29
Feb

CPL Aluminum Railings & Glass Comments on New Trend of Homeowners Doing Front-Entrance Redesigns

Woodbridge, Canada, February 29, 2016 – CPL Aluminum Railings & Glass (www.CPLRailings.ca), a Canadian manufacturer of aluminum and glass railings for both luxury and general home properties, is commenting on a new report that says front-entrance redesigns are becoming a popular renovation for homeowners.

According to a recent news report in the Ottawa Citizen, there has been an increase in the number of homeowners renovating their front entrances and porches. Design firms have also reported that more people are looking to do redesigns on the exterior of their homes. (Source: Langston, P., “Making an entrance: Porches, doors, foyers are getting attention,” Ottawa Citizen web site, January 22, 2016; http://ottawacitizen.com/life/homes/making-an-entrance-porches-doors-foyers-are-getting-attention.)

“Recently, there has been a big uptick in people looking to do redesigns on their home exteriors,” says Lucio Campolongo, sales manager at CPL Aluminum Railings & Glass. “This happens a lot with commercial real estate where buildings all used to look mostly the same. Now, architecture and outward appearance are more important than ever, and that trend is starting to be seen with residential properties too.”

According to Steve Barkhouse of Amsted Design-Build, homeowners are now looking for exterior redesigns that reflect their own personalities. While past renovations would often focus on functional repairs, the latest trend has been unique front entrances that make homes stand out in the neighbourhood.

“A lot of homes don’t really have a large lot size and there is not a lot of room to spend time in the backyard,” says Campolongo. “So, a lot of people choose to spend time in the front of their house with their neighbourhoods. Not to mention, it’s what makes your home’s first impression with guests, neighbours, and buyers.”

Along with the increase in front-entrance redesigns, there has also been an increase in the scale of the projects. Some recent front-entry renovations have cost over $1 million, although some award-winning designs have been done for as little as $60,000.

“It really comes down to what you want to achieve,” notes Campolongo. “If you want to tear down your entire porch, put up columns, and add a second-floor balcony, you might end up paying quite a bit. But you can have a big effect with a small budget too—something as simple as upgrading your railings can change the look of your home.”

There are a number of design options that homeowners have been exploring for their projects. While extensive renovations can be done, some simpler options include new paint jobs or the addition of trim around doors.

“It’s not something that’s reserved for only wealthy people or big homes, by any means,” says Campolongo. “Someone looking for a more high-end, luxurious design may add in glass-top railings. But homeowners on a budget are doing simple things, like painting the front of their home. There are so many options.”

However, Campolongo also notes that it’s important to not get too carried away with appearances and ignore the functional value of the renovations. He says homeowners should consider how their renovations will look in a few years’ time, as well as whether they will go out of style.

“For instance, something like wooden or iron railings may look really nice at first, but in a few years, they could be completely degraded from weather conditions,” says Campolongo. “It’s important to use designs that look good and add value to your home. For instance, in the previous example, aluminum railings with a wrought iron design would look the same and hold up better in the long term.”

CPL Aluminum Railings & Glass has been a premier manufacturer of speciality aluminum and glass railings for home renovations and luxury properties. Its innovative railings provide sleek design with enhanced durability and security. More information can be found at www.CPLRailings.ca.