Growth forecast for window & door industry

Overall, window and door sales are projected to rise 4.8% annually through 2021, driven in part by the strength in new housing activity and commercial building construction, according to the Windows and Doors Market Forecast by The Freedonia Group.

The new residential market is forecast to outpace all other segments. Stile-and-rail and solid-core flush doors, sold at higher price points than hollow-core or molded products, will benefit from high-end housing activity. For windows, wood holds the highest market share, however the durability and lower cost of vinyl continues to spur demand, particularly in home remodeling.

Previous studies by Freedonia projected U.S. residential window and door demand to reach $25.6 billion, and commercial products to reach $10.3 billion in 2020. 

In the commercial market, healthy growth in spending for office, retail, lodging, and institutional buildings will boost sales of windows and doors, including automated products that adhere to universal design principles. Sales will also be spurred by building owners investing in high performance fenestration products to reduce utility bills and meet green/LEED building codes.

Meanwhile, the International Trade Administration forecasts the global market for windows and doors to reach an estimated $244 billion by 2022, reflecting 4.1% CAGR from 2017-2022. The U.S. and each Canada account for roughly 5% of the market.

Windows and doors are a widely traded commodity. In 2016, world trade of windows and doors reached $15.2 billion, with China as largest source of global exports at slightly more than 20% of the market, followed by Germany and Poland, each with just over 11%. Both the United States and Canada accounted for 5% of the market

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Quick Stats
In 2016, 54% of U.S. windows and doors exports went to Canada, while an additional 9% went to Mexico.

U.S. demand for commercial window and door products is forecast to reach $10.3 billion in 2020 on yearly advances of 4.5%. Residential window and door demand in the is projected to rise 6.0% per year through 2020 to $25.6 billion, according to The Freedonia Group.

U.S. residential window shipments are expected to continue increasing steadily through 2019, according to the WDMA. Nationwide, approximately 57.36 million units were shipped in 2015.

Modest growth is expected for sliding patio doors through 2017, with a slight decrease in 2018. Steady declines are expected annually for hinged patio door shipments, WDMA reports.

Shipments of architectural doors are projected to decrease. WDMA’s Architectural Door U.S. Market Study projected flush doors, listed at 2.76 million units in 2015, to drop 11% in 2016, 10% in 2017 and 7% in 2018. Stile and rail doors, at 0.17 million units in 2015, were projected to drop 12% in 2016, 7% in 2017 and 7% in 2018.

Market Data Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Window and Door Manufacturers Assn., U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics Canada, The Freedonia Group

Category: Windows & doors include: wood/metal/vinyl clad windows, architectural, interior & exterior doors, related components.

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About the author
Karen Koenig | Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at [email protected]