U.S. window & door demand projected at $32.6 billion in 2009.

CLEVELAND -- U.S. window and door demand is projected to increase 3.7% annually through 2009 to $32.6 billion, a deceleration from the 1999-2004 period due to a sharp drop in single-family housing completions, according to The Freedonia Group Inc.

Freedonia, a market research firm, added that it projects a "strong rebound" in non-residential construction. Demand for wood doors, used primarily in housing, will grow 1.8% per year from $11.32 billion in 2004 to $11.95 billion in 2009. Metal doors, largely purchased for non-residential construction, will advance 4.2% annually, from $10.11 billion in 2004 to $12.32 billion in 2009.

In addition, plastic windows and doors will continue to make inroads as a replacement for both wood and metal products, growing in demand by nearly 8% annually from $5.67 billion in 2004 to $8.28 billion in 2009, according to Freedonia's recently released "Windows & Doors" study.

Freedonia notes, "Plastic materials have primarily rivaled wood products in the residential market, due to their advantages of high energy efficiency, low maintenance requirements and relatively low costs. Plastic does not have the durability necessary to compete heavily against metal in the non-residential market. Nonetheless, plastic's share of total value demand has risen from 9% in 1994 to 21% in 2004 and is expected to exceed 25% by 2009. This share is even higher when measured in units due to the lower cost of these products."

The residential market accounted for about three-quarters of window and door demand in 2004, Freedonia adds. "This is not only due to the size of the residential construction industry, but also because this market tends to place a higher value on aesthetics and energy efficiency, which leads to the use of higher-cost products. Furthermore, several trends in housing characteristics continue to support growth in window and door demand per residential structure, including increases in the average home size and the growing popularity of patios and decks. The large stock of existing homes also provides a base for improvement and repair purchases of window and door products."

Freedonia projects the demand for new residential windows and doors will be "flat" through 2009, while the improvement and repair market will grow nearly 6% annually.

The 372-page "Windows & Doors" study is available for $4,200 from The Freedonia Group Inc. Phone Corinne Gangloff at [phone] or visit www.freedoniagroup.com.