150 Years of Winsol
Built on craftsmanship. Driven by innovation.
From wooden roller shutters in a West Flanders workshop to comfort solutions for the homes of today.
For 150 years, we have evolved alongside the way people live.
From wooden roller shutters made in a West Flanders workshop to an international manufacturer of comfort solutions for the home: Winsol is celebrating its 150th anniversary. A century and a half of history is impressive in itself, but perhaps even more remarkable is the way the company has continuously reinvented itself along the way. One thing, however, has remained constant: a commitment to quality, comfort and craftsmanship.
1876 - The beginning
It all began in 1876, when joiner Jules Windels started his own business making wooden roller shutters – the humble beginnings of what would later become Winsol.
1930 – Windels & Vangheluwe
Years after the business was founded, the Windels and Vangheluwe families joined forces. Over time, the company evolved from general joinery into the production and sale of wooden roller shutters.
1932 – The Winsol name is born
A few years later, the Windels and Vangheluwe families joined forces, giving rise to the name Winsol. A combination of Windels and Soleil, the name soon became synonymous with quality.
1960 – Solar shading
The product range expanded to include solar shading – a new step towards complete comfort.
1980 – PVC
Winsol embraced innovation by moving into PVC roller shutters. Later, the range expanded to include PVC windows and doors – a modern leap forward in comfort and durability.
1985 – International expansion
Winsol looked beyond Belgium's borders, taking its first commercial steps into France – the beginning of its international ambitions.
1993 – Garage doors
A new product category was added to the range: sectional garage doors, because a home is about more than windows and doors alone.
1996 – Aluminium joinery & balustrades
With the introduction of aluminium joinery and balustrades, Winsol responded to modern architectural trends – lightweight, sleek and durable.
2018 – New CEO
At the beginning of 2018, Winsol took an important strategic step. New shareholders and a new CEO, Xavier Costenoble, set a clear course for growth, innovation and international expansion.
2019 – International recognition
Since 2019, Winsol has received 11 prestigious awards for design and innovation: 7 Red Dot Awards, 2 R+T Innovation Awards, 1 iF Design Award and a Sustainable Joinery Certificate. Recognition that proves tradition and progress can go hand in hand.
2020 – Winsol gets a new look
In 2020, Winsol introduced a new visual identity, including the logo we know today. Together with the new tagline “A Home To Enjoy”, it reinforced Winsol's modern, forward-looking identity.
2020–2021 – Sustainability & production
To meet growing demand and increasingly stringent environmental and comfort requirements, Winsol made major investments: an environmentally friendly coating facility, increased production and storage capacity, and its own high-quality manufacturing – 100% Belgian-made.
In 2021, the Winsol Forest was also established in Zedelgem.
2026 – 150 Years of Winsol
With pride, we look back on a century and a half of craftsmanship, innovation and trust. This timeline is our tribute to everyone – from pioneer to customer, from joiner to partner – who has helped shape Winsol. And, of course, 150 years called for a celebration to remember.
An anniversary is a natural moment to look back, but for Winsol, the focus is firmly on the future. The homes of tomorrow call for smart, energy-efficient and sustainable solutions. Solar technology, hybrid systems and new materials will help make homes more comfortable and future-ready.
From wooden roller shutters to state-of-the-art terrace coverings: a great deal has changed over the past 150 years. What has remained is our ambition to evolve with the times.
Perhaps that is the most important lesson from 150 years of Winsol. Long-term success is not just about preserving what has worked well; it is about having the courage to keep changing and reinventing yourself. With a strong foundation in Belgian craftsmanship, a clear focus on innovation and a firm eye on the future, Winsol is ready to begin its next chapter.
150 years of history, then. But above all: 150 years of continuing to build what makes living more comfortable – today and tomorrow.