There’s as much, if not more, interest in decking and balustrades as in previous years and this season we’ve seen an increase in the demand for more innovative and upmarket products. Systems that include glass and metal such as our FUSION and Classic Metal ranges have been selling well.
Many homeowners have renovated or extended existing decks this season and buyers of new builds often find that gardens need landscaping from scratch. Decking is regarded as a quick, affordable and impactful DIY project with an aesthetically pleasing end result.
We offer ranges for both domestic and commercial use and have seen both these markets hold steady this year. We may see an impact from public sector cuts, but luckily decking is still considered to be a cost-effective addition to most commercial projects.
We’ve noticed a rise in demand for hardwood decks, as consumers trade up to achieve a more durable, premium finish that will add value to their home. By stocking a larger range of hardwood systems, merchants and installers can capitalise on this trend and enjoy the greater profit margins that come with higher priced products.
Our DECKPLANNER service was updated and relaunched in June this year, which has resulted in increased functionality, a more complete product offering, and a cleaner and quicker route to the final plans.
Statistically, we’ve seen a considerable increase in visits year on year, for example a 66% increase in July 2010 from July 2009. Plus, we had a 40% completion rate on plans in August 2010 as opposed to 30% in August 2009, illustrating a good increase in projects reaching completion.
The new-look DECKPLANNER also allows users to access balustrade test reports, fitting instructions and a stockist locator from both the planning tool and the main Richard Burbidge website.
