European window market trends and consumer guidance

The European window and door market is seeing a rise in plastic window sales, with analysts from Ceresana projecting a total market volume of 225 million elements across Europe for 2020. While plastic remains popular in most of Europe, wood windows continue to be used in Scandinavian countries, often enhanced with aluminum or plastic surfaces.

Energy efficiency standards are driving market trends, with passive house windows expected to become the standard in advanced residential construction. This aligns with the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD), which aims to reduce primary energy demand in new buildings.

In Germany, the Verbraucherzentrale Rheinland-Pfalz is offering free video consultations to assist homeowners with window replacements. The advisory service addresses choices between double and triple glazing, potential energy savings, and economic viability. They also clarify that modern, well-insulated windows do not inherently cause mold growth; rather, mold risk is primarily linked to indoor humidity levels and insufficient ventilation.