Following a slight downturn in 2002, the market for kitchen and bath fittings and fixtures has maintained a steady 5% growth rate which should continue well into the next decade as the U.S. supply value is projected to surpass $16 billion by 2010, according to Kitchen and Bath Fixtures and Fittings in the U.S., a report from market research publisher SBI, a division of MarketResearch.com.

Imports, in particular, have shown impressive growth from 2001 to 2005 surpassing $2.6 billion with a compound annual growth rate of nearly 17%. SBI expects imports to continue playing a dominant role in the market's growth, reaching $4 billion by 2010.

Residential remodeling expenditures for both improvement and maintenance are at the center of the steady increase in market demand for everything from high tech bath fixtures including steam generators, deep soaking overflow tubs, and chromatherapy color washes to kid-friendly single-handled faucets and Scrub-a-Dubs sinks. SBI anticipates the market will continue to see annual increases in value due in part to continued growth in the home reconstruction and remodeling sectors.

While focusing on the market for fixtures and fittings, the report weighs in heavily on the consumer, commercial and regulatory trends that are contributing to the revitalization of the market.

"The size of bathrooms and kitchens are getting bigger, with bathrooms being seen as luxurious retreats," notes Tatjana Meerman, Managing Editor of SBI. "Walk-in bathtubs are becoming fashionable for older adults; LED fixtures and automatic/touchless fixtures are becoming more standard; and water-saving technologies, such as high-efficiency toilets and faucet aerators, are playing into consumers' eco consciousness, all helping to drive sales in this industry."