Construction Products, Windows, Doors & Fenestration worked example

Fenestration Automation Payback with installed automation investment of 1,050,000 $: a worked example

Push installed automation investment up to 1,050,000 $ and the picture changes. This example computes every intermediate figure at that operating point. building a business case for saws, welders, glazing robots, sealant applicators, test equipment, conveyors, or packaging automation

The inputs for this scenario

  • installed automation investment: 1,050,000 $ (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 420,000)
  • annual automation savings: 165,000 $ / yr (unchanged)
  • annual automation support cost: 28,000 $ / yr (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Net annual automation savings = annual automation savings - annual automation support cost) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 7.66 yr for fenestration automation payback period, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 137,000 $ / yr for net annual automation savings.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,050,000 $ for installed automation investment.
  • At this operating point the engine returns -365,000 $ for five-year automation net benefit.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where installed automation investment sits at 420,000 $ and the headline result is 3.07 yr, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 7.66 yr.
  • It computes the simple payback period in years for a fenestration automation investment by dividing installed cost by net annual savings (gross savings minus annual support cost). The value of this scenario is the size of the gap it exposes: that gap, priced out over a year, is the budget you can justify spending to close it.

Results at a glance

  • fenestration automation payback period: 7.66 yr (headline result)
  • net annual automation savings: 137,000 $ / yr
  • installed automation investment: 1,050,000 $
  • five-year automation net benefit: -365,000 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Fenestration Automation Payback calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.