Builders are slowly switching focus from the $500,000-plus luxury market to more moderate price points, particularly when it comes to single-family move-up homes. And the shift is influencing the types of materials and upgrades becoming popular in new homes, according to Home Innovation’s 2017 Builder Practices Survey. It turns out that high-end materials aren’t limited to construction of luxury real estate.
Crazy for quartz. Despite being one of the priciest products on Home Innovation’s list of building materials, quartz had its best year in 2016. Quartz surfaces in the bathroom appeared in 13 percent of new homes last year, up from 9 percent in 2015. In the kitchen, quartz countertops were even more popular, appearing in 15 percent of new homes last year compared to 9 percent in 2015.
Nickel gains ground. Nickel faucets are also gaining popularity in kitchens, outselling stainless steel, chrome, and bronze. In the bathroom, nickel is also being used more often, though it fell just shy of chrome in popularity.
Hardwood, vinyl are tops for floors. High-end solid hardwood and luxury vinyl tile are popular for kitchen floors. But engineered hardwood and ceramic tile each rose by 3 percentage points in market share.
No more bubble baths? The jetted tub is continuing to lose favor, going from being installed in about 15 percent of new homes in 2015 to 11 percent in 2016.
Granite and marble are on the outs. The share of new homes with natural granite and marble showers and bathtubs dropped from 12 percent to 9 percent last year. High-end enameled cast iron and granite sinks also lost favor. Lower- to mid-range vitreous china and enameled steel sinks each increased in popularity.
