80% of consumers want to increase the amount of natural light entering their home, according to a survey of 1,000 people conducted by Eurocell, a leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U window, door, conservatory and roofline systems.
When asked about natural light, 48% said they would pay more to have a home with a greater amount of natural light and 57% said they would be more likely to buy or rent a home if it had more natural light. The desire for natural light was further reflected by consumers when they were asked what the most common drivers are for investing in new windows, with 38% of respondents identifying increasing the amount natural light in the home.
Architects at leading studios Hawkins Brown, Simpson Haugh and BDP, as well as property developer The High Street Group, discussed the findings, highlighting that regulation vs. design vs. cost is the main equation on the subject of natural light, highlighting that everyone would like to have more light in their homes.
James Roberts, Architect from Simpson Haugh reflected on this, saying: “Everyone would like to have more natural light in their homes, it’s about balancing how we can achieve this. For example, variation in local legislations can impact the amount of glass that is feasible within the fabric. Regardless, this needs to be balanced with environmentally responsible design solutions that consider a variety of aspects, such as the building systems and the overall design aims.”
Francesca Roberts, Architect at Hawkins Brown, commented: “It’s about careful placement of the windows and thinking about how light can be flooded into properties in all the right places. It’s not just about light either, you need to think about other factors, such as if the property is near a busy railway or a road, and consider how this should impact the placement of windows. It’s about finding that sweet spot, through proper testing and analysis. The placement of windows should not be determined by rolling out a standard house type across a site, with the window placement being left to chance. Instead, what’s right for each plot should be considered.”
The survey is part of Eurocell’s ‘The Future Home Report’, and draws on the views of 1,000 25-40-year olds that either own or rent homes, about design and build considerations for future homes.
The Future Home Report can be downloaded in full here.
