Stricter building regulations set to drive window and door energy efficiency

In 2020, the window and door fabricators market experienced a 16% decline from 2019 but recovered in 2021 thanks to the rise in home improvement activity.

Despite the recovery, the market value recorded in 2021 was still below those seen in 2019, this is due to less fabricators being involved in the market as many went out of business during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a result of reduced marketing competition and increased services, turnovers on average for major fabricators were higher in 2021 than 2019.

Since 2018, private rented property has needed to meet minimum standards for energy efficiency (E rating, scoring between 39-54), although there are exemptions. The government is currently planning to impose stricter rules to fall in line with the Net Zero by 2050 target.

Although the changes have not been drafted it will likely include a need to achieve an EPC rating of C or higher, an increase in the maximum cost cap for required spending on underperforming property, and increased fines for not meeting regulations.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) give properties a score out of 100 for energy efficiency, and most properties have required one before renting/selling since 2008. Improving EPC rating increases property value and reduces energy bills. However, these changes could drive more landlords to sell off their properties. This may lead to an increased number of properties on the market, boosting house moving and thereby driving replacement sales.

Editor of AMA Research’s Door and Window Fabricators Market Report, Michael Graham, said: “High quality windows and doors increase energy efficiency in buildings and contribute to Energy Performance Certificates. This is increasingly important to comply with Building Regulations Part L and upcoming stricter regulations such as the Future Homes Standard.

“PVCu dominates residential sector materials and schemes are in place to improve recycling and reuse. Chemical recycling is becoming industrially viable and could make plastics infinitely recyclable in future.

“Aluminium is the dominant material for commercial applications, with recycled aluminium using 95% less energy to produce than mining new metal.”