Updated home market trends report forecasts more improvement

This report delivers timely information on window, door, and skylight market trends and product relationships. Historic data for 2006 through 2011, as well as forecast data for 2012 through 2015, are also included in the report. Forecasts are based on projections of construction activity as of December 2012.

 

New residential construction activity for 2012 is expected to close at 818,000 units, a 23.9 percent improvement when compared to 2011 and slightly better than forecasted last August.  Most of this improvement is attributed to multi-family starts.  The study forecasts similar improvement for 2013 and continues to predict an even stronger 31 percent new residential construction improvement for 2014 compared with 2013.  Existing home sales are expected to end at 4.7 million units in 2012, slightly better than originally forecasted.

 

In 2012, nonresidential construction activity experienced slow growth in categories favorable to nonresidential door volumes (hospitality, education, healthcare, office).  Total volume is expected to close at 2.4 million units (entry) and 6.5 million units (interior), reflecting growth versus 2011 of 4.5 percent (entry) and 5.2 percent (interior).

 

Residential skylights are expected to close the year at 905,000 units, a growth rate of 6.5 percent over 2011 volume.  New construction skylight activity has proven to be greater than expected at 23.3 percent growth, while remodeling and replacement skylight activity has fallen behind initial expectations at 2.9 percent growth.  The latter value is actually benefiting somewhat from weather-related replacement throughout the year.

 

The updated 2011/2012 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast is available for purchase online.