The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance released the FGIA 2024/2025 Study of the U.S. Market for Windows, Doors and Skylights. This bi-annual report delivers timely information on residential and non-residential market trends and product relationships for both residential and non-residential fenestration products. Forecasts are based on projections of construction activity as of May 2024.
Residential
Total housing starts fell by 9% in 2023, with the largest declines in multifamily at 14% and manufactured housing at 21%, following smaller declines in 2022. Going forward, the overall new housing market is expected to slightly increase in 2024 and 2025 before a minor decline forecasted in 2026.- The demand for prime windows fell by 8.5% in 2023, while the demand for windows in new housing increased by 10%, with an increase of 4% forecasted for 2024 and 2% in 2025 before flattening in 2026. Remodeling and replacement window demand fell in 2023 by 8% and is forecast to shrink in 2024 by 5%, with slow growth of 2% in 2025 and 2026.
- In the residential market, 2023 new construction demand for entry doors declined by 4%. Meanwhile, entry door remodeling and replacement demand, which continues to represent a significantly larger share of total demand, declined at 8%. The total market declined by 6% versus 2022 and is expected to grow in 2024 through 2026.
- In 2023, the market for residential skylights closed the year with a growth rate of 5% over 2022 volume. New construction skylight activity was down 8%, while remodeling and replacement skylight activity was up 10% versus 2022.
Non-residential
Contract awards reflect activity related to new construction and major additions to existing structures. Actual fenestration shipments for non-residential building activity typically lags contract awards by up to one year or more. This cycle can shorten or lengthen tremendously depending on the complexity or size of a building and when the specific building product is installed during the construction cycle.- The 2023 contract award total saw a 13% decrease from 2022. The manufacturing/warehouse category decreased by 27% in 2023, while contract awards in office/hotel/institutional and in store/mercantile both increased by 7%. Contract awards are expected to increase by about 6% in 2024 and continue growing in 2025.
- Storefront windows represent the largest market segment by vision area with 27.2% of the overall non-residential glazing in 2023, followed closely by site-fabricated windows representing 26.9%.
- The 2023 market for non-residential entry doors in the U.S. showed significant increase, with 2023 volume up 9% over 2022 and up 6% since 2021.
- The study estimates that the total U.S. market for commercial unit skylights in 2023 represents a 5% increase from 2021. Unit sizes commonly average in the range of 22 to 25 square feet but can vary dramatically. Nearly all commercial unit skylights are aluminum framed, and most use some form of plastic glazing. Acrylic is the most common. In 2023, new construction applications represented approximately 33% of the total, the same as that of 2021.
Additional information
Detailed information on the residential and commercial fenestration markets is contained in the FGIA 2024 Study of the U.S. Market for Windows, Doors and Skylights, including the items listed below.
- 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—details information on trends and product relationships.
All of the reports are available for purchase online from the FGIA Online Store.