ptimistic outlook for wood mouldings

.l'tHE sustained. near-record build- ing boom in the U.S. is tinally benefiting the domestic wood moulding industry. After struggling through a generally poor 1998, moulding manufacturers are reporting strong business with order files booked several weeks-if not months-in advance.

A survey of Wood Moulding & Millwork Producers Association

Stained and natural

finish mouldings, once the staple of the industry, are enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

members revealed reasons to be enthusiastic about business for the remainder of the year. The overall economy is healthy and interest rates remain low. Home starts continue strong and remodelers, both professional and do-it-yourselfers, are improving existing residences with mouldings and millwork products.

The trend in recent years has been toward more ornate trim and an upswing in the popularity of traditional colonial style mouldings and the return to the use of wainscoting, chair rail and larger bases, casings and crown mouldings.

Build-up patterns (the combining of two or more smaller mouldings to create a larger intricate design), both in natural and paint grade applications, are becoming increasingly popular, with the do-it-yourself set, remodelers and contractors.

Similarly, wide crowns, often used with base moulding to create very elaborate patterns, are also in vogue. WMMPA offers color brochures depicting different build-up ideas for chair rails, bases, ceiling mouldings and fireplace mantels.

An increase in the price of imported fingerjoint commodity mouldings, such as casings, bases, brick moulds and crowns. has allowed U.S. manufacturers back into the marketplace. Domestic producers are reporting strong sales with a tendency toward the wide patterns. Paint grade trim remains popular in most new home construction and some upper-end remodeling.

Medium density fiberboard continues to gain inroads in the paint grade market. MDF manufacturers report that sales are brisk with requests for wide bases. crowns and chair rails. Interest in patterns to be used in build-up applications is high. MDF prices have followed an upswing in [ingerjoint prices. but competition is intense in the rapidly growing industry as new producers continue to jump on the bandwagon. Supply of MDF board has become tight, and board prices are rising as business booms.

Solid lineal pine manufacturers report a strong demand for domestic wood in a good mix of patterns. Stained and natural finish mouldings, once the staple of the industrv. are enJoylng a resurgence in popularity as consumers and builders return to traditional appearances rn tnm. Producers are enthusiastic about their prospects throushout 1999. There is a big demand for Mexican pine, southern pine, radiata and ponderosa. Availability of raw materials doesn't seem to be a concern at this time, but may become an issue as this boom in solid lineal use continues.

Hardwood mouldings continue to move well as manufacturers cash in on the increased construction of highend homes with natural finish moulding. The recent desire for wider profile mouldings is being satisfied by the implementation of build-ups to make up for the tight supply of larger logs. Weak sales in the Asian market have kept availability good and prices stable for raw materials.

"lt is heartening to see the moulding industry ending the century on a positive note," says WMMPA marketing coordinator Stan Blaine. "There is every reason to believe that the next century will be profitable for an industry that produces a quality product from a renewable resource that adds monetary and aesthetic value to homes and commercial structures."