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Composite Window Growth
March 26th, 2009As Upvc windows continue to make a dramatic decline due to saturation and the 2009 recession other products are increasing.
The double glazing industry is looking for new solutions to combat the decline in PVC-U sales in the UK market. This PVC-U market declined a further 2.5% in 2006 with market share now 75.4% the lowest since 2001. The demand for new and better products seems to be the case in all segments of the window and door market.
According to Palmer the aluminium market: “The only material to grow in 2005 was aluminium, up 84%. Over 90% was in the private sector. Installed value grew by 87%”. Even though aluminium and timber composite windows are relatively new to the UK, data for this market is starting to be collected.
The PVC-U market has maintained an average 5% decline during the last 3 years. Whilst the home improvement market in general has increased. We anticipate a significant drop in further PVC-U sales but an increase in alternative products such as aluminium and timber windows or ali clad windows as some call them.
To effectively compete in today’s markets, changes to the market need to be addressed early. Franklin understood that the market for PVC-U windows would reach saturation and consumers would start to look for that product that had that unique selling point. When faced with the decision to replace those tired pvc-u windows, would the consumer look to replace like with like, or base a buying decision on choice of durability, colour options and appeal? Company’s that can take the purchase from a repair/replacement purchase to a lifestyle purchase will be the ones that experience the greatest growth. According to Key Note the world window and door market is worth some $111 billion, North America selling 67 million units pa, 74 million in Europe in 2004. The UK market alone is worth £5.12 billion.
“Although PVC-U has the main market share, sales are becoming more difficult to sustain due to the increasing saturation of the replacement market, after losing market share to PVC-U, there are indications that wooden products are regaining some of their popularity. As well as having good thermal insulation properties and an appealing appearance, wood has a strong position as a sustainable material”- Key Note
The annual growth potential of the Franklin product will be exponential, this is backed up by the rapid growth in sales and enquires as a result of Franklins marketing approach with emphasis on the aluminium/timber composite windows, doors, folding sliding doors, conservatories and Orangeries.
The strong correlation between a static market and the demand for alternative products market bodes well for Franklin. The composite market is growing steadily. With 80% growth annually over the last 4 years. The financial plans have been viewed very conservatively but following the last 4 we fully anticipate revenues from our own growth to exceed £8 million by 2010.
An introduction to Composite Windows
November 23rd, 2005The word “composite” means made up of different parts, so a composite window would be made of different materials i.e. one material on the outside and another on the inside. It does not refer to the hinges, glass, seal and fixings which may be classed as different parts.
Different parts are used to produce a window that has advantages over ones made from one only a single part like UPVC or one made only from wood. It is hoped that this forum will encourage discussions on the pros and cons of various products available our yet to be developed.
Most people will not be familiar with this concept, but aluminium windows have never left the commercial market because upvc has never been viewed as a long term solution for windows and doors by good Architects. European consumers have always viewed aluminium as a credible solution and as a result, windows, doors and glasshouses have been made with aluminium to the exterior with hardwood on the interior for decades. Franklin have taken this concept by moulding the aluminium and wood to look like a traditional English window frame. The slim look is much sort after for older properties with existing metal windows, traditional wooden frames and the sections can be increased for the very heavy Orangery sections. Real light hardwood gives a real warm glow and presence to grace all homes.
Material Properties
• Very durable exterior available in any colour with no maintenance and a life expectancy of over 25years.
• All locking systems fixed to aluminium for great strength and security
• Real hardwood interior which can be left factory finished or changed later
• Very low cost yet traditional solution for discerning specifies
