A report analysing the UK market for windows & doors in 2006, including both new build & replacement products, is the latest offering from Research & Markets. In 2005, the UK market was estimated to be worth £5.09BN. The window & door market is heavily dependent on both housebuilding & the repair & maintenance markets. Including installation fees, the largest sector by value is unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U), followed by wood, aluminum & steel. Several factors have a bearing on the market. Conditions for window & door firms are currently difficult:housebuilding in the UK has been held back by a generally slow housing market in which many prospective buyers are unable to purchase because of high house prices & a lack of designated affordable housing. 'Cowboy' firms responsible for poor quality work are still attracting the wrong kind of attention, although the new Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Trustmark scheme provides scope for window and door companies (as well as other construction trades) to demonstrate commitment to high-quality. Revisions to the Building Regulations include matters relating to energy conservation and ventilation, both relevant to windows and doors. Sustainability is now an important theme in the building industry, and window and door manufacturers are expected to discuss the sources of their materials in this context. There is currently a skills shortage in construction, and there are likely to be difficulties in attracting and retaining good employees in window and door fitting, as well as manufacturing.
