THE market for doors and windows is opening up, according to a report.

A study on the UK residential windows and doors sector, published by Market & Customer Insight, has valued the market at about £3.2bn in 2012.

The report found that the UK market for doors, door frames, windows, window frames and conservatories is expected to increase to £3.5bn by 2017 throughout the forecast period 2013-2017 – but at “moderate levels” of annual growth.

That growth is expected to accelerate as the period progresses and the UK economy improves. Financial availability and house price inflation will also improve conditions in the longer term and growth can be expected to return to the market at modest levels initially, the report said.

The windows and window frames sector is expected to continue to form the largest element of the UK market up to 2017. The doors and door frames sector is forecast to increase throughout the review period.

Richard Pogson (pictured), managing director of Huddersfield-based Lockwood Windows and sister company Composite Doors Yorkshire, said: “In our experience, the uPVC windows and doors market is still tough but we have been able to hold our own.

“However, composite doors seem to be bucking the trend somewhat and this has definitely been a growth market for us over the last 18 months.”

The conservatories sector is forecast to increase to approximately £1bn. Sales in the conservatories sector are expected to grow throughout the period under review – and its growth will lead the total market.

The report said that the market for direct-sell conservatories was improving and would grow more strongly as the period progresses and financial restrictions are lifted, house price inflation increases and people look to invest in their existing property with a changed attitude towards house moving following the past few years.