The Fine Homebuilding crew got back from Las Vegas this month after spending a week at the International Builders’ Show, and one thing is for certain: There’s a lot of excitement around residential building and remodeling. The attendance numbers for this show put it at the largest in over a decade, and having been on the show floor (spread out across multiple convention halls), it certainly felt that way.

Sustainability was a talking point for lots of manufacturers, both in new products as well as manufacturing. One major positive is that nearly all the foam makers have transitioned to blowing agents with significantly less global warming potential. I also saw many building materials that were touted as being recyclable (though I couldn’t always get straight answers on how exactly to recycle them).

Resiliency was top of mind for many folks, too—I saw wall assemblies with rainscreens, products designed to hold up better in wildfire country, and brackets and structural screws to handle high wind loads. Electrification also seemed to be everywhere: new and better-performing heat pumps from multiple manufacturers, smaller standalone minisplits that don’t require outside units, solar shingles, smart panels, and all kinds of battery backup systems.

And of course, there were plenty luxurious, high-design products that likely would never have a place in my home, but were incredibly cool to see and touch in-person. Beautiful plumbing fixtures, high-end countertops and flooring, and fancy induction ranges and cooktops. You can see some of our favorite finds on Instagram, and soon, you’ll see more of them on the website and in upcoming issues of Fine Homebuilding.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

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Graphic Guide to Frame Construction

Now in it’s 5th edition, Rob Thallon’s book for builders has been a go-to resource for decades. This book features clear graphics that will help you understand how nearly all American houses are — or should be — built.

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A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It?: An Introduction to Building Science

Allison Bailes is great at explaining complex building science topics in simple terms that anyone can understand. If your goal is a new house or remodel that embodies the best practices that building scientists have to offer, buy this book right away.

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Code Check 10th Edition: An Illustrated Guide to Building a Safe House

It would be great if this book didn’t need to exist, but it's definitely a must-have. It's a one-size-fits-all code book that's easy to understand and will help you sail through your inspections.

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