Abstract
US countertops demand to reach $14 billion in 2011
US sales of residential kitchen and bathroom countertops are forecast to rise
1.3 percent per year in area terms to 540 million square feet by 2011, valued
at the fabricator level at $14 billion. Demand for countertops will decelerate
from the pace of the 2001 to 2006 period, as continued weakness in the new
housing market will cause home builders to cut back on new home construction,
thus limiting demand for countertops. Similarly, a slowdown in residential
improvement expenditures will affect kitchen and bathroom remodeling activity,
with some consumers delaying or modifying planned home renovations. However,
kitchen and bathroom remodeling will remain the primary driver of growth in
the industry, as homeowners expand their kitchens and bathrooms to make them
the focal points of their homes. These larger kitchens and bathrooms have more
space for countertops.
Natural, engineered stone to experience healthy gains
Demand for natural and engineered stone will experience healthy growth rates
through 2011. Demand will be driven by high-end consumers, who increasingly
want luxurious surfacing materials in their kitchens and bathrooms. Natural
and engineered stone provide highly aesthetic and attractive options for
homeowners, yet impart long-term durability, impact and stain resistance, and
ease of maintenance properties. Moreover, as the price per square foot of
these materials decline, more middle-income consumers will be able to install
natural and engineered stone countertops, providing a further stimulus to
demand. Laminates will account for more than one-half of all residential
kitchen and bathroom countertop demand, in both value and area terms, despite
declining demand by area. Laminate countertops are preferred by many customers
due to their ease of installation and maintenance, low cost and availability
in numerous colors, patterns and textures. However, laminate demand will
suffer as consumers increasingly purchase more high-end materials, especially
as those materials become less expensive.
Study coverage
It presents historical demand data for 1996, 2001 and 2006, as well as
forecasts for 2011 and 2016 by material, product, market and US region. The
study also considers market environment factors, evaluates company market
shares and profiles 34 competitors in the US industry.
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