I last attended the Builders’ Show in 2008, so when my boss asked if I was interested in going this year, I jumped at the chance. Not only is this an opportunity to flee a New England winter for Florida, but the show is a candy store for a building nerd like me. From cordless nailers to bricks and from jigsaws to waterfalls, just about every tool and building component is on display.
Much of the stuff targets the super-high end, which is fun to see but not very useful for most folks, so my goal is to find good-looking and problem-solving building products that won’t break the budget. I’ll be blogging daily from the show about the stuff I find and the information I glean from classes and demonstrations.
One of my goals is to track down a plain-speaking paint chemist and ask about the new paint-and-primer-in-one products I’m seeing. It seems that every paint company is now offering them. I want to know what makes these products different from conventional paints and primers and about any tradeoffs I can expect with using them.
Another goal is to see the New American Home. The house, which was built for the show, is a little over the top, as you might expect, but I’m a fan of modern, so I think it’s definitely worth a look. If you have any other suggestions on what I should look for at the show, please send them my way.
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The annual NAHB International Builders' Show is the best place in the country to see new building products and tools. It starts next week (Feb. 8-11). I'll be blogging daily from the show.
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One of my favorite things about the show is the chance to talk with experts about their products. I hope to track down a paint chemist who's willing to talk candidly about a new generation of paint-primers.
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Built just for the show, the New American Home is done in a modern style. One perk of going as a member of the press is that I'll be able to see the place without waiting in line. I may feel a little guilty about slipping under the velvet rope, but I'll do it anyway.
