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Outdoor Rooms Rank High on Consumer Lists
 Consumers across the country are spending more time at home and more time living in outdoor “rooms,” fueling demand for outdoor appliances, according to a recent survey by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).
Based in Washington, D.C., the Propane Education & Research Council is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry (NCHI) — the Supplier 100 of NAHB.
“Home improvement projects tend to be driven by an underlying emotional need,” said Martha Baker, best-selling author of “The Outdoor Living Room: Stylish Ideas for Porches, Patios and Pools.”
“Building or renovating outdoor rooms illustrates our need to relax and reconnect with family and friends,” she said. “Outdoor rooms increase our quality of life while also increasing a home’s value.
Among the PERC survey results:
- Half of all American home owners (50%) said that they are spending more time at home than they were five years ago.
- Eighty percent said it is important to have an outdoor living space where they can relax and entertain.
- Thirty-five percent said they had a finished outdoor room, and 34% said they were planning to design one in the next one to two years.
- Home owners identified as their most important reasons for adding or remodeling an outdoor room: creating a space to relax (89%); spending more time outside (87%); adding value to a home (79%); extending a home’s living space (78%); and creating a space to entertain (74%).
- In outfitting an outdoor room, most home owners said that they were likely to include: outdoor lighting units (94%); a gas grill (86%); mosquito eliminators (79%); an outdoor fireplace or pit (67%); and patio heaters (53%).
Of the roughly $200 billion U.S. home owners spent on remodeling and renovation in 2004, a third was allocated to outdoor amenities, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, which is also an NCHI member.
Citing findings that well-designed outdoor spaces return more than 100% of their cost when a home is sold, the association recommends these five products:
- Commercial-style grills. About 65% of grill owners use propane. The grills heat up and cool down quickly, making them safe and efficient, and there is no ash or dust.
- Gas hearths offer a cozy touch and are easy to install. They include a range of fireplaces, gas logs and gas campfires.
- Propane patio heaters extend the use of an outdoor room into the cooler months. Most models include adjustable temperature controls and safety features, and many are equipped with lights.
- Propane outdoor lighting fixtures and lamps are available in portable, wall-mounted and post-mounted styles, and are easy to use in remote locations such as outdoor rooms.
- Mosquito eliminators can protect up to an acre of land from these insects.
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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