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Since the Austrian window market hit rock-bottom in 2002, it has shown positive growth for the third year in a row. The introduction of the "energy certificate" will boost the renovation segment
The growth rates for 2005 are still extremely modest at 0.4 per cent in quantity and 1.5 per cent in value, due to the increase in average prices. However, the latest study from Interconnection Consulting Group forecasts further increases in terms of value amounting to over 3 per cent in the next few years.
Looking at the forecast for building permits for the next few years, it becomes obvious that new-build will not provide any driving force for the window market, even though building permits for one- and two-family houses are over 2 per cent up.
Renovations will give the window market a slight boost. The main reason for this is a new EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings. This has resulted in the introduction in 2006 of a compulsory "energy certificate" for all new buildings in Austria. From 2009, an energy certificate will also have to be produced when buying or renting flats and residential buildings, as well as offices or business premises.
As a result, it is expected that there will be an increase in the demand for well insulated windows, specially in the new-build segment. In 2007 at the latest the effects of the energy certificate should become noticeable in the renovation segment as well, and demand should definitely increase.
This new tendency for consumers to be conscious of the need for insulation will result in the window market showing greater growth in terms of value rather than of quantity in the next few years, according to Interconnection. After growth of 2.8 per cent in value in 2006, the two following years will record growth in excess of 3 per cent. Growth rates in terms of quantity will range from 2 to 2.8 per cent over this period.
Where the development of the materials used for window frames in Austria is concerned, a downturn in the wood segment is again noticeable. Nevertheless, this still remains the second most important group of materials in large parts of Austria. Wholly wooden windows are being replaced mainly by wood-aluminium windows, which have managed to notch up strong growth of 3.8 per cent. PVC windows, which are absolutely unrivalled in pricing terms, also managed to increase their market share to 62.4 per cent in quantitative terms. Which means that they remain the undisputed number one in the Austrian window market.
Looking at the forecast for building permits for the next few years, it becomes obvious that new-build will not provide any driving force for the window market, even though building permits for one- and two-family houses are over 2 per cent up.
Renovations will give the window market a slight boost. The main reason for this is a new EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings. This has resulted in the introduction in 2006 of a compulsory "energy certificate" for all new buildings in Austria. From 2009, an energy certificate will also have to be produced when buying or renting flats and residential buildings, as well as offices or business premises.
As a result, it is expected that there will be an increase in the demand for well insulated windows, specially in the new-build segment. In 2007 at the latest the effects of the energy certificate should become noticeable in the renovation segment as well, and demand should definitely increase.
This new tendency for consumers to be conscious of the need for insulation will result in the window market showing greater growth in terms of value rather than of quantity in the next few years, according to Interconnection. After growth of 2.8 per cent in value in 2006, the two following years will record growth in excess of 3 per cent. Growth rates in terms of quantity will range from 2 to 2.8 per cent over this period.
Where the development of the materials used for window frames in Austria is concerned, a downturn in the wood segment is again noticeable. Nevertheless, this still remains the second most important group of materials in large parts of Austria. Wholly wooden windows are being replaced mainly by wood-aluminium windows, which have managed to notch up strong growth of 3.8 per cent. PVC windows, which are absolutely unrivalled in pricing terms, also managed to increase their market share to 62.4 per cent in quantitative terms. Which means that they remain the undisputed number one in the Austrian window market.
