New Products for Better Builds in 2017
by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for The House Designers®
Are you wondering what’s new in the world of residential construction? Keeping up with the latest and greatest products isn’t the easiest when you’re focused on building, so let us tell you what caught our attention! A lot goes into constructing a house—here’s a range of products that homeowners might not think of themselves, but that they will definitely appreciate as much as builders do.
A Quicker, Cleaner Drain for Tile Showers
Tile showers are only increasing in popularity, but they've always been tricky to install. Introduced to the U.S. market this year, the Wondercap is the multi-part drain system brainchild of an Australian plumber who saw the need for better installation methods to ensure watertightness and prevent blockage in the pipe—and it’s even easy to use! The layers of the system come in handy during different phases of construction to create a stronger, triple waterproof seal and protect the drain. The non-stick, non-stain, antibacterial surface stops buildup and germ growth before they start, and there are interchangeable strainers to add some flair, too!
Model: Wondercap Tile Shower Drain Outlet with Round Chrome Brass Strainer | Available at Lowe's!
Tile showers are only increasing in popularity, but they've always been tricky to install. Introduced to the U.S. market this year, the Wondercap is the multi-part drain system brainchild of an Australian plumber who saw the need for better installation methods to ensure watertightness and prevent blockage in the pipe—and it’s even easy to use! The layers of the system come in handy during different phases of construction to create a stronger, triple waterproof seal and protect the drain. The non-stick, non-stain, antibacterial surface stops buildup and germ growth before they start, and there are interchangeable strainers to add some flair, too!
Model: Wondercap Tile Shower Drain Outlet with Round Chrome Brass Strainer | Available at Lowe's!
Energy-Efficient, Zoned Climate Control
Looking for compact and intelligent heating and air conditioning? Bosch’s new Ductless Minisplit System has separate indoor and outdoor units and only requires a 3” diameter opening through the wall to run the drain pipe and other lines, making it a fantastic choice for renovations and tiny homes. In multi-zone systems, one condensing section can connect to up to five indoor air handlers for individual control in different rooms. The system is also super quiet, programmable with a 24-hour timer, has an integrated multi-part filter system for better air quality, a turbo option for on-demand temperature adjustment, and is even ENERGY STAR® rated!
Model: Bosch Climate 5000 Ductless Minisplit Heat Pump System | Price Varies by Setup
Looking for compact and intelligent heating and air conditioning? Bosch’s new Ductless Minisplit System has separate indoor and outdoor units and only requires a 3” diameter opening through the wall to run the drain pipe and other lines, making it a fantastic choice for renovations and tiny homes. In multi-zone systems, one condensing section can connect to up to five indoor air handlers for individual control in different rooms. The system is also super quiet, programmable with a 24-hour timer, has an integrated multi-part filter system for better air quality, a turbo option for on-demand temperature adjustment, and is even ENERGY STAR® rated!
Model: Bosch Climate 5000 Ductless Minisplit Heat Pump System | Price Varies by Setup
Prefabricated Shearwalls with Flexible Installation
A leader in the building industry, Simpson Strong-Tie® continues to impress with a variety of new and improved structural components and connection products. Those who work in high-wind or seismically active areas know how critical lateral systems are, and how complicated the detailing process can be. The new Strong-Wall® Wood Shearwalls make design, installation, and inspection much easier for residential applications. This product has integrated hold-downs with three accessible sides for anchoring before or after framing, and can be trimmed and drilled on-site. If you're looking for a quick, code-compliant shearwall option, this is a great one worth checking out.
Model: Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Wall® Wood Shearwalls | Contact a Dealer for a Quote
A leader in the building industry, Simpson Strong-Tie® continues to impress with a variety of new and improved structural components and connection products. Those who work in high-wind or seismically active areas know how critical lateral systems are, and how complicated the detailing process can be. The new Strong-Wall® Wood Shearwalls make design, installation, and inspection much easier for residential applications. This product has integrated hold-downs with three accessible sides for anchoring before or after framing, and can be trimmed and drilled on-site. If you're looking for a quick, code-compliant shearwall option, this is a great one worth checking out.
Model: Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Wall® Wood Shearwalls | Contact a Dealer for a Quote
A Multi-Function Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Everybody appreciates good bathroom ventilation, and the humble fan has come a long way to give us even more to love. Delta Breez offers a wide range of virtually silent and ENERGY STAR® qualified fans with extra features like dimmable LED lights, motion- and humidity-sensing turn on options, and a Bluetooth® stereo speaker system. We think most homeowners will be drawn to the BreezRadiance Series, which combines ventilation with a safe heating element for a fog-free and cozy bathroom. A built-in thermostat keeps the temperature consistent, so the shock of getting out of the bath can be a thing of the past!
Model: Delta BreezRadiance RAD80LED | Available in May, 2017!
Everybody appreciates good bathroom ventilation, and the humble fan has come a long way to give us even more to love. Delta Breez offers a wide range of virtually silent and ENERGY STAR® qualified fans with extra features like dimmable LED lights, motion- and humidity-sensing turn on options, and a Bluetooth® stereo speaker system. We think most homeowners will be drawn to the BreezRadiance Series, which combines ventilation with a safe heating element for a fog-free and cozy bathroom. A built-in thermostat keeps the temperature consistent, so the shock of getting out of the bath can be a thing of the past!
Model: Delta BreezRadiance RAD80LED | Available in May, 2017!
Composite Decking That's Comfortable Underfoot
Outdoor living areas should be inviting when the weather is warm, but a hot deck can ruin the experience. ChoiceDek® recently released Premium decking, which is infused with CoolDeck technology to help combat this problem. Think of it like a cool roof—more of the sun’s rays are reflected to prevent heat buildup, so homeowners can enjoy it all summer long. ChoiceDek is lightweight and easy to install and clean, and is even durable enough to be used underwater. With 95% recycled content and a transferable lifetime warranty, this product has something for everybody!
Model: ChoiceDek® Premium Composite Decking | Available at Lowe's!
Outdoor living areas should be inviting when the weather is warm, but a hot deck can ruin the experience. ChoiceDek® recently released Premium decking, which is infused with CoolDeck technology to help combat this problem. Think of it like a cool roof—more of the sun’s rays are reflected to prevent heat buildup, so homeowners can enjoy it all summer long. ChoiceDek is lightweight and easy to install and clean, and is even durable enough to be used underwater. With 95% recycled content and a transferable lifetime warranty, this product has something for everybody!
Model: ChoiceDek® Premium Composite Decking | Available at Lowe's!
