terns to windows. The report notes, however, that recent
declines in the new construction and remodeling/replacement segments had a slightly larger impact on patio door
sales percentage-wise. With new construction accounting
for a larger portion of the market, the rebound in patio
door sales is also not expected to be quite as strong.
Overall, patio door sales are supposed to be up 9
percent in 2010 and about 25 percent in 2011. Entry door
sales are not expected to increase as much, remaining
fairly flat this year and then increasing about 15 percent
(Fig. 1) next year. Residential interior doors are also
expected to increase only slightly this year before seeing
bigger gains in 2011.
As is the case with windows, vinyl is predicted to
enjoy the strongest growth in the patio door market,
exceeding pre-downturn sales levels by 2012. Fiberglass
will also enjoy strong gains in the patio door segment.
Steel maintains the leading market share in residential
entry doors, but fiberglass is predicted to enjoy continued gains in that product category. By 2013, the AAMA/
WDMA report sees fiberglass accounting for nearly 40
percent of the market. Wood doors, it is noted, have
found a stable, high-end niche and are likely to maintain
a steady market share, the study points out.
Residential skylight sales have dropped more significantly than windows and doors, according to the study.
The decrease is attributed partially to the slowdown in
new construction and remodeling. In a tough market,
builders look for ways to cut costs, holding off on discretionary products like skylights, the report also notes.
Growth is expected again in 2010, with skylights beginning a return to more historic usage levels over the next
few years, Ducker predicts.
NONRESIDENTIAL MARKETS
Unlike the residential market, the nonresidential
window business continued to see sales gains into 2008,
according to the AAMA/ WDMA study. Last year, however, sales fell off nearly 20 percent overall, with another
smaller decline expected in 2011.
Ducker bases its nonresidential projections on contract
awards, which reflect activity related to new nonresidential construction and major additions to existing structures. Actual fenestration demand typically lags contract
awards by up to one year or more, it notes. The deep
recession reduced contract award totals about 40 percent
in 2009, impacting even less more resilient categories like
education and heathcare, the study notes. Another slight
drop is expected this year.
With these declines, nonresidential glazing demand
is predicted to retreat from a peak of 542 million square
feet in 2008 to just 301 million square feet in 2011.
Growth is then expected to resume.
More Comprehensive Market Data Available
The 2009/2010 U.S. Industry Statistical Review & Forecast highlighted in this article is an annual report prepared by Ducker Worldwide as part of a compre-
hensive project jointly sponsored by AAMA and WDMA.
The annual statistical review features national overview
data on a variety of residential and nonresidential products.
Information about purchasing the report, offered in PDF
format, can be obtained by contacting:
• AAMA, 847/303-5664, www.aamanet.org
• WDMA, 312/321-6802, www.wdma.com
In addition to the annual study, a more comprehensive
market report is produced bi-annually. The full 2010 report
combines the Market Size Report, the National Statistical
Review, the Channel Distribution Report, a compilation of
eleven Regional Statistical Reviews, and the Installation
Practices and Procedures Report. The Market Size Report
quantifies residential and nonresidential market volumes
both historic and projected. Study findings include data
on new construction and remodeling by building category.
Windows, doors, skylights, patio doors, storm windows
and doors, U.S. construction activity, market size and
projected growths are detailed and segmented into geo-
graphic areas. The Channel Distribution Report profiles the
U.S. market for residential windows and doors as it flows
through the identified distribution channels. The Installation
Practices and Procedures Report summarizes the results
of a special research effort to evaluate installation products
and procedures specific to the window and door market.
Available for $3,300 by contacting AAMA or WDMA, the
full report is sold in Adobe Acrobat files to make navigation
and printing very easy with links, thumbnails and search
options.
Nonresidential entry and interior door sales are expected to follow a similar pattern, with sharp declines
expected for this year, before a relatively flat 2011 and
some recovery in 2012.
The AAMA/ WDMA study features historical data for
2004 through 2009 and forecasts for 2010 through 2013,
based on projections of construction activity and appropriate usage factors developed by Ducker Worldwide. The
database for the study’s information has been compiled
from a number of sources, including the Census Bureau,
and association member and non-member companies. w
