The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), which rates the energy-efficiency of windows, doors, and skylights (also known as fenestration products), has invited Door and Window Market Magazine to share its forecast for the 2021 door and window industry at its Spring Committee Virtual Meeting from March 29-31, 2021. Research Director Nick St. Denis will discuss his survey findings about the current business environment and predictions that the U.S. housing market will remain strong, despite the ongoing pandemic.

After a challenging 2020 for most companies fenestration industry analysts predict the U.S. window and door industry will see a 25% increase and reach $34 billion in 2021, up from $27.2 billion in 2020, according to published reports. Furthermore, fenestration market researchers said the industry remained mostly resilient throughout 2020 and are optimistic for 2021.

Also at the Spring Committee Virtual Meeting, representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will discuss changes within their respective agencies under the Biden administration and the possibility of new initiatives and incentives for energy-efficient windows. Marc LaFrance, windows technology manager for the DOE, and Doug Anderson, project manager for the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Program, will also share opportunities for manufacturers to get involved and become champions for energy efficiency in the fenestration industry.

 Additionally, Rob Tenent, scientist at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), will introduce NFRC’s webinar series exploring the latest innovations, technological advancements, and research in windows, doors, and skylights. Tenent will share what’s happening at the national labs and ways for manufacturers to stay abreast of technologies ranging from photovoltaics to dynamic glass to aerogel.

Registration is open now for NFRC’s 2021 Spring Committee Virtual Meeting, which will be held from March 29 to 31. The three-day event will provide attendees the chance to hear updates to NFRC’s programs and processes, and review improvements in fenestration that affect the comfort and energy use in homes and offices nationwide.

Speakers include:

• Nick St. Denis, director of research for Key Media & Research (KMR), a leading information provider to the glass, fenestration, and related industries.
• Marc LaFrance is the windows technology manager on the Emerging Technologies team for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy.
• Doug Anderson is project manager for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR®  Program. He works in the Climate Protection Partnership Division in the ENERGY STAR Residential Branch.
• Robert Tenent, Ph.D., is a scientist at the National Renewal Energy Lab where his research has focused on developing cost-effective, manufacturing-friendly methods for the production of materials for both energy generation (PV) and efficiency (smart windows).

Registration for NFRC members is $175 and $250 for nonmembers. Click here to register. For more information or questions about the meeting, email meetings@nfrc.org.