Rick Kapres, vice president of sales and marketing for Versatex Building Products, also sees rising demand for the low-maintenance material, predicting PVC will continue to take share away from traditional materials such as wood. “Even if the overall demand weakens some, we are confident that the category shift to low-maintenance exterior building products like ours will continue,” he says. “Furthermore, we expect the repair and remodel segment, which is a large part of our business to be strong even if new construction slows.”
Dan Gibbons, director of marketing for Azek, agrees with the growth potential for alternative trim products, especially due to their low-maintenance properties and overall resiliency. “Since standard materials absorb water that leads to cracking, splitting and hidden damage due to constant exposure to rain, wind, and water pooling at the ground, repairs are inevitable,” he says. “Unlike typical materials, pvc products like Plastic Exterior Pvc Sheets are made from state-of-the-art proprietary engineered polymer that does not absorb water like porous materials and is completely rot-resistant inside and out.”
Like PVC , the use of aluminum trim is also on the rise, delivering decreased exterior maintenance. As Dana Madden, vice president of marketing for Tamlyn explains, “Aluminum trims are being utilized on single-family homes outside of metro areas. This means national home builders are seeing the value that Tamlyn brings. From a non-compressible WRB that can achieve a 25 year warranty to aluminum trims that decrease maintenance on the exterior Tamlyn is making big waves in all facets of the building industry.”
Modern Mill
Made from upcycled rice hulls, Acre trim boards from Modern Mill are a sustainable trim option that the manufacturer says has the look and feel of wood. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, Acre is water-, weather-and pest- resistant and guaranteed not to rot or splinter. According to Modern Mill, Acre is lightweight, easy to cut and can be installed and treated just like wood. It accepts paint or stains, accommodating different styles and color schemes.
While it can be easy for dealers to feel concerned by today’s market, especially in light of the Federal Reserve raising its benchmark interest rate and continued worries of a recession, there’s many signs that 2023 has the potential to be a strong one when it comes to trim and moulding sales. As product availability eases and manufacturers ramp up production, dealers can expect to see increased profits and better days when it comes to getting product to their customers. Even more importantly, dealers should remember they’re not alone. Trim and moulding manufacturers are eager to help their dealer partners. And while they can’t aid in locating the long-lost Amber Room, the treasures they can unearth come in the form of tangible profits and enhanced product support for dealer and installer alike.
Post time: Feb-20-2023