Residential windows, doors and skylights all experienced growth in 2020 versus 2019, according to the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance's newly released FGIA 2020/2021 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast.
The report, which delivers information about window, door and skylight market trends and product relationships, includes historic data for 2012 through 2020 and forecast data for 2021 through 2023. Forecasts are based on projections of construction activity as of March 2021.
Housing Starts
Total housing starts rebounded strongly after an initial COVID-19 slowdown and ended with strong gains for the year. Growth of 11.5 percent in single-family starts was offset by declines of 3.5 percent in multifamily starts and 0.5 percent in manufactured housing, for an overall increase of 6.5 percent. Going forward, the overall new housing market is expected to continue to experience strong growth in 2021 driven by single-family construction with an overall increase of 11 percent currently forecasted.
Residential Windows
Residential prime window volumes grew by 1.5 percent in 2020 versus 2019. The increase was seen primarily in new construction with window demand increasing by 3.2 percent while remodeling and replacement demand was almost flat with a 0.2 percent increase. The outlook for residential window demand is a significant increase in 2021 due to the continued strength of the new housing market in particular, with expectations for a 6.8 percent increase in 2021, to be followed by a 1.8 percent increase in 2022.
Residential Doors
In the residential market, 2020 new construction demand for entry doors grew by 3.2 percent. Meanwhile, entry door remodeling and replacement demand, which continues to represent a significantly larger share of total demand, grew at 1 percent. The total market grew by 1.8 percent versus 2019 and is expected to grow significantly in 2021 due to strong single family construction activity. Additional growth in 2022 and 2023 is expected.
Residential Skylights
Residential skylights closed the year at 1,120 thousand units, or just over 1.1 million, a growth rate of 4 percent over 2019 volume. New construction skylight activity was up 3 percent, while remodeling and replacement skylight activity was up 4 percent versus 2019.
Commercial Windows
The non-residential glazing market decreased by 11 percent in 2020, with decreases across all applications. New construction shrank by 11 percent, while renovation demand decreased by 12 percent. A decline is forecast for 2021, with a rebound in 2022 and 2023.
Commercial Doors
In 2020, non-residential construction demand for entry doors shrank by 10.5 percent. Looking forward, a continued decline in 2021 is likely followed by a recovery in 2022 by 2.6 percent. After 2022, an additional slight recovery of 0.3 percent is expected.
Additional Reports
Additional and more detailed information on the residential and commercial fenestration markets is contained in the FGIA 2019/2020 Study of the U.S. Market for Windows, Doors and Skylights (published in May 2020), which includes all items listed below, now including this new statistical review and forecast.
- FGIA U.S. Industry Channel Distribution Report profiles the residential and non-residential market for windows and doors as it flows through the identified distribution channels.
- FGIA U.S. Industry Market Size Report quantifies residential and non-residential market volumes, both historic and projected.
- FGIA U.S. Industry Regional Statistical Review and Forecasts detail information on trends and product relationships.
