uPVC window and door systems provide a high degree of refinement and elegance.

Manish Bansal

Director & CEO, Window Magic  

What are the emerging trends of doors and windows market in the country?

Historically speaking, windows and doors meant wood. Wooden windows and doors gave the home owners protection from outside elements and a sense of security. Wood has its fair share of downsides in the form of termite infestation, warping, the need for frequent maintenance/painting to maintain the sheen and lustre, etc. 

The boom in real estate brought about the emergence of the fenestration industry as an organized industry with newer materials making a beeline in the market trying to grab consumer attention. Technological advancements, rise of nuclear families, dual income households and the desire for elegant homes brought about a fundamental shift in architectural styles thereby leading to emergence of newer windows and door materials, viz., uPVC and aluminium. The outlook of the homeowners – wanting sophistication, class, elegance and aesthetics in everything, warmth and cosiness in their homes, yet being environmentally conscious served as the perfect recipe for uPVC and aluminium to become widely acceptable. Engineered windows and door systems has made deep inroads into the market and has today replaced the ubiquitous wooden windows and doors speaking the language of style, elan, classiness and luxury, continuous research and development coupled with technological advancements.   

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

The very outlook uPVC and aluminium engineered windows and door systems has ushered in innovations in design, form factor, size, etc, Window Magic’s uPVC and aluminium engineered windows and door systems are available in a variety of types. For instance, the aluminium windows are available as casement windows, sliding windows, French windows and the latest slim line windows. In the aluminium doors range, there is also the slide & fold doors, lift & slide doors over and above the varieties that are available in windows. In the uPVC windows range, Window Magic offers casement windows, top hung windows, sliding windows, tilt & turn windows and a similar range of doors as the aluminium range, except the material is different.

With a range of engineered windows and doors to choose from, customers have the option their choice of design depending on their home layout, interiors, what more – be it uPVC or aluminium windows and doors, customers have the option to choose from a wide range of colour options to make their home more grand, elegant and richer. All these options come in with warranty and few companies like ours also back it up with separate service team to support the after sales. This is new and path breaking. 

How are various materials taking lead roles in the current doors and windows market?

The invention of polyvinyl chloride in the 19th century brought about dramatic changes in the fenestration segment. uPVC has been a proven technology worldwide and in India. It has existed for the last 15 years and is extensively used in windows and doors for its low maintenance and long-lasting durability. Well known for thermal insulation, uPVC is made of light weight material and is easy to install and have become quite popular with Indian consumers.

As uPVC works well in a variety of weather situations. uPVC window & door systems offer superior sound insulation. Modern architecture may be complemented with this window and door systems, which come in a range of shapes and designs. It also requires less maintenance than other standard materials. They can be installed in any kind of building, including homes, office buildings, hotels, and high-rise buildings.

They are easy to maintain. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is sufficient for routine cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, uPVC window and door systems need not be painted - yet another factor of low maintenance cost. uPVC window and door systems provide a high degree of refinement and elegance. They improve the appeal of your home while at the same time, fairly priced.

uPVC window and door systems provide effective thermal insulation to homes resulting in minimum heat loss in winters and reduce heat gain in summers. The glazing is also of prime importance for effective insulation, contributing to substantial energy saving.

As the chatter for ‘everything green’ and sustainable’ is gaining momentum, uPVC window and door systems are eco-friendly and can be recycled and reused since it is serves as an ideal alternative for wood.

Despite all these benefits, because of its plastic looks, home owners tend to shun away from uPVC and don’t find this material very attractive.

Aluminium products, on the other hand, have been the most sought-after product in the fenestration segment for over two decades now.

With a current fenestration market size of Rs 15,000 crores and increasing year on year, aluminium accounts for more than 60% of the total fenestration market. This in itself explains the growing popularity of aluminium products and the leaning towards it.

The size of fenestration has increased multi-fold in line with the increase in fenestration sizes of building structures. Earlier, the size would be a maximum of 8-9 feet in height. However, today the height has gone up to as high as 14-15 feet in the case of independent bungalows. In the case of high-rise buildings, the fenestration height has gone up to 10 feet high. At such heights, the need and capacity to withstand more wind speed and pressure is much higher. Therefore, aluminium emerges as the natural choice to withstand such high pressure. Moreover, architectural needs like styling and finesse are better fulfilled by aluminium by its wider variety of colours, made possible through powder coating and anodizing.

Architectural aesthetics and visual appeal have also contributed to new styles and technological innovations in the segment. An example of innovation in Aluminium fenestration is the emergence of Slim Line aluminium windows and doors. A Slim Line window has thinner window frames, considerably reducing the space between the glass. In the case of Slim Line aluminium doors, the outer frame can be concealed in the ceiling, walls and floor to provide a seamless panoramic view. Another significant innovation in aluminium is the thermal break that separates the interior and exterior sections of the window preventing any transfer of heat through the metal. Again, this needs service back up of trained professionals necessitating set up that is not a one man show.

Having built an exquisite home, it is but natural that the safety of the home is given utmost priority. Here, Aluminium, the firm metal, scores over others. The strength of Aluminium can be adapted using varying alloying elements to provide better benefits including higher strength or easier formality. Thus, its lightweight nature makes it a firm metal and is proven to keep intruders at bay.

Aluminium metal is corrosion-resistant that naturally generates a natural coating. The coating develops with a thin layer when it comes in contact with the oxidizing environment resulting in protecting from being oxidized. Also, getting the surface treatment like painting can improvise overall metal for long-term usage.

Because of its availability in varied versions and customizable in a variety of colors, aluminium fenestration is the most preferred solution and will rule the segment for the foreseeable future. Having said these, it is important to note that uPVC is a proven technology, both worldwide and in India. However, over time, aluminium as emerged as a promising option. Aluminium has been widely used not only in India but around the globe and is one of the most common and abundantly available metals with regard to colour personalization, durability and longevity.

What are the latest products and solutions offered by the company in doors and windows?

One of the early pioneers in uPVC and aluminium engineered windows and door systems, Window Magic has carved a niche for itself among consumers as the first go-to-brand for top-of-the-line uPVC and aluminium windows and door systems. Since its inception in 2002, Window Magic has established an enviable reputation as the premier high-quality windows and door systems provider for its precision, technological know-how, excellent feel for design and customer service excellence.

As a logical extension to uPVC and aluminium windows and door systems, Window Magic recently introduced a range of uPVC and aluminium insect screens, further fortifying your elegant home. With a range of four different designs and a host of colour options to choose from, Window Magic has added an extra layer of protection and glamour to your beautiful home from the harmful pests, especially during monsoons. The insect screens act as a year-round repellent against mosquitos and the pesky flies. To beautify your home, Window Magic has also forayed into facades, glass railings and ventilation products to make your already envious home more envious and make onlookers pause on their tracks and say ‘that’s the kind of home I want too’.

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

The windows & doors market is buoyant and continues to develop and improve. The two major segments – commercial and residential offer tremendous prospects for growth in the global windows and door industry. According to a survey by Lucintel, the global windows and door market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.9% and USD308 million in value and volume terms between 2022 and 2027, translating to immense possibilities for R&D, technological advancements, design innovation and room for quality players having expertise. With buildings getting more and more energy efficient on the one hand, and seeking to improve thermal insulation on the other, presents immense opportunity for manufacturers of Windows and door systems to harness technology and offer the best possible solution to the market.