Fabrication set for more growth – report
26th April 2016

The UK door and window fabrication market has turned from steady decline over several years to growth since 2013, with prospects of further growth over the next five years, according to a new report from AMA Research which says the market for door and window fabricators increased by around 3% in 2015, following good growth of 5% in the previous year.

Residential windows is the largest sector, driven primarily by replacement demand, though new housing volumes have increased in recent years. However, a strong growth area in the last few years has been the ’home extension’ sector which is driving the growth of bifold doors in particular. Commercial windows and curtain walling have a total share of over 20% of the market and have enjoyed good growth on the back of a recovery in the office construction sector.

While generally a mature sector, the product ranges offered by window and door fabricators have been influenced by the use of composite & hybrid materials, more use of colours (eg: greys), improved thermal performance and locking systems, growth of bifolds/rooflights etc etc.

The supply structure remains very fragmented, comprising a mix of vertically integrated retail glazing companies, PVCu trade fabricators and fabricator/installers, aluminium systems fabricator/installers, bespoke glazing contractors, composite door manufacturers, commercial glazing specialists, roof light manufacturers, steel window manufacturers and major joinery companies etc.

The sector has seen some restructuring – particularly in more difficult periods - but the diversity of products, materials and applications etc, provide opportunities for major groups operations and small niche suppliers alike.

Jane Tarver of AMA Research said: “Steady improvement in the glazing market in the medium term is anticipated, given sustained growth in construction activity – particularly housebuilding and key non-residential sectors such as offices, leisure, education. This in turn will lead to steady if modest growth for door and window fabricators with value growth likely to be constrained by high levels of price competition”.

The ‘Door and Window Fabricators Market Report – UK 2016-2020 Analysis’

www.amaresearch.co.uk