Research Highlights NZ Wood Challenge

Media Release – NZ Wood

24 th October

BRANZ Wood Usage Research Highlights NZ Wood Challenge

Wood is losing ground to other building products and wood has lost some market share in its primary stronghold, the residential building market as well as its share of different building component markets (e.g. flooring, framing, claddings) according to the latest research from BRANZ.

“New Zealand has a great tradition and history of building our homes in wood. We need to hold onto that, even strengthen it. Over the past decade we have been missing opportunities to build in wood. NZ Wood aims to help turn that trend around,” said NZ Wood Programme Manager, Geoff Henley.

 Key findings from the BRANZ research:

Residential New Building Markets -

Timber’s overall share of the house framing market has declined over recent years – from roughly 98% in 2000 to about 93% in 2006
The peak year for timber volume use was 2004, when new building activity peaked
Pine remains the dominant framing material with 80% of the market. However, its share has dropped from close to 95% in 2000. Douglas Fir has enjoyed significant growth and now sits at approximately 12% of market share
Concrete dominates the flooring market (80%)
Brick is the most common material used in the claddings market (and now has 50% of market share)
Timber dominates the floor joist market, although there has been a considerable shift from solid timber (down from 86% to 61%) to hybeam products (up from almost nothing to nearly 20% of market share)
 
Residential Alterations Markets -

Timber’s share of the flooring market for additions and alterations has fallen from just under 70% in 2000 to just under 60% in 2006. The difference has been picked up by concrete
Timber has lost nearly ten percent of the timber cladding market for additions and alterations during the past 6 or 7 years. It now holds approximately 30% of market share

BRANZ has been commissioned by NZ Wood to monitor, on an ongoing basis, the respective market shares of different building materials in different building component segments.

“This market data is very important in helping NZ Wood and the timber industry identify priorities for research, product development and promotion. It’s invaluable,” said Henley.

 
ends

© Scoop Media