The aggregated window market in the DACH region has been in recession mode since 2022. While the market remained relatively stable in terms of volume that year, 2023 saw a significant decline, with sales dropping by 11.7% to 17.5 million window units. This downward trend continued in 2024, with a further decrease of 6.3% to 16.4 million units. The outlook for 2025 remains weak, with a projected slight decline of 1.2% to 16.2 million window units, according to a new study by Interconnection Consulting.

New Construction Shrinks Significantly

The high construction financing costs have had a considerable impact, particularly on window sales in new construction. Between 2022 and 2024, the aggregated DACH window market in new buildings shrank by 29.4% to 6.6 million window units. In contrast, the renovation segment remained positive in 2024, with a slight increase of 0.5% in volume. In 2025, 61.9% of all windows are expected to be sold in the renovation sector, while the share of new construction continues to decline. A recovery in the new construction segment of the DACH window market is not anticipated before 2026.

Renovation Bonus Drives Growth in Austria’s Renovation Sector

A significant upswing in the renovation segment of the DACH window market was only observed in Austria in 2024 (+7.5%). However, this growth started from a very low level. Unlike in Germany, Austria’s renovation market also shrank during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and continued to decline in 2022 and 2023, as more investments were directed toward photovoltaic systems and heating system replacements rather than building envelopes (window replacements). In 2025, the renovation sector is expected to recover in all three markets, as lower financing and material costs will add some momentum. “Recovery in new construction typically takes longer than in renovation, as building permits will only gain positive momentum starting in 2025,” explains Laszlo Barla, the study’s author.

Decline in Market Share for PVC Windows Due to Weak Residential Construction

As residential construction declined more sharply than non-residential construction in all three markets in 2023 and 2024, the share of pure PVC windows (excluding combinations) fell from 49.0% in 2022 to 48.3% in 2024. Pure wooden windows also declined, holding a market share of 11.0% in 2024, as high maintenance requirements make them less appealing in the current trend toward convenience. Meanwhile, metal windows gained some market share compared to 2022 (18.0%) and now stand at 18.5% in 2024. Window combinations have shown the highest growth dynamics, now accounting for 22.1% of the DACH market, with a particularly strong presence in Austria and Switzerland.

21/03/2025

Copyright: Interconnection, Publication free of charge for coverage regarding the study and InterConnection Consulting.