Replacement softwood window volumes in the local authority sector grew by 73% in 2003, a new study shows.
Palmer Market Research‘s report on window/entrance door replacement in social housing also reveals that uPVC windows lost market share, especially with local authorities.
But softwood window sales to housing associations, which normally favours the ecological advantages of timber, actually fell by 20%.
Surbiton-based Palmer said softwood, aluminium and steel windows had all shown increases during the past two years but the major growth will continue to be with uPVC, which has more than 80% of the market.
The overall market of replacement doors and windows in the social housing sector was worth £435m in 2003, up 8% on 2002, with window volumes growing by 5% and doors by 14%.
Palmer predicts that local authorities and housing associations will continue to spend on improvements to meet the Decent Homes Standard, which all social housing has to meet by 2010.
