As interior design shades go, most of us were probably pleased to see the back of avocado, leaving it well behind in the last century. Yet, according to a recent report from DIY retailer Wickes, the muted green shade - along with peach and coral pink - is back in vogue across bathrooms, fuelled by Gen Z and Millennials.
With homeownership amongst Millennials now at its highest level in over a decade, it remains to be seen if this passion for retro colour transfers to home exteriors. When it comes to boosting kerb appeal however, UK homeowners are certainly getting bolder with their choices.
uPVC too has come a long way since the 'White Gold' era. Though sales of the most traditional white might be slowly declining, the hue remains popular for its simplicity. Meanwhile, uPVC us still favoured for its cost effectiveness, durability, energy efficiency, and low maintenance nature - characteristics that are continuously being improved.
Along with technological developments in the manufacture of uPVC, today's windows and doors are also available in hundreds of colour ways. Whatever the homeowner's requirement or the style or age of their house, there are endless shades to choose from, with consumer demand for colour showing no signs of slowing down.
Statistics from leading foil supplier, Renolit, reveal that when it comes to colour, Anthracite Grey remains the biggest seller, ahead of Beck Brown and Rosewood, with solid colours also making up more than three-quarters of sales over woodgrain.
When it comes to different shades of grey, Slate, Agate and Pebble Grey are also increasingly appealing for homeowners. Indeed, one of our customers, Northumberland Glass, has seen a recent uptick in shades of grey other than Anthracite.
Abigail Adams, Owner and Director of Northumberland Glass, says: "We are just about to install a number of Silver Grey VEKA casement windows on a property near to our base in Berwick-upon-Tweed. The customer has chosen to replace the existing timber windows with uPVC to reduce the time required to maintain them while remaining sympathetic to the original painted grey windows. We are seeing more and more customers choosing to move away from the traditional White once they realise how much choice there is out there now. Alongside growing interest in various grey shades, we've also seen a rise in Golden Oak windows and doors, including patios."
When it comes to making the right choice to suit the customer's home, Abigail and her team will talk through the range of VEKA, Deceuninck and Residence Collection frames on offer. At the heart of every Northumberland Glass sale is a desire to ensure the customer makes the right choice to suit their home, whether it's a new build or period property. To achieve this, Abigail will visit prospective customers several times to build a relationship and to get to drops with their needs and their taste, even taking them to visit previous Northumberland Glass installs so they can see what their choice of windows and doors will look like in use.
Abigail adds: "When it comes to colour and style, it's paramount that the customer makes the right choice and selects the best shade and frame that will work practically and aesthetically for their home."
To deliver the very best install, and to be in a position to offer customers a choice of colours and frames, Abigail values the support of our team and our comprehensive portfolio. Alongside this choice, what matters most for Abigail is the trust she has built up with us, which is underpinned by regular communication and responsiveness, technical support and reliable, on-time deliveries.
Our range of windows and doors from the likes of Deceuninck, VEKA, Halo, Residence, DoorCo and Solidor straddles both contemporary and traditional styles. With new colours being added across the ranges, and the option for customers to choose a different shade internally to fit with their interior decor, the choice for homeowners these days is vast and ever-growing. Whether it is neutral grey tones, dark and dramatic hues, or a bright splash of vibrant colour, keeping pace with consumer demand for colour is vital for us so we can ensure our installers stay ahead of competitors who don't have access to the same choices.
Want to expand your offering and work with us? Become a Glazerite installer by contacting our team today.