Innovative Products Spotted at IBS

The 2008 International Builders’ Show is underway at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. SHELTER magazine staff were on hand for opening day and met with a number of different building products manufacturers. Central themes among all manufactures were green products, new products and trends for the upcoming year.

JELD-WEN Windows and Doors discussed what company officials see as the top three trends in homebuilding and design. The number-one trend is “Great Design for Ages,” meaning they keep universal design in mind when coming up with new products. The number-two trend is “Homeowners Crave Contemporary,” which means that JELD-WEN offers advice on achieving a fresh look for traditional architecture. And the number-three trend is “Top-of-the-Line Taste Drives Demand,” meaning JELD-WEN’s custom options provide endless ways to express style.

JELD-WEN also has a number of new products for 2008, including more impact protection options for builders, wood windows made to order, custom carved interior doors, new decorative grille options, a new MAG-Lock technology and more.

In the House of Treated Wood, located in the IBS Show Village, a number of different treated wood types that use chemicals manufactured by Arch Wood Protection were showcased.

The House of Treated Wood (part of the IBS Show Village) was SHELTER staff’s next stop. Inside the treated home,two different types of treated wood were showcased. In the front room, FrameGuard® Mold-Resistant Wood was used. FrameGuard wood is coated with a solution that combines anti-mold chemicals with borate technology, providing protection against mold, fungal decay and termites. The back room of the house showcased Dricon® Fire Retardant Treated Wood. Dricon has been on the market since 1981 and meets provisions of the major model building codes. It has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.

On the outside, but connected to the treated home, a deck was on display that used four different types of treated wood. One section of the deck used Wolmanized® Residential Outdoor® Wood. It’s protected with copper azole preservative and can be used anywhere traditional pressure-treated wood is used except in saltwater applications.

Another section used Micronized Wolmanized Residential Outdoor Wood, which is a new variation of the copper azole wood that blends fine (micronized) particles of copper.

The third section used Wolmanized Residential L3 Outdoor Wood which is protected by a nonmetallic preservative and is suited for exterior, out of the ground applications. (CLICK HERE to red the article, “On the Cutting Edge,” for more on the L3 product.)

The fourth and final section used FRX® Exterior Fire Retardant Treated Wood, which combines wood with the fire safety and insurance advantages of noncombustible materials.

All of the wood showcased in the House of Treated Wood used chemicals manufactured by Arch Wood Protection Inc.

Another organization featuring the benefits of wood was the Southern Pine Council (SPC). The Council has a new brochure that is of specific interest to lumber dealers: “Build to a Higher Standard.” In the brochure, SPC outlines why using a raised floor system adds value for both the dealer and its builder customer. For more on raised floor systems, visit www.raisedfloorliving.com.
After learning more about wood products, SHELTER staff were back to learning about doors and windows.

Like JELD-WEN earlier in the day, Weather Shield Windows and Doors also discussed window trends. Company officials at Weather Shield said the latest trends include furniture-quality fenestration products. These products include the Legacy Series bi-fold patio door, a range of impact-resistant LifeGuard windows and doors, and the now-available Neoclassical Collection, the second family in the Collections™ Distinctive wood door and window line.

One of the most innovative products that SHELTER staff spotted was in the Weather Shield booth. The product is the Weather Shield Fiberglass Picture Combination Casement, which Dave Koester, brand manager, says will be available in 60 to 70 days. Instead of vinyl or aluminum, this window uses fiberglass and the U-values are said to be in the low two’s.

While Weather Shield is introducing an innovative window product, Peachtree Doors and Windows is introducing a whole new line of entry doors.

“In developing our new entry door line, we knew mahogany-textured doors would be a welcomed addition,” says Jeff Kibler, Peachtree’s brand manager.

Not only is the company introducing a mahogany-textured door, but oak is also being offered as well as a variety of glass options and more. Asked why they discontinued the old entry door program and introduced a new one, Kibler says there isn’t anything wrong with the old program, but the company just wants to offer fresh ideas.

While many of the door and window manufactures are focusing on the residential market, one company is embracing the light commercial market: Hurd Windows and Doors.

“Hurd has built a reputation on manufacturing high quality, custom-crafted products for the residential market. We have taken this capability to the next level with this new line—designed to serve architectural and light commercial application,” says Joe Herman, Hurd’s vice president of marketing.

Hurd’s new Monument line will be fully supported by training, technical assistance and professional personnel within Hurd’s newly formed Architectural Services Group. The Monument window line features casements, awnings, single- and double-hung products, picture windows, direct sets and architectural shapes. The door line includes a sliding French door and outswing French door.

Dow Building Solutions has introduced STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing, a three-in-one solution that combines structural shear bracing, insulation and water-resistive barrier protection in one convenient product.

To end the day, SHELTER visited Dow Building Solutions (DBS), a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, and spotted another extremely innovative product. In its booth, Dow provided a sneak preview of an industry that company representatives say will change the future of building envelope construction. All new STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing is a three-in-one solution that combines structural shear bracing, insulation and water-resistive barrier protection in one product. John Hammer, North America marketing manager, said that dealers that attended the booth were really excited about the new solution and those who helped pilot the products were extremely enthusiastic.

“[They are] enthusiastic about our ability to provide a single product that performs three functions, is easy to install and saves time and money,” Hammer says. “The International Builders’ Show is a perfect opportunity to give more builders a first-hand look at STYROFOAM SIS and we look forward to rolling out its distribution nationwide later in 2008.”

For more innovative products from IBS, look to the April issue of SHELTER magazine, which will feature the New Products Guide.

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