‘People are bored of spending on their homes and wanting to go on holiday and enjoy themselves’

For its latest sector review – Building Products looks at the Glass and Glazing sector. To gauge the levels of optimism, we have brought together a panel of leaders and professionals from the sector for a debate.

What kind of year do you expect 2021 to be for the glass and glazing sector?

Kurt Greatrex – Dekko Window Systems: “I expect 2021 to be a strong year for the glass and glazing sector, despite everything that’s going on. In 2020, the window industry enjoyed one of its most buoyant periods in history, and I believe that consumers will continue to spend money on home improvements and that the industry will continue to thrive.”

Jeremy Phillips – CDW Systems: “It depends on so much that we can’t really control but the potential is there. There was strong domestic demand in 2020 as people couldn’t go on holiday so spent money on their homes, and I think once things start to gradually relax as far as COVID-19 is concerned it will have a slightly detrimental effect on the domestic side of things, with people bored of spending on their homes and wanting to go on holiday and enjoy themselves.

“I think commercial demand will bulk up and replace the domestic. The glass shortage in the industry and prices increasing is no bad thing. Everyone tends to see price rises as a negative but it’s not always the case as it adds value to things and, provided you can manage it; it can be a positive.”

Allan Barr  – Technal UK: “Already it feels more optimistic than 2020 compared with six months ago. We are seeing an uplift in enquiries and more commercial opportunity across many sectors within our own customer base – especially for projects with sustainable or low carbon requirements. Some of the projects held in 2020 are now becoming live and feedback from our customers is that they are open for business, as we are.

“Whilst last year companies had to adapt quickly to the new ways of working as a result of Covid-19, not just internally but on sites too, this year will be about developing these new ways in a more sophisticated way with digitalisation supporting at every step.

“In certain instances, face-to-face meetings are undeniably the most effective way to communicate. However, digital methods will most definitely sit alongside traditional ways of working to greater extent moving forwards.”

Martin Hitchin – Rehau: “2021 will not be without challenges. As the glass and glazing sector continues to navigate COVID-19 restrictions and their implications, flexibility will be required of all businesses. Last year saw significant changes in consumer spending patterns with people being at home much more.

“Due to reductions in travel and other spending habits, homeowners have been investing heavily in home improvements, but we can expect changes as the vaccine is rolled out and some level of normality returns.

“We will also look to ensure supply chain robustness throughout 2021, and anticipate installers and fabricators are looking for stable polymer suppliers to help weather pandemic-based upheaval.”

What trends are you expecting to see around products in the sector? What are the key issues affecting you and your business?

Kurt Greatrex: “Aluminium is becoming increasingly popular in the domestic market, and this trend is set to continue, with wide span aluminium patio doors proving particularly popular.

“The rise of home working has also had a huge impact on the sector. Now in our third national lockdown, millions of people are spending most of their time in their homes, and demand for home offices and garden rooms is only going to rise, along with general home improvements.

“The main issue affecting Dekko is supply chain shortages. While the industry welcomed a surge in demand, the supply chain struggled to keep up, and there have been shortages of profile, glass and hardware, which has had a knock-on effect across the industry. “

Jeremy Phillips: “I think we’ll still see a good demand for patio doors and large glazed areas, and we will also see more demand for acoustically efficient products as well as acoustic performance is being built into the spec more and more.

“We will also see a shift towards thermally efficient commercial products. Although there is still good demand for the old fashioned non-thermal systems, that will perhaps start to wane a little in favour of products with good thermal efficiency.

“The supply chain issues will carry on being a challenge, and accessories in general seem to be the main problem. We can make it, but we cannot put a lock or handle on it and that is slowing us down and that will carry on slowing us down if the supply chain doesn’t improve.”

Allan Barr: “We are expecting to see more products designed for extreme weather conditions and noisier, high-rise cities (albeit they’re likely much quieter than normal times at present) – increasing levels of performance are becoming more and more important.

“In terms of aesthetics, achieving slimmer sightlines and bigger and better views for occupants is still the architect’s passion. Systems that push the boundaries safely and improve their performance will succeed – enhancing comfort for occupants and creating successful buildings simultaneously.

“Although we are still awaiting the update to the Building Regulations, specifications are continuing to command improved thermal performance of curtain walls, windows, and doors in line with the commitment to ensure all new buildings operate at net zero by 2030.

“Enhanced acoustic requirements are also another major focus for many of the projects we’re working on now, especially in urban environments. Clients are looking to their consultants and specialist package contractors to deliver both high performance and innovative ways to achieve façade solutions that meet some pretty tough specifications. “

Martin Hitchin: “Introduction of smart technology is something we expect to see emerging more and more in 2021, as ever-savvier consumers further familiarise themselves with smart home solutions. As such, we expect future Rehau solutions will incorporate innovations like smart shading and smart privacy, reducing heat transfer and turning windows non-transparent at the touch of a button.

“Additionally, stay-at-home orders have led to consumers conducting greater levels of research into their purchases, windows included. As such we expect growing demand for individualised, bespoke solutions, with greater uptake of frame accessories and an increased demand for a wide variety of coloured foils.”

What are your views on sustainability and how the sector is developing products to meet demand?

Kurt Greatrex: “The glazing industry has become much more sustainable over the past decade, both in its products and processes, and with changes to Building Regulations happening in 2025, which requires all new-build homes to be future-proofed with low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency, this is only going
to increase.”

Jeremy Phillips: “The move towards more thermally efficient products is coming and as a manufacturing business the processes are becoming more scrutinised now and it’s bound to become more of a prerequisite on projects. I think perhaps the focus has gone off because of COVID-19 and it has slipped off the agenda, but it will always be there and carry on being a factor.”

Allan Barr: “We are seeing more tender specifications detailing sustainable requirements all the time. The sector is responding but there is a whole lot more to be done. Architectural aluminium systems manufactured using ‘recycled content’ are more visible on the market than ever before. To differentiate that recycled content covers both pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap, it’s worth noting that the higher the post-consumer recycled content,the lower the carbon footprint.”

Martin Hitchin: “The focus on sustainability will continue, in terms of how products are sourced, manufactured and recycled. The inclusion of closed loop supply chain considerations right from the start of the product development is vitally important, especially with homeowners becoming increasingly eco-conscious.

“Consequently, suppliers must ensure they are offering green solutions. For example, with uPVC windows, installers and fabricators should ensure they source frames from socially responsible providers with extensive operations dedicated to reducing landfill and recycling older material back into the circular economy via co-extruded products.

“At Rehau, we continue to invest heavily in eco conscious product design, incorporating innovations like co-extrusion technology and trackable materials. As an innovative and sustainable method that processes recycled materials in the core of the profile, co-extrusion is a vital means of improving sustainability within the window manufacturing sector.

“Additionally, developments that make it easier for customers, installers, and fabricators to opt into the circular economy for polymers will be vital to further enhancing the sector’s sustainability. To that end, we are currently working on a Windows ID Tracker that we hope to launch in 2021 to make it easier to identify the material composition of our products.”