The growing popularity of wooden and aluminum window designs explained.

In the heart of Germany, an industry is thriving, one that is deeply rooted in tradition and innovation. The Federal Association ProHolzfenster represents an industry primarily composed of small and medium-sized craft businesses, many of which have been family-owned for generations. This industry is the wooden window sector, and it's making a significant impact in the country's construction landscape.

Two-thirds of the businesses and one-third of the value creation in the window industry are accounted for by wood and wood-aluminum windows alone. These windows offer a wide range of design options, including special security features, fire protection, and heritage conservation, making them a versatile choice for various architectural styles.

Expertise in wooden windows is crucial for faithfully reconstructing historic windows and doors, as well as for expertly renovating them. The best fire protection windows, interestingly, are made of wood. They remain dimensionally stable for a long time in case of fire and burn controllably without emitting harmful vapors.

Wooden and wooden-aluminum windows have a long lifespan, can be repaired and retrofitted, and are adaptable to modern energy efficiency standards. They are also environmentally friendly, with a favorable greenhouse gas balance. It's no wonder then that the use of these windows is increasing in corporate headquarters, schools, kindergartens, and residential construction.

Kai Pless, the Managing Director of the association ProHolzfenster, has explained the reasons for the trend reversal in the German wooden window industry and highlighted the challenges facing the German wooden window business. The industry should be included in the federal wood construction initiative, fairly evaluated in terms of climate through effective CO2 pricing, and fully incorporated into building balances.

Simplification of existing funding programs, higher funding subsidies for households with medium and low incomes, and binding minimum efficiency standards in existing buildings would help reduce the massive renovation backlog in Germany. Modern machine parks, digital manufacturing technologies, and AI-assisted processes are now standard in the window industry, ensuring efficiency and precision in production.

The window industry is a significant contributor to value creation in rural areas, securing 100,000 jobs. Around 6,000 craft and medium-sized businesses in the window industry generate an annual turnover of approximately 5 billion euros. Maintenance intervals for wooden windows can be extended up to 15 years, depending on the construction, weathering, and type of wood used.

Wood-aluminum windows require no maintenance at all, making them a low-maintenance, long-lasting choice for homeowners and builders alike. Renewable building materials, including wooden windows, are gaining popularity in prominent construction projects, further solidifying the industry's position in the market.

The 'construction turbo' of the federal government, with fewer norms and frills, more speed, technology, and tolerance in construction, is hoped to improve the situation for small businesses in the window industry. However, the Energy Saving Ordinance should not be weakened or abandoned, and the wood window industry is ready to contribute to achieving the construction turnaround and addressing the significant renovation backlog in Germany.

Inefficient mobility, insufficient broadband and 5G expansion, and a limited range of childcare and care infrastructure are challenges for structurally weak regions in Germany. These issues, along with the ongoing challenges faced by the industry, underscore the need for continued support and investment in the wooden window sector to ensure its continued growth and success.