The new year is officially here and as the door and window industry ramps up for a brand new decade, [DWM] took the time to grab the top stories from the past ten years and learn what those in the industry predict for the next ten. Reflecting on the past and looking to the future, here is the top five most-trafficked stories of the 2010s and the wave of the future according to a few different areas in the door and window industry.

A Blast from the Past

The 2010s proved to be a year of legal cases as several door and window companies battled it out in court and the industry took an interest.

1. Pella Settles Lawsuit Over Wood Windows— This class-action lawsuit against Pella was No. 1 on last year’s Top Five Stories and is the most read [DWM] story of the decade. The lawsuit ended after 12 years in February of 2018 when the company agreed to pay $25.75 million to homeowners who claimed the company’s line of aluminum-clad wood casement windows were leaking.
2. Class Action Complaint Filed Against MI Windows and Doors— The class action complaint against MI Windows and Doors from July 2012, came in second on the list this decade. The suit filed by Jennifer and Scott McGaffin addressed allegedly leaking tape-glazed windows manufactured by MI and was settled in 2015.
3. Jeld-Wen CEO Exits as Company Acquires Two Businesses— Another reappearing contestant from 2018’s “top five” is this story about former Jeld-Wen CEO Mark Beck’s unexpected announcement that he would be leaving the company. The company announced on the same day, that it had acquired two other companies.
4. Steves Awarded $58.6 Million in Lawsuit Against Jeld-Wen— Around the same time in February 2018, Jeld-Wen was making news for the recent ruling against the company in the Steves and Sons antitrust lawsuit which initially cost Jeld-Wen $58.6 million. Jeld-Wen was accused of overcharging Steves for molded door skins and found guilty, which company appealed in April 2019 as the battle continues.
5. “Consumers Digest” Names Best Buys in Replacement Windows— Amidst all the litigation of the past ten years, readers took an interest in the Consumer Digest’s best buys in replacement windows and the companies that made the list were Andersen, Pella, Ply Gem, ProVia, Quaker and Semco.

Looking to the Future

After everything that has happened in the past ten years, [DWM] is looking to the future for the door and window industry by listening to a few industry professionals to see what they expect for the decade to come.

1. Automated Machinery Becoming Widely Incorporated

Erdman Automation Corp. marketing manager Jessica Metz and GED’s vice president of engineering, research and development Tim McGlinchy said they predict the trend toward automation to grow even stronger in the next ten years. McGlinchy also said the future was headed toward more implementation of advanced technology such as robotics, software solutions and augmented reality (AR) as a way to achieve increased efficiency.

2. Improved Data Analytics Software

As technology is integrated into construction trades, software provider WoodWare Systems manager of sales and marketing Brad Carter predicted data analytics becoming a significant focus in the future.

“We see the importance of data analytics growing,” said Carter. “The key will be to identify and analyze data in real-time.”

3. Increased Focus on Energy Efficient Design

Several companies and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) expert anticipate an increased focus on energy efficiency. ProVia president and CEO Brian Miller said that entry systems will continue to develop to “solve problems related to security, durability, beauty and energy efficiency.” Berkeley Lab building technology and urban systems division expert Stephen Selkowitz said that interest in value-added window products is, “a trend the industry should welcome and promote.” While Quanex Building Products vice president of sales Larry Johnson also said the company sees energy efficiency becoming a significant consideration of the construction industry as a whole in the future.

“Over the next ten years, we expect that energy efficiency and thermal performance will continue growing in importance for homes and buildings all over the world,” Johnson said. “We believe the future is bright, both for the fenestration industry as a whole and for Quanex as we continue to help our customers solve their toughest challenges.”