Focus - Doors & Windows
D
oors and windows market has seen a
drastic evolution in India over the years.
From the basic functions of giving access
when required and denying access
when not required, doors and windows are now
coming out with elements of design & aesthetics,
eco-friendliness, sustainability and technology. The
windows used today also encompass the latest
innovations of high wind resistance, rain water
insulation, along with sound insulation.
Market trends
The doors and windows market has moved
beyond basic needs to other materials that suit the
changing needs of the market. They seek solutions
that can increase or decrease the ambient light as
per their needs, reduce noise levels, curb the heat or
cold and keep out pollution. Additionally, they look
for doors and windows that are easy to operate and
long-lasting.
72 CONSTRUCTION TIMES
The commonly used materials for doors and
windows are wood, aluminium, steel and uPVC.
Aluminium products continue to dominate the
fenestration market because of their low cost and
availability in varied versions. The warm weather
condition in the country almost throughout the year
has also influenced the preference for aluminium
doors and windows. Aluminium is extremely
light compared with steel. For extra strength and
durability, aluminium alloy can be fortified by adding
magnesium, silicon and lithium, almost like steel.
Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) products
are also gaining popularity in doors and windows
across the country. uPVC has been attracting
increasing attention in Tier 2 cities and beyond. It
has emerged as the material of choice for door and
window profiles because of high energy efficiency,
low maintenance as well as better sound and thermal
insulation, among others. The material also protects
against UV rays and rain, can be recycled while
June 2023
 Focus - Doors & Windows

Opening up new
opportunities
The market for doors and windows has seen many transformations
over the years in terms of materials, design, aesthetics and
sustainability. Construction Times presents the key development
trends in the market.

also being impact resistant and having resistance to
saltwater.
When we consider steel as a material, it is the
most recycled material in the world. All types of
steel can be recycled back into new steel of
various grades, keeping their inherent material
properties intact. Doors and windows made
from steel are better in safety compared to
other materials. Since steel is a strong material, steel
doors and windows don’t need much maintenance.
They aren’t vulnerable to cracking, bowing, and
rust. Steel doors come in various degrees of fire-
resistance.
Design innovations
According to Dr H C Mario
Schmidt, Managing Director,
Lingel Windows and Doors
Technologies, design-wise,
customers who have more
space are opting for huge windows and doors.
“In the southern regions, glass conservatories and
skylights are very popular. Customers are also aware
of the security factor, so LPG and LSB are now in
demand across India. Inbuilt grills are preferred in
areas like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.
Windows sills, which we introduced a while ago,
are a much more popular product than marble or
granite as a sill. The balcony cabrio and openable
skylight are some solutions customers are open to
explore as it provides ample ventilation and sunlight
when needed.”
Application trends
Buildings and structures are evolving with
new designs and aesthetics that are visually
appealing along with strength and durability.
According to the application requirements, there
are various types of doors and windows available in
the market. These include Tilt and Turn, Slide and

www.constructiontimes.co.in CONSTRUCTION TIMES 73

 Focus - Doors & Windows
Open etc. Tejas Shah, Principal,
alu-finns (I) Glass Fabricator
says, “Now there are dozens
of options available depending
on their budget. Earlier, even if
the customer had money, their
choices were restricted to a few
brands but now they have a wide range of options.
With foreign aluminium makers offering variety of
options, Indian customers can choose better window
and door options.”
Alex Dantziguian, Managing
Director - MEIA, Technoform
Bautec Holding GMBH, the
market for thermal break doors
and windows in India has been
gradually evolving. “Many
fabricators, extruders and system
suppliers are now offering thermal break systems
as part of their product portfolios. The demand for
these products is particularly high in villas, hotels,
hospitals, and commercial building,” he adds.
Demand drivers
The affinity for the young generation towards
design and aesthetics has kept the demand for
wooden doors and windows intact. Various designs
and shapes can be carved on wood in a better
way, especially on the main doors. Properties of
wooden doors and windows can be enhanced
through pretreatment of the wood and adequate
polishing. “Renovations market is growing. Demand
drivers are insulation against sound, rains and wind
with aesthetic superiority. Builders of residential
towers are now focusing on
offering good quality windows to
customers,” says Sachin Talathi,
Director, Infiniti Building. He
further adds on the various
demand trends, “Windows with
high wind resistance, rain water
74 CONSTRUCTION TIMES
insulation, along with sound insulation are the latest
innovations. Sleek windows are also in demand. In
Mumbai market, aluminium windows are in demand.
Good shift is seen for uPVC windows as well.
Outlook
According to Talathi, the market looks
extremely positive, vendors offering technical
solutions will stay longer in
the market. Amir Hashmi,
Chief Sales & Marketing
Officer, profine India Window
Technology says that the uPVC
doors and windows market was
growing at 12-15% year-on-
year basis. “If we see the market
trend particularly after Covid, we are seeing a good
growth for uPVC window and door market. In the
last few years, we have witnessed many new players
entered the market, which itself shows the growth of
this market,” he adds.
Looking at the future, Vinay
Laddha, Director, Rachana
Fenestraa says, “Future is
bright and we look forward
to the consumer that they
should buy good quality
products for their homes rather
than going in for substandard
products for their house since the doors and
windows, flooring, steel, cement, bricks etc are
products that have to last the entire lifecycle of the
building.”
“As construction and urbanization is
growing in India, the doors, windows, and facades
are in huge demand. The increasing project size
and project values are inviting bigger national
and international players in the business thus
pushing the industry to an organised sector from an
unorganised industry a decade back,” Dantziguian
concludes.
June 2023