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Growing Popularity of PVC Products Fuels Millwork Industry Growth in 2008
November 26, 2007 - At a time when the housing industry is experiencing a sustained downturn, there’s good news for the synthetic millwork industry. According to Tom Riscili, president of Fypon®, the growing availability of PVC products through various distribution channels is driving continued conversion of wood trim usage to synthetic materials.
“There are geographical pockets in states such as California, Arizona, Texas, North Carolina and Georgia that are still fueling new home constructions,” says Riscili. “These are areas where many builders have switched from speculative to custom homes. Fortunately for the synthetics industry, these custom builders use urethane and PVC products. They recognize both the short-term job site time savings of using synthetic millwork and the long-term advantages of low maintenance for these products.
“Proprietary research we’ve seen indicates that the rate of conversion from wood to synthetic products is growing each year for builders. This ‘year-over-year’ percentage indicates that builders understand the sustainability relationship of synthetic millwork and are embracing these products for interior and exterior residential applications. These are products that are exceptionally durable and will last the lifetime of a home.”
Where the Product Trends Are
Advancing into 2008, Fypon leadership has seen a growing trend in the use of distressed woodgrain brackets, beams and trim incorporated into homes that personify a Mediterranean or southern European style of architecture. During the past 18 months, the design trends that started in California have moved eastward into homes in Florida, Texas and other states.
“The interest in our Southwest Collection items, featuring urethane woodgrain faux beams, brackets, shutters and trim pieces, escalated continually in 2007,” says Riscili. “We believe we matched up this product line introduction in late 2006 perfectly with the market changes. The heavy grained faux cedar beams and millwork components in the collection have all the advantages of synthetic millwork because they resist rot, weather conditions and insects. Yet, they have the distressed woodgrain look that has become so popular. Clearly these types of products will continue to do well in sales in 2008.”
Another newer product for Fypon that is anticipated to gain stronger sales in 2008 is the company’s PVC Column Wrap kits. Designed to install easily around existing structural posts, the decorative wraps won a multitude of awards in 2007. “The column wraps complement the style of the home while compensating easily for misalignment of posts during the framing of a house,” says Riscili. “As these products become more familiar to builders nationwide we’re seeing sustained sales of the column wraps. Once a builder tries this product they quickly become repeat customers.”
To enhance product offerings for builders and remodelers, Fypon will introduce PVC and urethane versions of trellis systems early in 2008. The PVC system features a smooth white facing, while the urethane version will have a cedar woodgrain finish. Both products have been field tested in Florida and California. Results show that building industry professionals can save 50 percent of their time by installing the Fypon trellises versus creating site-built trellis systems. The trellises are expected to be especially popular with builders and remodelers looking to enhance the appearance of garage door and patio entranceways.
2008 Fypon Focus
During the next year, Fypon intends to focus on strengthening relationships and educational opportunities with builders, remodelers, architects and dealers. “Focused contact with our target audiences and distribution partners helps us re-emphasize the features and benefits of both urethane and PVC products,” says Riscili. “As we continue to research and introduce new products, we need to constantly connect with building industry professionals to determine what will be of the greatest value to them.
“Our goal in 2008 is to provide our varied target audiences with the products and product education they need to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. This will be a key to success for the builders and remodelers who install synthetic millwork products and the dealers who distribute them.”
Fypon is the brand name leader in the synthetic millwork industry. Part of consumer products company Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Fypon manufactures more than 6,000 low maintenance and moulded millwork products. Each piece is made of tough, high performance materials that resist splintering, decaying, insect infestation, water penetration and absorption, for long lasting beauty and performance. For additional information, call 1-800-446-3040 or visit the company’s web site www.fypon.com.
