Alaskans Bring Home Innovative and Green Ideas from International Builders Show in Las Vegas

The weak national housing market didn’t dampen the enthusiasm at this year’s International Builders Show, which concluded January 23rd in Las Vegas. Twenty SBS employees and more than 60 Alaskans attended the industry’s largest tradeshow and exhibition and came home with valuable resources, information and contacts necessary to weather the challenging housing economy.

“The building industry continues to focus on green and sustainable building,” said SBS Division Merchandise Manager Bob Welsh, who attended IBS. “Some of the more popular products that drew a lot of attention were new, water-saving fixtures from Kohler, Delta and others.”

Featured entertainment included music by The Beach Boys, a keynote talk from legendary football coach, Lou Holtz, and a special luncheon with Syndicated Advice Columnist Amy Dickinson of “Ask Amy.” Other headline speakers covered everything from how to drive growth through environmental thinking, to preparing as a business leader in a world of change and the ever-changing rules of communications.

Green building products and services were again a major theme of the 2009 IBS. On January 21st, IBS celebrated Green Day in recognition of the amazing growth in green building. More than 30 education seminars on green building topics were offered, and it was an excellent opportunity to get up-to-speed on the NAHB National Green Building Program that was unveiled at last year’s show. Attendees also had the chance to tour The New American Home®, a green, near zero-energy home that is Gold Certified under NAHBGreen. The home incorporates builders’ best practices, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, safety, convenience and aesthetics.

In terms of new products, recycled materials incorporated into new products were everywhere. Examples include a new Andersen window that is made from a blend of sawdust and polymer and Prospec’s PermaFlex Lite 525 is a lightweight, thin-set mortar for tile and natural stone installations that includes post-consumer recycled glass microspheres instead of sand that covers twice as much area as a traditional 25pound bag.

Products aimed at better energy efficiency in the home were abundant. Honeywell unveiled a new wireless HVAC control system while Lutron Electronics introduced the Hi-lume LED Driver, a high-performance, universal voltage product that provides energy-efficient dimming from 100 percent to 1 percent. A new wall-mounted Eco-heater heats a 10-foot-by-12-foot room using the same amount of power as four incandescent light bulbs. Amsco Windows is now featuring a vinyl window line, SentryLock, that employs a red stripe to indicate when the window is open. Sliding the sash automatically engages the lock, powered by magnets. KitchenAid also unveiled the KitchenAid EQ dishwasher featuring more insulation and a new wash system with a variable-speed motor. A three-stage filtration system captures food particles as the water circulates while alternating wash zones use less water and energy by focusing the washing action.

The latest in lighting innovation was also on display at IBS. LED lighting is entering the mainstream with new ceiling spot and flood lighting by Halo and Cree. The color rendering of LED lighting is becoming comparable to a soft white or warm white look. Specific products of interest included Seagull Lighting’s new ceiling chandeliers, which should be on the market in the next few months. Cooper Lighting introduced LED recessed lights that have a warm white color temperature and that fit into existing Halo and All-Pro housings. Thomas Lighting has 60 new products inspired by Asian design, modern intent and classic architecture. The Trevi interior collection mimics the Baroque Trevi fountain in Rome. They feature a hand-painted, aged-silver finish, mouth-blown glass shades and polished glass drops. Progress Lighting has unveiled an indoor CFL lighting family featuring arching rectangular arms with strap accents and etched glass. The lights are available in brushed nickel and antique bronze finishes and include close-to-ceiling, one- to four -light bath and vanity selections, one-, three- and five-light hall and foyer fixtures and chandelier and pendant options. These 15-watt fixtures are Energy Star qualified and have a 10,000-hour life according to Progress.

Other innovative ideas at IBS this year included everything from trendy outdoor gas torches to steel carriage house garage doors, new colors of bamboo flooring and a truly smart invention – a locking medicine cabinet that limits access to the cabinet’s contents from Nutone.

SBS professionals, Alaskans and the 60,000 building industry members attending the 65th annual IBS appreciated the chance to re-tool their business plans and educate themselves on ways to best serve their customers during current economic times. Mark your calendar for next year’s IBS, which will be held in Las Vegas again, January 19 - 22, 2010.