A global construction boom and a growing emphasis on “green” building technologies will create strong opportunities for U.S. building products exporters, including manufacturers of glass, doors and windows.
That’s according to the 2015 Top Markets Report for Building Products and Sustainable Construction from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), which was released on Tuesday.
Global construction is expected to grow around 70 percent from 2014-2020, creating a $12 trillion marketplace, according to the report.
U.S. exports of doors and windows are projected to reach $9.75 billion by 2017, up from $7.9 billion in 2013.
“U.S. manufacturers provide (door and window) products that are high performing in energy efficiency and are known for durability and low maintenance requirements,” according to the report.
During that time, exports of glass from this country are expected to exceed $1 billion, a slight downturn from $1.1 billion in 2013.
“A trend in the glass sector has seen major U.S. glass companies establishing manufacturing facilities overseas, to serve target markets from more proximate or lower-cost locations,” the report says.
Canada is the No. 1 U.S. market for doors and windows and the No. 2 market for glass. Mexico is the No. 2 market for doors and windows from the U.S., and No. 3 for glass. Hong Kong is the No. 1 market for glass imported from the U.S.
To read the full report, click here.