A Room With a View Thanks to Hours of Work
The nation's gardens now look better than ever – thanks to the typical green-fingered Brit spending the equivalent of 19 working days toiling away over the scorching summer, a new survey has shown.
The study found the sunny days were put to good use – with keen gardeners toiling away for a total of a staggering 154 hours. The figure equates to an average weekly shift of 11 hours a week tending lawns and flowerbeds during the 3½-month hot season.
And the hard work paid off, with the average adult spending 32 days between mid-May and late August when they were able to get out and relax in their garden.
The research, which was commissioned by UK bi-fold sliding door manufacturer Origin, found the ‘proper summer’ was well deserved – as the average resident usually spends 117 days of the year sitting indoors wishing they could be out in the garden.
And perhaps that’s why more than half of the 2,000 homeowners studied think the best room in their house is the one with the best views of the outside.
Yesterday Neil Ginger, CEO of Origin, said: “We’re a nation of garden lovers and clearly a lot of work goes into making the most of our outdoor space. In today’s fast-paced world, finding space and time to relax and unwind is crucial, and nowhere does it better than a quiet garden corner or a good view to look upon.”
A regretful 51 per cent of people feel they don’t normally get anywhere near enough time to enjoy their home and garden in the average year. However, 2013 is different and this summer has been the best in recent memory in terms of good weather for seven out of ten Brits.
And the sunshine has not been wasted – three in five homeowners have been able to make improvements to their gardens and outside space in recent months. In fact, half of these feel the toil has paid off and their improvements to the garden have added value to their property overall.
Two in five Brits said the highlight of their summer was getting quality time in the garden. While a further 39 per cent said having the patio doors open and having a breeze through the house, really made their summer season.
During recent years, the average respondent said they spent approximately a third of their time at home wishing they could be out in their garden. But freak downpours, showers and other bad weather mean plans to get out amid the greenery are ruined at least seven times a month.
Before this summer’s good weather, the average person had gone as long as 3½ months without being able to get outside. And that can take its toll – 81 per cent feels their outlook on life is directly affected by how much sun they see. The same number say spending time in brighter, light rooms are crucial to a good mood.
But even if the weather doesn’t allow them to get outside, that doesn’t stop homeowners from appreciating the views – four in ten regularly take a few quiet minutes to just gaze out of the window at their surroundings.
Neil Ginger added: “This summer has been exceptional, but unfortunately the British weather is often too poor to let us relax in our gardens, so quite often the time we put into making it look nice outweighs the time we spend out enjoying it.
“But what’s clear is that taking time to enjoy the views, whatever the weather, is important to people, helping them feel positive and appreciative of what they have around them.
“Over the last two years we have witnessed an 86 per cent increase in bi-folding door sales, which shows that homeowners want to enjoy their gardens even when they can’t be in them, and have a great view, all year round. Bi-folding doors are great for bringing the outside in and letting more light into your home.”
For more information visit http://www.origin-global.com
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About Origin
Award winning Origin is the UK’s leading specialist manufacturer of bespoke aluminium folding sliding doors. It was recently voted Best Glazing Product by Build It Magazine and winner of EEF regional manufacturing awards for its ‘Your Lead Time Not Ours’ service. The company was founded 11 years ago when cousins Neil Ginger and Victoria Brocklesby found they could not get great aluminium folding sliding doors for their building projects. Their ambitious solution was to create a company capable of manufacturing the UK’s best quality doors, backed by uncompromising levels of service. The result is the Origin Bi-fold, cleverly designed, beautifully made and exquisitely finished sliding folding doors, featuring a unique free-glide running system.
At Origin, personal service and attention to detail is everything. High standards of craftsmanship and uncompromising levels of service, together with industry leading initiatives have positioned Origin as the UK’s leading manufacturer of bifold door systems. Every Origin door comes with a 20-year industry leading manufacturer’s guarantee. Origin is unique in its ability to offer a ‘Your Lead Time, Not Ours’ service.