The days of windows being merely pieces of glass that let in light and air are long gone. Now, it’s all about embracing energy efficiency, smart technology, and streamlined designs when it comes to windows. With popular designs that include multi-panel sliding systems, slim-frame casements, and large-view picture windows, materials being utilized include engineered wood for insulation, fiberglass for durability, and composites for environmental friendliness.
Companies, too, are stepping up to meet modern demands such as energy efficiency, seamless design, and smart home integration, spurred by events like the massive International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas and the “Igniting Innovation” panel at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance’s (FGIA) Annual Conference.
Windows have become smarter and more efficient as smart home technology has grown in popularity, says Basic Construction. Smart windows regulate how much heat and sunshine enter a building using sophisticated sensors, coatings, and microchips, helping to maintain a suitable home temperature all year long in addition to consuming less energy.
Energy-efficient glass coatings are another technology that has become more popular in recent years, using coatings intended to lower heating and cooling expenses by minimizing heat transfer through windows. Additionally, they aid in preventing damaging UV rays from deteriorating floors and furnishings.
For property managers, cleaning windows can be a tiresome chore, particularly when managing several buildings at a time, but this chore can now be crossed off the endless to-do list through the installation of cutting-edge self-cleaning window technology. When exposed to sunshine, a unique coating on these windows breaks off dirt and grime, reducing both cleaning effort and time.
Additionally, installing soundproof windows can help reduce noise pollution by up to 95 percent due to the unique glass panes and frames used in their design.
According to Door and Window Market, some of the most popular and innovative windows available this year include the CityLine series—which employs OptiCore technology for increased strength and insulation, ideal for contemporary residences and urban high-rises—and StealthPro’s solar-powered window attachments, which combine energy economy and natural ventilation by opening automatically during heat waves. As utility bills rise, these are a wise choice due to their eco-friendly and quiet design features.
Solidroll’s window systems—composed of an entire glass wall that rolls up—operate via a single press on a smart home app, while EcoFrame’s products feature recycled aluminum frames, glass filled with argon gas, and a U-factor of 0.21. Finally, Aerogel’s window glass boasts super-insulating material that could potentially redefine energy efficiency in doors.
When asked by industry experts to list window features they value most, many clients say that durability and appearance rank highest on the list of priorities, according to FIXR, with energy efficiency also being a top priority due to cost savings and a growing focus on sustainability.
When it comes to design, the most popular window fashions for 2025 are minimalist frame designs with sleek, slender profiles that optimize natural light and produce a crisp, contemporary look, according to industry experts. These frames put an emphasis on practicality and simplicity, frequently utilizing steel or aluminum for a sleek, inconspicuous appearance. Windows that improve indoor/outdoor connectivity are another prominent trend this year.
When selecting windows, one of the primary considerations is bringing in natural light, and according to 36 percent of professionals, placing large windows over the kitchen sink is a design trend that will continue to gain popularity in 2025, says FIXR.
Tilt/turn casement windows, industrial styles, vivid colors, and natural and eco-friendly materials are also popular, with double-hung windows—the most popular window style over the past year, though slightly more expensive than single-hung windows—offering more advantages as they can open in many directions. Most notably, they have the ability to let in cool air while simultaneously releasing warmer air, and offer security and safety on higher floors where they can be opened from the top, preventing children or pets from leaning out.
FIXR reports that, according to 72 percent of window specialists, the most popular window trims and frames in 2025 will be black, offering a straightforward and clean palette well suited to those seeking minimalist aesthetics. Additionally, black window frames and trims go well with any colour of house siding, making them a simple and highly effective choice for curb appeal.
And when it comes to helping protect animals, there are new technologies available there, too. More than a billion birds are thought to die every year as a result of collisions with glass, according to Glass Magazine. As a result, manufacturers, architects, and contractors are giving bird-friendly solutions more importance and utilizing materials that strike a compromise between sustainability, legal requirements, and aesthetics.
Bird-safe glass is becoming more popular due to environmental concerns and expanding state and local laws. Such glass has patterns that birds can see, allowing them to avoid deadly collisions. Standards requiring visible patterns or UV coatings to reduce bird crashes have previously been put in place by cities including Toronto, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, and a number of states have begun enforcing comparable laws for state buildings. Nationally, proposed legislation like the U.S.’s Bird-Safe Buildings Act may require federal buildings to adopt bird-friendly policies, with many architects already actively planning buildings to satisfy future criteria and reduce ecological impact while these rules are still pending.
Recent developments in bird-safe glass are also making it simpler to integrate sun control performance, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. Vitro Architectural Glass’s BirdSmart™ Bird Safe Glass enhances bird visibility with first-surface designs without sacrificing contemporary style. Additionally, combining Solarban® low-e coating with laser-etched BirdSmart™ glass can result in optimal energy efficiency without affecting Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) or Visible Light Transmittance (VLT).
Other developments in bird-safe glass include UV-reflective patterns to ensure smooth incorporation into building designs by making glass visible to birds without changing its look to humans, and high-contrast acid-etched markers that reduce the dangers associated with reflective surfaces and work particularly well on tinted glass. Ideally, designers will no longer have to decide between visually appealing building and bird safety because of these and other advancements.
Historically, many commercial buildings were discouraged from implementing bird-friendly glass because it was thought to be a costly, specialized product, says Glass Magazine. However, as a result of reduced costs brought about by broader demand and technological improvements, sustainable solutions are now affordable for projects of all sizes. Furthermore, bird-friendly materials are progressively providing twofold advantages, such as enhancing solar control and building energy efficiency. Low-e coated bird-safe glass, for instance, ensures lower carbon emissions and a less detrimental effect on the environment for both birds and people while supporting energy code compliance. By choosing materials such as these, projects can achieve sustainability objectives without incurring additional expenses.
To be sure, bird-friendly solutions are becoming a crucial component of sustainable design and are no longer merely a passing fad. The sector is ready for innovation due to increased public awareness and expanding legislation, and companies that embrace this change will set the standard.
This year, the drive toward energy-efficient, technologically sophisticated, and individually customized homes is reflected in window trends that can not only help upgrade a business or residence but improve its functionality and foster sustainability. Modern window solutions are becoming more and more in demand as homeowners look to improve both design and energy efficiency, which in turn improve curb appeal, contribute significantly to rising property values, and save energy costs. Whether it’s whisper-quiet ventilating windows, self-cleaning coatings, integrated sensors for indoor optimization, electrochromic glass for light control, or bird-friendly panes, it’s clear that there is much to be excited about.
