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JELD-WEN Poll Finds Interest in Energy Efficiency, Curb Appeal
Home owners are turning their attention to improving the overall energy efficiency and curb appeal of their homes, according to a home improvement study commissioned by JELD-WEN.
Managing energy costs is going to be a priority for home owners, especially those with older homes, the online survey found. Nearly a quarter of the respondents participating in the Perfect Home Survey reported having windows (22.6%) and doors (23.6%) that are drafty and inefficient.
“Energy efficiency is going to be a big topic in 2007 as fuel costs continue to rise and homes continue to get older,” said Rod Clark, a product marketing manager at JELD-WEN. “Our survey shows that many homes would benefit from energy-efficient windows and doors, which can save home owners hundreds of dollars per year.
JELD-WEN windows and doors made with AuraLast® wood are guaranteed to resist moisture for 20 years, he said, and come with Low-E glass to help keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The survey suggests that many home owners will be taking action this year to enhance the energy performance of their homes and take advantage of a federal tax credit for installing energy-efficient products that is set to expire at the end of the year.
Fifty percent of respondents said they were aware of the tax credit, and 43.1% said they would definitely or probably undertake projects to take advantage of the tax break before it ends.
Overall, 13% said they planned to upgrade windows and exterior doors in the next 12 months.
Curb Appeal Wanted
The study also identified curb appeal as a hot topic among home owners, who recognize the role that doors play in enhancing the exterior appearance of their home.
More than 87% said that a new front door adds value to overall curb appeal, while slightly more than 70% said the same about garage doors.
JELD-WEN found in the survey that most home owners inherited their front door with the house, and a majority said that their current door does not reflect their personal style. An overwhelming 65% said they had not selected their front door, and 58% said they would have chosen something different.
“Owners want to be proud of how their homes look, and the survey clearly shows that front doors are a matter of personal taste,” said Shane Meisel, product marketing manager at JELD-WEN. “This finding is a great opportunity for builders and remodelers to reach out to home owners and offer an upgraded front door that better reflects the buyer’s personal style.”
Other survey findings include:
- Given the choice of eight architectural styles, 26.1% of respondents said that the ranch was the type of home in which they would most like to live. This was followed by contemporary (20%).
- When asked to identify which exterior door they use the most to enter the home, the garage door was the leading answer for both men (42%) and women (41%). The front door was close behind as the second most used entrance.
- Seventy-nine percent of respondents love both their neighborhood and their house.
- Forty-nine percent said their home is not quiet and would benefit from sound-reducing products, like JELD-WEN interior doors with ProCore The Quiet Door® technology that are up to 50% quieter than hollow, flush doors. In addition, JELD-WEN laminated glass windows achieve an STC rating of 35, which can reduce even loud construction and traffic noise.
- Forty-five percent said they expected to be doing remodeling their homes within the coming 12 months.
Nearly 1,000 qualified home owners across the country participated in the survey, which was conducted by Knowledge Wave International in October.
JELD-WEN is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Supplier 100 of NAHB.
This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.
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