The Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) has released the WDMA 2023 U.S. Market Study for Windows, Architectural Interior Doors, and Patio & Entry Doors. This study is designed to define the historical, current, and forecasted size of the industry market. The report is based on direct industry input for product shipments in 2022 and combined with other primary and secondary research to benchmark the results. The Farnsworth Group, a nationally recognized market research expert, conducted the surveys, analyzed the data, and prepared the report.

 The 2023 market study report includes an analysis of the attitudinal drivers of homeowners and contractors, key macro drivers in the residential and commercial markets, and a special section to gauge overall shipment demand sentiment and expectations to understand the current and expected challenges for the industry. This report delivers timely information on residential/light commercial windows, patio doors, residential entry doors, and interior architectural door market trends and product relationships; regional data, historic data from 2020 through 2022, and forecast data for 2023 through 2025.

Quick facts and key takeaways:

• The residential window market has shown steady growth, although not as remarkable as the previous year's performance. In 2022, there was a notable increase in residential window shipments, with vinyl windows remaining the most commonly shipped type. Shipments of sliding patio doors also experienced growth, although at a slower pace compared to the impressive rates seen in 2021. Surprisingly, even hinged patio doors, which were anticipated to decline, witnessed an increase in shipments compared to the prior year.
• The housing market continues to be surprisingly resilient. As interest rates stabilized, it appears that potential home buyers have emotionally adapted to the fact that higher rates will be here to stay. Thus, both new and existing home sales remain strong. New home prices have begun to decline while existing home prices continue to rise. This narrowing price gap along with only a 2.9 month supply of existing homes for sale has strengthened the new home market.
• For 2023, the factors driving the new residential market and the remodeling market, although mixed, are producing a stronger performance level than many predicted 6 to 9 months ago. The next several months will be very interesting to see if the relative strength of the housing and remodeling market can continue despite negative economic factors and the Fed’s actions.

Along with shipments and forecasting information, the study also presents national and divisional data and detailed product data for housing stock, new projects, and non-residential construction to provide additional insights into the health of the construction industry.

The complete study is available for purchase online in the WDMA store in the Statistical Reports section for non-members. Individual market segments of the 2023 U.S. Market Study related specifically to residential windows, residential patio and entry doors and architectural doors are also available for purchase separately.

Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) signed one of the nation’s strictest laws (HF 2310) regulating the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. Similar to the state of Maine, the new law requires manufacturers to submit detailed reports on products containing PFAS to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency beginning in 2026, while banning the sale all products with PFAS by 2032. This was enacted as part of a larger $670 million environmental omnibus bill that advanced through the Minnesota Legislature in recent months and represents the most prominent example of Maine’s PFAS regulations being used as model framework for larger states to adopt. While there will be an extensive rulemaking process over the next two years that is likely paired with a legislative effort to delay and modify the PFAS provisions in Minnesota, WDMA members should internally investigate their own use of PFAS to make a determination about whether Minnesota’s new law applies to their products.

Below are important dates from Minnesota’s HF 2310 that could affect WDMA members.

• January 1, 2025 – The following products are banned from being sold in Minnesota if they contain PFAS: carpets or rugs; cleaning products; cookware; cosmetics; dental floss; fabric treatments; juvenile products; menstruation products; textile furnishings; ski wax; or upholstered furniture.
• January 1, 2026 –  Manufacturers of consumer products with PFAS must submit reports to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• January 1, 2032 – A person may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale in Minnesota any product that contains intentionally added PFAS, unless the commissioner has determined by rule that the use of PFAS in the product is a currently unavoidable use. The commissioner may specify specific products or product categories for which the commissioner has determined the use of PFAS is a currently unavoidable use.
  
  

In consideration of recent developments in Maine and Minnesota, WDMA is hosting a session on PFAS laws and regulations during the Technical & Manufacturing Conference in Minneapolis from June 27-29, 2023.

WDMA members with questions may contact Jacob Carter, WDMA’s Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected].

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) announced its new leadership team which was installed at the WDMA Board of Directors meeting on March 31. At the meeting, the Board elected Emily Videtto of Pella Corporation as the association's 2023-2025 chair. She replaces outgoing Chair Steve Tourek of Marvin, who will become immediate past chair.

"I am honored to serve the board and work with an outstanding group of manufacturers, suppliers, and the staff at WDMA. We continue to navigate a number of challenging industry dynamics including labor shortages and rapidly changing public policy," said Videtto. "I look forward to working together to amplify our collective voices and influence progress as we strive to serve our customers with high quality windows, doors and skylights."

Emily Videtto is Pella Corporation's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, leading the enterprise's go-to-market strategy and innovation engine. Founded in 1925 and headquarted in Pella, Iowa, Pella Corporation has designed and built high-quality, innovative windows and doors for nearly a century. Today, the Company has 19 manufacturing locations, over 250 showrooms, and more than 10,000 team members across its family of brands. Pella has received nearly two dozen innovation accolades, including Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies award for the second consecutive year, and is also recognized as one of America's top employers by Newsweek and Forbes. 

“I am looking forward to working with Emily as WDMA’s new chair. Her knowledge, creativity and dedication to advancing the industry and the association will be invaluable as we take on the challenges facing the industry on several fronts and help take the association to the next level,” said WDMA President and CEO Michael O’Brien. “I also want to acknowledge outgoing Chair Steve Tourek for his outstanding leadership and dedication to WDMA during a particularly challenging time for the industry.”

In addition to Videtto, the other members of the 2023-2024 WDMA Executive Committee are:

• Vice Chair/Treasurer: Jeff De Lonay, Kolbe Windows & Doors, Wausau, WI
• Executive Committee Door Representative: Fenton Challgren, Therma-Tru Doors, Maumee, OH
• Executive Committee Window Representative: Andrea Nordaune, Andersen Corporation, Bayport, MN
• Executive Committee Supplier Representative: Dave Pinder, Cardinal Glass Industries, Eden Prairie, MN
• Immediate Past Chair: Steve Tourek, Marvin, St. Paul, MN