Waste Not, Want Not: Homeowners Squeeze More Out of Existing Spaces

February 25, 2009 —  

What’s out for 2009: Trading up to a larger home with rooms to spare.
What’s in: Making every square inch count.

As the forecast for 2009 home sales remains gloomy, homeowners are concentrating on staying put rather than moving and maximizing square footage within their existing spaces. According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey, many homeowners are rethinking their overall space needs. Incorporating outdoor living areas and converting basements and attics remains popular and showcases that when it comes to remodeling, homeowners are squeezing value out of every corner of their current residences.

For manufacturers like JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, that means a greater emphasis on products that help homeowners do more within their existing floor plan. The latest window and door designs that make a home feel larger or solve floor plan challenges can be found within the company’s offerings this year.

“Rather than moving to a larger home with features like playrooms or more spacious bathrooms, homeowners are getting creative with how they go about transforming their existing spaces,” said Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN.  “Windows and doors play a big role, especially those that have design and performance features that help save space and maximize square footage.”

Renovations such as attic and basement conversions present a special set of challenges that can be addressed by selecting the right windows and doors. For example, because heat rises, window selection is particularly important in the attic. JELD-WEN experts say to choose a window design that offers maximum ventilation, such as double-hung or French casement windows, which operate similarly to a French door and can easily be adjusted to maximize airflow. Energy efficient features, such as Low-E glass, that are standard for JELD-WEN wood and premium vinyl window collections are also important for maintaining comfortable temperatures inside the home.

With low, sloped ceilings common in many attics, larger windows can help open up space. JELD-WEN offers numerous decorative glass options that provide natural light, as well as privacy. Interior Dutch door styles that are literally split in half also work particularly well in the attic because even with the lower half of the door shut, the top can be adjusted to control the amount of ventilation and light that is able to flow through the space.

For basements, some may require an egress window, a structural emergency exit specifically designed for underground floors, while more creative options can be incorporated when it comes to daylight layouts. JELD-WEN emphasizes that it’s important to discuss these considerations with an architect or engineer for the proper selection.

Creating outdoor living spaces remains popular, representing the largest jump in demand according to the AIA study. Gaining greater access to the outdoors includes selecting the right patio door style. JELD-WEN offers a range of options from wood to vinyl, steel and fiberglass as well as folding door systems that can literally open up an entire wall to the outdoors.

Small touches, big payoffs

If a conversion isn’t in the budget this year, JELD-WEN suggests simple space-saving ideas and techniques when selecting replacement windows and doors. When space is tight, consider a pocket door instead, or a dual-purpose door such as JELD-WEN’s Mirrored Impression door, which has an attractive recessed built-in mirror on one side. Design experts say that reflective surfaces can also make a room look larger as the illusion of more space and light create an open feeling.

Garden windows can maximize space as well, especially when used over kitchen sinks and other areas where extra elbow room is always at a premium. If there isn’t room in the budget to cut holes in the walls to add extra windows, consider using doors with glass panels throughout the house instead.
“People are opening up entryways with added glass in the front door and sidelights while maximizing light inside their homes by using more glass in interior doors too,” said Elizabeth Souders, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN.

No matter what the renovation, there’s no doubt that homeowners are paying close attention to selecting products that they can live with over time, and that make the biggest difference within their existing home design.

“The ‘flip’ mentality of a few years ago has disappeared,” said Hedlund. “Now people are putting their own personal priorities – rather than resell value – first. That means making their current home as comfortable as possible for the long term.”

# # # #