As lockdowns continue and remote working becomes the norm, homeowners are becoming more motivated to undertake home renovation projects. Associate editor, Anthony Locicero explores this and other trends in his article on the Exterior Architectural Coatings Market.

One of the major trends paint manufacturers are seeing is a move to online shopping for DIY supplies.

Brian Osterried, PPG senior product marketing manager said, “Readily armed with technology, homeowners, renters and do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) have shifted how they purchase home improvement products. Likewise, with extra time at home, they have a renewed sense of home improvement energy.” Osterried reported PPG has experienced a triple-digit percentage increase in online paint sales.

The Farnsworth Group and Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) have partnered to provide a monthly COVID-19 DIY Research Study.

Key findings:

• Given the high penetration of in-store purchases, in-store has leveled off for several months.  Online pick in-store has slightly declined from July to September. Online patterns look to be holding and should be expected to continue as established shopping behaviors.

• Aside from health concerns, the driver of online purchases is being impacted by availability.  DIYers are turning to online suppliers to get products they want immediately.

According to a recent study from Houzz, more than half of homeowners who were in the midst of a home renovation or design project when the coronavirus pandemic was declared were able to continue with their renovations. The survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. homeowners found that one percent cancelled an ongoing project. Of the 47 percent of homeowners who put their projects on hold, two in five felt their project was not urgent and could resume at a later date (40 percent).

According to the study’s findings, home renovation and design projects were impacted differently throughout the U.S. based on health concerns and local ordinances. Homeowners in the south and west regions of the U.S. were the most likely to continue with current projects amidst the pandemic (64 and 56 percent),  while homeowners in the midwest and northeast regions were less likely to move forward with in-progress activities (40 and 37 percent, respectively).