Windows and doors group sees slight improvement to forecast

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) and the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) have jointly released an August 2012 update to the 2011/2012 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast. 

The updated study predicts a slight improvement in architectural door shipments in 2012 over earlier forecasts.

Nonresidential construction declined slightly in 2011 and is forecasted to continue to remain slow through 2012, tempering growth in the non-residential architectural interior door categories.

According to the updated study's data, multi-family and single-family starts are expected to experience a slightly better increase than what was initially thought, up to 19% over 2011 with additional increases in 2013 and 2014. Residential improvement expenditures are expected to see a similar shift.

As of mid-year, residential skylights are tracking at a growth rate slightly higher than the 2011 volume. New construction skylight activity has proven to be greater than expected with double-digit growth percentages. Remodeling and replacement skylight activity has fallen behind initial expectations with only minor growth, though the replacement market is benefiting from weather-related replacement in the first half of the year. 

The updated study continues to show little change in the segmentation for residential interior door material types over the next five years. However, significant volume is expected to return to the entry and interior door market as new construction demand is expected to grow at double-digit rates, outpacing remodeling and replacement activity as the housing market recovers.