This hot, dry summer (and the promise of more extreme weather in the years to come) has had me thinking constantly about the importance of shade over the past few months. And it’s not just me following this line of thinking either, as estate agents say that shade is becoming a more desired quality for buyers, too – and that an awning might just be the thing that helps you sell your home in 2027.
I’ll preface by saying that while an awning won’t make your home more valuable per se, it is a garden shade idea that will improve your home’s appeal to buyers and even help you sell it.
While it’s far too soon to say exactly what effect a desire for shade will have on the housing market just yet, I’ve spoken to multiple estate agents and experts who have all told me the same thing – features such as awnings are only becoming more and more desirable.
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Why buyers are seeking shade:
In July, the Met Office reported in the latest edition of the State of the UK Climate report that extreme weather, such as the heatwaves we’ve experienced this summer, would become increasingly common in the UK. And it is this promise of hotter summers that has already impacted our home buying preferences, according to estate agents.
‘After the recent run of hot summers, buyers are asking questions about how a property handles heat that they simply did not ask five years ago. A south-facing garden used to be an unambiguous positive. Now buyers are asking about shade, about what the patio is like in the afternoon and whether the house stays cool. Shade-creating features are moving from a nice-to-have to a genuine consideration for a growing number of buyers,’ comments Katie Cromwell, founder and director of Swansea-based estate agents No. 86 Estate Agency.
Given that the majority of this year’s garden trends have revolved around climate-resilient gardens and water harvesting, it is arguably a little unsurprising that sun sails, pergolas and awnings have also increased in popularity.
‘An awning is unlikely to add a fixed percentage to a property’s value in the same way that an extra bedroom or a high-quality extension might. However, it can certainly add to a home’s appeal and help it stand out when it comes to selling. A well-designed awning or pergola can make a garden, terrace or patio feel like a genuine extension of the living space, while also providing practical shade, reflecting heat before it reaches windows and potentially reducing indoor temperature by five to ten degrees Celsius This makes the property an overall more comfortable place to be during periods of hot weather,’ Luke Saywell, partner at Nottinghamshire family estate agents Gascoines said.
‘Ultimately, I think shade will become a more recognised quality in UK homes. As summers become hotter, buyers are likely to think increasingly about not just how warm and energy-efficient a property is in winter, but how comfortable it will be in summer. Awnings and pergolas are relatively simple ways of improving that balance, while also making gardens and outdoor spaces more usable.’
Will an awnining increase the value of your home?
While an awning or a well-thought-out pergola idea can make your home more attractive to potential buyers, it is far too soon to see any conclusive data to prove it will boost your home’s value as well. In fact, some experts argue that a general garden makeover won’t make much of a difference to your home’s value anyway.
‘According to Go.Compare’s home renovation calculator, on average, a garden makeover only increases property value by an estimated 1%. They cost £9,500 and add just £2,850 in value, resulting in an average loss of £6,650,’ states Nathan Blackler, expert at Go.Compare home insurance.
‘Features such as pergolas and awnings are unlikely to hugely increase a property’s value on their own, but with summers getting hotter, many homeowners are looking for ways to make their gardens more comfortable during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
‘Therefore, buyers are increasingly looking for homes that offer usable outdoor living areas, and shade can form an important part of that, particularly during warmer weather as we look to spend more time outside safely. They’re already a popular sight in many parts of Europe, where providing shade from the sun has long been a practical consideration, and we could see more homeowners investing in similar solutions here.’
So while an awning won’t exactly put extra zeros on your home’s value, it is becoming a more sought-after feature. Plus, an awning can make your garden a more comfortable place for you, as well as appealing to buyers.
Costway 4m Telescopic Canopy Retractable Adjustable Outdoor Clamp Awning Sun Shelter
Sundaze 3 X 2.5m Manual Awning Retractable Garden Patio Canopy Sun Shade Shelter With Fittings and Crank Handle Blue-White
Retractable Awning Ornella – Wall Bracket Incl, Easy Adjustment, and Uv Blocking 300 X 250 Cm – Light Grey
‘As UK summers become more reliably warm and buyers factor thermal comfort into property decisions, the features that manage heat are going to feel increasingly necessary rather than optional. We are at the early stages of a genuine shift in how buyers think about sun exposure and shade,’ Katie concludes.
Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply want to make it better-suited to your needs, an awning is a step in the right direction. If hotter summers are set to be the new normal, it is a smart idea to invest in quality shade solutions now.
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