Custom Homes: Approx. 66% Prioritized Insulation, Airtightness, and Energy Efficiency! Approx. 65% Expressed Satisfaction After Moving In

■ Preferences and Satisfaction Regarding Home Materials, Performance, and Design

Building a custom home is not a purchase you experience many times in your life.

That is precisely why many people struggle with "how much to prioritize" materials, performance, and design.

What aspects did people who actually built custom homes prioritize, and how do they feel after living in them?

To answer this, we conducted a joint survey with "Ichikawa Kenchikuten," a custom home and renovation company in Sanjo City. We surveyed 119 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary screening that they "have experience building a custom home," asking them about their "preferences and satisfaction regarding home materials, performance, and design."

Survey Overview: "Questionnaire on Preferences and Satisfaction Regarding Home Materials, Performance, and Design"
Survey Method: Internet questionnaire
Survey Period: May 7 - May 14, 2026
Target Respondents: Men and women nationwide who answered "have experience building a custom home" in a preliminary survey
Valid Responses: 119 samples

Questions:
Question 1: To what extent did you incorporate natural materials (wood, plaster, solid wood, diatomaceous earth, etc.) when building your custom home?
Question 2: Please tell us the reason.
Question 3: To what extent did you prioritize housing performance such as "insulation," "airtightness," and "energy efficiency"?
Question 4: Are you satisfied with your current housing performance (insulation, airtightness, energy efficiency, etc.)?
Question 5: After moving in, what aspects did you feel were "good in terms of materials and performance"? (Multiple choices allowed)
Question 6: Conversely, are there any aspects you feel "should have been prioritized more"?
Question 7: What point did you prioritize most in terms of design?
Question 8: Please tell us the reason for prioritizing it.
*As a rule, numbers are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not exactly equal 100%.

■ 68.9% Answered They "Incorporated" Natural Materials

First, we asked to what extent respondents incorporated natural materials (wood, plaster, solid wood, diatomaceous earth, etc.) when building their custom home.

The results showed that "incorporated partially, such as floors and some walls" was the most common response at 35.3%.

This was followed by "did not incorporate at all" at 31.1%, "incorporated abundantly throughout the whole house" at 23.5%, and "incorporated in major rooms such as living rooms and bedrooms" at 10.1%.

Including partial use, 68.9% of people incorporated natural materials, indicating that the presence of natural materials in custom homes is by no means small.

We asked for the reasons behind their answers, and here are some of them:

Those who answered "incorporated partially, such as floors and some walls"
- Due to budget issues, we only used them where necessary. (40s, Female)
- I wanted to feel the warmth. (50s, Male)
- It gets expensive if you use too much. (50s, Male)

Those who answered "incorporated abundantly throughout the whole house"
- Because I thought it was good for health. (60s, Female)
- Because it creates a bright impression. (30s, Female)
- Because I like the warmth of wood. (60s, Male)

Those who answered "incorporated in major rooms such as living rooms and bedrooms"
- Because I wanted to use them in places where we spend a lot of time. (40s, Female)
- Because I think storage and insulation materials are indispensable. (40s, Female)
- Because it is relaxing. (50s, Male)

Those who answered "did not incorporate at all"
- Because I preferred a hotel-style taste. (30s, Male)
- I lacked the knowledge. (40s, Male)
- Because they are expensive. (40s, Female)

Those who actively incorporated them cited factors that enhance the quality of life, such as "consideration for health," "warmth," and "bright impression." On the other hand, many voices from those who did not incorporate them or limited them to partial use mentioned "budget," "lack of knowledge," and "not my preference."

■ 65.6% Answered They "Prioritized" Housing Performance

Next, we asked to what extent they prioritized housing performance such as "insulation," "airtightness," and "energy efficiency."

The results showed that 24.4% "strongly prioritized" it, and 41.2% "somewhat prioritized" it, revealing that a combined 65.6% prioritized housing performance. On the other hand, 26.9% "did not prioritize it much," and 7.6% "did not prioritize it at all."

As topics related to home comfort increase, such as soaring utility bills and extreme heat or cold waves, it seems many people proceed with home building while being conscious of insulation, airtightness, and energy efficiency.

Custom homes are not just about floor plans and design, but completion