The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and The Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) have jointly released the December 2012 update to the 2011/2012 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast. This report delivers timely information on window, door and skylight market trends and product relationships. Historic data for 2006 through 2011 and forecast data for 2012 through 2015 are also included in the report. Forecasts are based on projections of construction activity as of December 2012.
New residential construction activity for 2012 is expected to show a 23.9 percent improvement compared to 2011, which is slightly better than what was forecasted last August. Most of this improvement over earlier forecasts is attributed to multi-family starts. The study forecasts similar improvement for 2013, and continues to predict an even stronger 31 percent new residential construction improvement for 2014. Existing home sales are expected to end at 4.7 million units in 2012, slightly better than originally forecast.
In 2012, nonresidential construction activity is experiencing slow growth in categories favorable to nonresidential door volumes (hospitality, education, healthcare, office). Specifically for 2012, total volume is expected to end at a 4.5 percent increase for entry doors and a 5.2 percent increase for interior doors over the 2011 volume.
Residential skylights are expected to close the year at more than 900,000 units, a growth rate of 6.5 percent over the 2011 volume. New construction skylight activity has proven to be greater than expected at 23.3 percent growth, while remodeling and replacement skylight activity has fallen behind initial expectations at 2.9 percent growth. The latter value is benefiting somewhat from weather-related replacement throughout the year.
Additional and more detailed information on the residential and commercial fenestration markets is contained in the 2011/2012 WDMA/AAMA Study of the U.S. Market for Windows, Doors and Skylights (published in May 2012), which includes all of the items listed below.
- AAMA/WDMA U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast (December 2012 update) summarizes residential, non-residential and remodeling trends from government and industry sources.
- AAMA/WDMA U.S. Industry Channel Distribution Report profiles the residential and non-residential market for windows and doors as it flows through the identified distribution channels.
- AAMA/WDMA U.S. Industry Market Size Report quantifies residential and non-residential market volumes, both historic and projected.
- AAMA/WDMA U.S. Industry Regional Statistical Review and Forecasts detail information for 11 individual regions.
The updated 2011/2012 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast, as well as the other reports listed above, are available for purchase online from bothAAMA and WDMA.
Related Stories
| May 5, 2014
Tragic wired glass injury makes headlines yet again
In the story, a high school student pushed open a hallway door glazed with wired glass. His arm not only broke the glass, but penetrated it, causing severe injuries. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | May 3, 2014
Fire-rated glass floor system captures light in science and engineering infill
In implementing Northwestern University’s Engineering Life Sciences infill design, Flad Architects faced the challenge of ensuring adequate, balanced light given the adjacent, existing building wings. To allow for light penetration from the fifth floor to the ground floor, the design team desired a large, central atrium. One potential setback with drawing light through the atrium was meeting fire and life safety codes.
| Apr 25, 2014
Recent NFPA 80 updates clarify fire rated applications
Code confusion has led to misapplications of fire rated glass and framing, which can have dangerous and/or expensive results. Two recent NFPA 80 revisions help clarify the confusion. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | Apr 23, 2014
Ridgewood High satisfies privacy, daylight and code requirements with fire rated glass
For a recent renovation of a stairwell and exit corridors at Ridgewood High School in Norridge, Ill., the design team specified SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Framing for its optical clarity, storefront-like appearance, and high STC ratings.
| Apr 8, 2014
Fire resistive curtain wall helps The Kensington meet property line requirements
The majority of fire rated glazing applications occur inside a building to allow occupants to exit the building safely or provide an area of refuge during a fire. But what happens when the threat of fire comes from the outside? This was the case for The Kensington, a mixed-use residential building in Boston.
| Apr 2, 2014
8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications
Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.
Sponsored | | Mar 30, 2014
Ontario Leisure Centre stays ahead of the curve with channel glass
The new Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre features a 1,400-sf serpentine channel glass wall that delivers dramatic visual appeal for its residents.
| Mar 13, 2014
Austria's tallest tower shimmers with striking 'folded façade' [slideshow]
The 58-story DC Tower 1 is the first of two high-rises designed by Dominique Perrault Architecture for Vienna's skyline.
| Mar 7, 2014
Thom Mayne's high-tech Emerson College LA campus opens in Hollywood [slideshow]
The $85 million, 10-story vertical campus takes the shape of a massive, shimmering aircraft hangar, housing a sculptural, glass-and-aluminum base building.
| Feb 27, 2014
12 facts about heat-treated glass: Why stronger isn’t always better
Glass is heat-treated for two reasons: the first is to increase its strength to resist external stresses such as wind and snow loads, or thermal loads caused by the sun’s energy. The second is to temper glass so that it meets safety glazing requirements defined by applicable codes or federal standards.