Britain's current economic climate threatens to impede the efforts of homeowners keen on home improvements, according to one property pundit.

Mark Brayford, operations director of home improvements financial specialist HomePro Money, singled out the impact of the credit crunch and the slowdown in the country's housing market as key factors in the dwindling number of home improvements taking place.

He claimed that the difficult economic climate has reduced the ability of people to fund home improvements such as replacement windows, new conservatories, bathrooms or kitchens.

"The problem is with remortgaging or coming off a fixed-term mortgage, which is now draining disposable income," Mr Brayford remarked.

"If you've got to find nearly double the repayment because of interest rates, then obviously some things go out of the window," he added, expressing concern that this has had "a fairly drastic impact" on the home improvements market.

Mr Brayford concluded that kitchen updates and double glazing still represent a "major market" for home improvements.

Writing for redorbit.com recently, eco homes aficionado Yvonne Cook noted that a large proportion of the UK's planet-friendly home improvements are being carried out by the nation's 'grey-greens' - retired and middle-aged individuals.

Double glazing windows and doors can increase the value of your property, as well as svaing you money on your heating bills. Take a look at some of the Energy Efficiency-certifed windows and doors on the Safestyle website.

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Author:  Joanne McCabe

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