Demand for Molding and Trim to Increase

Demand for molding and trim products in the United States is expected to increase 1. 7 percent per year to $9.8 billion in 2009, according to a study from the Cleveland-based market research firm the Freedonia Group.

Demand for molding products is expected to increase 1.3 percent annually to $4.6 billion in 2009. Moldings, primarily made from wood, are principally utilized in residential building, with the greatest concentration in single-family housing. Declining single-family home building will negatively impact molding demand, although opportunities will exist in residential repair and improvement markets and in both new and aftermarket nonresidential markets.

The Freedonia Study forecasts that demand for stair work will advance 1.9 percent per year to $2.6 billion in 2009. The study predicts that growth opportunities will be heavily concentrated in the nonresidential market, particularly for metal stair work products. Demand for other products, which mainly include exterior molding and trim products, is forecast to expand 2.1 percent per year.

According to the study, wood is the primary material used to manufacture molding and trim products, accounting for two-thirds of total demand in 2004. However, plastic molding and trim products will offer the best opportunities for growth, according to the study, and are forecast to advance 6.2 percent annually through 2009. The greatest gains are expected to occur in the nonresidential market. Plastics will also continue to make inroads in residential construction applications where they are replacing some wood products.