Attitudes Divided When It Comes To Sustainable Home Improvements

New research reveals two fifths (41%) of homeowners agree that products purchased for home renovations should be sustainably sourced, however affordability remains the number one priority for 75% of Brits 

VELUX^®, the leading roof window manufacturer, today releases new findings that depict Brit’s attitudes and awareness to home improvements and sustainability. The survey of 2000 adults in the UK found that our attitudes are still divided when it comes to making home renovations sustainable.  

While two fifths (41%) of homeowners agree that products should be made sustainably, the reality is that our interior tastes can be fickle. In the UK, over one in ten (13%) of homeowners buy new furniture at least once a year, and a further three in ten (30%) do so at least once every three years. 

During the pandemic, Britons have spent billions of pounds on home improvements[1] with the trend cycle for interiors getting shorter. While consumers are increasingly aware of terms such as, fast fashion, there is a need for more transparency about the impact that home renovations, such as selecting a paint or replacing a bathroom can have on the environment, to help make consumers make choices that are right for them. 

For those that do keep sustainability in mind when renovating and decorating, the majority (75%) try to reuse items in their homes, over half (58%) try to upcycle, and almost half (49%) purchased vintage or second-hand items. With trends such as upcycling becoming increasingly popular it’s crucial that consumers can purchase durable and well-made furnishings that can stand the test of time and not cost the earth. 

Jim Coates, Marketing Director, NWE commented: "We all deserve to live in comfortable homes designed to our taste, but home transformations don’t have to cost the earth. The findings show there’s more to do to help homeowners make considered choices. Understanding a product’s durability and how materials are sourced responsibly can mean our design choices have a longer-term benefit to our planet. Last month’s COP26 conference has shown we all need to act, to tackle the climate and nature crisis together – this includes our home renovations and decoration.”

The research comes following the launch of VELUX’s long-term sustainability strategy. By 2030, 50% less CO2 will be needed to manufacture a roof window, and the packaging will be plastic free, and made of 100% recyclable and single material. New features will make VELUX’s roof windows smarter and it’s working with FSC and PEFC certified forest partners to ensure the protection of biodiversity and that new trees grow in the forests it sources wood from. 

As most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors, this goes beyond aesthetics. Injecting more daylight into a room can massively transform a space and home renovations provide a great opportunity to bring more daylight into the home as well as improving the air quality – both of which are known to improve wellbeing. VELUX roof windows can also be installed at any point in time, it’s not reliant on a renovation. A VELUX roof window can last over three decades and can be upgraded as needed, to create wellbeing for people every day, all year round. 

Interior trends may come and go – but daylight design is a lasting trend, and a sustainable choice people can feel good about.

Source : Velux

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