Architect Picks: Top 10 Home Products of 2021

by Rachel Lyon & Tammy Crosby, Editorial Director & Editor-in-Chief for The House Designers

Have you ever wondered how beautiful artist's renderings come to life? Architects draw inspiration from plenty of sources, including real-world products! You can actually see some of our own designers' choices noted in our America's Choice House Plans, so make sure to explore this exclusive collection. Until then, here are some products our architects are drawn to!

A Skylight Visualizer to Find the Perfect Placement

Everybody can appreciate the benefits that skylights introduce to a home, but it can be difficult to imagine their effect before installation. If you're somebody who needs to see before you buy, you'll love this augmented reality app from VELUX®! It allows you to scan a room using a smart device's camera and then shows you the view with the skylights of your choice right on the screen. Test it out anywhere and you'll be sold!

Model: VELUX® Visualizer App | Free to Use!

New Windows for Mid-Century Modern Garages

Clopay® has a wide variety of garage door styles to outfit any home, and their offerings for modern design expanded recently with the new contemporary slim windows. Available on Modern Steel™ doors, these windows can be configured down one side, across the top, or in every panel to tailor the look to different architecture. Looking for even more design oomph? You have your choice of black or silver frames for contrast, or you can go bold with a custom Colorblast® hue!

Model: Clopay® Modern Steel™ Garage Doors with Ultra-Grain® Finish & Contemporary Slim Windows | Contact for a Quote

Rustic Stone Veneer in a Bright Color Palette

If you have classic tastes but want a design with lighter and brighter colors, consider the Loire Valley™ color blend of RoughCut® from Eldorado Stone. This rugged profile offers coarse, hand-cleaved shapes and an authentic limestone look complete with embedded artifacts for extra texture. Inspired by the French countryside for which it's named, Loire Valley's mix of muted ivory and sand tones is particularly adaptable and will suit traditional and contemporary spaces alike!

Model: Eldorado Stone RoughCut® in Loire Valley™ | Contact for a Quote

Durable Siding in a Classic Farmhouse Profile

Board and batten siding features wide vertical boards joined with narrow battens to cover the gaps—it's a look that first rose to prominence with farmhouses in the mid 19th century thanks to its resource and installation efficiency! If you're looking for a modern-day solution, Ply Gem® offers this style in a durable, low-maintenance vinyl package that's perfect for whole-house or accent siding. It's also available in a spectrum of colors and never needs to be painted!

Model: Ply Gem® Board + Batten Designer Series | Contact for a Quote

Curated Paint Hues to Suit Your Style

Are you drawn to any particular aesthetic? Perhaps a certain catalog, decade, region, or even a palette in popular culture? Sherwin-Williams® simplifies the paint selection process because you can explore colors by collection, so you'll never feel like you don't know where to start! With such a diverse and comprehensive guide all in one place, you're sure to find colors that appeal to every member of the family.

Model: The Sherwin-Williams® and Pottery Barn Fall/Winter 2021 Palette (SW 6058, SW 7005, and SW 7015) | Price Varies by Product Selected

Stunning Tile for All Around the House

Whether you need tile for a bathroom, kitchen, main living space, or anywhere else, Crossville® has tons of small and large format products so you can create the exact aesthetic you want. Their porcelain options are exceptionally plentiful—not only will you find your standard mosaic, pattern, and subway tiles, but there are also wood-, stone-, concrete-, and even weathered metal-look options. Just imagine how you could complete any room with the endurance of porcelain!

Model: Crossville® Jazz Age Porcelain Stone in Louis | Contact for a Quote

A Sleek Drain Solution for Indoors & Out

Don't want a plain drain? Elevate your shower with a linear one! Infinity Drain® offers a variety of stylish grates and finishes, so you can specify something that elevates your design and even helps create a barrier-free space! Different widths and lengths are available, and you can also order a custom drain if you need something truly unique. Like this look and want to incorporate it beyond the bathroom? Sizable® linear drains are perfect for pools, driveways, and more!

Model: Infinity Drain® 2mm Wedge Wire Linear Drain | Price Varies by Length and Finish Selected

Roofing to Match Any Architectural Need

The roof is a major aspect of curb appeal, so if basic roofing doesn't do it for your house, look into something more nuanced! CertainTeed has a huge catalog of asphalt shingles in a range of colors and designs—whether you want to mimic the look of wood shakes or slate, you'll appreciate the design flexibility, warranty, and cost-savings compared to natural materials. Explore the possibilities with your home's architecture in mind and the results are sure to please!

Model: CertainTeed Belmont® in Stonegate Gray | Contact for a Quote

Chic Hardware in Warm Metallic Tones

Shades of silver have long been the go-to choice for hardware, but don't be afraid to branch out! Top Knobs offers a range of warm tones including the new Honey Bronze color, which provides a softer, more golden look compared to traditional bronze and brass finishes. Rich and luxurious when paired with black, warm and inviting with white, beautiful when contrasted against cool colors—you'll find it makes a gorgeous complement to all kinds of design schemes!

Model: Top Knobs Chareau 5" Centers Reeded Handle & 1 1/2" Reeded Knob in Honey Bronze | $12.07 & $10.60 MSRP Each, Respectively

Specialty Windows for Traditional & Modern Homes

If windows are an integral part of your design, invest in a custom solution that can do your home justice. Kolbe® Windows & Doors answers the need for every style—even when you have a one-of-a-kind house! With expansive sizes, a variety of geometric specialty shapes, and true customization potential, you won't be lost for lack of options. They also offer products that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR® requirements in the U.S. and Canada, so you don't have to worry about all that glass negatively impacting efficiency!

Model: Kolbe® Windows & Doors VistaLuxe® Collection WD Line Geometrics | Contact for a Quote

Architect Picks: Top 10 Home Products of 2021

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