Asia-Pacific windows and doors industry is anticipated to grow at the highest rate.

Dr H C Mario Schmidt , Managing Director, Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies

How is the market for doors and windows evolving in the country?

The fenestration industry has evolved over the last two decades, and the change has been tremendous. The number of fabricators compared to the ones present 20 years ago has grown enormously. There are now over 3,000 companies that manufacture Aluminium and uPVC doors and windows and more than 30 systems companies across the country are into uPVC window profile extrusion.

We are proud to announce that the uPVC profile standard is launched, and that the door and window performance standard work is at its final process.

In the absence of the BIS Standard, way back in 2016 UWDMA developed and implemented window guidelines and door fabrication. In 2021, UWDMA introduced the installation guidelines. We (UWDMA) have been travelling extensively for these training sessions across the country, and many fabricators and their teams attended those workshops.

What are the growth opportunities for the products? What are the demand drivers?

Customers these days are developing homes that are at least twice as big as those constructed in the early 2000s and have more rooms than before. Additionally, people are more engaged in the architectural part of home construction, requiring more ornate windows and doors to give the residences a more opulent appearance.

For instance, the current fashion for high windows gives homes a more upscale appearance. Building a home is viewed as a joyful endeavour for the entire family in India. We must therefore comprehend the needs of each audience segment and describe how our solutions would best suit those needs as suppliers of essential house building components.

Consumers are more informed and conscious of their needs. They research on the brands and choices offered. As a result, one must always invent new solutions to meet the needs of clients.

What kind of design innovations are trending in doors and windows?

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.

How are various materials showing their importance in the current market scenario?

Customers look for sustainable products, so uPVC is still the favourite, but aluminium is also growing in demand, and we are closing plenty of orders there too.

Another luxury material is German wood. Lingel started manufacturing products out of wood which was abundantly available. Till date, wooden products remain our largest vertical in Germany. Today, we offer diverse options and have built two fabrication facilities, one in East Germany and the other in West Germany, where all the manufacturing and production works happen.

Can you elaborate on your latest products and solutions in doors and windows?

The company's wide range of products include: High-end timber or wooden windows, the glass conservatory, window sill, venetian blinds and roller shutters that can be operated manually or automatically.

Lingel has released a gamut of new products, including snow white-coloured windows. The product consists of white foil on the white uPVC surface, making it appear the whitest of the whites. Given the colour, the company has ensured the cleaning process is easy and effective.

Aluminium System 6.0, launched in 2017, is, in our opinion, the most aesthetic aluminium system available in India. As the design is similar to that of a wooden or uPVC window, we can use the complete uPVC hardware range. The options available are entrance doors, sliding and folding solutions, casement opening windows, lifts, and slides.

We also offer with our system Hueck a thermal broken high-end aluminium solution for the best possible heat insulation. These windows are produced in Germany, and the final product is imported.

Our Oakwood (timber) windows, which are made in Germany, are known for their texture and classic look. We have also launched our finest product, which is the perfect combination of glazing and hardware, the Lingel Panzer Glazing (LPG) and Lingel Safety Box (LSB). We recently launched five new products: Motorised skylight, Roof window, Roof French balcony cabrio door, new handle selection, and new powder coating finish.

How do you look at the future demand trend for doors and windows?

The market is ever-growing and the global market for fenestration products is divided into segments according to the kind of material (wood, metal, plastic, and other materials), the ultimate customer (residential and commercial), and the regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa). The expanding scope of the marketplace in industrialized nations will also be fuelled by a rise in customer spending on remodelling and new homes.

Amongst the other regions, the Asia-Pacific windows and doors industry is anticipated to grow at the highest rate. New solutions will have to be introduced for the customer so that they can have more options.

The industry needs to be aware that produce design life cycles are getting drastically reduced.

Consumers are ready to explore new things when the value addition is understood.

At today`s scenario many new and innovative products getting rapidly launched by different Industry players.

To achieve a sustainable product sales post launch, it`s important to catch the momentum by creating the large awareness at the right point of time.

Most important that whatever is launched needs to be sustainable in terms of being very long lasting, robust to stand during its day to day usage and at the end cost effective as well.

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