Our Builders' Top 10 Home Products of 2020
by Rachel Lyon & Ryan Ericson, Editorial Director & Editorial Associate The House Designers
Builder-favorite products should be no big secret—builders want to offer the things their clients want for themselves! However, they also want to put their names behind quality finishes that they know will perform well, last the test of time, and help build good reputations for their businesses. Here are some of the products that help builders do that, while still delivering on the aesthetics homeowners demand.
A Striking New Hue for Carriage House Garage Doors
Expanding the standard color options for their Canyon Ridge® Carriage House and Modern garage doors, Clopay® introduced a sleek black finish that promises to set façades apart. This deep hue is available on low-maintenance, composite mahogany overlays, where the relatively smooth woodgrain texture produces a more uniform appearance. This is exactly what you want with a black paint finish! Not sure if you can commit to such a bold statement door? Feel free to try it out in the Door Imagination System™ to see what you think.
Model: Clopay® Canyon Ridge® Carriage House (5-Layer) Door in Black Finish | Contact for a Quote
Expanding the standard color options for their Canyon Ridge® Carriage House and Modern garage doors, Clopay® introduced a sleek black finish that promises to set façades apart. This deep hue is available on low-maintenance, composite mahogany overlays, where the relatively smooth woodgrain texture produces a more uniform appearance. This is exactly what you want with a black paint finish! Not sure if you can commit to such a bold statement door? Feel free to try it out in the Door Imagination System™ to see what you think.
Model: Clopay® Canyon Ridge® Carriage House (5-Layer) Door in Black Finish | Contact for a Quote
A Locking Mechanism Reimagined from the Bottom Up
Are you looking for a classic hung window that's easy to open? The Lift Lock is an innovation in function, design, and aesthetics for Marvin Signature® Ultimate Single Hung and Double Hung G2 windows that answers the call! By moving the locking mechanism from the checkrail to the bottom of the sash, it joins two actions—unlocking and lifting—into one motion to make operating windows easier than ever. And simply closing the bottom sash engages the lock again! Available in contemporary and traditional styles, this hardware complements a range of designs, and you can see it in action here.
Model: Lift Lock Hardware on Marvin Signature Ultimate Single Hung G2 Windows | Contact for a Quote
Are you looking for a classic hung window that's easy to open? The Lift Lock is an innovation in function, design, and aesthetics for Marvin Signature® Ultimate Single Hung and Double Hung G2 windows that answers the call! By moving the locking mechanism from the checkrail to the bottom of the sash, it joins two actions—unlocking and lifting—into one motion to make operating windows easier than ever. And simply closing the bottom sash engages the lock again! Available in contemporary and traditional styles, this hardware complements a range of designs, and you can see it in action here.
Model: Lift Lock Hardware on Marvin Signature Ultimate Single Hung G2 Windows | Contact for a Quote
Linear Stone with Authentic Distressed Texture
The traditional nature of Dutch Quality Stone™ veneer makes it a top choice for all sorts of homes. Nothing beats the charm of stone whether it's used for accents or siding, and if you're looking for a profile that works for any style, check out Weather Ledge! Neat yet rugged, this veneer provides clean lines and uneven surfaces that create highlights and shadows across the wall. It comes in 12 color blends running the gamut from light to dark, cool to warm, and mono to polychromatic. The Winter Point option is a lovely soft gray with a few darker shades and hints of saturated tan—it's perfect for today's brighter designs!
Model: Dutch Quality Stone™ Weather Ledge in Winter Point Color Blend | Contact for a Quote
The traditional nature of Dutch Quality Stone™ veneer makes it a top choice for all sorts of homes. Nothing beats the charm of stone whether it's used for accents or siding, and if you're looking for a profile that works for any style, check out Weather Ledge! Neat yet rugged, this veneer provides clean lines and uneven surfaces that create highlights and shadows across the wall. It comes in 12 color blends running the gamut from light to dark, cool to warm, and mono to polychromatic. The Winter Point option is a lovely soft gray with a few darker shades and hints of saturated tan—it's perfect for today's brighter designs!
Model: Dutch Quality Stone™ Weather Ledge in Winter Point Color Blend | Contact for a Quote
Low-VOC Paints in a Variety of Attractive Colors
A lot goes into building a healthy home, and one of the most important things is paint. Be sure to look for low-VOC products, because these chemicals off-gas as paint dries—that's the characteristic smell you know—and they adversely affect health. True Value® Paint offers a massive spectrum of colors, and you'll love that their low-VOC EasyCare® Ultra Premium paints come asthma & allergy friendly® certified in satin, eggshell, and flat finishes. With that coveted seal of approval, these products have passed rigorous testing and you can purchase with confidence!
Model: True Value® D417 Figgy Pudding (Dark Stripes), Tusk (Light Stripes), & D445 Seal Gray (Room on the Right) | Price Varies by Product Selected
A lot goes into building a healthy home, and one of the most important things is paint. Be sure to look for low-VOC products, because these chemicals off-gas as paint dries—that's the characteristic smell you know—and they adversely affect health. True Value® Paint offers a massive spectrum of colors, and you'll love that their low-VOC EasyCare® Ultra Premium paints come asthma & allergy friendly® certified in satin, eggshell, and flat finishes. With that coveted seal of approval, these products have passed rigorous testing and you can purchase with confidence!
Model: True Value® D417 Figgy Pudding (Dark Stripes), Tusk (Light Stripes), & D445 Seal Gray (Room on the Right) | Price Varies by Product Selected
Bathroom Safety Accessories Made Stylish
With fixtures for builders to install and products for consumers to purchase as necessary, Moen™ offers bathroom safety solutions for every household. Their collection includes more than 100 grab bars in different styles and finishes as well as shower seats, toilet safety bars, tub grips, and non-slip adhesive mats and strips. Each piece complies with Americans with Disabilities Act specifications, lists how much weight it can support, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Take a look and see how you can design a better bathroom experience for every member of the family—without sacrificing your design scheme!
Model: Moen™ Peened 18" Concealed Screw Grab Bar | $32.00 MSRP
With fixtures for builders to install and products for consumers to purchase as necessary, Moen™ offers bathroom safety solutions for every household. Their collection includes more than 100 grab bars in different styles and finishes as well as shower seats, toilet safety bars, tub grips, and non-slip adhesive mats and strips. Each piece complies with Americans with Disabilities Act specifications, lists how much weight it can support, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Take a look and see how you can design a better bathroom experience for every member of the family—without sacrificing your design scheme!
Model: Moen™ Peened 18" Concealed Screw Grab Bar | $32.00 MSRP
Lovely Lighting That Coordinates with Plumbing
Long a favorite for bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures, KOHLER® is now in the lighting game, too! They offer a variety of chandeliers, pendants, sconces, etc., with names that will sound familiar if you've looked at faucets recently. The lighting collections complement popular faucets with similar shapes and matching finishes, taking the guesswork out of designing great kitchens and bathrooms. Of course, there's no reason why they can't be used around the whole house—you'll find that these lighting fixtures are gorgeous in their own rights. Whether you want a simpler specification process or just need some inspired lights, be sure to check out this new section!
Model: KOHLER® Damask™ Three-Light Pendant Cloud | $1,332.00 MSRP
Long a favorite for bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures, KOHLER® is now in the lighting game, too! They offer a variety of chandeliers, pendants, sconces, etc., with names that will sound familiar if you've looked at faucets recently. The lighting collections complement popular faucets with similar shapes and matching finishes, taking the guesswork out of designing great kitchens and bathrooms. Of course, there's no reason why they can't be used around the whole house—you'll find that these lighting fixtures are gorgeous in their own rights. Whether you want a simpler specification process or just need some inspired lights, be sure to check out this new section!
Model: KOHLER® Damask™ Three-Light Pendant Cloud | $1,332.00 MSRP
A New, Accessible Take on the Workstation Sink
Home chefs love accessories that help them tackle more in the kitchen—that's why workstation sinks have been popular for some years now! The Dart Canyon™ stainless steel farmhouse sink from Elkay® takes it to a new level with an ADA-compliant design suitable for all users. The built-in work shelf in front helps keep tools handy while the deeper section in back makes it easy to fill pots and stack dishes. A reversible grid for the bottom of the sink is included to adjust the depth of the bowl. Want to increase functionality? Add a cutting board and/or a colander or two! These sinks come in three widths and allow plenty of knee and toe clearance for seated users when installed properly.
Model: Elkay® Dart Canyon™ 35-7/8" x 27-1/4" x 9-5/8" Farmhouse ADA Workstation Sink | $1,180.00 MSRP (Accessories Sold Separately)
Home chefs love accessories that help them tackle more in the kitchen—that's why workstation sinks have been popular for some years now! The Dart Canyon™ stainless steel farmhouse sink from Elkay® takes it to a new level with an ADA-compliant design suitable for all users. The built-in work shelf in front helps keep tools handy while the deeper section in back makes it easy to fill pots and stack dishes. A reversible grid for the bottom of the sink is included to adjust the depth of the bowl. Want to increase functionality? Add a cutting board and/or a colander or two! These sinks come in three widths and allow plenty of knee and toe clearance for seated users when installed properly.
Model: Elkay® Dart Canyon™ 35-7/8" x 27-1/4" x 9-5/8" Farmhouse ADA Workstation Sink | $1,180.00 MSRP (Accessories Sold Separately)
Quartz Countertops in Classic & Dramatic Looks
Premium quartz countertops from Caesarstone® are much more durable than natural stone slabs, and the reproducibility of their beauty makes them a trusted choice. They have a variety of designs including popular marble lookalikes as well as those inspired by semi-precious stones, petrified wood, and even concrete. There's a lot to discover, but the deep base and lacy veining of Empira Black really made an impression when introduced as part of the Dark Collection this year. If you like the idea but black is too bold, be sure to check out its inverse counterpart, Empira White. No matter what you choose, you'll love how well these countertops perform in the kitchen and beyond.
Model: Caesarstone® Empira Black 5101 | Contact for a Quote
Premium quartz countertops from Caesarstone® are much more durable than natural stone slabs, and the reproducibility of their beauty makes them a trusted choice. They have a variety of designs including popular marble lookalikes as well as those inspired by semi-precious stones, petrified wood, and even concrete. There's a lot to discover, but the deep base and lacy veining of Empira Black really made an impression when introduced as part of the Dark Collection this year. If you like the idea but black is too bold, be sure to check out its inverse counterpart, Empira White. No matter what you choose, you'll love how well these countertops perform in the kitchen and beyond.
Model: Caesarstone® Empira Black 5101 | Contact for a Quote
A Sleek Bath Collection with Handy Features
The Kayra™ Bath Collection from the Delta® brand offers more than smooth, chic design ideal for transitional spaces. Take a look at the diversity of its sink faucets and shower fixtures and you're sure to find some answers to your plumbing wishes! For example, there's a pull-down faucet that gives you the kind of flexibility only known in kitchens before. You'll also see 2-in-1 showers that incorporate a detachable hand shower into the shower head for a more flexible bathing experience. And if a shower that puts you in control sounds good, you'll love the trim with two handles that adjust temperature and volume independently! This collection was definitely designed with usability for all consumers in mind.
Model: Delta® Kayra™ Single Handle Pull-Down Bathroom Faucet in Chrome | $215.25 MSRP
The Kayra™ Bath Collection from the Delta® brand offers more than smooth, chic design ideal for transitional spaces. Take a look at the diversity of its sink faucets and shower fixtures and you're sure to find some answers to your plumbing wishes! For example, there's a pull-down faucet that gives you the kind of flexibility only known in kitchens before. You'll also see 2-in-1 showers that incorporate a detachable hand shower into the shower head for a more flexible bathing experience. And if a shower that puts you in control sounds good, you'll love the trim with two handles that adjust temperature and volume independently! This collection was definitely designed with usability for all consumers in mind.
Model: Delta® Kayra™ Single Handle Pull-Down Bathroom Faucet in Chrome | $215.25 MSRP
Beautiful & Safe Flooring at an Unbeatable Price
A one-stop shop for hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and carpet, National Floors Direct® is a great place to find flooring for every room of the house! You'll find name brand flooring from reputable manufacturers at a great value here—they offer a low price guarantee that promises to beat any competitor by 15%, even including sale prices. Additionally, they only carry products that have passed third-party testing to be declared Healthy Home Certified, so you can rest easy knowing your floors won't release VOCs and put your family's health at risk. You won't be lost for lack of options for any design, either. The only problem you'll have is selecting your favorite products from their extensive catalog!
Model: Mohawk® Industries Highland 5" Engineered Hardwood in Butternut Oak Color from National Floors Direct® | Contact for a Quote
A one-stop shop for hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and carpet, National Floors Direct® is a great place to find flooring for every room of the house! You'll find name brand flooring from reputable manufacturers at a great value here—they offer a low price guarantee that promises to beat any competitor by 15%, even including sale prices. Additionally, they only carry products that have passed third-party testing to be declared Healthy Home Certified, so you can rest easy knowing your floors won't release VOCs and put your family's health at risk. You won't be lost for lack of options for any design, either. The only problem you'll have is selecting your favorite products from their extensive catalog!
Model: Mohawk® Industries Highland 5" Engineered Hardwood in Butternut Oak Color from National Floors Direct® | Contact for a Quote
