Q: What are some of the biggest trends you're seeing among homeowners right now when it comes to designing outdoor living spaces?
Nail: When it comes to railing materials, aluminum is popular in residential projects due to its durability, aesthetics and minimal maintenance.
Color is always an important element in exterior design, often influenced by current trends and regional preferences. When it comes to railings, black is very popular as an accent color as demand for black railing solutions and other outdoor products increases. Black is a great color for more modern designs and offers more contrast, especially when combined with lighter tones. Additionally, we continue to see demand for mixed materials, which supports the growth of aluminum, but we also often see it combined with a wood grain or toned down with green tones to introduce biophilic elements alongside the modern touch of black and metals.
Decking uses high-quality finishes, such as PVC composite blends, that imitate natural wood textures and surfaces. Combining durability with high-quality aesthetics, these materials meet the growing demand for outdoor spaces that are just as sophisticated as indoor spaces.
Decking colors change to adapt to broader architectural trends. Warm neutrals, earth tones like sand and clay, and even rich rusts and dark greens are replacing the cooler grays of the past. Additionally, we have been following the architectural black design trend for several years and are seeing demand growing across all outdoor product lines, from pavers to railings to privacy panels and other backyard features.
Q: Which areas of the business are currently doing really well?
Nail: We continue to see strong demand for outdoor living and the desire to phase out the project that we support with our “Outdoor Rooms” concept. This allows homeowners to easily visualize and prioritize which rooms they need first, from the outdoor kitchen to the dining area to the living room.
The demand for highly functional outdoor spaces continues to rise while manufacturers work in parallel to deliver innovative solutions that can bring the design and functions of, for example, an indoor kitchen outside.
Shade and privacy is also a growing category, driving demand for fencing solutions, decorative privacy panels, privacy walls and pergolas. Lot sizes are smaller, but consumers still want privacy in their backyards. Therefore, with our range of products and materials, these solutions can help provide privacy and aesthetically pleasing solutions.
Q: What key trends will shape the future of outdoor living design and technology going forward?
Nail: Some overarching outdoor design trends will continue to influence the way contractors work with their clients, particularly on residential projects.
Homeowners are investing in their outdoor spaces as an extension of their home, with bold designs that highlight creativity and include other value-added features like built-in seating to maximize their space.
They also value health, well-being and privacy and are looking for additions to their spaces that allow them to relax and take care of themselves. Modern amenities such as lighting, heating and Wi-Fi are also increasingly helping to extend the outdoor living season as people spend more time outdoors.
Consumers are demanding larger format solutions to achieve cleaner lines and basic elements in their outdoor living spaces, which can be complemented by furniture and decorative accents. That's why we work with a variety of equipment manufacturers to bring solutions like a vacuum lift, exoskeletons and more to market, helping our contractors successfully install the products consumers want.
Q: What technical platforms and tactics is Oldcastle APG prioritizing now and in the future?
Nail: We believe there are consumers who want an outdoor living space but aren't sure where to start. We use social media and augmented reality technology to inspire potential customers, but felt there was a missing link in turning this aspiration into reality.
Most recently we acquired a company called Yardzenthat works with the homeowner to understand what they want while delivering a finished design for their space. From there, they help find local contractors to have their design installed. Yardzen offers a simple interface with complex design to ensure homeowners know how and what can be achieved with outdoor living spaces.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges the company is currently facing and what do you think will need to be addressed in the future?
Nail: The labor shortage remains a challenge, but there are several areas of focus that can help:
- Use design to reduce the number of site visits and time spent on design and sales, so those hours can be converted into labor hours for installation.
- Use of equipment to increase efficiency and safety on the construction site. For example, using a vacuum lift for large format pavers shortens installation time, reduces the risk of injury to employees, and improves the accuracy of placement on the project.
- Bilingual training is required for all of our product teams to ensure everyone knows how to use our products safely and accurately. This helps reduce frustration and time on site while delivering a better, higher quality installation.
- Recruitment into trade. We partner with many organizations and work locally with business schools to ensure we help with awareness, training and recruitment for the careers. Additionally, the more we utilize technology and equipment, the more attractive our industry becomes to younger generations.
Q: What business goals are you striving for in the short and long term?
Nail: Continuing education and increased awareness of the benefits of connecting with nature from a mental and physical well-being perspective.
Organizationally, we believe in the power of the “good life outside” and are in the process of expanding our more than 250 production locations to include outdoor living spaces, so-called “charging stations”.
The importance of external connectivity extends to our contractors, our homeowners and our communities. Our goal is to make outdoor life easier to visualize, design, experience and enjoy. That means continuing to invest in technology with solutions like Yardzen, product innovation in our outdoor living categories, providing high-quality products, supporting seamless installation, and connecting all the dots to help consumers turn their dreams into reality to keep everyone safe “good outside.” “can live”. ”