Global demand for windows and doors is forecast to rise 6.8% per year through 2015 to $192 billion, significantly exceeding the pace of growth registered between 2005 and 2010, according to “World Windows & Doors,” a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc. Gains are expected to be exaggerated by an extremely weak 2010 base in the developed world, particularly in the U.S. Demand for windows and doors in the residential building construction market will outpace demand in the nonresidential building construction market, as in most developed countries the residential market was far more adversely impacted by the recession in 2009 and 2010.

Through 2015, demand for energy-efficient windows and doors is expected to increase faster than the overall market because of increasing consumer awareness and government support in the form of tax credits. Sales of blast-resistant doors are also predicted to see above-average gains, especially in the nonresidential market in developed countries due to persisting security concerns.

China, the world’s largest national window and door market, is expected to expand its share of global demand from 27% in 2010 to 30% in 2015. Continuing rapid economic growth and industrialization, as well as an increase in the average size of a housing unit in the country, will bolster gains. Although demand for windows and doors in China will expand at a robust 9.2% per year, this will represent a major slowdown compared to the performance of the past decade.

The U.S. market for windows and doors is expected to post a strong recovery and expand 7.7% per year through 2015, after declining by around 25% between 2008 and 2010 when the country experienced a major economic recession that was spurred by the downturn in the housing sector. Demand in Japan and Western Europe should also post solid recoveries after declines in 2009 and 2010, although neither experienced problems as significant as the U.S. did in those years.

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