Residential Kitchen & Bath Countertops

US countertops demand to reach $14 billion in 2011.US sales of residential kitchen and bathroom countertops are forecast to rise 1.3 percent per year in area terms to 540 million square feet by 2011, valued at the fabricator level at $14 billion. Demand for countertops will decelerate from the pace of the 2001 to 2006 period, as continued weakness in the new housing market will cause home builders to cut back on new home construction, thus limiting demand for countertops. Similarly, a slowdown in residential improvement expenditures will affect kitchen and bathroom remodeling activity, with some consumers delaying or modifying planned home renovations. However, kitchen and bathroom remodeling will remain the primary driver of growth in the industry, as homeowners expand their kitchens and bathrooms to make them the focal points of their homes. These larger kitchens and bathrooms have more space for countertops. Natural, engineered stone to experience healthy gains Demand for natural and engineered stone will experience healthy growth rates through 2011. Demand will be driven by high-end consumers, who increasingly want luxurious surfacing materials in their kitchens and bathrooms. Natural and engineered stone provide highly aesthetic and attractive options for homeowners, yet impart long-term durability, impact and stain resistance, and ease of maintenance properties. Moreover, as the price per square foot of these materials decline, more middle-income consumers will be able to install natural and engineered stone countertops, providing a further stimulus to demand. Laminates will account for more than one-half of all residential kitchen and bathroom countertop demand, in both value and area terms, despite declining demand by area. Laminate countertops are preferred by many customers due to their ease of installation and maintenance, low cost and availability in numerous colors, patterns and textures. However, laminate demand will suffer as consumers increasingly purchase more high-end materials, especially as those materials become less expensive.
Renovation market to offer best opportunities The renovation market is projected to account for 74 percent of US residential kitchen and bathroom countertop demand by 2011. Demand for countertops in renovation applications is expected to grow, as interest in kitchen and bathroom renovations remains high. Homeowners will increasingly select countertops made from solid surfacing materials, natural and engineered stone, or specialty materials. These materials cost more than laminates, and will further spur value gains.
Kitchens to remain key segment over bathrooms.

Kitchens will continue to account for the majority of demand for countertops. Kitchens are much larger than bathrooms, thus affording more space for countertops. Additionally, new homes and renovated homes are increasingly being built with larger kitchens, as these rooms become not only food storage and preparation centers, but family gathering and entertaining areas, as well as home offices. Homeowners will increase the amount of countertop space in their homes to maximize areas for socialization.