Clearview National October 2015 - Issue 167 | Page 8

INDUSTRYNEWS

How The Double
Glazing Industry
Is Changing
A recent report on the double glazing
industry has highlighted several ways in
which the industry is currently changing.
THE INSIGHT DATA
WINDOW INDUSTRY
REPORT 2014
Insight Data, recently released
‘Window Industry Report 2014’,
which investigates growing trends
in the industry based on the
performance of last year. This
latest report makes for some
interesting reading in regards
to ways that the industry is
changing.

‘a growing trend
amongst installers
for high end
PVCu products’
Here are five of the most
fascinating trends the report has
found:
1. HIGH VALUE
PVCU PRODUCTS
ARE GROWING IN
POPULARITY
The Window Industry report
highlights a growing trend
amongst installers for high end
PVCu products. These include
items such as flush sash windows,
vertical sliders and custom
colouring. This seems to reflect a
growing trend amongst installers
of diversification. Many double
glazing installers are continuing
to expand their product ranges to
tackle new markets.

2. DEMAND FOR
CONSERVATORY
REPLACEMENT
PRODUCTS
Although experiencing a
somewhat sluggish start, demand
for conservatory replacement
products, such as frames, roofs
and roofline is beginning to pick
up. The Window Industry report
highlights a growing popularity
amongst homeowners for this
type of product and all signs are
pointing to the conservatory
repair/replacement market being
particularly lucrative in the
coming years.
3.THE ALUMINIUM
MARKET IS RAPIDLY
EXPANDING
The report finds that
aluminium is now a firmly
established alternative to
PVCu windows, doors and
conservatories: not just bi-folding
doors. It’s not surprising to see the
growth of aluminium, when you
consider the host of aesthetic and
thermal performance benefits that
the material provides.

8 » OCT 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

‘a costeffective
alternative to
an extension’
4. SOLID CONSERVATORY
ROOFS ARE BECOMING
POPULAR
According to the Insight
report, solid conservatory roofs
are also now becoming popular,
highlighting a growing trend
amongst homeowners to find
a cost-effective alternative
to an extension. Solid roof
conservatories blend the
increased natural light benefits
of a conservatory with the
permanency and ‘cosiness’ of an
extension.

5.THE ROLES OF
INSTALLER AND BUILDER
ARE BLURRING
One of the most interesting
things that the Insight Window
Industry Report seems to suggest
is that the lines between that of
the installer and the builder will
become increasingly blurred over
coming years, due to the growth
of retail trade counters. In effect,
the business model is altering the
supplier/installer relationship,
and widening access to new trade
customers, ‘Builder Installers’.
The wide range of easily
available home improvement
products offered through these
outlets will mean that both
installers and builders could
evolve into a shared role of ‘home
improvement specialist’ over the
coming decade.