Sources: Freedonia Group, Cleveland; CP staff
U.S. demand for clay or concrete brick and block is forecast to rise 8.8 percent per annum from a $5.8 billion base in 2013 to $8.9 billion by 2018. Recovery across all building and construction market segments will be the primary driver as unit masonry shipments improve from declines rooted in the 2006 home building market contraction and subsequent economic recession.
In a new study with five-year forecast horizon, Bricks, Blocks & Pavers, market researcher Freedonia Group notes that new housing demand will have a particularly significant impact on clay brick, with volume climbing 11 percent annually, from $1.5 billion in 2013 to $2.55 billion in 2018. Structural block shipments are projected to reach $3.7 billion over the next five years, sustaining projected annual growth just shy of 8 percent.
Increasing interest in outdoor aesthetic features such as terraced landscaping and paver patios or walkways will continue to support hardscaping product demand, while pursuit of green building solutions boosts permeable paver sales. Demand for pavers and segmental retaining wall, or outdoor wall block, is concentrated in residential project improvements and repairs, Freedonia researchers observe. Through 2018, they project annual growth rates for pavers and SRW at 8.7 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively.
Bricks, Blocks & Pavers can be ordered and additional details obtained from Freedonia’s Corinne Gangloff, 440/684-9600, or by visiting www.freedoniagroup.com.