Lately, window boxes are everywhere you look. Since the internet revolution, window boxes have been able to get a lot of exposure online and sales have followed as well. Window boxes have typically been an item hard to find in retail stores because of all the different window sizes making it an item hidden in the shadows for a long time. From 2004, however, to 2005 online searches doubled and then doubled again in 2006 and again in 2007. The explosion of online searches in the past few years has resulted in more and more companies flooding the online market and driving the price down even further making them even more popular and affordable. It used to be that they were a seasonal item being searched for only during a few spring months.

However, over the last three years those searches have spread out to cover February to October. The housing recession has also helped with homeowners and builders looking to boost curb appeal to help sell their homes. New materials are being introduced as well making window boxes last longer and more appealing as a home upgrade. Window boxes have been most popular in the northeastern portion of the United States with strong showings in Cincinnati, Boston, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis. Atlanta, GA rounds out the top five for cities who most search for window boxes on the internet. The trend is not just isolated to the United States.

The trend follows the same pattern in many European countries as well as Canada. In Europe, and especially Great Britain, window boxes, planters, and flower boxes are abundant everywhere you go. More and more business are adding curb appeal to attract customers as well. Landscapers have begun requesting window boxes for landscaping and commercial projects. Gardeners and enthusiasts across the nation are beginning to discover window boxes. The projected growth is not showing many signs of easing up and will likely double again in the next year or so.

Vinyl emerged as a popular no rot, low maintenance choice in the last couple decades and PVC quickly has been introduced as an upgrade over vinyl that allows for paintability, the look of wood, and a solid structure. Fiberglass window flower boxes were introduced a few years back as a different alternative to wood, however, they can be expensive, heavier, and harder to install in a safe manner than PVC. They also don't capture the look of real wood. Starting to emerge are composite window boxes made from a variety of materials such as recycled woods, plastics, and others. Look to see window boxes continue to gain in popularity, especially throughout the housing recession. Also, look to see PVC window boxes take the limelight as the most affordable no rot alternative to wood over the next few years.

Matthew Buquoi is an online e-tailer of PVC window boxes and custom flower boxes. His company Flower Window Boxes makes window boxes online at competitive rates and he has seen an increase in popularity for PVC window boxes and other no rot materials.