US demand for molding and trim is forecast to rise nearly 11 percent per year to $9.0 billion in 2016. A sharp rebound in new housing construction and a partial recovery in nonresidential building construction will drive gains. However, this revival in new construction activity will still not be sufficient to raise molding and trim demand in 2016 to the level achieved in 2006. These and other trends are presented in Molding & Trim, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

Exterior trim is one application in which material shares are expected to change slightly over the forecast period. Wood will remain the market leader but face increasingly stiff competition from plastic and engineered wood, which better resist degradation caused by insects and exposure to the elements.

Engineered wood molding and trim is forecast to advance at the most rapid pace of all materials through 2016. The increasing use of these materials in the fast-growing new residential market will spur advances. Home builders will choose engineered wood products because they look like wood, but do not need to be painted or stained prior to installation. This will support the use of engineered wood as molding and exterior trim.

Stairwork demand is forecast to advance more than 11 percent annually through 2016. Because most stairwork is installed in new structures, rebounding new building construction spending will drive gains. Wood will continue to dominate residential stairwork demand, while metal will account for the majority of the nonresidential market.

 © 2012 by The Freedonia Group, Inc.

Demand for molding -- defined here as molding and trim products only used in interior applications -- will be driven by strong growth in housing completions. Wood will remain the leading material used in its production. Consumers prefer the appearance of wood to that of other materials, while construction professionals specify wood due to its low cost and their familiarity with the material.

Molding & Trim (published 12/2012, 328 pages) is available for $5100 from The Freedonia Group, Inc., 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143-2326. For further details, please contact Corinne Gangloff by phone 440.684.9600, fax 440.646.0484 or e-mail [email protected]. Information may also be obtained through www.freedoniagroup.com.

Source: The Freedonia Group