The 2025 Annual Colour Trends Survey, from software pioneers Tommy Trinder once again underlines the growing importance of colour; only 62 % of windows are white.

Analysis of 584,000 PVCu casements quoted by around 700 of the country’ s leading installation firms in 2025, suggests that whilst smooth white continues to dominate, installers are being called upon to offer an increasingly diverse colour palette.

Grey remains the go-to alternative, but with nuance.

Grey, in its many variations, continues to be the most popular alternative. Anthracite remains the standout non-white finish at 10 %, reaffirming its position as the modern classic. However, Agate Grey( 4 %) and a further 4 % spread across other grey tones show that demand is now distributed across multiple shades rather than centred on a single option.

Together, greys account for close to one in five PVCu windows quoted- a clear signal that contemporary, muted tones are now firmly embedded in homeowner preferences.

“ Homeowners are no longer just choosing‘ grey’,” says Tommy Trinder CEO Chris Brunsdon.“ They’ re choosing which grey works best for their home- and that nuance is reshaping the market.”

A broader palette gains ground

Beyond grey, the data paints a picture of a market that is increasingly confident with foil finishes. White Grain( 4 %) continues to appeal to homeowners seeking

texture without straying too far from tradition, whilst Black has edged up to 3 %, reflecting its growing use in contemporary and design-led projects. Cream( 2 %) retains a foothold, and Chartwell Green( 1 %) continues to perform steadily as a heritage-inspired option.

Elsewhere, a long tail of niche colours- from subtle greens to bolder statements- each account for small volumes individually but collectively underline just how far the industry has moved beyond a limited standard range.

Woodgrains: selective rather than standard

Woodgrains are no longer the default alternative they once were, but they have not disappeared. Rosewood( 4 %) remains the clear leader, while oak finishes( Golden, Amaranth, English, Irish, Natural, Coriander, Cinnamon etc.) continue to tick upwards in modest but consistent volumes. The absence of once-popular options such as Mahogany reinforces how tastes have evolved towards more natural finishes.

Choice brings opportunity- and complexity

With such a wide range of colours now in play, installers

face both an opportunity and a challenge. Offering choice can be a powerful differentiator, but only if customers can clearly visualise the end result. Says Chris:

“ Installers tell us that being able to show exactly how a window will look- in the chosen colour, in elevation and on the actual house- has become an essential part of the sales process. Photorealistic visualisation removes uncertainty, builds confidence and helps avoid costly misunderstandings later in the process.”

Looking ahead to 2026

So what does the data suggest for the year ahead?

“ My money is on continued diversification rather than a single breakout colour,” says Chris.“ We’ ll see more variations on off-whites and creams, continued strength across multiple greys, and a steady rise in confident accent colours as homeowners become less risk averse.”

What’ s clear is that colour is no longer an afterthought. It remains a central part of the sales conversation and a key way for installers to add value, stand out, and sell with confidence.

www. tommytrinder. com

Despite the latest ONS Crime Survey for England & Wales showing a continued decline in burglary figures, the crime remains a significant source of distress and inconvenience for homeowners. As a result, security awareness is on the rise, with many households investing in products designed to protect access points to their homes and outbuildings.

Mr G, a homeowner from Bristol, recently reached out to the team at Hörmann to express his appreciation for the high level of

security provided by his sectional garage door. Installed back in 2013, the door was a simple, single-skin, manually operated model secured with an external handle and standard euro-profile cylinder. However, when wouldbe thieves attempted to break into the garage- targeting the handle, lock, and even trying to force the door from the bottom and sides, the door’ s robust construction held firm, ultimately deterring the intruders.

Commenting on the incident, Mark Stoddart, Senior Technical and Product Support Engineer at

Hörmann, said:“ It’ s always great to receive positive feedback from our customers and in this case to hear that our door prevented a break-in and loss of property, even after a prolonged attempt to gain entry to the garage. The LTE40 garage door fitted in this case is a fairly uncomplicated door with a simple locking system, so it’ s great to hear that its inherent quality and strength held and eventually deterred the thieves.”

Hörmann is now supplying a replacement door through its Partner Standard dealer, Garage

Door and Automation Bristol, with the homeowner selecting a new fully automated RenoMatic Sectional Door in a white woodgrain finish. This will provide enhanced peace of mind thanks to the anti-lift technology and Secured

by Design accreditation as standard, plus the added benefit of improved thermal efficiency compared with the previous door.

www. hormann. co. uk