It’s all about the view as consumers opt for bigger and bolder window and exterior door designs.
In 2024, outdoor residential design trends emphasized unobstructed views, with more glass panels and thinner profile rail systems on decks, for example.
This year, residential windows and doors are heading in the same direction, with a number of manufacturers and distributors confirming that today’s consumers want bigger, more energy efficient windows and exterior doors, with a variety of colour and casing options. Here, Contractor Advantage connects with those companies to learn more about what is driving the 2025 residential window and exterior door markets.
Gentek Building Products Inc.
Eric Peloquin, National Retail Sales Manager at Gentek Building Products Inc., has spent the past 11 years with the window and door manufacturer/supplier, headquartered in Burlington, Ont. With three manufacturing plants and 22 locations across Canada, Peloquin is tuned in to cross-country trends.
He sees dark-coloured exterior doors and window frames continuing to be popular with consumers – and not only on the outside, but on the inside, too. Consumers are increasingly opting for black interior window trim surfaces to match the popular outside colour.
“We started offering black as a painted option on the inside a couple of years ago, and we are seeing more and more requests for it,” observed Peloquin.
Window size is also trending. It appears that more glass is better as people look to let more light into their homes while having an unobstructed view of the outdoors. Peloquin said Gentek has responded by adapting its “construction capabilities to respond to that”, adding that “some of the glass packages can cut down on solar heat gain.”
Photo courtesy of Gentek Building Products Inc.
Photo courtesy of Gentek Building Products Inc.
Although vinyl is still the most popular material for window frame construction, the exterior door market is seeing a rise in fibreglass, according to Peloquin. It offers the look of wood in a variety of colours, with lower maintenance and initial costs compared to steel doors.
Garden-style patio doors are also gaining traction over traditional sliding patio doors. Peloquin explained that a garden-style door is a two-piece steel door, where typically one of the doors is fixed and the other opens up. “We are seeing a bit of a switch there from sliding doors,” he commented.
He pointed to another rising trend, the application of brickmould around window exteriors. Similar to a picture frame, brickmould offers a decorative trim to fill the gap between the window and the home’s exterior surface (stone, siding, etc.), creating an aesthetically pleasing finish. Gentek has offered PVC trim to finish off the outside of a window for a while, but there is a new option.
“We are seeing more full-frame replacements, where consumers are opting to use brickmould,” said Peloquin.
Photo courtesy of Gentek Building Products Inc.
Alliance Door Products
Ready to install exterior doors are popular with today’s consumers, offered Kris Kowal, Business Development Manager - Exteriors at Alliance Door Products. The distributor of interior and exterior finishing supplies operates five locations across Canada.
“We offer interior and exterior door systems, right through to hardware and millwork,” Kowal explained.
Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products
The company’s Traditions Program includes ready to install single exterior doors, patio and garden doors, as well as combo door systems that are popular in northern markets.
Kowal said many finish options are available, with “Shaker-style, flat panel fibreglass options on trend with that modern farmhouse look, replacing the old six-panel door look.”
When it comes to the ready to install market, Kowal said consumers do not want to wait weeks for stock to arrive. They want to get their projects finished. Availability is the driver in the market, as it not only satisfies the renovator, but also new home construction, and there are more design options available.
“We are now seeing one panel Shakers, the Craftsman style, and two-panel square top looks available in ready to install options.”
He did note that for new home builds, contractors and homeowners alike may be willing to wait for a customized main entrance door, as it has become an important design feature, but the rest of the home’s door selections are often based on whatever is available.
Exterior door construction trends are often regional, explained Kowal. For example, the West Coast heavily favours fibreglass exterior doors, where in provinces like Ontario, steel has the larger market share. Regardless of region, larger glass, flush panel doors are sought after. “Simple is key,” he remarked.
Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products
Due to the popularity of the ready to install market, Kowal said Alliance plans to continue expanding its design options. Consumers are increasingly concerned about energy efficiency, and they are also looking for CPQ (configure, price, quote) virtual tools. Kowal said Alliance has received a lot of positive feedback on this software, as it allows dealer-level users to design, configure and quote door options directly to consumers.
“Dealers who are going to virtual tools for quoting and ordering have definitely streamlined a lot of their processes,” he concluded.
Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products
Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
Extreme Window and Entrance Systems has been serving Atlantic Canada since 2001. The company’s 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Moncton, N.B., is currently being expanded by 20,000 sq. ft. With an additional distribution centre in Newfoundland, the company is heavily focused on “making sure we meet the certifications required for our climate here in Atlantic Canada,” said Darren Bannister, President.
When it comes to colour schemes for windows and doors, Bannister said “colours are still dominant, with black being the new white.” Black is now trending on the indoor side of window systems, he confirmed. As well, consumers are purchasing higher value, more energy efficient products.
Photo courtesy of Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
The increased demand for quality and efficiency is being driven by consumers’ desire for larger window openings that incorporate doors and windows into the contemporary design of their homes, declared Bannister. “The trend is toward bigger openings with more technical glazing packages.” He feels the larger window openings help to accentuate modern home design.
Regional trends are in evidence on the East Coast, too. Atlantic Canada has a lot of coastal ground and consumers want to bring the outside in, with as much view as possible. Bannister noted that the ability to provide oversized windows and patio doors is influencing a large part of the market. Extreme’s aluminum hybrid system is an example, with “a PVC core that basically creates a thermal break and makes the product more energy efficient.”
The structural capabilities of an aluminum hybrid system allow for much larger openings, he explained. “These bigger frame systems allow us to facilitate some of these bigger opening requests, which can even be used for light commercial projects.”
Bannister said his company is the only fabricator in Eastern Canada that produces an oversized sliding patio door system, which is growing in popularity. “The door sizes are going up to a maximum of 20 feet in width and eight feet high,” he concluded.
Photo courtesy of Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
Cornerstone Building Brands
“In 2023, the Canadian window and door market was valued at $4.3 billion, with windows accounting for 78 percent of demand—a testament to the essential role our products play in this expanding sector,” said Kim Willins, Director of Retail Sales & Distribution for Cornerstone Building Brands. Ply Gem Canada and North Star Windows and Doors are two of the manufacturers under the umbrella of the coast-to-coast supplier.
Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Building Brands - North Star Windows and Doors
Vinyl windows are still leading in popularity and account for 60 percent of the market, she noted, adding that consumers are attracted to their performance, durability and low-maintenance design.
With style and design options on the minds of homeowners, Willins said Cornerstone’s Ply Gem Comfort Series vinyl windows and North Star 1000 Series windows offer customizable frame colours and styles, making them ideal for modern and contemporary homes.
Fibreglass entry doors offer exceptional durability, weather resistance and design versatility. A range of woodgrain finishes and paintable surfaces enhance their appeal to contractors and homeowners alike.
“Fibreglass leads in growth, outpacing steel and wood alternatives. Pre-hung systems are also gaining traction for their ease of installation.”
Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Building Brands - North Star Windows and Doors
Willins sees energy efficiency, minimalist aesthetics and smart home integration as trends that are shaping homeowner preferences. Sleek frames and expansive glass areas are highly sought after. Features like automated privacy settings, enhanced security and connectivity options are increasingly popular, particularly in urban markets.
Generally, there is a demand for larger window sizes without sacrificing energy efficiency or performance.
Ply Gem Comfort Advanced Slider Windows is a high-performance option, engineered to meet strict energy efficiency standards and to accommodate larger sizes of up to 6x6 and 7x4 feet, offering unmatched design flexibility without sacrificing performance.
North Star has launched ULTRASTAR™ windows, the first of their kind in North America, featuring ULTRASTAR™ co-extruded reinforcements that combine virgin vinyl PVC with 55 percent fibreglass content. This advanced design eliminates the need for metal reinforcement, resulting in a lightweight yet durable profile with enhanced stiffness and stability.
Willins stated that customization is becoming increasingly important to homeowners. “Repair and renovation activity is driving 73 percent of market demand,” she said, adding that homeowners and contractors are focused on high-performing products that are easy to install.
Willins predicted continued investment in home improvement. “The Canadian market is expected to grow by 2.1 percent annually, with exterior doors leading at 3.3 percent.”
Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Building Brands - Ply Gem Canada
JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, a North American window and door manufacturer/supplier, is turning 65 in 2025. The company has four manufacturing sites and one assembly facility in Canada.
James McKay, Product Program Manager, Canada, confirmed that a minimalist design is still trending. In terms of popular styles for entrance doors and windows, he said “Full-light doors that have one vertically orientated single opaque glass panel and casement windows are what we are seeing in demand.”
The more glass the better, McKay told Contractor Advantage. Windows with slimmer profiles allowing more access to daylight while maintaining energy efficiency is on the consumer want list. “Our 8500 series windows, that we launched just over a year ago, do just that and have become very popular.”
Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN is adding more options and styles to that line, with a commitment to energy efficiency, in order to expand the breadth of the product portfolio.
“Dark finishes remain very popular on windows, especially black,” added McKay.
Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN
As for entrances, homeowners are looking to make a statement – and a lot of people are using the front exterior door to do it, McKay observed. Many new homes or homes undergoing major renovations (or tear-downs) are installing larger doors, with “eight-foot height entrance doors becoming very popular.”
Fibreglass doors are gaining in popularity, but decorative ornate glass inserts have really tapered off and are being replaced with clean opaque glass. The addition of sidelites to door systems is catching the eye of consumers. Sidelites are fixed windows attached to the side of the entry door. People are looking to match sidelight style with their door design, with opaque glass being the main choice here, too.
With darker colours remaining on trend for both windows and doors, vinyl windows are still the most popular. McKay reiterated that larger window sizes are highly sought after, along with an increased focus on energy efficiency.
Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN
Kohltech International Ltd.
Kohltech International Ltd. began operations in Debert, N.S., over 40 years ago. Sheldon Penman, Director of Western Sales, said, “Kohltech is one of the few national window and door manufacturers across Canada. We sell in every province and two territories.”
Penman agreed that when it comes to windows, consumers want more glass for greater visibility. Colour is also very popular, with black being the most prominent choice. Kohltech offers 30 colour choices, with 10 of those inspired by Canadian geographical locations. “These include Rocky Mountain Rust and Saskatoon Summer, which follows our tagline of ‘Canadian Crafted, Locally Loved,’” he said.
Consumers are also opting for more colour on their entrance doors, noted Penman. Black is still leading the charge, but people are getting bolder with colour for the entranceway. Lite kits – glass inserts in a door – are also seeing a surge in popularity in door systems. “It’s the colour, but also the lite kits,” said Penman.
Photo courtesy of Kohltech International Ltd.
There are many different options for lite kits, but larger sidelites are trending, he explained. Consumers can choose from many different designs, from the size of the glass to whether they want it to be clear or opaque, with the latter being more popular.
“It’s not the standard door anymore; people want to customize the exterior of their homes, and they are using colours that make the house pop,” Penman observed.
In order to accommodate larger glass sizes, he said there needs to be more reinforcement in the construction. The weight is quite substantial when going from double- to triple-glazed, and there is also a lot more glazing done on-site, he added. “We would send the frames, and then the glass portion would come separate, and that would be put in once the frame is all installed.”
Photo courtesy of Kohltech International Ltd.
Kohltech uses PVC for window construction and Penman feels that fiberglass doors are slightly leading the way in the western provinces. Preferences can be regional, he acknowledged, noting it really depends on what the consumer wants. Although vibrant colours have been a staple in the Eastern provinces for a while, the West has seen an uptick in colour as well.
Penman concluded by noting that he’s seen an increase in custom colour requests. “People’s imagination and creativity have really come into play.”
Photo courtesy of Kohltech International Ltd.
All Weather At Home
All Weather At Home serves residential and commercial dealers, builders and homeowners across Western Canada, with seven Customer Solution Centres across the region. Tracy Nadiger, Vice President of Marketing, said All Weather Home “is one of Canada’s largest privately owned and operated manufacturers and suppliers of windows, doors and glass.”
Photo courtesy of All Weather At Home
Casement and slider windows are two of the most popular styles in the fenestration industry, with casement windows tending to be more favoured, Nadiger offered. The choice between the two often depends on customer preferences, regional factors and specific applications. Casement windows provide superior energy efficiency, weather resistance and maximum ventilation, and they are an excellent choice for showcasing scenic landscapes. “On the other hand, slider windows remain a practical and cost-effective alternative, valued for their ease of use, low maintenance, and fewer moving parts and hardware.”
In recent years, Nadiger has noticed that consumer trends vary significantly based on the generation a customer belongs to. Baby Boomers prioritize safety, ease of use and timeless designs. Gen X consumers focus on durability, quality and value for money. Millennials prioritize convenience, functionality and aesthetics, while Gen Z consumers place a high value on sustainability, technology and personalization.
“Across all age groups, energy efficiency, large windows and black window frames have consistently been top choices,” she added.
Photo courtesy of All Weather At Home
Nadiger said All Weather At Home is seeing some increased interest in aluminum and fibreglass, although vinyl windows remain the number one consumer choice. Thanks to advancements in manufacturing, vinyl windows are available in various colours, finishes and customizable designs.
Driven by advancements in technology, sustainability concerns and evolving consumer demands, Nadiger believes the residential window construction industry will be subject to more rigour in the future, to measure carbon footprint and sustainability factors. Regarding glass technology, she feels there is increased “awareness for the adoption of smart glass and/or switchable glazing; also, Vacuum Insulated Glass (VIG) is becoming increasingly available, thanks to advancements in manufacturing processes and growing demand for energy-efficient building materials.”
Black remans the ever-popular colour choice, but Nadiger feels alternative hues align with bold and unconventional design trends that are embraced by architects.
“Laminate colours with a unique wood-textured finish are interesting options that architects and designers could add to their design options, adding a distinctive touch to modern and creative architectural styles,” she remarked.
Photo courtesy of All Weather At Home
Global Windows and Doors
Serving Atlantic Canada since 1999, Global Windows and Doors is a manufacturer of residential and light commercial windows and doors. With its manufacturing facility located in Richibucto, N.B., the company’s business model is built around people, said Patrick Beaudry, Vice President of Sales. “We are a family-owned business that is all about the people; it’s not a job, it’s a career.”
The window sector has seen a large increase in the demand for painted products over the last two years, he remarked. Casement windows in black are the most popular, and he predicts that trend will continue in 2025. Due to the consumer preference for larger glass sizes, fixed windows have also risen in popularity. “They are all looking for that natural light; the houses are built around that now,” said Beaudry.
Photo courtesy of Global Windows and Doors
Consumers are more informed than ever and energy efficiency has become a top priority in the window market. The public better understands energy ratings and U-factor (heat loss), and people want Energy Star-rated windows, he explained. The lower the U-factor, the better the window insulates. Larger glass areas generally create more solar heat gain, so “the lower U-value makes the house more comfortable as it controls that better, and therefore the air conditioner will not run as hard in the summer.”
Photo courtesy of Global Windows and Doors
With energy efficiency top of mind, Beaudry said consumers also “want to know if you are Energy Star-approved and what rating you have, because people want the best window with the best efficiency.” For this reason, triple-glazed windows are in demand.
Vinyl windows remain the top choice for consumers; Beaudry feels this is partly due to vinyl requiring less maintenance and it can be painted any colour. He added that people are more concerned about their finances now, so the overall cost of vinyl suits consumer budgets better.
Overall, the contemporary design trend continues, and Beaudry explained that Global is very conscious of window aesthetics.
“Our vinyl windows have the modern look; it’s all flat and clean looking,” he concluded.
Photo courtesy of Global Windows and Doors
Conclusion
For 2025, bigger is better. Whether it be windows or doors, consumers are looking for more glass, increased light and unobstructed views. When it comes to their front doors, homeowners want to make a statement while making a grand entrance. And, while there is a universal demand for energy efficiency, there are plenty of other ways to customize a look. Although black remains the dominant colour choice, more vibrant colours may see a rise in popularity as consumers put their own personal stamp on “curb appeal.” —