The building and construction glass market and what to expect by 2029

The global building and construction glass market is undergoing a period of rapid expansion and innovation. With demand climbing steadily across both developed and emerging economies, the sector has become a focal point for investors, architects, contractors and policymakers who recognise its central role in shaping the cities of tomorrow. According to recent market data, the industry is expected to grow from 113.18 billion dollars in 2024 to 121.4 billion dollars in 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate of 7.3 percent. Projections suggest even stronger momentum over the longer term, with the market forecast to reach 167.75 billion dollars by 2029 at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent, writes John Ridgeway.

Building and construction glass encompasses the full range of glass products used in architectural and structural applications. It includes flat glass that forms the basis of windows, facades and doors - tempered and laminated glass engineered for strength and safety - insulating glass units designed to improve thermal efficiency and specialty products such as electrochromic, fire-resistant, or self-cleaning glass. Whether incorporated into residential windows or expansive commercial curtain walls, glass has become a defining material of modern architecture because it delivers on both performance and aesthetics while meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of sustainability.

In recent years, the industry has benefited from a powerful combination of urbanisation, population growth, architectural innovation, energy conservation concerns and the expansion of global trade. Cities around the world have continued to expand, driving demand for both new residential and commercial buildings. Architects have also increasingly favoured glass-heavy designs and curtain wall systems, while policymakers have incentivised or mandated improvements in building energy efficiency. These factors combined to bring the market to 113.18 billion dollars in 2024.

The transition from 2024 to 2025 shows steady growth, with the market expected to reach 121.4 billion dollars, supported by retrofits of existing buildings to meet new environmental standards as well as continued construction of new urban developments. This 7.3 percent growth underlines the resilience of the sector even in the face of challenges such as economic volatility or supply chain disruptions.

Forecast to 2029

Sustainable construction methods will dominate the industry, with green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and WELL continuing to grow in influence. Population density and urban growth will increase demand for high-rise residential and mixed-use projects, especially in megacities across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Regulations governing energy efficiency will become stricter, ensuring that high-performance glazing becomes not just desirable, but mandatory. Infrastructure development initiatives, particularly in emerging economies, will further contribute to demand, while global economic trends will shape both affordability and scale.

The rise of green buildings is one of the most significant forces shaping the building and construction glass sector. Environmentally conscious design, construction and operation have become essential, with strong emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, energy savings and indoor air quality. Glass plays a pivotal role in this transformation by providing energy-efficient solutions that reduce reliance on artificial lighting, minimise heat loss through low-emissivity coatings and help cut heating and cooling costs by improving insulation. For example, Natural Resources Canada reported in August 2024 that residential buildings are responsible for 47 percent of the building sector’s emissions, with a majority of households still dependent on fossil fuels for heating. These figures highlight the urgency of adopting energy-efficient building materials such as high-performance glazing.

Population growth and urban density provide another powerful driver. As more people migrate to cities, demand for housing and commercial spaces grows. By 2050, an estimated 68 percent of the global population will reside in urban areas. This urbanisation makes vertical construction increasingly necessary and glass is central to the design and functionality of tall structures, whether in facades, skylights, or interior applications.

Economic growth and infrastructure investment also underpin the market’s expansion. Emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa are investing heavily in airports, transport hubs, commercial complexes, and entire smart cities. Each of these projects requires innovative glass solutions that deliver both durability and modern aesthetics.

Technological advancement has been equally transformative. Research and development have yielded breakthroughs in electrochromic glazing that can adjust tint in response to sunlight, photovoltaic glass that integrates solar energy generation into windows, self-cleaning coatings that lower maintenance costs and fire- or blast-resistant glazing that enhances urban safety. These innovations make glass more versatile and more valuable across a range of building applications.

Challenges to overcome

Despite the positive outlook, the industry faces several notable challenges. Advanced coatings and specialty glass products remain costly to manufacture, which can limit adoption in price-sensitive markets. The volatility of raw materials such as soda ash, silica sand and energy inputs introduces uncertainty in pricing and supply. Recycling construction glass remains complex, even as demand for circular economy practices intensifies. Finally, the installation of advanced glass systems requires specialised skills that are not always available in sufficient supply, creating labour bottlenecks in some regions. Overcoming these hurdles will be essential to unlocking the full growth potential of the sector.

Across the world

Regional dynamics vary widely, shaping the types of glass products in demand and the pace of adoption. In North America, stringent energy codes and the renovation of aging infrastructure are driving strong demand for energy-efficient glazing, with triple glazing and low-emissivity coatings particularly prevalent in colder climates. Europe continues to lead globally in sustainability regulations. The European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is pushing the adoption of innovative glass products, with Germany, France and the United Kingdom among the leaders.

The Asia-Pacific region represents the fastest-growing market, powered by rapid urbanisation in China and India and large-scale development projects in Southeast Asia. Affordable housing programmes and ambitious smart city initiatives are major contributors to growth. In the Middle East and Africa, extreme climatic conditions shape demand, with glass solutions designed to control solar gain and manage high temperatures being particularly important.

Emerging trends

Looking at the near-term future, several important trends stand out. Smart glass technologies such as electrochromic and thermochromic glazing are gaining traction in both commercial and residential projects, as they allow dynamic adjustment to light and heat conditions. The integration of glass specifications into Building Information Modelling systems is also becoming standard, making planning more precise and enabling more effective energy modelling.

Circular economy principles are also shaping design and manufacturing processes, with emphasis on recycling, reuse and designing glass for disassembly so it can be integrated into future construction cycles. Glass is also finding increasing applications beyond facades, including load-bearing floors, staircases and canopies. Finally, the growth of building-integrated photovoltaics is turning glass into an energy generator as well as a structural material, a shift that could transform the economics of sustainable building.

All this means that the building and construction glass market presents opportunities across the value chain. Technology providers stand to benefit by delivering advanced coatings, smart glass solutions and recycling innovations. Manufacturers are expanding capacity in high-growth regions such as Asia-Pacific. Contractors and developers are incorporating sustainable glass products into their projects to meet evolving building codes, while architects and consultancies are offering expertise in optimising glass usage for energy efficiency and design impact.

Now in 2025, the building and construction glass market will no longer be defined solely by transparency and aesthetic value. Instead, it will increasingly be about performance, intelligence, and sustainability. Cities will continue to densify, requiring innovative facades that balance daylighting, energy efficiency and safety. Regulatory frameworks will become stricter, ensuring that only energy-efficient products can compete. Technological innovation will push the boundaries of what glass can achieve, from generating solar energy to providing advanced fire and impact resistance. Meanwhile, recyclability and lifecycle impact will become decisive factors in procurement, aligning the industry with the principles of a circular economy.

Without doubt, the global building and construction glass market is on a strong upward trajectory, moving from 121.4 billion dollars in 2025 to a projected 167.75 billion dollars by 2029. This expansion reflects powerful forces, including the demand for sustainable buildings, urban population growth, tighter energy regulations and rapid technological innovation. While the sector faces challenges such as production costs, raw material volatility, and labour shortages, the opportunities far outweigh the obstacles.

For architects, contractors, manufacturers, and policymakers, the years ahead will be defined by glass not only as a construction material, but as a cornerstone of smart, sustainable urban living. The future of building and construction glass is about more than windows and facades - it is about creating resilient, energy-efficient environments that reflect both the ambitions of modern cities and the urgent demands of global sustainability.