Low maintenance, fire resistance, resale value,
sustainability and energy efficiency rank highest among brick’s appealing
attributes.
A recent survey conducted online by Harris
Interactive finds that 90% of all homeowners find aspects of brick homes
appealing. The study was commissioned by Boral Bricks, Inc., to determine
consumer appreciation for key attributes of brick.
The survey, conducted in April, surveyed 2449 U.S.
adults, 1618 of whom were homeowners. Respondents were asked: Which of the
following aspects of a home with brick siding, if any, do homeowners find
appealing? Answers given included appearance, fire resistance, low maintenance,
resale value, energy efficiency and sustainability. Among homeowners, 90% found
attributes of brick homes appealing. Appearance (71%), low maintenance (68%)
and fire resistance (49%) ranked highest on the list of attributes homeowners
most like about brick. Resale value, sustainability and energy efficiency
qualities were appealing aspects of brick to 45% of respondents.
"The survey results surprised us in some
regards," said Bob Kepford, president of Boral Bricks, Inc. "We knew
consumers liked the appearance of brick, but thought both sustainability and
energy efficiency would rank higher for homeowners. Now, more than ever, it is
important to educate homeowners of the environmental benefits of using brick,
which include, among other things, low maintenance and energy efficiency."
According to U.S. Census data on siding for
new homes, builders have increasingly opted for lap siding products over the
last 10 years. The 2007 census data show that 25% of homes built that year
featured brick as the primary siding material, while 59% of homeowners prefer
brick to other sidings, according to an August Harris Survey.
For more
information, visit
www.BoralBricks.com.