The private home improvement market for windows, doors and conservatories reached a record high of £4.56bn in 2003, according to a new report.
But the study by Palmer Market Research also found that 70% of plastic replacement windows still replace timber windows.
Hardwood is the preferred material for builders in the replacement entrance door market but uPVC’s share is continuing to rise. In the French door sector, uPVC products are growing at the expense of hardwood.
Window installations in 2003 totalled seven million frames, of which 6.2 million were replacements. But Palmer has noticed saturation in the window replacement market, which it said will continue to decline during the next few years.
Palmer attributed the buoyant home improvement market to high levels of consumer confidence and continuing low interest rates.
