Exploring the UK's Latest Window & Door Trends

From the boiler suits and shoulder pads of the 1990s to the craze for all things neon, fashion is constantly adapting to what the market wants —often begging the question “what was I thinking?” when we take a glance through our photo albums. Windows and doors are no exception to changing tastes, and their looks and functions have come a long way over the years. Here, Richard Banks, commercial director of PVCu windows and doors manufacturer Euramax Solutions, discusses the window and door trends taking over the industry.  

What were once made from wooden frames and single panes of glass, windows and doors are now considered some of the most important features of any home. Developments and popularity in interior and exterior home design over the years have led to an increasing demand for windows and doors that can add security, functionality and overall style. With a plethora of design, colour and accessory options, windows and doors are now able to transform a property, adding style and character and increasing overall value of a home.

Window style

The introduction of double glazing and uPVC in the 1970s kickstarted what has become ongoing demand for high quality, stylish windows. Quality has improved since the 70s, however, windows are no longer valued just for the ability to let air and light in, but the ability to create space and bring the outside in.

For instance, windows with more glass and less frame are highly desired. Large rectangular windows such as floor to ceiling windows are beginning to replace traditional arched windows to compliment a modern interior style. Floor to ceiling windows are ideal for open plan interior as they create space by letting more natural light in. Other popular window styles include sash, fixed and tilt and turn. 

Coloured doors

Similarly to windows, doors are now regarded for more than just accessibility purposes. Doors are the first impression and first point of contact a person has with a house, therefore appearance has become highly important. For this reason, coloured doors are now a key trend in the industry. 

In fact, around 40 per cent of the market demand coloured doors. Shifting from standard white and wooden brown, doors have transformed into bright and bold features of a home. Popular colour options now include cobalt blue, shades of green and red, while grey and black are unusual options that add individuality to a property. Furthermore, when looking to sell a home, a coloured door can potentially increase the value of a home and attract greater interest. 

Though appearance and style are important and influence current trends, quality and performance are equally important. Both windows and doors also have trends in common such as composite materials, energy efficiency and SMART technology. 

Composite 

For years, PVCu has been a popular material choice for both windows and doors thanks to its low maintenance, high durability and strength properties. But as appearance becomes increasingly more important, composite materials are also rising to the forefront. 

54 per cent of the current market is made up of composite doors, the highest percentage than any other material. One reason for the rise of composites is the material’s ability to boast both the strength and durability of a modern material, while looking like traditional wood. As a composite door can be engraved with a woodgrain effect, homeowners can get the best of both worlds from this high-performing material. 

Trendy energy

Growing environmental concerns are influencing the need for people to reduce their carbon footprints. As the benefits of energy efficient windows and doors are now more commonly understood, demand for them is increasing.

To be defined as energy efficient, windows and doors must have a high rating from The British Fenestration Council (BFRC). The council rates energy efficiency performance on a scale from G for low efficiency, to A for high efficiency. Furthermore, U-values measure the amount of heat that passes through a glazed unit. Ensuring that the U-value is low means that the product has a high thermal performance, increasing energy efficiency.

In addition to reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints, energy efficient products can reduce energy bills, save homeowners money and increase the value of a house by as much as ten per cent.

SMART tech

In a heavily digitalised generation, technology is profound. Developments in technology are constantly driving society, with applications such as Hive and Amazon’s Alexa influencing the demand for SMART products. As a result, SMART technology is being incorporated into the windows and doors industry for enhanced security, efficiency and accessibility.

For example, automated SMART locks do not require keys for manual locking and unlocking. Instead, the locks are controlled remotely from the owner’s SMART phone using a wireless connection to lock or unlock the window and door. This development holds great potential for the holiday homes industry, as trips away are more often organised online. In the era of Airbnb, holiday makers can gain access to their accommodation via a code on their smart phones — meaning that those renting the buildings can manage security from anywhere in the world.

SMART sensors are another popular form of SMART technology. In the window and door industry, these sensors can alert a homeowner when a window or door has been left unlocked, whereas SMART alarms can even be activated when a window or door has been attempted to be opened or has been damaged.

Though strength and durability are still necessary requirements within the industry, looks have become of increasing importance. However, appearance isn’t all and it is clear that homeowners aren’t just wanting their windows and doors to look good —they also need to do good. From energy-saving materials to SMART locking systems, a number of technologies are driving the windows and doors market. Unlike shoulder pads, we’re certain that these trends will be benefitting the industry for many years to come. 

Source: A sponsored Insight DIY feature by Euramax Solutions.