For 2012, one of the biggest trends in the housing industry can be summed up in a single word: Value.

Given that just one in four households believes their financial situation will improve in 2012*, manufacturers such as JELD-WEN are banking on the fact that value will be a major driver for home product purchases this year.

However, value can be interpreted by homeowners, builders and remodelers in many different ways. For some, value equates to low prices. For others, greater energy performance, extra features and benefits, style or durability is the focus. Still, many homeowners prioritize projects that offer easy updating and replacement that will help contribute to the home’s overall value.

“For 2012, being an industry visionary means being able to offer homeowners greater value for their investment,” said Elizabeth Souders, director of product marketing for JELD-WEN windows. “That’s always been a core principle for us and it is definitely highlighted our product line this year.”

According to JELD-WEN, the top five trends when it comes to value this year include:

Trend 1 - Performance equals value

For 2012, it’s not about choosing between style and energy performance. Homeowners want it all. Energy efficient products that offer long-term savings while also ranking high on the style scale are top sellers. To ensure maximum savings, experts advise choosing windows and doors that are ENERGY STAR qualified, which are available in a variety of styles and materials, ranging from vinyl to wood. Replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows from JELD-WEN will help homeowners save an average of $295 in heating and cooling costs each year.

JELD-WEN has the largest and broadest offering of ENERGY STAR qualified windows and exterior doors in the industry, according to the National Fenestration Rating System database. Nearly all JELD-WEN® Wood and Vinyl windows come standard with Low-E glass, consuming less energy to help rooms stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Trend 2 - Simple updates

Having to seek out customized solutions or retrofit products in order for them to match isn’t in the cards for most homeowners this year. For example, JELD-WEN Pocket windows are great for renovations, remodels or new additions. Because pocket replacement windows fit into existing openings, the process is simpler, quicker and less invasive. Replacing existing windows with pocket windows can help save as much as 60 percent on material, time and labor costs when compared to traditional full window replacements. Because they are designed for installation into existing window frames, regardless of the brand of the original window, they are ideal for homeowners looking to upgrade from inefficient single-pane windows or replace old windows that don’t work properly.

When it comes to simple, easy and turnkey, JELD-WEN now offers matching wood window molding styles for renovations, new additions and remodels, which blend seamlessly with the rest of a home’s existing exterior to help maximize resale value.

Trend 3 - Custom looks for less

Unique designs help a home stand out, increasing its value. With this in mind, manufacturers are upping their style offerings, delivering custom looks for modest prices.

Case in point is JELD-WEN’s Authentic Wood line, which offers a wide variety of off-the-shelf, beautiful designs such as the Authentic Recipe Pantry Door. Featuring etched glass with beautifully scripted recipes, this door becomes an easy way to update a non-descript kitchen for a lot less than a full-scale renovation or customized solution.

Trend 4 - Extras included

More for the money is the mantra for many in 2012, and manufacturers are delivering. For instance, JELD-WEN now offers a lifetime glass replacement option for its Vinyl products. Even if a wayward baseball breaks the glass, JELD-WEN will pay for the cost of the glass replacement. “People always appreciate something extra for their investment and that’s especially true this year. Our goal is to demonstrate that value in a wide variety of ways and this is an example of how we’re providing that,” said Souders.

Added value is also a given with JELD-WEN windows, patio doors, exterior doors, and door frames that come standard with AuraLast wood. Only JELD-WEN offers solid pine AuraLast, the worry-free wood®, which offers superior protection from wood rot, water saturation and termites. It also acts as a grain sealant, allowing for a beautiful, even and enduring stain finish. When it comes to stains and finishes, JELD-WEN’s factory finish options deliver the best outcome at a lower cost than doing it yourself.

Trend 5 - Everlasting style

There’s a fine line between great design and a look that grows stale quickly. For 2012, homeowners want simple, elegant, timeless solutions that will stand the test of style trends. Therefore, more are opting for clean contemporary styles and classic designs, and steering away from trendy fads and flighty home fashions. JELD-WEN points its Custom Double-Hung window line with new design enhancements including a concealed jamb liner, concealed tilt latch and a larger bottom rail—features that have helped refine this ever-popular style that many homeowners consider a classic.

“For 2012, it’s not only about what’s shiny and new,” said Souders. “Tried and true styles that are universally beloved offer homeowners some of the best values of the year.”

*Source: HousingWire.com, Dec. 22, 2011