Victoria Brocklesby, COO and Co-founder at Origin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of premium aluminium windows and doors, shares her insights into how professional builders can use internal glazing to achieve the ‘must-have’ broken-plan floorplans.
Popularised in the 1970s, open-plan living concepts were favoured for the sense of space and connection they created. However, the impact of the worldwide pandemic coupled with the growing prominence of remote working has shifted homeowners’ priorities when it comes to the layout and functionality of their living spaces. The demand for privacy, individual space, and the ability to work or study without interruption has become paramount.
Instead, broken-plan living concepts are becoming more popular, offering an innovative solution to these shifting demands that still offer the same spaciousness that made homeowners fall in love with open-plan living.
Yet, breaking up a living space can run the risk of creating dark, cramped rooms that lack natural light. So how can builders ensure that their broken-plan properties are light, bright, and appealing to homeowners?
Internal glazing solution
Builders can help homeowners strike a balance between separate, functional spaces and natural light by adding internal glazed doors to a property.
Internal doors have become the most searched-for door type on Google over the last 3 years and searches have risen by 35% in the past year alone as homeowners look for ways to create practical zones that allow them to retain lots of natural light. In addition, our Origin Internal Door range webpage has consistently been the most viewed product page on our website since launching in June 2022.
The benefits of internal glazing
The Origin Internal Door, for example, can be specified as a single or French door, or can be coupled with a corner post to create an entirely new room. A corner configuration is perfect for breaking up an open-plan space to create separate areas, such as an office space. With nearly 20 per cent of homeowners wanting a home office space, this is an important space to consider for homeowners.
Opting for glass partitions means that families don’t need to compromise on the amount of light that can enter the space. With evidence demonstrating that natural light has a significant impact on health and wellbeing, this is hugely important.
Internal glazing is not limited to home offices though. Doors from Origin can accommodate frosted or reeded glass, adding extra privacy and making them useable in utility rooms and bathrooms. So, the privacy of a traditional internal door remains but with a sleeker look.
Never out of style
Whilst the combination of functionality and natural light is appealing to homeowners, the way internal glazing can act as a key design feature further contributes to their growing popularity. Aesthetics matter to homeowners, so offering customisable doors means they can choose from a wide range of designs, finishes, and colour options to match various interior styles and create a cohesive look throughout the living spaces.
The choice of materials can also complement the overall design scheme. All of Origin’s products are crafted from premium-grade aluminium to provide a sleek aesthetic. Aluminium gives a greater overall finish, is smooth to the touch and visually flawless to look at.
Alongside its looks, aluminium is strong and durable, making it able to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. Origin Internal Doors are powder coated with a highly durable coating, so there is one less thing for homeowners to worry about when considering glazed doors for their property.
Aluminium is also infinitely recyclable, giving builders and homeowners peace of mind when considering their environmental impact. Plus, it is more affordable than steel alternatives.
In conclusion
It’s vital to stay well-informed of homeowners’ evolving preferences to help advise families looking to improve their homes.
With careful selection and customisation, builders can help create functional, aesthetically pleasing living environments that cater to the evolving needs of homeowners without compromising on natural light.
For more information on Origin’s range of glazing systems for the whole home, visit Origin Aluminium Bi-Fold Doors & Windows | 20 Year Guarantee (origin-global.com).
For further information on the Origin Internal Doors range visit Internal Doors (origin-global.com).
