Demand for North American engineered wood products should see a boost in 2012 thanks to an anticipated 10% combined increase in the U.S.- and Canadian housing markets, APA-The Engineered Wood Association reported earlier this month as a part of its 2012 market outlook. “There’s a little more life to engineered wood demand this year. Last year, we were just treading water,” said Craig Adair, APA market research director, in a release. “This year, we’re expecting demand to pick up from 4% to 11% depending on the product.”
APA breaks down its forecast by product segment:
Demand for and production of North American structural panels is expected to increase 7% to 28 billion square feet in 2012. Glulam timber should see a 5% production boost from 2011 to hit 213 million board feet in 2012. Also experiencing growth, I-joists should capture 11% more market share from the category's 2011 level to comprise 53% of raised floors at 509 million linear feet in 2012. LVL growth of 4% is expected, reaching 43.4 million cubic feet for 2012 and mirroring demand for beams and headers, rim boards and I-joist flanges.
For more information on the report, visit www.apawood.org.
