One of the biggest and best parts of my editorial job at Fine Homebuilding involves seeking out problem-solving tools and materials to make building homes easier and to make structures last longer and be more resource efficient. My hope is to show our smart and discerning audience the absolute best stuff to make their lives easier and their homes better. As you might imagine, I really look forward to the annual International Builders’ Show, which is the largest and best-attended trade show related to building and remodeling and one of the very best places to find great new tools and products.
This year’s show, which is being held in Las Vegas on January 20-22, is for a second year part of Las Vegas’s Design and Construction Week. Design and Construction Week combines four large trade shows: the International Builders’ Show, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the International Surface Event (floor and wall coverings), and the Las Vegas Market (home décor and furnishings). I’ve registered for all of them, and I’ll be packing my most comfortable shoes so I can make it through the 4.7 million sq. ft. of exhibit space.
In the days and weeks leading up to the four shows, my inbox has been filled with press releases describing new products. Most aren’t all that exciting, but I already have a long list of promising new tools and materials that I want to see and touch while I’m at the show. Here are a few that caught my eye.
See all of the coverage from IBS & KBIS
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
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Affordable IR Camera
Handy Heat Gun
Reliable Crimp Connectors
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Toto's new Carlyle II 1G one-piece toilet has a hidden trapway for easy cleaning and flushes with only one gallon of water. Its Uni-fit design can accommodate 10-in., 12-in., and 14-in. rough-ins.
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Weather Shield's newest product line, the Contemporary Collection, has frames, stiles, and rails that are extranarrow for a clean, contemporary look. Products include corner, casement, awning, and fixed windows as well as several styles of patio doors. Aluminum reinforcement helps strengthen the narrow profiles.
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LP's Longlength XL OSB sheathing is available in lengths for 8-ft., 9-ft., and 10-ft. walls. The tall panels, which include an extra 1-1/8 in. for a double top plate, tie a home's exterior walls to the floor system for better wind resistance with fewer metal connectors.
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Marvin's multislide doors are available in almost limitless widths in 3-ft. and 5-ft. increments. Heights range from 7 ft. to 12 ft. As the door panels are slid open, they stack on top of each other or are tucked into wall pockets built into the framing.
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Eliminate unsightly outlet-hogging night-lights with Snap Power's duplex wall plate ($15) with built-in LED night-light. The plate gets its power from a pair of metal tabs that make contact with the screw terminals on the side of the outlet.
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Designed with professional contractors in mind, the Flir C2 is a full-featured, pocket-size thermal-imaging camera designed for building diagnostics. It sells for $700.
