US Fencing Demand to Grow Over 7 Percent Annually Through 2016

Demand for fencing in the US is forecast to expand 7.1 percent per year to $8.3 billion in 2016, totaling 835 million linear feet.  Growth will be driven by an expected rebound in building construction from a depressed 2011 base.  Advances will also be supported by rising installation of high-value fences, such as ornamental metal and composite fencing.  Consumers are turning to these materials because of their favorable aesthetic and performance properties. These and other trends, including market share and product segmentation, are presented in US Fencing, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.  

Among fencing materials, plastic and composite is forecast to see the most rapid growth in demand through 2016.  Plastic and composite fencing materials often resemble natural wood but have minimal maintenance needs and have longer lifespans than wood fencing.  Plastic and composite fencing products are also seen as being “green” because they are often made from recycled materials, such as reclaimed plastics and wood scraps.

In 2011, metal fencing accounted for the largest share of the fencing market in both dollar value and linear feet.  Chain link fencing is often used to mark boundaries and secure properties, while ornamental metal fencing is erected around houses and businesses to form an aesthetically pleasing barrier.  Demand for metal fencing will increase in line with the industry average through 2016.  High-value ornamental fencing will spur dollar gains.  In addition to the rebound in housing activity, some business owners will opt for ornamental fencing to serve as an aesthetically pleasing alternative to chain link or wire fencing.

Wood fencing demand will advance at a below average pace through 2016.  Wood is most often used in the residential market because of its low cost and favorable aesthetics.  However, demand for wood fencing will be checked by competition from plastic and composite fencing, which require less maintenance than wood. 

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.