Smooth colour finishes most popular – poll

Smooth colours are the single most popular PVC-U foiled finish according to the findings of an independent survey of UK homeowners.

The study, conducted by leading pollster, YouGov, and commissioned by Deceuninck, found that smooth colours (26%), were more than twice as popular as natural woodgrain finishes (16%) and significantly more popular than woodgrain colours (12%).

While as a single finish option, 42% of homeowners selected standard white as their preferred option for replacement windows; combined, premium finishes (natural woodgrains, solid colours, and woodgrain colours) were overall more popular, cited by a total of 54% of respondents as their preferred option.

Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck, said: “What we’re seeing is fundamental growth in the popularity of solid colours. This is in part down to a general growth in appeal but also in part and least to the installation of foiled PVC-U products alongside aluminium.

“This is something which is also reflected in our survey, which shows the popularity of greys with homeowners, particularly Anthracite Grey but also increasingly Agate Grey.”

Deceuninck offers 30 colourways in stock and 20 additional colours in just 15 working days, with on average Deceuninck fabricators selling twice as much colour as their competitors.

This includes a dedicated Heritage Colour Range and Decoroc, a unique range of PVC-U finishes which deliver a matt textured finish, designed to offer an identical match to its aluminium offer.

The survey found that homeowner preferences were also influenced by age, with older homeowners aged 55+ more inclined to choose a natural woodgrain (18%) than younger homeowners, selected by only 8% of 25-34-year-olds.

They preferred smooth colour options cited by 28 and 31% of 35 to 44 and 45 to 54-year-old groupings respectively. This compares to only 19% of over 55s.

The findings follow figures released by Deceuninck last month [Feb], which found that white was cited by 43% of homeowners as their preferred colour choice. Greys, including Anthracite Grey, Agate Grey, and Grey, accounted for a combined 17%. Irish Oak and Rosewood polled 7% and 6% respectively. Greens, including Chartwell and Sage Green, recorded 4% and 1%; Black and Cream each recorded 4%.

“We need to be thinking about colour preference but also finish. Woodgrains make up a sizeable share of what we do, smooth finishes have gained ground and given their popularity with a younger demographic, are likely to become increasingly important overtime.

“That means we should be looking forward and adapting our offer to those forecast changes now, to future proof our offers, while also targeting different prospects with unique propositions”, Rob concluded.

Deceuninck will be releasing detail analysis of the survey results over the coming weeks to its customers in a series of remote presentations and workshops.

To book your slot please call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com  or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk