Each year, the Window and Door Manufacturers Association partners with the Farnsworth Group, a market research provider in the building materials, hardware and home improvement industries, to survey architects, builders and remodelers. One of the goals of this partnership is to gain an understanding of how past shipments of windows, doors and skylights will inform future growth.
The Farnsworth Group used various sources to determine the 2018 market sizes and forecast future growth through 2021. In addition to member data collection and other research methods, the organization conducted primary channel research with 287 retailers, including big boxes, home centers, LBM dealers, and specialty suppliers, and primary end user research with 150 home builders, 150 GCs and remodelers, and 99 window and door installers.
The findings revealed a number of interesting insights on what the future may hold.
Windows
Shipments of residential windows (windows intended for residential and light commercial applications, including multi-family buildings) grew 3.9%, to 47.1 million windows in 2018. Shipments are expected to increase over the next three years, but forecast to slow down each year to a growth rate of 2.2% in 2021.
The South Atlantic division captured the largest share of residential window shipments in 2018 with 22.5%, followed by the East North Central division with 16.1%. The lowest market share of windows was observed in the Mountain and East South Central divisions, with 5.8% and 5.9%, respectively.
Shipments of commercial (non-residential) shop-built windows grew 4.1% to 778,000 units in 2018. Total growth is expected to slow down in 2021 to 2%, with just under 840,000 shipments.
The East North Central division captured the largest share of commercial shop-built windows in 2018 with 16.2% – slightly more than the South Atlantic, which had 15% share. The lowest market share of commercial shop-built windows was in the East South Central, with 5.9% share. The West Coast had small share figures as well: Mountain with 7.3%, and Pacific with 7.7%.
Windows
Shipments of residential windows (windows intended for residential and light commercial applications, including multi-family buildings) grew 3.9%, to 47.1 million windows in 2018. Shipments are expected to increase over the next three years, but forecast to slow down each year to a growth rate of 2.2% in 2021.
The South Atlantic division captured the largest share of residential window shipments in 2018 with 22.5%, followed by the East North Central division with 16.1%. The lowest market share of windows was observed in the Mountain and East South Central divisions, with 5.8% and 5.9%, respectively.
Shipments of commercial (non-residential) shop-built windows grew 4.1% to 778,000 units in 2018. Total growth is expected to slow down in 2021 to 2%, with just under 840,000 shipments.
The East North Central division captured the largest share of commercial shop-built windows in 2018 with 16.2% – slightly more than the South Atlantic, which had 15% share. The lowest market share of commercial shop-built windows was in the East South Central, with 5.9% share. The West Coast had small share figures as well: Mountain with 7.3%, and Pacific with 7.7%.
Residential Windows – 2018 Divisional Distribution
Commercial Shop Built Windows – 2018 Divisional Distribution
Patio Doors
Shipments of sliding patio doors (sliders intended primarily for decks or balconies) grew 6.2% to 3.08 million units in 2018. Shipments are expected to increase in 2019 by 3.9%, and begin to slow down in 2019.
The East North Central division captured the largest share of sliding patio door shipments in 2018 with 19.8%, followed by the Pacific with 15.9%. The lowest market share of sliding patio doors was observed in the East South Central division with 3.3%.
Hinged patio door (French doors for decks or balconies, typically with glazing) shipments grew 5.8%, to 1.16 million units in 2018. Total growth is expected to slow down in 2019 to 3.3%, with nearly 1.2 million shipments.
The South Atlantic division captured the largest share of hinged patio door shipments in 2018, with 23.6%, almost twice as much as the next division: Pacific, with 12.8% share. The lowest market share of hinged patio doors was observed in New England (6.3% share) and West South Central (7.4%).
Sliding Patio Doors – 2018 Divisional Distribution
Hinged Patio Doors – 2018 Divisional Distribution
Architectural Doors
Shipments of architectural interior flush doors grew 6.3%, to nearly 3.1 million units in 2018. Total growth is expected to slow down to 2.5% growth in 2019 and 2020.
Architectural interior flush doors are defined here as flat (slab) doors containing a core material and door skin, including molded or sketch (configured) skin construction, and intended for interior commercial applications.
Shipments of architectural interior stile and rail door leaves grew 1.8% to 456,000 units in 2018. Shipment growth is expected to subside over the next three years, forecasted to hover around 1% 2019 through 2021.
Architectural interior stile and rail door leaves are defined here as non-flat frame and panel doors assembled from stile, rail and panel parts, intended primarily for interior commercial applications. This also includes routed doors. They do not include molded or sketch (configured) skin construction, which are covered under flush doors.
Architectural Doors
Shipments of architectural interior flush doors grew 6.3%, to nearly 3.1 million units in 2018. Total growth is expected to slow down to 2.5% growth in 2019 and 2020.
Architectural interior flush doors are defined here as flat (slab) doors containing a core material and door skin, including molded or sketch (configured) skin construction, and intended for interior commercial applications.
Shipments of architectural interior stile and rail door leaves grew 1.8% to 456,000 units in 2018. Shipment growth is expected to subside over the next three years, forecasted to hover around 1% 2019 through 2021.
Architectural interior stile and rail door leaves are defined here as non-flat frame and panel doors assembled from stile, rail and panel parts, intended primarily for interior commercial applications. This also includes routed doors. They do not include molded or sketch (configured) skin construction, which are covered under flush doors.
Entry Doors
Shipments of entry doors grew 6.2% in 2018 to 11.9 million units. Shipments are expected to slow in 2019, but still maintain a solid 3.6% growth.
The South Atlantic division captured the largest share of residential entry doors shipped in 2018 with 24.6%, followed by Pacific with 12.4% share. The lowest market share of residential entry doors was observed in the East South Central with 4.8% share.
Residential Entry Doors – 2017 Divisional Distribution
By: Michael O’Brien
President and CEO of the Window & Door Manufacturers Association.
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
Understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance your projects.
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
The Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification webinar is designed to help architects and remodelers understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance their projects.
