Recent reports suggest that the residential remodeling market is expected to remain solid throughout 2023—and could represent a good area of opportunity for window and door manufacturers amidst a bit of uncertainty in other parts of the market.
Data shows that homeowner remodeling activity will increase
The National Association of Homebuilders wrote earlier this year that “residential remodeling activity is estimated to increase 7% on a nominal basis in 2022 following a growth rate of 13% in 2021 as people continue to use their home for more purposes such as offices, schools and gyms … Remodeling growth is expected to post a nominal 5% gain this year and a 4% increase in 2024.”
Elsewhere, Window + Door magazine noted in a recent report on the residential market that “economic uncertainty and supply chain issues aren’t holding homeowners back from proceeding with remodeling projects either … Nearly one-quarter plan to start a home improvement project in the next 12 months, with bathrooms and kitchens being the most popular areas being remodeled and updating windows, skylights and exterior doors as priorities.”
Meeting consumer aesthetic demands for wood with composites
Within this context, another interesting trend is taking shape: growing demand for wood and “wood-like” windows and finishes as consumers prioritize aesthetic preferences. Window + Door noted how “wood-look finishes added warmth to interior-facing frames” in its report from this year’s International Builders’ Show, and found wood windows to be the third most in-demand fenestration product in its recent Industry Pulse.
What are composites, and what are their benefits?
Composite extrusion technologies are available that offer the aesthetic appeal of real wood with the outstanding thermal performance of a wood composite, providing window and door manufacturers a unique material that can have significant appeal to homeowners. Such options don’t absorb moisture, eliminating the threat of rot, mold and insects, making them ideal for high-heat and high-humidity environments where real wood can be more susceptible to such threats.
In evaluating such options, manufacturers can look for a blend of thermoplastic alloy resins that include both polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and acrylic-based polymers—such a combination can reliably deliver enhanced thermal performance and a lifetime of reliability with minimal maintenance. Of course, there are other composite framing options to consider, like aluminum-clad wood windows. But these sorts of frames are still susceptible to rot, even if such problems aren’t immediately visible. Aluminum, meanwhile, has the potential to corrode and pit.
For manufacturers, it’s worth considering wood composite framing options if you’re looking to capitalize on the higher-end renovation market. With the look of real wood and the performance of high-performance vinyl, your customers can truly experience the best of both worlds.
