FENESTRATION A FAR BIGGER THAN WHAT IT IS...

Major potential

This is what is so frustrating for me. I am genuinely passionate about this sector and the influence and potential that lies within it. To me, these are not just windows and doors. These are life-changing products that keep people safe at night. That can inspire people to invest in their homes. That can keep precious energy bills down. That can provide well-paid jobs and careers. The impact of what we all do has such a significant one yet I don’t think we all see it. I think many of us just see the frames going in and going out every week and the wider context of our work is lost.

I want to see more people as passionate as I reach influential places in our sector. To become the decision-makers who don’t let false politics get in the way of good decisions. To be able to unite the various factions within our industry to build a stronger, singular voice which delivers massive impact when it comes to talking to Government.

The debacle in the run-up to the revised Building Regulations, especially trickle vents, is such a good example of what happens when a splintered industry cannot get its house in order in front of lawmakers. Had our sector been able to unite on a common position, and deliver that position to civil servants and MPs, the impact would have been far more influential, and the fenestration sector would have had a more powerful seat at the table. As it was, the opposite occurred and we got what we got.

If you look through noise and rabble and seek out the nuggets of quality, you’ll see that there is so much potential within fenestration. Just look at the door sector for example. It’s exploding in all directions. Composite doors are a market in themselves and continue to grow rapidly. Aluminium bi-folding doors and sliders are massively popular with growth baked in for years to come. Aluminium internal doors are an emerging market set to explode. Pivot doors are on the scene now and are gaining traction.

Elsewhere, flush windows are surging. Smart tech is breaking through. There is a genuine software market within fenestration now. Lanterns and flat skylights are very much a thing now, with garden rooms and verandas providing fantastic outdoor living opportunities. All of this is very much NOT White Gold and are new markets that we should all be looking to make the very most of.

Our industry should be twice the size it is. Some estimates put the sector at £4.5bn-ish in value. Some might call me over-optimistic but I see a route to £10bn if we can get serious about what we do. Internally, we have to be better. To behave like a bigger industry and instil professionalism and integrity at all levels. Set aside the egos and politics and begin to think like a bigger sector. Externally, we have to show the public that we’re a hell of a lot more than our reputation would have them believe. That there are plenty of good companies and good people doing brilliant things. That this sector is a very good place to forge a career. That “double glazing” is not that tarnished phrase for dodgy practices.

If we do all that, just watch that growth happen.