decking-like gains

f IAVING made noticeable in-roads llinto the decking market, plastics and composites are now poised to make a stand in the fencing market.

Although synthetic fencing has been around as long as synthetic decking, fence buyers have been slower to convert. Jim Murphy, Environmental

Building Products, points to two reasons for the slower conversion in fencing: price and appearance. "There is still a proportionately larger price spread between the fence alternatives versus wood than deck alternatives versus wood." he said. "There are a few 'low-end' wood polymer deck products that are close to redwood decking. The better wood polymer deck products and all plastic decking is approximately 25Eo -30Eo more. However, in the fence market, the least expensive plastic fence products are at least twice the price of cedar fencing."

Aesthetics should become less of a factor. "The initial plastic fence products were very shiny, smooth and not natural looking," Murphy said. "The current products look much more natural."

Jake Gosa, Elk Composite Building Products, Inc., is similarly optimistic. "The conversion to date has been much quicker with decking than fencing, however we are beginning to see a real spike in fencing," Gosa said. "I attribute the descrepancy to the fact that homeowners are much closer to their decks than their fences. You never physically touch your fence and rarely do you stand within 5 feet of it. Therefore, the disadvantages that wood brings to decks are not as prevalent with fences, and the education process has been much slower. Longterm, both categories will be dominated by composites, but decking will get there much quicker."

"There are a few more variables when dealing with composites in fencing," agreed Leo A. Renner, director of sales for Composite Building Products International. Inc. "Although we produce composite profiles in all of the traditional fencins dimensions. e.g. 2x2. 2x4. 2x6, 5xi. 1x6, and lx8, in addition to expansion and contraction, other factors, including creep and prevailing wind effects must be considered."

In addition, Renner added, "We have been conducting R&D and tests on fence applications for three years, and will soon be introducing recommended systems and procedures. Composite fence cost initial differ- ences will likely be greater than traditional deck wood/composite comparisons, as well as vinyls. But the strength, appearance, life, and versatility result in a much lower life cycle cost and a much greater value."

Indeed, increasing interest in synthetics will help fuel rising U.S. demand for fencing products, which a new Freedonia Group study forecasts to climb nearly 5Vo annually through 2007 to $3.3 billion, measured at rhe manufacturer's level.

Growth will accelerate from that of the 1997-2002 period, with the nonresidential building market setting the pace. Gains in the residential building market for fencing largely will be spurred by improvement and repair expenditures. An expected deceleration in housing activity from the elevated level of 2002 will limit opportunities for fencing installations associated with new housing construction.

Plastics and concrete fencins materials are projected to post somJ of the fastest growth over the forecast period. "Gains for plastic fencing will come primarily at the expense of wood," according to the study. "Plastic materials can offer similar aesthetics to wood with advantases in reduced maintenance costs. Vinyl will account for the vast majority of the plastic fencing total in 2007, with wood-plastic composite lumber and high density polyethylene representing smaller fractions."

In residential markets, demand for vinyl fencing will be aided by homeowners' desires to reduce the burden of caring for their property.