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Recent International Builders Show a Theme Park of Homebuilding Displays

by Dena Kouremetis

In spite of the ongoing economic downturn, homebuilding in the U.S. has weathered the storm nicely, remaining relatively unscathed through it all. In fact, it may very well be homebuilding that has been the saving grace and crucial source of strength in the U.S. economy. So it’s no surprise that the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas was even bigger than last year’s show in Atlanta.

Regional builder shows around the country are always a study in the thousands of businesses and livelihoods that are affected by residential construction and remodeling. But at the Las Vegas event, hosted by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), it was evident that homebuilding is a universal language as well. Not only was it attended by visitors from all over the globe; it was a mega-display of the latest and most innovative construction techniques, products and services ever assembled on one gigantic stage, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Each year I attempt to mention some of the most interesting and thought-provoking building and consumer products displayed at these events. This time, however, I am positive that I will only scratch the surface, since the convention floor booths were filled with products so vast and diverse that it would have taken me much more than the two days I was allotted to gather this data.

Here are but a few of the products I thought to be eye and ear-catching:

A garage door opener that is quiet, sleek and fast. Wayne Dalton makes a non chain-driven opener that requires no photo eyes and no screw drive. It’s small and it’s amazing. Go to www.wayne-dalton.com for more information.

For those water-edged dwellers among us, modular floating docks that can be configured in all shapes and sizes and can be designed by you. Visit www.connect-a-dock.com.

Suspended snack bar and seating table and desk systems that eliminate chairs on the floor for a cleaner, more manageable look. Try www.seating-innovations.com

Miracles in building enhancement brought to you by what you and I would only know as concrete. The show featured booths displaying concrete capable of being stamped to look like the most elegant and costly tile, slate and cobblestone surfaces. (“Increte Systems” at 800-752-4626.) And exterior concrete, stone-like surfaces that are so believable, you would think you had just been transported to parts of Europe when you see them ( www.eldoradostone.com )

Go to www.ironaway.com to see the latest and greatest built-in ironing centers that not only store away your ironing board, but hide your iron and the works can be concealed a number of beautiful cabinet door options.

A washer and dryer that “talk” to one another and look as if they jumped out of the Jetsons’ laundry room (I am dating myself here). It uses “centrification, thermistors, Hydrowash™, an Infusor™ and a DuoDry™ system that has to be seen to be believed. The geniuses are none other than GE appliances.

GE also makes its new Profile oven with Innovection™ technology, using three heating methods (thermal, convection and microwave) to produce perfectly cooked food up to five times faster than a conventional oven. You merely select the type of food, enter the traditional recipe temperature and time and you’re done. This space-aged oven is programmed to adjust to the ideal heating combination and cooking time.

Street lights, mailboxes, park benches and street signs that can match and blend with the most traditional old world architecture. ( www.melnorthey.com ).

Cordless nailers and fastening power tools that run on a battery and a fuel cell. One of these is a lightweight, pneumatic framing nailer that retails for less than $300. ( www.paslode.com ).

Lighting automation using one control station to take the place of up to nine traditional switches, with each button capable of being custom engraved to say exactly what it does. No more banging in the dark or even worrying about your home appearing occupied while you are away, because you can use a touch tone phone to activate the system remotely. (www.LiteTouch.com)

Vertical spas, high-arch gooseneck faucets with pull-down directional sprayers, and faucets with built-in water Culligan ® water softeners that include indicator lights to signal when filters needs to be changed. Brought to you by Moen Incorporated

In addition to the exhibition floor, seminars and eye-opening lectures to benefit builders and product manufacturers were continuously being held, and celebrity appearances included Las Vegas kingpin Steve Winn to help open the ceremonies. Comedienne Joan Rivers hosted a luncheon, and appearances by Chicago and Three Dog Night were a few of the exciting highlights.

For information on when future building conventions hosted by the National Association of Homebuilders takes place, visit www.nahb.org

Published: February 18, 2003

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A veteran of the real estate and homebuilding industries since 1986, Dena Kouremetis first joined Realty Times as a new homes writer in 1998. Since then, she has authored four books, written consumer columns on new homes issues for websites and newspapers all across the country, contributed to builder trade magazines, appeared as a guest expert on several radio shows and even created a ten-chapter podcast for LendingTree.com’s homebuilder website, iNest.com, now available on iTunes, entitled Uncharted Waters; Navigating the Purchase of a New Production Home.

Kouremetis recently joined her local Folsom, CA Coldwell Banker office as a broker associate while continuing to write for the real estate industry. For the past three years, she has been training real estate agents for both the resale and new homes industries, putting her experience, research expertise and gift of expression to work to help others entering the business.

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