Despite the economic crisis in 2009, there was a slight recovery in the German window market with a rise of two per cent on the previous year. The market volume totalled some 12 million window units (2008: 11.8 million), with a window unit being equivalent to an area of 1.69 m². This is according to the latest market analysis conducted by the country’s national trade association representing window and façade manufacturers (Verband der Fenster- und Fassadenhersteller, VFF) and the Künzelsauer Institut für Marketing (KIM) based on a survey carried out for the period up to November 2009.

“The development of the German market is positive, above all thanks to increased government subsidies and the growing popularity of energy-related modernisation measures,” reports Ulrich Tschorn, VFF’s managing director. “We are very grateful for the federal government’s second national economic stimulus package. Not only did it cushion the blow of the economic crisis: it also stimulated the economic strength of a whole sector.” In addition, the boom in the sector’s economy was boosted by KfW support programmes and acceptance of the products by homeowners looking to modernise. “We thus create employment in Germany. And energy consumption decreases with every energy-related building modernisation – this reduces the dependence on energy imports,” explains the window specialist.

According to the VFF, the domestic market still has huge potential: there are still some 340 million window units in need of modernisation. The German market comprises about 7,200 window installation companies with some 100,000 employees. Turnover in 2008 was about 8.5 billion euros. For residential buildings, plastic is the preferred frame material whereas aluminium windows dominate when it comes to public buildings and offices. Overall, PVC has about a 56 per cent share of the market, wood has 16 per cent, wood/metal seven per cent and metal 21 per cent. Aluminium’s share of the metal segment is over 90 per cent.