Our Architects' Favorite Home Products

From IBS and KBIS 2018

by Lauren Busser and Rachel Lyon

The International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) bring all the big names and a lot of littler ones together for a massive expo on everything to do with construction, and we check it out every year. Hundreds of new and exciting products gave us a lot to think about, but the results are in! These recently unveiled home products make the top of our list for their innovation, quality, and aesthetics, and we know they’ll make wonderful additions to new home projects in 2018.

Bold and Subtle Contemporary Palettes

Adding to an already extensive list of color blends, Eldorado Stone introduced us to five new palettes for some of their most popular stone and brick veneers. We love the moodiness of Ironside and the washed out warm tones of Latigo for TundraBrick®, the light and airy vibe of Cumulus for Vantage30, the bright yet rugged look of Whitebark for Cliffstone®, and the cool gray sophistication of Cannonade for Cut Coarse Stone®—they all make beautiful statements in contemporary and transitional designs. See the Modern Collection to discover the perfect profile for your space!

Model: Eldorado Stone TundraBrick® in Ironside | Contact for a Quote

Wood Garage Doors with Striking Modern Looks

Are you looking for an organic complement to your modern home? Clopay® Garage Doors has just what you're looking for! Their Reserve® Wood Collection Modern Series offers plenty of ideas with different wood cladding, window, and metal inlay design options so you can instill just the right style with your garage. If you'd prefer the ease of faux wood, the Canyon Ridge® Collection Modern Series would be perfect—and a brand-new faux woodgrain color called Slate will be available for it this spring. There are tons of stylish possibilities to discover!

Model: Clopay® Reserve® Wood Collection Modern Series | Contact for a Quote

A Range That Takes the Guesswork Out of Cooking

Whirlpool® debuted a smart range that connects to your devices and features Scan-to-Cook technology. This feature lets you scan a frozen food barcode with your smartphone or tablet and send recommended and customized cooking instructions straight to your oven so dinner is made perfectly—it even works for multi-step cooking instructions! Instead of having to manually change temperatures, the oven automatically adjusts based on the recipe you enter. There's also a matching microwave with the same functionality!

Model: Whirlpool® 5.8 Cu. Ft. Smart Freestanding Gas Range with EZ-2-Lift™ Grates | $1,349.00 MSRP

Expansive French Door Style with Sliding Operation

The Integrity® from Marvin® Wood-Ultrex Sliding French Door has the best of two different designs—the classic look of a French door with the convenience of a sliding door. Its wide stile-and-rail construction showcases a rich wood interior while Ultrex® fiberglass provides a long-lasting low-maintenance exterior. Available in a variety of builds including 2, 3, and 4 panel configurations in sizes up to 16’ wide and 8’ tall, and with a range of finishes available, you can be sure that this opens up numerous design options.

Model: Integrity® from Marvin® Wood-Ultrex Sliding French Door | Contact for a Quote

Flooring with Modern Style and Broad Appeal

Lumber Liquidators brought a host of flooring samples to IBS, but it was the super sleek and modern selection that stole the show. A lot of these were made of bamboo, a highly eco-friendly choice with design versatility you wouldn’t believe. You’ll love the peace of mind that comes with choosing such a renewable product, and your interior design will benefit from the spectrum of options at your disposal. Whether you want something light, dark, high-contrast, gray, distressed, etc., you’ll find it in bamboo, and you wouldn’t know it’s not hardwood!

Model: Morning Star XD 3/8” x 5-1/8” Engineered Crushed Indigo Bamboo | $2.99/sq.ft.

Vented Sidelites to Catch the Breeze

Make your sidelites pull double duty! Therma-Tru® Doors offers vented sidelites on their Smooth-Star® and Fiber-Classic® Collections, so extra ventilation is just a swing away. Sturdy stiles and hardware transform the frames into narrow doors that open from inside, and they're fully integrated into the entry system. What's more, decorative and privacy glass options are not off the table when you opt for this convenience. Vented sidelites are available in 12 and 14 inch widths and 6'6", 6'8", and 8'0" heights to fit virtually any door opening—chances are they'll work with your home!

Model: Therma-Tru® Doors Smooth-Star® Entry with Vented Sidelites | Contact for a Quote

Home Window Security Made Easy

The fully integrated, factory-prepped Lock Status Sensor from Marvin® Windows is designed for wireless connectivity. Every window and door equipped with it is delivered, ready to install, and requires no after-market modification. The sensor indicates if a panel or sash is closed and locked or unlocked. The concealed design of the sensor leaves the beauty of the window and doors intact. It integrates into a new or existing security system with a wired or wireless connection, and the forward-thinking design also allows you to upgrade your system as technology changes.

Model: Marvin® Lock Status Sensor, Available on Multiple Products | Contact for a Quote

Authentic Clay Roofing for Every Application

Whether you’re building or renovating, Boral Roofing has the perfect clay tiles for you! Their options include traditional two-piece, time-efficient one-piece, and special lightweight tiles for reroofing projects, all available in a variety of looks. Clay roofs have a long and enduring history, and Boral’s® manufacturing techniques enhance that natural durability to produce exceptional results for today’s homeowners. Better yet, they hold a coveted Cradle to Cradle Certification because they use up to 59% recycled raw materials, are 100% recyclable, and have cool roof rated colors!

Model: Boral 1-Piece "S" Tile - Custom Blend | Contact for a Quote

A Dynamic Faucet with Strong Clean Lines

Are you planning a kitchen built on modern design principles? You won’t want to miss this! New from Delta®, the Pivotal™ Kitchen Collection offers the utmost in contemporary styling. A range of bold spouts take on architectural shapes to make a statement at the sink, and they’ll fit right into schemes ranging from industrial to minimalist. With features like MagnaTite® Docking, DIAMOND™ Seal Technology, and optional Touch2O® Technology, these faucets are a lot more than just their looks. Keep an eye out for this collection as it’s released this year!

Model: Delta® Pivotal™ Kitchen Collection Exposed Hose Faucet | Available in Quarter 3, 2018

Designer Door Hardware in Every Style

Looking for the perfect interior knobs and levers? Are you concerned with style as well as functionality? Then you’ll love the brand-new Schlage Custom™ Door Hardware! Not only are there plenty of turning and non-turning choices ranging from classic to contemporary, but they can be swapped without removing the core system, so it’s easy to update handle and trim hardware. That’s not all—you can also add and remove a privacy locking mechanism! With this custom capability, it’s easy to personalize each door in your home for your needs.

Model: Schlage Custom™ Dempsey Lever with Rosewood Trim | Coming Soon!

Fire-Resistant Composite Shake Roofing

Drought conditions and increased wildfire danger have made many homeowners question their roofs. Natural wood shakes ignite easily, so find an alternative that offers the aesthetics without putting your property at undue risk! Ply Gem's® Engineered Cedar Shake roofing uses 3D laser engraving to mimic the texture of hand-split shakes on a low-maintenance composite material that is weather, wind, and fire resistant. Choose from warm brown to cool gray tones, and straight or staggered edges, to outfit your home with the style you want and the protection you need!

Model: Ply Gem® Engineered Cedar Shake in Weathered Gray | Contact for a Quote

A Big Step Away from the Standard Sink

Your kitchen sink doesn’t need to be a drop-in style concealed by cabinets—let it show with an apron front or take it even further with one that appears to stand on its own! The Farmstead sink from Kohler® is chic yet classic in design, and we could see it being included in updated country and Craftsman style homes. It’s wall mounted and has two leg options to help it fit different schemes, or you can top-mount it into custom cabinetry. In any case, the Farmstead sink is 45 inches across and made of cast iron—that’s large and solid enough to tackle your biggest cleanups!

Model: Kohler® Farmstead Sink | Coming Soon!

Durable Beams and Columns with Many Uses

BOISE GLULAM® beam products are manufactured with durable wood species and exterior-grade or wet-use adhesives, providing lots of flexibility. They’re ideal for framing single- and multi-family residential homes. The wide array of appearance options and layups make BOISE GLULAM® one of the most versatile engineered wood products on the market. Available nationwide, these products are also perfect for constructing porches and decks—who wouldn't love the natural beauty and decay resistance of Alaska Yellow Cedar and Port Orford Cedar for their outdoor living spaces?

Model: Boise Cascade BOISE GLULAM® Products | Find a Distributor

Our Architects' Favorite Home Products

From IBS and KBIS 2018

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