The UK domestic decking market has achieved remarkable growth since 1997 and far from being a ‘flash in the pan’ as many predicted, the market is going from strength to strength and has yet to reach maturity.
This is supported by the findings of AMA Research (UK Domestic Decking and Landscaping Market 2003) which currently value the UK domestic decking market at £30m at manufacturers’ selling prices (MSP). The same research predicts that the market will continue to see fairly high levels of growth in the medium term and, by 2006, will have risen to £40m at MSP.
So what has caused this phenomenal growth and what continues to drive sales of decking?
There has been a general trend towards hard landscaping products in recent years, including decking, primarily due to massive media attention which has helped to increase public awareness. Organisations such as TRADA and the Timber Decking Association have also worked to raise the profile and popularity of decking in the UK. And major suppliers, such as Richard Burbidge, have played a part in making decking increasingly popular through the provision of comprehensive marketing and technical support.
‘Must have’ product
As of 2003, domestic decking installations accounted for 75% of the total market, which demonstrates the extent to which end user demand has driven growth. Decking has almost become a ‘must have’ product and, as the number of suppliers and specialist contractors and the availability of deck boards have increased, so retail prices have fallen.
Many decking suppliers report that the market appears to be moving into another phase. New decks tend to be more complicated and elaborate in design and more likely to incorporate decorative features, such as lighting and other accessories. There is also an increased use of colour and more multi-level decks.
One of the largest growth areas is decorative decking accessories, such as screening products and balustrading, which may account for less volume than boards and joists but have a greater value compared with price sensitive products.
Deck balustrading accounts for about 26% of the market in value terms and Richard Burbidge has experienced a 30% increase of its deck balustrading year on year, proving that this sector has plenty of potential.
Growth opportunity
Indications are that balustrading will provide further growth opportunity, as products that have a high aesthetic appeal and enable consumers to change the look of their deck according to latest fashions will gain market share. With this in mind, a number of innovative balustrading designs have been launched, the most recent being galvanised metal panels and balusters, plus contemporary timber panels with decorative metal infills.
However, accessories are just the tip of a very large iceberg when it comes to the development of the decking market. There is huge scope for this market in terms of design, materials and new growth sectors.
At present, softwood timber dominates the domestic decking market, representing about 95% of the sector at a value of around £28m at MSP in 2002. But in the not too distant future, many decking systems could feature a combination of timber and materials such as glass or Perspex.
