Our editors are busy making their way through the hundreds of displays at this year's NAHB International Builders’ Show. Here are their top product finds from day two.
Color-Matching Made Smarter
Sherwin-Williams has added a technological edge to the paint-matching process with the ColorSnap Match smart device app, which pairs with a specially-designed ColorSnap Match paint color matching device. The ColorSnap Match user can press the paint color matching device directly against a paint swatch or solid color of any kind to transfer an image of that color directly to the app. The app will precisely identify any Sherwin-Williams paint color, provide a palette of similar colors, or identify a Sherwin-Williams color that closely approximates the color that the matching device has picked up. sherwin-williams.com
Napoleon Electric Fireplaces
Napoleon launched two new electric fireplaces this year at the show—Alluravision and CLEARion. CLEARion (shown) is the industry’s first see through electrical fireplace. The 48-inch fireplace fits in a standard wall cavity and can heat both sides of a room separately with different temperatures, and can heat a room that is up to 800 square feet in size. The product can be installed with no gas lines or vent runs—it can be plugged in to the wall or wired directly into the electrical system. Alluravision is a frameless electric fireplace that can be built in or wall mounted without the need for venting. Available in 42-, 50-, and 60-inch sizes, the fireplace also has an energy efficient heat output—up to 5,000 BTUs and 1,500 watts for slimline models and up to 9,000 BTUs and 2,800 watts for deep depth models. Homeowners can change the speed, color, and display of the flames for added customization. napoleonfireplaces.com
Draft Dodger
As much as half of the air leakage in the house can be because of drafts moving from living spaces into the attic. To fight such unwanted air exchanges, Dow unveiled Great Stuff Pro Drywall Gasket. It’s a soft, flexible yet sticky foam that is gunned onto studs and top plates before the drywall is applied. Once the drywall goes in, the foam acts like a gasket that keeps air from going where it shouldn’t. greatstuff.dow.com
Acoustiblok
While many sound abatement products rely on solid or absorbing materials, Acoustiblok does neither. The system’s thin, flexible 1/8-inch-thick polymer sheets are stapled or screwed to studs before drywall. As the product vibrates from sound, the acoustical energy is transformed into inaudible internal friction energy, the firm says. Acoustiblok does not increase wall thickness and allows easy access to the wall interior for plumbing and wiring maintenance. The recyclable material comes in rolls of 30-, 60-, and 350-foot lengths and can be easily cut with a box knife. The company also offers Acoustigrip Tape and Acousticaulk to seal the system. acoustiblok.com
Moen Brushed Gold
Moen has introduced its new Brushed Gold finish. The finish is less yellow in color than other gold finishes on the market. The company says that though gold has typically been associated with traditional design, the gold finish can be incorporated into modern rooms. The finish is available in four different collections for both kitchen and bath. moen.com
MiTek ProSeries Fasteners
Mitek Builder Products debuted a new line of fasteners called MiTek ProSeries, which includes Washer Head, Bugle Head, and Hex Head structural wood screws. Available in an exterior or yellow zinc finish, the MiTek Washer Head is suitable for deck ledger attachments, multi-ply EWP, and dimensional wood connections. MiTek’s Hex Head and general-purpose Bugle Head screws offer a high-strength alternative to traditional lags screws. All MiTek ProSeries fasteners include a “cut point” to eliminate the need for pre-drilling and reduce installation torque and splitting. uspconnectors.com.
Crosshead of the Class
Fypon introduced three new crossheads that it says will make installation of door and window headers easier and produce better-looking results. Doors and windows often come in odd sizes, Fypon officials said, so the headers easily can end up too short or too long. The company’s new craftsman style and Distinction series crosshead (“a modern take on traditional,” the company said, shown above) can be trimmed on site. And the new step crosshead can be ordered to be cut to particular lengths at the factory. fypon.com
A Smart Vent Hood
The newest addition to Elica’s Techne Plus series is the Stoney Island vent hood, which connects to the Elica Gold induction cooktop through smart technology. Combining glass and stainless steel, the Stoney Island hood visually blends with other kitchen appliances. Available in 36” and 42” widths, the vent hood is equipped with glass touch controls, a Hush Suppression noise reduction system, and Perimeter Aspiration technology for efficient fume extraction. Stoney Island also features a 600 CFM blower and LED dimmable lighting. elica.com
Liebherr Refrigerator
Liebherr debuted its new Monolith refrigerator. The 84-inch-tall appliance features Liebherr’s Smart Device Box, which allows users to control certain fridge settings through its swipeable façade, smartphone apps, or Alexa-enabled devices. In addition, one of the drawers will go down to 28 degrees, which the company says is perfect for sliced meats. liebherr.com
Kwikset Smart Locks
Kwikset is growing its line of smart locks through partnership with Amazon to work with the new Amazon Key technology. Amazon Key allows Prime members in 37 cities to receive in-home delivery and grant secure home access for guests using the Amazon Cloud Cam and a compatible smart lock. Kwikset offers two of the lock options available when purchasing the system– Kwikset SmartCode 914, a touchpad smart lock, and Kwikset Convert, a smart lock conversion kit that converts standard door hardware in rentals to a smart lock – to work exclusively with the Amazon Key In-Home Kit. Kwikset is also expanding the Kevo line of Bluetooth enabled touch-to-open smart locks with Kevo Contemporary, a new square-shape contemporary style for a modern aesthetic. kwikset.com
New Types of Water Flow
Pfister introduced two new showerhead technologies at KBIS this year: HydroFuse (pictured) and ThermoForce. Both shower technologies are designed to use less water than a standard showerhead without sacrificing user comfort. The HydroFuse uses specially-placed directional shower nozzles to form a unique lattice spray pattern, inspired by the mesh-like latticework of King’s Cross Station in London. These streams collide with the direct central nozzle to create increased coverage. The ThermoForce showerhead uses four intersecting cone streams with larger-than-standard openings, which provide increased coverage and create large droplets that retain heat for longer than their smaller counterparts. pfisterfaucets.com
Soft Close Barn Door Hardware
Johnson Hardware’s 2610SC Wall Mount Sliding Barn Door hardware now includes Soft Close/Soft Open hardware that slows a door’s travel speed and softly pulls it into an open or closed position. The 2610SC Wall Mount can be used with virtually any metal or wood door that is 1-inch to 1-¾-inch thick, up to 60 inches wide, and up to 200 pounds, the company says. The hardware features adjustable track stops and a jump-proof aluminum box track in lengths up to 96 inches for single doors or 192 inches for double doors, as well as rolling tricycle hangers for a secure fit. johnsonhardware.com
MoistureShield Deck and Trim
MoistureShield’s new Vision deck and trim composite boards offer a modern variegated appearance. Vision decking is 12-, 16-, and 20-foot lengths, while the trim boards are 12 feet long. The Vision deck boards are available with or without grooves for hidden fasteners, and with the option of MoistureShield’s CoolDeck technology, which deflects heat to absorb 35 percent less than conventional capped composites, according to the company. Durable and scratch-resistant, Vision decking is backed by a transferable lifetime warranty as well as lifetime fade and stain warranty. moistureshield.com
Strong-Tie’s Fascia-Fastening Solution
Simpson Strong-Tie’s new Fascia-Fastening Solution is designed to securely fasten composite and PVC fascia boards while providing corrosion resistance. The two-part system consists of stainless steel fascia screws and a counterbore bit, which bores a hole that is wider than the shank of the screw. Designed for use with ½-inch to ¾-inch fascia boards, the Fascia-Fastening Solution accommodates expansion and contraction of installed boards to prevent material failures due to changing environmental conditions. The fascia screw is available in 12 color options. strongtie.com
Tall Order
The new cedar texture vertical siding from LP’s SmartSide group comes in lengths of up to 16 tall by nearly 16 inches wide. It comes preprimed. LP also introduced the Perfection shingle, which features cleaner lines and what a company official called a “modern classic look.” https://lpcorp.com/products/siding/lp-smartside-trim-siding/
