Alternative decking materials including wood-plastic composites are beginning to take market share from traditional natural wood materials in the US.
In 1992 wood decking represented nearly 98% of total decking demand but by 2002 alternative decking materials had captured 9% of the 4.9 milion board foot US decking market.
And according to industrial market research company The Freedonia Group, alternative materials will continue to gain in decking demand, with composite decking growing the most, rising more than 17% a year to 748 million board feet, about 14% of aggregate decking demand.
The Freedonia Group said that advances in composite decking demand will be fuelled by increased consumer and contractor acceptance, a widening distribution network and product improvements that improve appearance. High durability and low maintenance will also help.
Wood decking sales, the group said, may also be hit by the withdrawal of CCA from the residential pressure-treated wood market.
