Rapid Growth Forecase for Vinyl Windows and Doors

While overall demand for windows and doors in the United States is expected to wane significantly over the next three years, the vinyl [1] window and door market should grow at a rapid pace, according to a new study by The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm.

The study forecasts that window and door demand will reach $22 billion in 2003 on advances of 1% per year, including price increases. That pace represents a significant deceleration from the 1993 to 1998 period, and is due to declines in housing starts and a weakening in most non-residential construction markets, along with the continuing trend of vinyl and other plastic windows and doors supplanting wood and metal products due to lower maintenance requirements and prices.

Demand in the vinyl/plastic window and door category, in fact, is expected to advance 7% per year through 2003 to $4.8 billion - the fastest growth rate for any material, according to Freedonia.