Market Data: Global demand for windows forecast to increase to $125bn by 2025

According to research house Research and Markets, global demand for windows is forecast to increase 3.9% per year to $125 billion in 2025. This growth is supported by a number of key underlying factors. Of significance is the growing importance of the increasing demand for more energy-efficient building products, including higher value windows. Other factor including more stringent building codes throughout the world, such as those mandating impact-resistant products in coastal regions prone to severe weather (e.g., tropical cyclones); rising interest in replacing older windows with those that are more modern and easier to open and increasing interest in large casement windows, skylights, roof windows, and curtain wall that let more light into structures while also imparting a unique appearance.

Vinyl and metal will continue to account for the largest shares of absolute gains, though sales patterns differ depending on the level of development in an area’s construction market:

In higher income countries, vinyl window suppliers have benefited from increasing use of more energy-efficient fenestration products and rising interest in higher value wood-plastic composite windows at the expense of more basic plastic types, which are less able to replicate a wood aesthetic. In developing areas, entry level vinyl windows are seeing gains as building stocks improve and basic metal types are replaced.

Aluminum products will continue to benefit from rising construction of new building in developing areas, where low cost and durability are the most important factors for consumers when purchasing windows. These products benefit from increases in the number of buildings that are constructed with manufactured fenestration products.

In it’s latest market release, Research and Markets focused on the market in India. Window demand in India is forecast to increase 11% per year through 2025, the fastest rate of growth of any major market. Growth will come off of a low pandemic-related 2020 base. This is driven by strong growth in both new residential and non-residential construction and increasing adoption of higher value window products, as consumers seek improved performance properties that low-cost aluminum products do not offer. This is being aided by continued growth in household income levels and urbanization rates and government efforts to improve the availability of affordable housing and to reduce the stock of informal housing units. The Indian Government is also implementing green building programs, such as the Energy Conservation Building Code for non-residential buildings.

Why it matters: The quality of global stock is improving with windows and doors playing a key role. The world has a responsibility to improve the quality of existing homes as aging housing is a massive contributor to global warming. Improving glazing is a key cost effective measure that improves the energy efficiency of existing houses. The global growth of the glazing market is evidence that this process is at work.