Are windows and doors replacements one of homeowners favourite improvements?

Research repeatedly confirms that window and door replacement are one of the homeowner’s favourite home improvements. So why would this be any different for new home buyers? asks Adrian Barraclough, Chairman of Quickslide.

Great kitchens and bathrooms are key to getting the home buyer’s blood flowing. But that assumes you’ve got them through the front door in the firsts place. Spending a little more time – and for once, not necessarily money (though that might help too) – on the front door and windows, can do much to secure the sale even before the buyer gets out of their car. First impressions really do count!

There’s never been a bigger choice in doors and windows: aluminium, PVCu, traditional sash windows or flush casements, and then to help clinch the sale, great bi-folding or French or sliding garden doors…and buyers have never been more educated in the styles and options that are available. The windows and doors of a property are made by this key element and failure to give full attention to this can be the difference between a quick or sticky sale.

So where to start? When it comes to choosing doors and windows for your next build, here are some key considerations to help inform your decision:

Styling and details
As the first thing buyers see, the outside appearance of the house is of utmost importance. It’s all about kerb appeal, with windows and doors considered as the ‘face’ of any property. Of course, you’ll take care to install great kitchens and bathrooms. But the windows and doors you choose set the tone and style of the property, showcase its quality and really sell it at the kerb. Take a lead from the home improvement market: recent research again confirms that windows and doors remain the homeowner’s favourite improvement. Flush sash frames have gained in popularity and the difference between these stylish frames over conventional casements isn’t as much as you might think. And choosing this style will preclude any need for mock Georgian bar or leaded lights!A stylish entrance door will put a ‘smile’ on a house – it really is a game changer. And go for a bright, solid colour to make the property ‘pop’! Traditional styling tends to work with traditional homes, but if there is no distinct architectural style to the property, then go for something a little more modern – there’s some great styles on offer.
Energy efficiency
A 2022 Zoopla survey found that 69% of new-build homebuyers placed high importance on a property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, with many recognising that features like double or triple-glazed windows contribute significantly to better energy efficiency and reduced utility costs. Of course, every home has to meet the minimum required by Building Regulations. But for little additional cost, increasing the energy performance of the windows and doors in a property will deliver that additional ‘wow’ factor to intelligent, well-researched buyers
Colours and choice
Gone are the days of wall-to-wall white windows. In fact, more than 40% of Quickslide’s output for the home improvement market is for wood grained and coloured frames. Consider creams or pale greens, greys and even blues to simply blend frames into the property. Factory-applied permanent paint finishes can quite literally deliver any colour required; why not offer this as an option to buyers choosing off-plan?

And don’t forget the inside of your windows and door frames: the option to have dual foils means you can choose one colour outside that matches the home’s exterior, while opting for something different inside which better suits your interior design. So, if you want a heritage style window that matches its traditional surrounds outside, but a different style inside to complement a more contemporary lifestyle, well now you can.
The latest in aluminium
Over recent years aluminium has seen an extraordinary resurgence in popularity, especially for large glazed areas and sliding and bi-folding door installations. The clean lines and sleek look and feel of aluminium has extended to a huge choice of windows to match the doors. Aluminium is durable, low maintenance and more rigid than PVCu, which allows for slimmer frames and narrower sightlines in windows and glass doors. All of which is beneficial to improving a modern home’s light and airy ambience.
Indoors and out
Connecting the indoors with outside is still a huge home trend and makes bi-folds a popular choice for doors, with their ability to open up the space. However, the maturing market for bi-folds has also seen sales of sliding doors increase, particularly those which offer newer, slimmer sightlines giving unencumbered views even when closed (which, let’s face it, is much of the time in our UK climate). Folding sliding doors are also becoming popular. These offer the key benefits of bifolds to offer a full opening but the door panels, rather than being hinged to each other, each slide independently on the track to provide partial openings as well as stacking on the rail.
The little things also count…
Window and door furniture are also crucial elements: chrome handles and fittings will usually lift a property with plain white tending to look budget. And whilst not immediately obvious, adding upgraded, high security locks look great in the sales brochure specification.