Every year, for its April Guide to Building Products special issue, Builder magazine commissions an in-depth study surveying what brands builders recognize most, use most, how they rate the products' quality, and which companies are best at communicating with builders. The study is conducted by Readex, an independent research company.

The complete results of the Brand Use Studies from 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 are available in PDF format. To download the study sections, just click on the link.

Two items to note:

  1. These PDF files are fairly large, and will take time to download on anything less than a high-speed Internet connection. They're worth the wait, however, if you want detailed information on the brands builders know, trust, and use.
  2. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free browser plug-in to view the downloaded files. Acrobat Reader is usually included with Internet browser packages such as those provided by Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. If you need the Acrobat Reader plug-in,click hereand follow the download and installation instructions.
Download the 2008 Brand Use Study PDF files
  1. Summary(92 pages; 1.57 MB): Charts detailing builders' awareness of and use of the top three brands in each of 70 categories.
  2. Results(340 pages; 1.22 MB): Detailed statistical analysis of builders' opinions of building product manufacturers and their products, including recognition of brand, use of brand, opinion of brand quality, and opinion of manufacturers' quality of communication with builders.
  3. Index(16 pages; 151 KB): Index of manufacturers covered in the study.
  4. Appendix 1(59 pages; 9.75 MB): Methodology of the study.
Download the 2006 Brand Use Study PDF files
  1. Summary(92 pages; 1.57 MB): Charts detailing builders' awareness of and use of the top three brands in each of 70 categories.
  2. Results(340 pages; 1.22 MB): Detailed statistical analysis of builders' opinions of building product manufacturers and their products, including recognition of brand, use of brand, opinion of brand quality, and opinion of manufacturers' quality of communication with builders.
  3. Index(16 pages; 151 KB): Index of manufacturers covered in the study.
  4. Appendix 1(59 pages; 9.75 MB): Methodology of the study.
Download the 2005 Brand Use Study PDF files
  1. Summary(91 pages; 907 KB): Charts detailing builders' awareness of and use of the top three brands in each of 70 categories.
  2. Results(350 pages; 1.05 MB): Detailed statistical analysis of builders' opinions of building product manufacturers and their products, including recognition of brand, use of brand, opinion of brand quality, and opinion of manufacturers' quality of communication with builders.
  3. Index(18 pages; 101 KB): Index of manufacturers covered in the study.
  4. Appendix 1(27 pages; 2.7 MB): Methodology of the study.
  5. Appendix 2(32 pages; 4.27MB): Survey questionaires.
Download the 2004 Brand Use Study PDF files
  1. Summary(85 pages; 1.72 MB): Charts detailing builders' awareness of and use of the top three brands in each of 70 categories.
  2. Results(405 pages; 6.64 MB): Detailed statistical analysis of builders' opinions of building product manufacturers and their products, including recognition of brand, use of brand, opinion of brand quality, and opinion of manufacturers' quality of communication with builders.
  3. Index(17 pages; 462 KB): Index of manufacturers covered in the study.
  4. Appendix(51 pages; 7.04MB): Methodology of the study.
Download the 2003 Brand Use Study PDF files
  1. Summary(94 pages; 223 KB): Charts detailing builders' awareness of and use of the top three brands in each of 70 categories.
  2. Results(399 pages; 1.27 MB): Detailed statistical analysis of builders' opinions of building product manufacturers and their products, including recognition of brand, use of brand, opinion of brand quality, and opinion of manufacturers' quality of communication with builders.
  3. Index(18 pages; 60 KB): Index of manufacturers covered in the study.
  4. Appendix(50 pages; 4 MB): Methodology of the study.
Download the 2002 Brand Use Study PDF files
  1. Summary(87 pages; 636 KB): Charts detailing builders' awareness of and use of the top three brands in each of 69 categories.
  2. Results(469 pages; 2.29 MB): Detailed statistical analysis of builders' opinions of building product manufacturers and their products, including recognition of brand, use of brand, opinion of brand quality, and opinion of manufacturers' quality of communication with builders.
  3. Index(18 pages; 143 KB): Index of manufacturers covered in the study.
  4. Appendix(51 pages; 577 KB): Methodology of the study.