During KBIS Virtual in February 2021, Sara Gutterman, cofounder and CEO of Green Builder magazine, gave a presentation at the Healthy Living Pavilion on “Healthy Home Trends” driven by COVID-19. Here are three takeaways.
In her presentation, Gutterman revealed that 85 percent of homebuyers stated they would pay more for a healthier home, with 92 percent noting that indoor air quality is one of the most important attributes when looking for a new house. With more and more consumers seeking demand-controlled ventilation systems to regulate fresh air, quality HEPA filters are expected to remain the most popular solution. However, activated carbon filters that remove ozone from the air, UV lighting, and real-time radon monitoring are all fast-growing technologies that help alleviate the airborne transmission of diseases.
Pre-COVID, only 10 to 15 percent of homes featured dedicated office space, a figure that has now skyrocketed to 75 percent. Working from home is becoming a permanent reality for many, and these people aren’t content with merely converting a closet or kitchen table into a makeshift office. Instead, they desire proper spaces that are quiet and uncluttered, yet modern and sleek, with natural lighting and ample storage.
Once taken for granted, outdoor activities became a pandemic lifeline. Now, homeowners want to maintain that connection to nature and relax and entertain in alfresco settings by opting for deck expansions and replacements, especially those that utilize composite, recycled, and zero-waste building materials, as well as integrated planters and outdoor kitchens and entertainment systems.
“COVID-19 and the recession have forced people to reprioritize in general,” said Gutterman,“and because we’ve been required to spend more time at home, people have really thought about how much their home contributes to their quality of life and are more discerning and have shifting demands. This puts some pressure on [the industry] and fosters innovation.”
A version of this article was originally published by KBB.
