Modernizing India’s Doors & Windows

India’s fenestration industry is maturing as the market expands to include both indigenous and international makers and products. Good quality fenestration based on advanced technology, is ensuring better functionality, better looks, feel and performance of a building with respect to its ventilation, safety and aesthetic value.

While real wood profiles are sought after for their high aesthetic appeal, their high cost, scarcity of suppliers and high maintenance have impacted demand. Wood however, continues to be the first choice for fenestration in the premium class of properties. Aluminium window profiles are popular due to their affordability, climate friendliness across Indian regions, and low maintenance. Traditional steel windows are perceived to be low cost, lack standardization, and poor aesthetics because of their industrial/institutional appearance.

uPVC is fast catching up with urban buyers due to factors like growing awareness about its benefits such as energy efficiency, sound and thermal insulation, low maintenance, its ‘green’ tab, and presence of a large number of fabricators in the country.

Says Mahesh Choudhary, CEO, uPVC Division, Aparna Venster, “uPVC is a very central material used widely for doors & windows. One important fact while using uPVC in the manufacturing of doors and windows is that it should be wrapped around a core made up of galvanized steel, which makes the uPVC doors and windows much stronger and firmer for bearing wind loads.”

He adds, “One of the most important advantages of uPVC windows over other window types is their low price, low-maintenance, and they are also known to last longer than other window types, as they do not rot, warp or twist since they don’t have any wooden material in them. They are easy to install and also help maintain the temperature inside the house. They come in a wide variety of designs, captivating colours, textures, and models, which make it very easy to find a suitable style to match the building design and façade. The current demand is for wood-inspired doors and windows.”

Aparna Venster is the uPVC division of Aparna Enterprise, which has an ultra-modern manufacturing facility with German equipment, and provides end-to-end solutions that encompass site survey, design, fabrication, delivery, installation and service, besides consulting services in replacing existing/old wood or aluminium windows and doors, and custom-made windows and doors. The uPVC profiles are made with superior PVC compound and extrusion plant which has the latest laboratory equipment certified by NABL to monitor the quality of the product at every stage – compounding, extrusion and finished profile at every stage of the process, to ensure conformity to international standards.

In view of the large number of multi-storey apartments coming up including in Tier 2 and 3 cities, the growth prospects of the façade and fenestration industry seems positive. However, challenges abound. Since the growth of the industry is directly linked to growth in the real estate sector and the construction industry, any slowdown here can have an adverse impact on it. Creating awareness of the importance of good windows and doors is another challenge. Fenestration shows such as ZAK and fensterbau/frontale India present the latest products and manufacturing know-how, showcasing cutting edge technologies, hardware and fittings, materials and designs.