When it comes to enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of our homes, we often overlook the significant role that windows and glass features can play.
Among the various types available, glass features stand out as a timeless choice that can also add immense value to any home. Here are some of the main benefits of incorporating glass into your home:
1. Adds value to your home
When it comes to selling your home, updated windows can help increase its value!
Studies have shown that replacing old windows with new, energy-efficient ones can yield a return on investment (ROI) of around 70-80% on average. This means that for every pound you spend upgrading your windows, you can expect to recoup a significant portion of that investment when selling your home.
It is estimated that the average home has 10-12 windows and generally speaking, the more windows you have, the more your home will be worth – a home with large or many windows enhances both natural light and viewpoints, which are both major selling points for a home. In fact, organising house viewing during peak times of the day when the house is at its lightest is something many estate agents will do.
According to the UK House Price Index for July 2023, the average house prices in England were as follows:
Property Type
Detached: £488,835
Semi-Detached: £297,183
Terraced: £252,084
Flat/Maisonette: £249,064
With the addition of new windows returning an average ROI of 80%, according to the above study, here’s what the average house values could look like after updating windows:
2. Helps reduce energy bills
As well as adding value to homes, glass features can also help with the cost of living by reducing energy bills.
By utilising low-emissivity glass, you can minimise heat transfer through your windows, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. The natural light brought in by windows also brings in warmth, which can mean we won’t have to use heating too often. When extra glass features are added, this heat is easily spread around the home, keeping it warm all over during the colder months.
With the average annual energy bill in the UK costing the public around £1,712.25, who wouldn’t want to improve their home’s energy efficiency and cut down on bills?! Installing A-rated double glazed windows is estimated to save approximately £180 per year in heating costs for a typical detached property.
The energy-saving features of glass not only cuts down your energy usage and bills, but also reduces your carbon footprint making energy-efficient windows and glass features an excellent long-term investment.
3. Bring in and enhance natural light
Glass features and windows can offer an unparalleled advantage by inviting abundant natural light into your home. The infusion of sunlight creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, making your space feel more open and expansive. Additionally, natural light can positively impact your mood, productivity, and overall well-being.
In a 2022 UCLA Health Study, 500,000 people’s behaviour around natural light was analysed and they spent around 2.5 hours outside every day. The researchers found that every hour spent outside was linked directly to a decrease in long term depression. Furthermore, the participants noticed a decrease in use of antidepressants, showing the direct link between your mood and being around natural light.
Exposure to natural light helps our bodies produce Vitamin D, which can help improve our sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Natural light can also help us to focus, become more productive and make us happier – feeling happier and more relaxed is particularly important during the cost of living crisis as this is affecting the stress levels of many of us.
By allowing natural light to stream in via glass features, such as large windows, rooflights, glass balconies, and more, a warm and inviting atmosphere can be created, transforming the entire look and feel of your home.
4. Provide a connection with the outdoors
Glass features provide an exceptional opportunity to connect your indoor living space with the beauty of the outdoors. Whether you have a picturesque garden, breathtaking views, or simply want to enjoy the changing seasons, installing large glass doors or a glass balcony to take these in with a morning coffee really allows you to savour the natural splendour from the comfort of your home.
Typically, glass features such as balconies and walk on glass tend to be popular in hotter countries, like Spain and Portugal, however, we are sometimes unappreciative of our surroundings and having glass features to enhance potential views can be a great selling point, but also bring a completely new vibe to a home for ultimate relaxation!
In 2021, the Mental Health Charity Mind published research which revealed that being in green surroundings can boost your mental wellbeing substantially. According to another study, around 73% of UK adults found connecting to nature helped them manage their mental health during the pandemic.
Even just seeing a green space or a beautiful view of the outdoors can help us feel more relaxed and help our mental health, so using glass features to enhance the nature within your home and feel more connected can really improve our quality of life.
5. Add visual appeal to a space
Glass features,such as rooflights, walk-on glass, and balustrades can effortlessly lend an elegant and modern aesthetic to any home. As well as looking good, glass can also create an illusion of more space – the transparent and reflective qualities can make a small room feel larger and more airy.
Moreover, glass products come in various styles, from sleek and modern with dark accents, to more traditional, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your home’s architecture and your personal taste.
Typically, glass features more heavily in modern homes, due to its ability to enhance natural light and create an airy feel. Modern homes are extremely popular currently, with ;modern houses’ gaining an average of 49,500 searches per month!
Research conducted in 2022 shows that new-build houses sell faster than existing builds – it takes on average 144 days for an existing property to be sold compared to a new build, which takes 116 days. That’s nearly a month worth of time that could make all the difference when it comes to freeing up the profits from the house sale.
Additionally, glass can be customised to enhance privacy without compromising natural light. Options like frosted or tinted glass provide privacy while still allowing ample sunlight to filter through, ensuring a perfect balance between openness and seclusion.
6. Gives extra security and privacy
Modern windows and other glass products are designed to offer excellent sound insulation, providing a peaceful and quiet living environment and also keeps noises in, for an added sense of privacy. The use of double or triple-pane glass with gas fills significantly reduces external noise, allowing you to enjoy your home without disturbances from the outside world.
Additionally, glass can be customised to enhance privacy without compromising natural light. Options like frosted or tinted glass provide privacy while still allowing ample sunlight to filter through, ensuring a perfect balance between openness and seclusion.
Furthermore, the type of glass used in features can contribute to the security of your home. Reinforced glass and advanced locking mechanisms provide enhanced protection against potential intruders, offering you peace of mind and ensuring the safety of your loved ones. Also, when installing glass features such as balconies, high-quality, tough glass ensures enhances the safety of a home.
Glass features are a perfect addition to any home due to the fact they can add value to a home and reduce energy costs. The natural light and connection to nature provided by glass can also improve mental and physical wellbeing. As well as these benefits, the practical advantages such as sound insulation, increased security and visual appearance further solidify the value. So, embrace the transformative power of glass and watch as they breathe new life into your living space, creating a haven that is both visually stunning and highly functional.
