PVC windows first appeared in France in the late 1970s. At the time, it was only available in limited geographical areas, notably in the West of France.
For around ten years, it stagnated at around 1% of the installed window market, all materials combined.
The early 1980s marked the real starting point for the rapid and steady growth of PVC windows, mainly in the renovation of apartment buildings. The quality/price ratio was quickly appreciated in this sector. In 1990, PVC windows accounted for an estimated 30% of the market. In 2019, it was estimated that, out of a total of 10 million windows installed, 6 million were in PVC, corresponding to 60% of the market.
Today, PVC windows are still the mainstay of the window market, but aluminum windows with thermal breaks have made considerable progress. PVC windows are still present in all sectors of the construction industry, whether for new-build or refurbishment projects for single-family homes or multi-family housing. The PVC window sector and its organization are extremely specific. It is important to understand the organization of the PVC window sector and the main parameters to be taken into account.