“Fabricators want an extra-high cell structure, tight tolerances on thickness between pieces and other specialized features,” says Short. “The line allows us to work closer with fabricators to develop specific pieces for them.”
Creative Uses Grow
More suppliers are focusing on the fabrication market as architects and custom builders look to personalize their designs and see mouldings as a cost-effective way to meet that goal. “PVC is being used in more custom and unique applications every day,” says Matt Michalski, project manager for Kleer Lumber at The Tapco Group. “Contractors and fabricators of flowerboxes, custom arbors, pergolas, shutters and unique architectural designs are now using PVC, because of its ease of use and minimal maintenance.”
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Fypon also is finding more customers interested in creating pieces. It employs a quote team that creates and prices designs. Many of these replicate wooden originals, says Mary Nesper, product and marketing manager. “Builders often create a piece out of wood and ask us to duplicate it in polyurethane,” she says. They also work from supplied drawings. “Our pieces are lighter than wood, which makes them easier to handle, thus easier to install.”
Boral has encouraged this creativity, allowing its distributors to create mouldings from its trim boards. “Our product lends itself well to fabrication and milling by our distributors,” says Zimmerman. “We haven’t offered a standard moulding line, and our distributors haven’t waited on us.” The company sees the handwriting on the wall, he says. “We have aspirations to launch a standardized moulding line in the near future. Until then, many of our distributors will customize standard profiles for customers.”
KOMA also is encouraging fabricators to look at possibilities. “Customers want to replace wood pieces with PVC as long as the same look can be achieved,” says Sinks. “We like to show them the variety that we can produce and that anything can be done. We are working with them to help them create custom designs. We look at what pieces are being requested the most so we can add them to our current lineup. The standard pieces sell the best, so we’re constantly making more standard pieces so we can drive those sales.”
Versatex also uses the custom pieces it produces through its Versatexural customizing service to expand its line. “We primarily get requests to replicate wooden originals,” says Kapres. “Once we create it, we ask around to see if others are interested in it for projects. If there’s enough interest, we’ll add it to our standard line as a new piece.”
With creative options becoming more popular, KOMA wants to expand its line beyond mouldings to include shutters and window and door jambs, as well as pergolas, brackets and corbels. “We want to find ways to complement our existing products in the moulding category and give customers more options for creativity.”