Demand nationwide for wood-plastic composite and all-plastic lumber--including decking, molding, trim, windows, and doors--will rise 13% per year through 2015 to become a $5.4 billion market, Freedonia Group forecast Tuesday.
A revival in construction combined with increased demand for this subcategory of decking to drive the growth, the Cleveland-based market research group said. Expect a 16% annual rise in demand for wood-plastic composite lumber through 2015 to reach a $2.5 billion market, Freedonia said. “Gains will be driven by ongoing consumer interest in composite lumber as a substitute for natural wood products in such applications as decking and fencing,” it said. “Moreover, because wood-plastic composite lumber incorporates recycled materials, it is seen as an environmentally friendly building material.”
Meanwhile, the all-plastic segment will enjoy an 11% annual rise in demand to become a $2.8 billion market in 2015. “Gains will be spurred by rising consumer interest in the material because of its low maintenance properties,” Freedonia said. “The efforts of manufacturers to create plastic lumber with more realistic wood grain textures and surfaces will also support demand.”
Freedonia said decking will experience the most rapid increases in demand of any product category using composite or all-plastic materials, but its news release didn’t provide details. The company sells a complete version of its report for $5,100.
