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The Market for Fenestration Industry in 2020-21

By: Farid Khan, Profine India

The growth of the fenestration industry is directly associated with the growth of the ongoing real estate market. In recent times, the real estate industry has drastically been affected by the uncertain economic environment created by the pandemic. 1st wave of the pandemic completely shut down not just industries but the whole economy as there was a question of human survival.

Things started to improve in the 2nd half of 2020 which remained for a few months and provided some momentum for the real estate industry. But unfortunately in the 1st quarter of 2021, the 2nd wave arrived and disrupted the economic momentum. This time the lockdown was partial with less impact on the economy as the industries were better prepared with COVID SOPs and a large vaccination drive. Despite the significant disruption in 2020 and early 2021, the demand for residential space remained intact. Low-interest rates of housing loans, concessions on stamp duties, etc., by certain state governments, also added support in recovering from the slowdown in the 2nd half of 2021

Now that the vaccination drive is in full swing and covid cases are declining, we can see the positive sentiments are high for the economy. Real estate has started doing well throughout the country, as a result, demand for construction materials including fenestration, i.e. windows and doors has again increased.

The material window and door market in India are estimated to be INR 15,000 crore and based on the future projections, it will keep rising due to rapid urbanisation and development of commercial buildings. Other growth drivers for the growth of the fenestration industry are increased purchasing power of the middle class, increased awareness for advanced, energy-efficient and sustainable window and door systems, etc. The window and door market in India comprises aluminium, wood, steel and uPVC, where the share of wooden windows will keep decreasing due to environmental concerns, i.e. deforestation. Therefore, the growth of other materials makes windows and doors natural and evident.

Being one of the Global leading window and door profile manufacturers, we can say the future belongs to the system windows and doors which besides offering ease and comfort, add value to customer’s lifestyles and contribute to the environment. uPVC and aluminium are the materials in demand and also the most well-known materials for making advanced window and door systems which offers many advantages missing in the traditional material that make windows and doors. Let’s take a look at the benefits and contributions of both the material that makes windows and doors on human life and the environment.

uPVC WINDOW AND DOOR SYSTEMS

The invention of PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride in the 19th century introduced dramatic changes in the face of the manufacturing and construction industry. Today, an ‘unplasticised’ form of PVC, also known as uPVC, is used to build high-quality, durable windows and doors that offer tough competition to traditional materials like wood. Whether it is the design, functionality, or durability, each uPVC window and door possesses a unique set of characteristics to fit the needs and match the decor of your building. You can choose from a variety of styles and a range of window and door systems like casement window and door, sliding window and door, sliding and fix window, tilt and turn window, top hung window, sliding and folding door, lift and slide door, casement window with mesh and grill, etc.

The simple reason behind the popularity of uPVC windows and doors is their multiple qualities that bring immense value to homes and benefit homeowners in myriad ways.

TOUGHNESS, DURABILITY AND MINIMAL MAINTENANCE

Good quality uPVC windows and doors are tough and durable. They don’t absorb moisture and don’t rot, warp or corrode, which makes them suitable for even the harshest of weather conditions. Due to their capacity to withstand extreme temperature changes, they continue working and looking fine for several years. As they tend to last long, they simply add to the value of residential and commercial properties. Unlike wood windows and doors, they don’t need to be painted or varnished. Cleaning them is also easy, as you simply have to wipe them with soapy water.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency is the need of the hour, as it is good for the environment as well as living beings. Amongst the several ways that help increase the energy efficiency of properties, the installation of uPVC windows and doors is one. The low conductivity of this material and tight seals and double or triple glazing of the uPVC windows make homes energy-efficient. They significantly reduce the loss of heat during winters and prevent solar heat gain from outside during summers. As a result, you can end up saving energy costs by not using electric devices on heating or cool your house for hours.

ACOUSTIC INSULATION, DUSTPROOF AND ZERO WATER PENETRATION

The uPVC windows are fabricated with specific noise-resistant properties that can reduce noise by up to 30-40 dB. Their double-seal system enables acoustic control requirements within your house for keeping the noise at bay. These steps help inhabitants to maintain their stress levels while unwinding after a tiring day without any disturbance. These sound-proof windows are also helpful at the time of storms, torrential rains and high winds, as they help in reducing the noise level while preventing water and dust to enter the home.

ECO-FRIENDLY – 100% LEAD-FREE

The extrusion process of uPVC window and door profiles is relatively energy-efficient, compared with other materials. Another benefit: uPVC is an alternative to wood, and the rate of cutting of forests has slowed down. uPVC profiles are environmentally friendly as they can be fully recycled and reused for the production of uPVC profiles again. Good brands have been using Calcium-zinc instead of lead for producing window and door profiles which makes them 100% lead-free and sustainable products. Calcium-zinc is a stabilizer that makes uPVC profiles even more resistant to the most aggressive weather conditions.

ALUMINIUM WINDOW AND DOOR SYSTEMS

Aluminium has been a widely used material for manufacturing windows and doors not just in India but across the globe. It is one of the most common and one of the most abundant available metals on this planet. The qualities of this metal make it perfect for manufacturing modern window and door systems. Let’s look at the qualities:

1) Robust and Lightweight: Aluminium is not just one of the strongest but also the lightest metal in comparison to Steel or Copper. As a matter of fact, aluminium has a far better strength-to-weight ratio than steel when used as an alloy. Aluminium alloy properties are such it remains intact in extreme weather conditions whereas Steel becomes brittle in cold environments. Therefore we can say aluminium performs and cope extremely well with extreme weather conditions.

2) Corrosion Free: Aluminium is extremely resistant to corrosion from anything the weather can throw at it, including acid rain, and won’t be damaged by cleaning products. And unlike timber, aluminium window frames won’t swell, crack, split or warp over the years whatever the weather. Protection from corrosion can be increased even further by anodising or powder coating the surface.

3) Highly Durable and Easy to Maintain: Aluminium has been known to be extremely durable and able to withstand natural forces. These include UV rays, rust, rot, fire and even bending. Consequently, it is rather maintenance-free and only requires periodical cleaning. In short, it is extremely well-suited for places that experience extreme weather.

4) 100% Recyclable: By installing aluminium windows and doors, you contribute towards environmental sustainability. This is because it has minimal impact on the environment. Since these windows last for many years, you don’t have to switch or replace them anytime soon. Furthermore, aluminium frames are easy to recycle and reuse, making them an eco-friendly material that’s important to use in today’s times, where global warming is a huge concern.

5) Excellent Surface Finish: Aluminium window and door profiles are available in multiple colour options by anodizing or powder coating. It gives the profile surface a smooth or texture finish. Anodizing or powder coating not only gives windows and doors decorative and appealing looks but also provides an extra layer of protection against corrosion.

Aluminium doors and windows have always been the first choice for commercial projects for many years now. But for the last few years, residential spaces are also increasingly gravitating towards the aluminium window and door system. The reason is simple they are stylish, customizable, advanced with many operational features, easy to operate and durable. There is a variety of ranges and styles available to choose from based on the architecture of any building be it a home, office or any commercial space in a combination of maximum height and width. The aluminium product range available is casement windows and doors, sliding windows and doors, fixed and sliding windows, top-hung windows, sliding and folding doors, etc.

We are quite optimistic about the future of the fenestration industry. The ongoing and expected future growth in the infrastructure sector, increase in FDI and growing middle class, lower interest rates give a clear indication that the modern window and door system market will get more opportunities and grow at a good rate. With India’s Metro and big cities becoming noisy and polluted, modern windows and doors are expected to become a priority for people thinking about constructing new homes or renovating their existing ones. Also, the sustainable part of these windows will be the deciding factor soon. With the growing number of façade and window consultants in the country, the industry will mature and give focus on quality rather than going for traditional and cheap quality material. At the same time, this segment needs more informative campaigns to create further awareness of quality windows and doors and their impact on human life.