New Products for 2009

The latest, most innovative home products, technologies and design trends can be found at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in January. IBS is the largest annual home building show in the world featuring over a million-and-a-half square feet of the latest and most advanced building products and services. You can see all of the latest innovations for yourself with hands-on demonstrations and working models in over 300 building industry categories.

Here are some new products that will be featured at this year’s IBS in Las Vegas, to help make your new home more eco-friendly and fun to build.

Integrity by Marvin Windows and Doors will introduce its All Ultrex Sliding Patio Door, which is the first door in the All Ultrex line. Ultrex is made of a strong fiberglass material that keeps the door square and prevents sagging and distortion, which is a common problem with vinyl sliding patio doors. An added option for a classic design and easy maintenance is the Grilles-Between-the-Glass (GBG) and a choice of five exterior colors, including the new Evergreen and Cashmere.

The Artisan Series by AMSCO Windows combines unique design with energy efficiency to create a beautiful look. Highlights include a distinctive beveled-in profile, innovative hidden accessory grooves and breakthrough color technology that is highly durable, fade resistant and won't crack chip, flake or chalk like paint.

Kolbe adds TerraSpan lift and slide doors to its Ultra Series line of premium, aluminum-clad windows and doors. TerraSpan provides expansive, easy-to-operate doors that unobtrusively transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. They are available in over 900 operational configurations so you can create the perfect setting for any room in your home, whether it is access to a patio or a private escape from the master suite.

For the look of real wood without the price tag or maintenance there’s Tech-Wood Siding.

Tech-Wood Siding looks like wood and, because it is 75% wood it has the weight of wood and can be cut, routed, drilled, nailed or sanded like wood. It can be stained or painted using standard latex or oil coatings. If left untreated it will develop a natural grey color similar to Western Red Cedar. Unlike wood, it does not decay, rot, propagate mold, splinter, split or crack.

Sherwin-Williams has several new products, including the Visible Solutions Interior Latex Flat Ceiling Paint. It appears violet when wet so you can easily see missed spot and then changes to bright white within 15-20 minutes to ensure a smooth and beautiful look.

A big trend is towards green. In an effort to easily identify its eco-friendly products Sherwin-Williams has introduced its own GreenSure label. Look for its new, green line of Duration Home Interior paints.

You don’t have to worry about moisture anymore with their new Resilience Exterior Latex Paint featuring MoistureGuard technology, which ensures that the paint cures in about half the time of most conventional exterior paints. Resilience offers a lifetime warranty when two coats are applied.

Say good-bye to cold showers with the new line of GE® tankless gas water heaters, which provide a continuous supply of hot water when and where you need it. Unlike conventional water tanks that heat and store hot water around the clock, this heater only activates when you start to use hot water, and immediately de-activates when you are done. The result is a more energy-efficient system that can save homeowners up to 35% annually on water heating costs on their energy bill over a standard 75-gallon gas tank water heater.

Another advantage of the tankless gas water heater is that with proper sizing, it is capable of providing continuous hot water even when multiple showers, tubs, sinks or appliances are in use at the same time.

GE's tankless gas water heaters are designed to fit in small spaces and are available in both outdoor and indoor models.

You can explore more new products for 2009 by visiting IBS online at www.buildersshow.com.