Will Prefabrication Transform the Window and Door Industry?
Prefabrication in construction continues to gain momentum, because it reduces project timelines and lowers the risk of on-site errors. Because of this, more developers, architects, and contractors are turning to modular solutions for large-scale or repeatable projects. As a result, windows and doors no longer serve only as final installation components. Instead, designers and engineers increasingly integrate windows and doors into prefabricated systems and coordinate them precisely across all disciplines. Manufacturers now maintain stricter tolerances and deliver consistent quality, because prefab demands repeatability and exact dimensions.
Due to this shift, window suppliers now join the design and planning stages of modular construction much earlier. They ensure that the product fully matches off-site assembly and arrives ready for installation without additional adjustments. Furthermore, logistics teams now manage a bigger role, since prefabrication follows tight production schedules with limited storage on site. This transformation affects not just the product, but also the entire supply chain—designers, buyers, delivery teams, and installers all adjust to new workflows. That’s why it’s time to ask: will prefabrication truly reshape how we design, manufacture, and deliver architectural glazing?
What Is Prefabrication, and Why Is It Growing?
Prefabrication means that manufacturers produce building components in a controlled factory environment and later assemble them on the construction site. This method allows different construction phases to overlap, which significantly shortens overall project timelines and improves coordination. In addition, it reduces labor requirements on-site and minimizes the impact of weather delays or human errors.
Modular construction takes prefabrication even further by delivering entire building units—such as hotel rooms or apartments—as fully finished modules. Crews then transport these modules to the site and stack or join them to form the complete structure. Thanks to their repeatable design, modular systems work especially well for projects like housing developments, hospitals, or student dormitories.
The rising demand for speed, predictability, and cost control in modern construction continues to fuel the growth of prefabrication. As a result, factory teams now install windows and doors during the production stage, long before the modules arrive on-site. This shift requires tighter coordination between window suppliers, designers, and modular fabricators who must all align within the prefabrication workflow.
How Prefab Affects Window Selection and Production
Modular construction changes how windows and doors are specified, because they become integrated components—not afterthoughts installed at the end. In prefabricated systems, windows must match exact measurements and be compatible with the module’s structure from the beginning. This requires suppliers to maintain consistent product quality and tighter dimensional tolerances across all delivered units.
Because modular assembly happens off-site, window fabrication needs to align with the factory’s production timeline—not just the project deadline. Shorter production runs and just-in-time deliveries are common, which demands more flexibility and control from the supplier. Furthermore, suppliers often deliver directly to the factory, not the construction site, which eliminates storage buffers and increases the importance of timing.
Windows are no longer simply ordered by type or size—they’re engineered as part of the module. For that reason, manufacturers must coordinate closely with project engineers, module fabricators, and construction teams. The entire delivery process becomes more strategic, because any delay in window production can halt module assembly. In prefab, windows are not just components—they’re critical to the workflow.
Installing Windows in Prefabricated Modules | Challenges and Benefits
In modular projects, windows are often installed directly in the factory during module production—long before they reach the construction site. This approach offers major advantages, such as faster on-site installation, fewer required trades, and improved quality control in a factory environment. However, it also introduces new challenges that both suppliers and contractors must address.
One key issue is transport durability, because factory-installed windows must survive shipping, lifting, and placement without damage. That’s why selecting stronger frame systems and reinforced glazing becomes essential for prefabricated applications. Additionally, protective packaging and bracing must be designed to withstand vibrations, impacts, and environmental conditions during transport and staging.
Another consideration is liability—if damage occurs during transport, the supplier, fabricator, and shipping contractor must clearly define who takes responsibility. Despite these risks, factory teams deliver many benefits when they install windows at the factory: they ensure uniform installation quality, improve air and water tightness, and help maintain schedule certainty.
For these reasons, more modular builders now prefer factory-mounted glazing, especially when window suppliers join the planning process early. With proper coordination and technical support, installers can streamline window installation into the prefab workflow and help deliver the project faster and more cleanly.
What Changes for Architects and Contractors?
Modular construction forces a shift in how architects and contractors approach window and door specifications during the design phase. Windows are no longer selected only for aesthetics or performance—they must now integrate structurally and dimensionally with prefabricated modules. Because of this, coordination between all stakeholders becomes essentially much earlier in the project timeline.
Architects need to provide exact dimensions, opening types, and mounting positions, since even minor changes can disrupt module production. Contractors, on the other hand, must adapt their planning to allow for factory-installed components, limiting on-site flexibility and requiring higher precision upfront. That’s why design documentation must be more detailed and include window mounting methods, sealing plans, and bracing specifications.
This new process also changes how manufacturers work. Window suppliers are no longer just product vendors—they’re technical partners helping align glazing systems with prefab requirements. Their involvement ensures that both engineering and logistics are planned with the module’s structural and production needs in mind.
The result is a more streamlined and collaborative process, but one that demands clear communication and mutual understanding from the start. Architects and contractors who embrace this shift can reduce rework, avoid delays, and deliver projects more efficiently.
Summary
Modular construction is no longer a niche—it’s becoming a standard for large-scale, efficient building projects across many sectors. As this approach grows, it reshapes how teams design, deliver, and install glazing. Designers and engineers no longer treat windows and doors as standalone components—they now engineer them as integral parts of factory-built systems.
This shift creates both challenges and opportunities. Window manufacturers now deliver not just products, but full solutions tailored to modular workflows. Architects and contractors choose partners who understand prefab constraints and contribute to a seamless project timeline. Everyone involved embraces tighter coordination, earlier planning, and higher production accuracy.
At Plastixal, we see this evolution as a chance to lead with innovation, service, and technical precision. By adapting to modular construction, we help clients stay ahead of industry trends while reducing complexity in high-performance projects. As the demand for speed, sustainability, and quality continues to rise, we treat modular glazing not just as a trend, but as the future of architectural execution.