January 13, 2006
Way Cool!
Day 3 on the show floor at the International Builders' Show, and my feet are begging for mercy. However, I've seen some truly awesome products:
-- ODL has a new window that is truly my kind of product: Not only are the mini-blinds mounted between the panes of glass to keep them dust-free, but they also are operated by motors. Just push one button to tilt the blinds up, and another one to tilt 'em down.
-- Mr. Steam can take over my bathroom any time with a compact steam generator that also dispenses aromatherapy. Other options include colored lights for chromatherapy and in-shower speakers to help set the mood. (I might never leave the shower again ...)
-- Telesteps has an astonishing ladder that telescopes from 26 inches closed to 8-1/2 feet extended and weighs only 18 lb. The largest model is only 30 inches closed but provides the same climbing height as a 16-foot ladder. They're very easy for one person to handle, and they can fit in the trunk of a car -- no top-of-the-truck rack needed.
-- E-Z Stairs cuts the time needed for making stair stringers by half or more. Adjustable stair brackets and spacers take the guesswork out of the process. I think that with this product, even I could make stair stringers right the first time.
All in all, a pretty lucky Friday the 13th, I think.
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 8:03 PM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2006
Day 2: Hurricane (products) in Orlando
Lots of people were on the show floor yesterday, but there are a lot more here today.
I'm still bumping into friends, though -- in one case, literally. Not bad, considering there are reportedly more than 110,000 exhibitors and attendees here at the Builders' Show.
I went to the breakfast at the NextGen house to hear about the newest Tech Set from PATH (the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing). This Tech Set focuses on storm-resistant roofing.
One really intesting tidbit of info: By using a particular kind of nail (I don't recall the exact kind, but there will be more info on HGTVPro.com soon), the builder can virtually ensure that the roofing shingles will stay on the house in a hurricane. The average additional cost per house is $0.08. Hey, I live in Tennessee, but I'd still sign up for that kind of insurance!
Another cool product on the house was a pull-down fabric hurricane shutter, which is held in place by big wing nuts. It's hidden in a housing that looks like decorative molding until it's needed. Looked to me like something that would be a heck of a lot easier than nailing plywood over the windows!
More later on products for the rest of the country. I'm definitely going to have to learn to rollerblade before the next IBS, though. There's no way I'm going to cover the whole show.
Bummer.
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 3:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2006
First morning at IBS
Day 1 is half over, and I can see I need to start hustling a bit more.
I started hitting the booths on Roy Diez's list of booths to visit, but he's right: The products are really interesting, so it's slow going.
Among my favorites so far:
-- Wayne-Dalton, which has a line of fiberglass-encased steel garage doors with moveable "timbers" with magnetic backing, allowing homeowners to customize a carriage-house look that can change with their whims
-- Miele's new dishwashers, which offer an astonishing selection of functions and loading flexibility
-- Samsung's Staron quartz countertops (I admit I'm a huge fan of engineered stone surfaces in general. I'm not a good enough housekeeper to deal with sealing granite regularly.)
Back to the floor. More to report later.
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 7:28 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2006
So many booths, so little time
As a trade journalist, I get a lot of invitations to visit booths at IBS and see the latest products from the various exhibitors.
I know from experience, though, that there is no way that I'll be able to see everything I want to, even if I could spend all day every day on the show floor.
So I've been doing some planning. I talked to my old friend Roy Diez, who has to be the reigning guru of the Builders' Show, to pick his brain a bit. This is his 40th (yes, fortieth!) consecutive trip to the show, so there's not a lot he hasn't seen there.
You can take advantage of Roy's experience, too. Check out his HGTVPro article titled "First Trip to the Builders' Show?" and the list of his product picks, and you'll get the benefit of all that experience, too.
Thanks, Roy! I know I'm not the only one who appreciates your sage advice (especially the part about the comfortable shoes).
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 7:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 9, 2006
Taking a deep breath
Here we go again!
My first full week covering the remodeling biz was at the International Builders Show in Atlanta five years ago. Talk about a baptism of fire!
But it sure was a good way to learn a lot fast, even though I'd been covering other aspects of the building and construction industry for seven years.
I have to say that the show brings out mixed feelings in me. I love seeing old friends, making new ones, and seeing all the really cool new products hitting the market.
I also dread the sore feet, the 16-hour days, and the bone-deep exhaustion that sets in by Saturday.
I guess that's why the adrenalin has been pumping for several days already. I hardly slept last night. Just what we all need, huh? Going into the Builders Show with a sleep deficit.
Maybe I can catch some Z's on the plane tomorrow ...
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 3:22 PM | Comments (0)
