Appliances

Design & Construction Week: 10 Products to See at IBS 2018

This is part of a two-part preview of Design & Construction Week. Check back for a sneak peek at KBIS product introductions.
Dec. 14, 2017
5 min read

Design & Construction Week is just around the corner, and with it comes the promise (and prospect) of cool new products, innovative building materials, and cutting-edge technology that can improve your homes.

Now in its fifth year, Design & Construction Week (DCW) is a one-stop shop for both the International Builders' Show (IBS) and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), hosted by the National Association of Home Builders and the National Kitchen and Bath Association, respectively. This year the shows are being held on January 9-11 in Orlando, Fla., and are expected to see more than 80,000 design and construction professionals for three days of networking, education, and exhibits.

Still, the main reason to attend these shows is for the abundance of new and innovative products that will be introduced there. On the IBS side, expect to see cutting-edge siding, high-performance windows and doors, cool home control and technology products, and much more. IBS 2018 will bring more than 1,400 top manufacturers and suppliers from around the world to 570,000 square feet of show space, and is the largest annual light construction trade show in the world. 

What’s in store for this year's attendees? Here are 10 new building products debuting at the show- be sure to put these manufacturers on your agenda. And don't worry, all IBS 2018 attendees will also have access to the KBIS floor; we'll tell you what kitchen and bath products to see there in the next part of this series.

 

2. Eldorado Stone, IBS Booth W2583

Vintage Ranch is the manufacturer’s take on a reclaimed barnwood look. The concrete wall panels are milled to 2 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch heights with subtle depth variations to mimic the feel of real wood walling. Planks come in an easy-to-install panelized format, the manufacturer says. The hand painted wood-look patinas are available in four colors, including saddlewood, foxwood, parchwood, and doverwood. 

 

3. Haas Door, IBS Booth S3513

The new Decorative Glass Collection for Haas residential garage doors features three glass designs including modern craft, emerald, and prairieview. Single pane glass windows come tempered while double pane windows come both tempered and insulated. They can be paired with any products in the Haas Door Series 5000, 2000, 700, 600, 2400, or 2500. 

 

4. Panasonic Panasonic Eco Solutions North America, IBS Booth W3016

EZ Soffit Vent allows bathroom fans to maintain peak performance and is an extension of the brand’s indoor air quality-focused product lines, the company says. Easy to install and cost-competitive, it measures less than 6 inches in height and fits 12-inch narrow soffit. 

 

5. INOX, IBS Booth S5631

INOX’s patent-pending privacy barn door lock responds to the recent rise in popularity of sliding barn doors in residential spaces. The lock is installed inside the jamb rather than on the door, making it sleeker than typical sliding door locks. The locking mechanism features a one-inch bolt with a thumb turn. A variety of thumb turns, including some that meet ADA standards, are available. The mounted strike features a discreet spring-loaded dust cover, and a decorative cap covers the safety release on the opposite side of the door for emergency access.The lock is available in six finishes including bright stainless steel, satin stainless steel, satin brass, satin chrome, oil rubbed bronze, and graphite black.

 

6. Ortal, IBS Booth S2644

A company known for producing luxury fireplaces has launched a new line of contemporary gas fireplaces that brings value engineered products to the builder market. Compatible with any type of wall finish, the product feature cool wall technology, allowing it to remain cool to the touch. It’s available as a front, corner, peninsula, three sided, see-through, or stand-alone versions. 

 

7. A.O. Smith, IBS Booth W6241

The Proline XE Combi Boiler is the manufacturer’s latest offering in residential water and space heating systems. The unit can deliver up to 4.8 gallons of hot water per minute, provide an efficient 95 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), and is available in 110,000, 150,000 and 199,000 BTU/hr models. The combi boiler’s pre-purge function allows it to reignite almost instantaneously during frequent on and off use. A.O. Smith moved this model’s built-in circulator to an accessible location for simple installation and maintenance. A backlit LCD display provides text-based diagnostic information.

 

8. Johnson Hardware, IBS Booth S1333

The manufacture’s new barn door hardware, the 200WG, is designed for sliding glass panels that measure up to a ½-inch thick, 400 pounds, and up to 4 feet wide. It features an extruded aluminum I-beam track and extruded aluminum mounting brackets. It’s available in track lengths from 4 to 16 feet.

 

9. Boral, IBS Booth W2583

Cultured Stone by Boral’s ProFit Terrain Ledgestone combines different textures and relief patterns for a contemporary brick option. The product contains up to 58 percent recycled material, received a GREENGAURD Gold certification for air quality, and contributes to LEED requirements in buildings. Groups of small stones are expertly bundled by Cultured Stone masons, making them easy to install. The brick is available in four color combinations, including arctic, ethos, trek, and arcadia, but the manufacturer has said it will release more product options at IBS 2018. 

 

10. Napoleon Fireplaces, IBS Booth W3482

The CLEARion See Thru Electric Fireplace is the first see-through electric fireplace on the market, the manufacturer claims, giving installation and design flexibility to builders and designers. The realistic flames are visible from any angle and can be adjusted between five speeds and three colors, including blue, orange, and multi-color. Two ember bed designs are available. The fireplace offers 9,000 BTUs and 3,000 watts, and can warm up to 800 square feet within the two adjacent rooms. It is designed for installation within 2 foot by four foot framing and an 8 inch wall thickness. Black and stainless steel surrounds are available.

About the Author

Nigel F. Maynard and Amanda Hermans

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