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THE LIST

More and Bigger
The U.S. Housing industry keeps growing.

Analysts say the current housing boom in the United States is in its 12th consecutive year, so naturally some are beginning to look for signs of the end. But the continued strength of Baby Boomer spending and emerging demand among Generation X will likely keep the industry thriving in the decade ahead, says Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

The good news for the window coverings industry is that rising disposal income among U.S. households and current trends in remodeling and redecorating activities favorably affect the demand for window coverings.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports per capita disposable income at $27,962 in 2003, up 2.9 percent from 2002. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of the Census reports the number of new, privately owned housing starts has risen in nine of the last 12 years, and each year since 2000 (2004 is the latest year available).

The average size of these new homes, the floor plan in square feet, has steadily increased. More than a third of these homes are expected to have four or more bedrooms—all of the data indicating more windows that need coverings.