Interesting Insights from the International Builders’ Show

Posted January 23, 2013 By Angie Dye and has no comments yet.

The International Builders’ Show was once again a hotbed of building industry activity and thought-provoking discussion. Here are a few memorable tidbits and revelations to recap the day:

Weather-related events are driving heightened awareness of home performance. The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and Super Storm Sandy continues to influence new building codes and product innovations. Case in point — there’s a new publication, Storm & Security Protection, dedicated specifically to these issues.

Convenience, functionality and performance are deeply intertwined. For example, centrally located laundry rooms might make household chores less tedious, but can generate extra noise — compromising the overall enjoyment and comfort in living spaces. As a result, products such as SilentFXTM noise-reducing gypsum board, which are commonly used in home theaters, are being installed in new areas of a home.

Certain building-related tools are facing extinction, maybe. Ok, this might be a stretch, however, the team at Professional Remodeler introduced us to a new iPad app that can calculate the dimensions of a room sans measuring tape.

 

 

 

Categories:
 IBS

“Overheard” at the International Builders’ Show

Posted January 22, 2013 By Angie Dye and has no comments yet.

Throughout the first day of the International Builders’ Show, there have been dozens of conversations that shed light on new and emerging trends in the building industry. From the vantage point of the CertainTeed exhibit as well as a quick visit to BuilderLIVE, there was a healthy amount of idea sharing and discussion. The dialogue on Twitter — especially via the #OverheadAtIBS hashtag — offered additional insight into activity at the show. Here are a few interesting tidbits that caught my attention.

The demand for contemporary interior design, which calls for clean, simple lines, is on the rise. Outstanding craftsmanship is a must to achieve this aesthetic. For example, interior trim and moulding, which are less prevalent in contemporary design, typically camouflages imperfections in interior finishes.

Energy efficiency remains a top priority. There are new building codes to tackle and it’s just plain common sense. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of products and solutions — such as hybrid insulation — to optimize the energy efficiency of a home.

Building science is a great way to sell a house. Having this foundational knowledge not only strengthens a builder’s competitive edge, it means healthy, comfortable homes and satisfied customers.

New technology continues to intrigue us. Home lighting and automation systems are evolving to new levels of sophistication. New garage concepts, such as power lifts that stack multiple vehicles in a single space, are slowly emerging in the custom home market.

So, what’s captured your attention thus far?

NAHB International Builders’ Show – Where New Products and Learning Collide

By Lucas Hamilton and has no comments yet.
CertainTeed booth at IBS 2013

CertainTeed booth at IBS 2013

I am in Las Vegas for the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show 2013.  I truly enjoy this show because it is a great opportunity to ‘kick the tires’ on products and learn about best practices taking places in the build community. 

With the new 2012 Building Codes that are starting to be adopted by states, it is critical that build professionals know the changes to the code requirements where they are building. It is also important to hear about best practices for achieving airtight assemblies and the best solutions for achieving maximum energy efficiency in the building envelope.

For IBS 2013, CertainTeed is focused on building knowledge. To assist with this, CertainTeed is incorporating in its booth (C2126) a Builder Resource Center making available building science and technical experts to share best practices but also to answer questions from show participants. If you come to our Resource Center you will be eligible to win a full day consultation by a building scientist on your construction site. 

At the booth, we will also have technical experts hosting “Ask the Expert” interactive sessions centered on building science, roofing, insulation, siding, gypsum and foundations. With the extension of the Energy Tax Credit as part of the fiscal cliff negotiations, contractors and developers who construct or renovate “dwelling units” (apartments, condos or single-family homes) that meet certain energy efficiency standards have access to a tax credit of up to $2000.

If you are attending IBS, make sure to stop by booth C2126 and pick our brains. I guarantee you will have a great learning experience as well as a fun time.

About Lucas Hamilton

Lucas Hamilton is Manager, Building Science Applications for CertainTeed


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