35 years.
The new school
Today, however, the home’s aesthetic looks are more evenly balanced with other
practical considerations.
One factor has risen in prominence faster than any other in recent years, and that’s
the matter of efficiency. With growing concerns about the environment and rising
energy bills, home-owners are keener than ever to reduce their energy usage in the
home. Double and triple-glazed UPVC windows offer
supreme levels of energy efficiency, simultaneously
saving money and the environment.
There is also research to suggest that buyers of
homes are influenced by the inclusion of energy
efficient windows, helping to boost property value and
a deciding factor from one property to another.
As the British Plastic Federation makes clear, UPVC
is actually recyclable – another worthwhile tick in the
box for those who consider the environment to play a large role in their selection of
new windows.
Security is another current top concern when fitting new windows. Particularly
in older homes, windows can be an easy target for thieves, and they don’t always
have to be open to look inviting. Window buyers today are looking to secure new
designs which serve to keep intruders out for good. Information from the Police helps
to highlight the role that locks, as well as double and secondary glazing can play in
keeping your home secure.
Of course, the traditional values we hold towards windows remain important to
all of us. The way our homes look from the outside is important, as is the amount of
work required to keep everything in shape. Today, though, these age-old values are
being joined by new, practical considerations. Fortunately for those on the look-out
for replacements, modern windows are capable of ticking all the boxes.