5 big trends in windows and doors in 2018

Westbury gives you the low-down on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of windows and doors.

Black is back

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, black is back… well charcoal anyway. On windows and doors and on our garden room extensions too, charcoal and graphite greys are the colours in high demand, offering dramatic and striking lines, that harmonise with both heritage and contemporary properties.

Some people like the contrast to be apparent on the interior as well as the exterior, however for those who want to maintain lighter schemes internally, we advise a dual colour scheme.

Light greys and stony colours also continue to be popular, however for those looking to make a fashion statement, it’s all about the starker contrast. At Westbury we veer away from high gloss black and work with Westbury Black, a muted and matt charcoal that offers a much softer option. Westbury also advises clients to think carefully about their colour schemes, as following the fashion regardless of the house you are attaching it to can be foolhardy.

Folding doors have had their day

They were a great idea and facilitated the all-important need for bringing the outside inside, but with an element of the fashionable rather than the classic about them, folding doors are a trend that is now losing out to the classic alternative – the French door. French doors and fixed sidelights give consumers the same connection to the outside and opportunity to flood their homes with light – however they are a much more elegant way of achieving this, and don’t require the same amount of steel and structural support above doors that folding doors necessitate.

Environmentalism

Environmental awareness is growing rapidly, and consumers want to do their bit and so they are increasingly buying into brands that help them to achieve their ethical aims. In addition to demanding low U-values on their timber windows and doors, more and more we are seeing that Accoya® is the wood of choice for those looking to minimise their carbon footprint.

Accoya® is created from fast-growing profusely available FSC® or PEFC™ certified tree species such as Radiata pine, which go through a (non-toxic, environmentally friendly) chemical process, called acetylation. This makes it a super strength version of its original form, i.e. more durable and more stable to the point where it is able to outperform traditional hardwoods. The acetylation process also improves the wood’s paint retention and in-ground performance, which is why it is rated as a Class 1 timber. The word is out about Accoya® and more and more consumers are opting for Accoya® rather than hardwood.

Stainless steel ironmongery

This trend in windows and doors is a by-product of the widespread interest in Accoya®, since products made with Accoya® need to have stainless steel fixings to avoid corrosion from any residue leftover from the acetylation process (as mentioned above). Marine grade stainless steel prevents corrosion and means it is tougher and more long-lasting.

With consumers increasingly looking to minimise unnecessary expenditure over the course of a lifetime, investing in durability and longevity is the conscientious choice for those thinking about planetary resources and the impact of their consumption habits.

Sash taking a back-seat

Casement windows are currently outperforming timber sash windows, as people are finding that they can still achieve the kind of grandeur we’ve come to associate with sliding sash windows from casements. This is particularly the case for new builds where the practicality associated with timber casement windows seems to be outweighing the need for a heritage feel.