Feburary 2016 Show House Contribution from Lomax + Wood

Posted: 08 February 2016

Lomax + Wood were asked to contribute to ‘Show House’ an industry magazine targeting top end developers.

How important are the windows and doors in a new-build home when it comes to the sales process?

The windows should enhance the property and produce kerb appeal. If the fenestration is designed correctly the prospective owner can stand back and admire the property and imagine owning it. If the windows and doors detract from the property, it does not matter how well the showhouse is decorated, the new buyer will be put off. Another example is a pair of French doors or bi-folding doors, when open on a sunny day they can turn an ordinary room into an extraordinary luxury pad.

Which type of window is proving more popular with UK housebuilders and why?

Lomax + Wood produce made-to-order timber windows and doors and we now find both the vertically sliding sash window and flush casement are equally popular. Their use and styling often depends on the history of the area they are being placed in.

What trends do you predict in the Doors and Windows market for 2016?

Simpler patterns with no glazing bars, with a nod to contemporary styling seems to be increasingly to the fore.

How practical is the installation of sliding doors, and should more housebuilders be using them?

Sliding doors, as opposed to French or bi-folding are suited to where the open out or open inwards of doors is restricted, for example, on a balcony. A sliding door does not encroach on the space either inside or outside of the room. Their look would never be suited to a period property unless a contemporary style elevation or extension was to be incorporated. Care needs to be taken with sliding doors when drawing up the fenestration as their bland appearance can detract from an elevation, whereas Bi-fold and French doors, which are portrait rather than landscape, more easily add character and are in keeping with well laid out fenestration. The installation of sliding doors may be an issue, with regards to weight and size, if access is restricted. This is because French doors and bi-folding doors can be more easily broken down into smaller components.