Aluminium in focus
Dekko Window Systems managing director, Kurt Greatrex, discusses why aluminium remains a key focus for the company.
It’s fair to say that few materials have made an impact quite like aluminium has in our industry over the last 10 years.
At Dekko, we’ve had a front-row seat to the material’s evolution of the market. When we chose to expand into the growing aluminium sector more than 10 years ago, it was clear that it had huge potential, and not just in commercial applications, where it had always been popular, but in the domestic market too.
That has been borne out and, having started out as a PVC-U fabricator in 2008, the early decision to expand into aluminium was the right one
A snapshot from the 2025 Fenestration Market Overview from Insight Data, the UK’s foremost provider of marketing data for the fenestration industry, highlights its popularity – the number of aluminium fabricators has risen by 12% in the last 10 years, while the number of PVC-U fabricators has fallen by 26% in the same time frame.
It’s a shift that’s impossible to ignore, and it highlights the change in consumer preferences. Consumers, with a growing appetite for sleek, contemporary living spaces, are looking for products that deliver both visually and technically and aluminium ticks all those boxes.
On trend
The research from the 2025 Fenestration Market Overview reflects the demand for innovative aluminium products, while it also suggests sliding doors and bi-fold doors remain strong despite a slowdown in overall market volume.
There’s no doubt that bi-fold doors are still incredibly popular, but we have seen a noticeable shift in the last couple of years towards sliding patio doors. That trend is creating even greater demand for ultra-slim sightlines, where aluminium is the go-to solution. There’s also growing interest in aluminium entrance doors and internal screening – both of which offer installers new opportunities to upsell.
Despite current market pressures, high-end home improvement products remain resilient. Consumers may be spending more cautiously due to the economic outlook and global uncertainty, but when they do spend, they’re looking for aspirational, high-end options for their living spaces and aluminium delivers exactly that.
Aluminium has also showed its resilience with changing consumer and installer preferences.
Homeowners are demanding better U-Values, which installers are under pressure to provide, while installers want premium products that are easy to sell, don’t cause them headaches on site and the reassurance that what they are fitting will perform.
Ahead of the curve
That’s where Dekko shines. To meet the demand for aluminium we have a premium range of aluminium bi-folds, sliding patio doors, entrance doors and windows that boast sophisticated slimline frames, as well as stylish internal aluminium screens, each designed to deliver on performance, looks and ease of installation.
As a business, our long-standing commitment to both PVC-U and aluminium means we’re well placed to support our customers on both fronts.
And, while PVC-U will always have a strong place in the market, especially for affordability and thermal performance, there’s no question that aluminium is fast becoming a mainstream choice – and one every installer must tap into to stay ahead of the curve and ultimately win more business despite market uncertainty.