Yesterday kicked off this year’s International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. I spent the whole day walking the floor in my quest for interesting and problem-solving new products. I’m happy to report that the show was very busy, and nearly everyone I spoke to, manufacturers and builders alike, told me that their business was good and that they were optimistic about the rest of the year. Several large companies whose reps I met with have returned to the show after an absence or are exhibiting for the first time, which I took as an especially good sign for the home-building economy.
The size of the show is amazing. I spent more than eight hours on the show floor, but I feel like I only barely scratched the surface. I didn’t even enter the North Hall, where the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show exhibits are located. That’s my goal for today. I also want to check out the outdoor exhibits, which include model homes and a host outdoor-living products. Check out the photos to see some of my cool finds from yesterday. I’ll post what I find today in tomorrow’s report from the show.
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8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape
Handy Heat Gun
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Fusion Pro grout from Custom Building Products combines the durability and stain resistance of epoxy grout with the workability of a cement-based grout, according to the manufacturer. I like that it doesn't have the smooth, unnatural look of epoxy, and I especially like that it's ready to use right from the bucket. It's available in 40 colors.
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I've seen a number of basement finishing systems over the years, and none of them make as much sense as DriCore's Smartwall. These 2-ft.-wide EPS-backed drywall panels, which sell for $80 each, have tongue-and-groove edges and can be cut with a handsaw. The seams are filled with a proprietary filler, and no drywall tape is required. There are a pair of cable chases in each panel, and the manufacturer can install an outlet box or light fixture box for an extra $10 per panel.
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This is the cross section of a DriCore Smartwall. The tongue-and-groove edges keep the panels in plane with each other. To install the panels, you first attach 2x2 wood cleats to the basement floor and the floor joists above. Then you secure the panels with a pair of 5-in. screws at the top and a pair of shorter screws at the bottom. I'm betting you could cut the panel to length and secure it to the cleats in a few minutes.
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This is Dow's new two-part spray-foam rig for builders and remodelers. The two components are dispensed through the nozzle by means of the nitrogen cylinder in the center. Dow believes that builders who have trouble finding spray-foam contractors to do small jobs will use the rig to spray band joists and other tough-to-insulate areas. The selling point is that the foam costs about $0.80 per board foot in the refillable canisters, compared to $1 per board foot for the disposable, two-part foam kits. The company says that you can be up and doing your own spray foaming for an investment of $10,000 to $15,000.
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Door sills take a beating during construction and then again after the project is done. Endura's Replaceable Deck Sill can be swapped out for a new aluminum extrusion in just a few minutes using a stiff putty knife and a hammer. You can ask for it when ordering a door from your lumberyard or door shop.
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I've long admired Quickflash for its easy-to-install and completely reliable flashing products for building-envelope penetrations. The company's ever-expanding catalog now includes an air conditioner line-set flashing for brick exteriors. Quickflash also debuted ready-made flashings for low-voltage wiring and for 8-in., 10-in., and 12-in. ductwork, and the company expects to release a similar flashing for dual-gang electrical boxes very soon.
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Hi Patrick,
Just curious if I can view the photos/Write up about Smartwall.
Thanks