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The window and door market is evolving rapidly; for dealers, staying ahead of trends is the key to staying competitive. In 2025, sleek black-on-black designs, energy-efficient solutions, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections dominate modern styles. At the same time, classic favorites like Cape Cod, Craftsman and Tudor are making a comeback, giving builders flexible options to meet diverse buyer demands.
These trends are more than noteworthy—they’re opportunities. Thoughtfully curated product displays, paired with data-driven insights on emerging styles, position dealers as trusted partners for builders. Strategic tools like social media campaigns, a strong online presence, and educational content enhance their ability to meet builder needs while showcasing expertise. By leveraging these strategies, dealers can build credibility, foster lasting partnerships, and stand out in a competitive market.
Let’s explore the top 2025 trends and how dealers can turn them into opportunities.
Bold Aesthetics Lead the Way
Dark-colored windows and doors, like black and bronze, remain at the forefront of bold design trends, providing eye-catching contrast for interiors and exteriors, and enhancing curb appeal.
To make the most of this trend, dealers should focus on showing, not just telling:
• Invest in full-size samples and displays: These tangible examples make it easier for builders to visualize how these products can transform a space and how they can fit their projects.
• Feature higher-end windows with expanded finish and color options: Highlighting premium offerings demonstrates the value and customization available, encouraging upselling opportunities.
Additionally, leveraging social media is essential for showcasing designs, as customers use these platforms for inspiration, staying informed about industry trends, networking, and reading third-party reviews. To maximize its effectiveness:
• Share real-life applications: Post curated images and videos of dark-colored windows in completed projects to showcase their versatility.
• Incorporate testimonials and reviews: Highlight satisfied builders who’ve successfully used these products. These endorsements add credibility, demonstrate the effectiveness of the dealer’s offerings, and help establish trust with prospective builders exploring similar options.
• Tailor content to key audience: Dealers must understand their audience’s core needs, priorities, and challenges to develop content that resonates with them and addresses their specific goals.
The Continued Push for Energy Efficiency
More builders are prioritizing energy-efficient windows and doors to meet new building codes, such as the rollout of Energy Star 7.0, and customer demands. These pros rely on dealers to guide them in selecting products that strike the right balance between aesthetics and performance. By highlighting energy-efficient options, dealers can help builders meet their needs while positioning themselves as trusted advisors with expertise in both design and functionality.
To capitalize on this trend, dealers can:
• Understand the Energy Star Program: Dealers must familiarize themselves with Energy Star recommendations based on local climates. Highlight basic options, such as vinyl frames and dual-pane windows with spacers, along with premium upgrades like Low-E coatings, specialized glass, or gas-filled panes. Dealers should also educate builders on Energy Star rebates and how they can leverage these for their projects.
• Tailor Conversations to Builder Needs: Start by discussing aesthetic choices like style, color, and grille designs, then transition to performance-focused conversations on climate-specific glass and insulation. Equip your team with resources and tools that streamline the sales process and ensure builders’ questions are fully addressed.
• Leverage Displays and Samples: Showcase energy-efficient window options with interactive displays that explain features and benefits, while highlighting the performance differences between standard and upgraded options.
• Create Energy Efficiency-Focused Case Studies: Use case studies to educate builders on the benefits of energy-efficient windows and doors. Highlight Energy Star certifications, climate-specific options, and advanced features like Low-E coatings and gas-filled panes that were used in customer projects. This can also be used as blog content as well as social media and other distribution methods that can help support builders throughout their decision-making process, whether before or after they engage with your team.
The Rise of Transitional Living
Seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces has become a key priority as builders respond to the demand for open, adaptable layouts. Multi-slide patio doors are at the forefront of this trend, offering smooth transitions and versatile functionality. To effectively showcase this trend, dealers should leverage hands-on displays, virtual demonstrations, and real-world examples to help builders see how these designs can elevate their projects.
Here’s how dealers can recommend and demonstrate solutions that align with this trend:
• Highlight Product Variety: Showcase various door styles: standard sliding doors with fixed panels for simple projects; multi-slide doors with panels that stack to create wide openings; and pocket doors that slide into walls to maximize space. Interactive displays that allow builders to experience these options firsthand can make a significant impact, helping them envision how each solution fits into their projects.
• Educate Through Marketing: Use in-store signage or virtual demos to show builders how these doors can fit into various designs. Also, offer tips on how these options can be positioned to their clients as both practical and aesthetic solutions.
A Return to Traditional Styles
While modern designs are popular, classic styles like Cape Cod, Craftsman and Tudor are making a comeback. Today’s traditional designs blend old charm with modern features and customization options to suit current tastes.
Dealers can tap into this trend to provide customization and help builders enhance their project’s curb appeal. To achieve this, consider the following strategies:
• Understand Builder Goals: Identify how traditional styles can align with modern customer demands, such as improved energy efficiency or color options like black finishes. Recommend updated versions of classic designs to meet contemporary performance expectations.
• Leverage Social Media: Showcase inspirational visuals and examples of projects where modern windows and doors enhance traditional home styles. Highlight curated and real-world applications, helping builders visualize how these products elevate their projects.
• Enhanced Online Presence: Builders increasingly rely on digital tools for purchasing decisions, making a seamless, engaging and informative online experience essential. Dealers should prioritize e-commerce optimization and use their manufacturing partners’ digital catalogs to ensure builders have access to detailed product information and inspiration.
By embracing 2025’s top trends, dealers can meet builder demands and distinguish themselves in a competitive market. Success doesn’t end with the sale—it’s built on trust, strong relationships, and ongoing engagement. Staying connected with customers through follow-ups, social media, or simple check-ins provides valuable feedback and reinforces your role as a reliable partner at every step. In an ever-evolving market, adaptability and a focus on customer needs are what keep dealers indispensable to builders and drive long-term growth.
– Matt Gibson is director of marketing for Cornerstone Building Brands, Aperture Solutions — U.S. (www.cornerstonebuildingbrands.com). Their window and door brands include Ply Gem, Simonton, Silver Line, Atrium, North Star, Cascade, Prime, Harvey, Thermo-Tech, and SoftLite.
