Infographic: Royal Building Products redefines DIY

Homeowners are taking DIY to the next level -- no longer just doers, many property owners are taking design into their own hands as well.

Royal Building Products revealed this insight in its Outdoor Design Survey, which studies the attitudes of homeowners regarding exterior maintenance and renovation, curb appeal and more.

"Today's homeowners are more empowered than ever to be a part of the decision-making process when it comes to the exterior design of their homes," said Marilyn Chase, director of marketing at Royal Building Products. "We commissioned this survey, and plan to do so annually, as part of our approach to fully understanding what homeowners care about and what drives their decisions when it comes to building and renovation."

An important turning point for the Design-It-Yourself movement has been the advent of virtual visualization tools. Sixty percent said these tools give them more confidence in their decisions.

As many as 53% said they wanted a say in the material being used on their exterior, with 45% wanting control over specific products used.

Playing a role in the renovation of their exteriors didn't seem too big a task for many, with 70% agreeing that home improvement projects are not stressful, and 82% saying they did not feel overwhelmed by their options.

However, practical concerns also took a front seat. Nearly 65% said it's important that a renovation adds value, not just design points.

The survey was conducted by Kelton Global and gathered information from 949 U.S. homeowners ages 18 and older.

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