Solid Growth in Fiber Cement Sector

Meghan Stromberg, Senior Editor
June 1, 2003
Professional Builder

In the fourth study of its kind since 1992, researchers from Ducker Worldwide, an industry market research firm, interviewed nearly 500 residential and non-residential exterior cladding industry participants (manufacturers, distributors and installers) and analyzed the data according to construction type, building type, region and application.

The most dramatic change in the industry in the last five years, according to the 2002 report, is a 258% growth surge in use of fiber cement cladding.

"Cementitious architectural products have benefited immensely by being the right products at the right time," says Scott Shober, senior project manager for Ducker Worldwide.

"The demand for moisture resistance and durability in the cladding market has been magnified with the extra attention generated by toxic mold and structural damage claims related to moisture penetration. To complement this, over the same period the residential market has experienced a tremendous explosion of activity, both in volume and value growth, creating near perfect conditions in the fiber cement segment."

According to the report, brick and vinyl siding also showed strong growth. Together, the three products account for 73% of residential wall area.

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