This project looks at consumption patterns for structural wood products within the Top 20 residential homebuilding markets in North America. A first objective was to document the use of wood, steel, and concrete materials in structural floors, walls and decking applications. In all these applications, the most important attributes required by homebuilders were outlined and ranked. The project further allows characterizing the performance of wood, steel, and concrete on these demanded attributes.
Results show that wood products continue to be under pressure from the growth of concrete slab floors. While the basis for growth in the use of concrete slabs was traditionally found in the U.S. South, this survey points out that western and northern cities may be also susceptible to the growth of concrete slab floors. According to homebuilders, concrete significantly outperforms wood on durability, strength/structural integrity, and acoustic performance. Two of these attributes (durability and strength/structural integrity) are among the Top 3 important attributes in floor applications.
The use of concrete in structural walls, either poured or concrete blocks, is well over 65% in Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. Concrete use in walls also reached a market share ranging between 20% and 30% in New-York, Minneapolis, Washington, and Philadelphia, indicating a possible spread of concrete use in walls in some markets which traditionally relied on wood. The market share for wood in walls remains very strong especially in Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Concrete significantly outperforms wood on durability, strength/structural integrity, and acoustic performance. Two of these attributes (durability and strength/structural integrity) are among the Top 3 most important attributes in walls. For wood to remain a competitive alternative in walls and floors, these attributes should be guiding the development of future wood based products and building systems.
Wood based sheathing (OSB, Plywood and Fiberboard) retains over 85% of the market in 17 of the 20 metro areas. However, foam and kraftboard sheathing (alone or in combination) have a market share of 10% or more in 6 areas: Detroit, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Phoenix, and Chicago. In Chicago, the market share of foam and kraftboard together even reaches 24%. When comparing the performance of wood based sheathing with foam based sheathing, plywood and OSB are significantly thought superior to foam for strength, structural integrity, resistance to jobsite damage, environmental friendliness, and code acceptance. Foam is said to perform better than OSB or Plywood for both acoustics and energy performance. As a result, acoustics and energy performance in sheathing applications prove to be valuable paths for product development.
Composite decking has captured at least 20% market share in 12 of 20 of the metro areas. The highest market shares are found in Denver (71%), Washington (50%), Seattle (45%), and Philadelphia (40%). Clearly, composite decking now offers the greatest competition to wood in decks. This is shown by the satisfaction measures of decking materials which are greater for tropical hardwood and composite/plastic lumber than for wood, treated or not. Composite materials seemingly suit better the most demanded attributes, including durability, appearance, and longevity.