Welcome to what is arguably the single most important event in the home building industry—the International Builders' Show (IBS). In addition to the general spirit of camaraderie, people come to learn business strategies and marketing tips and to keep abreast of the latest technologies that will help them operate their companies more smoothly. Still, the best reason to attend the show always has been, and always will be, the products.

Manufacturers use the IBS to unveil their best and newest wares, which makes sense, as the show attracts more than 100,000 attendees from all areas of the industry. The result is a cornucopia of products that range from the frivolous to the functional, from the sensible to the silly. As usual, BUILDER has done some reconnaissance to separate the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Take a look, for example, at the Power Box jobsite entertainment system from Bosch. What's different about this product? It has a docking station for an iPod. You might also want to swing by the Colorado vNet booth; the company says its TP1-1D touchpad uses technology that allows the unit to react to and execute commands with a single touch.

It might also be worthwhile to head over to the Tapco Group to investigate the company's Inspire synthetic slate roofing, made from 50 percent resin and 50 percent natural materials. The manufacturer says it looks like the real thing, but resists the growth of algae, moss, and mold. The great thing about the IBS is that you can see for yourself.

Here are 20 products that are definitely worth checking out.

For more product information, visit ebuild, Hanley Wood's interactive product catalog, at www.builderonline.com or www.ebuild.com.

SOLAR FLAIR: Solar Block Plus is an acrylic block with a nonmetallic tint that produces a smoky color. The manufacturer says the result is a product that is more energy-efficient than regular glass or acrylic products. It is available in clear wave in 6-inch and 8-inch squares and can be used in windows or door inserts. Hy-Lite Products. 800-827-3691. www.hy-lite.com.

BUG BLOCK: The 6-inch Impasse termite blocker now allows home builders to offer pre-construction termite protection for foundations where 6-inch PVC pipes go through the slab, the manufacturer says. The product is an effective solution that stops termites at some of the most common entry points into the home, the company adds. It is also available in sizes from 3/8 inch to 5 inches. Syngenta Corp. 800-759-4500. www.impasse.com.

DOOR STORE: Made from 25-gauge stamped steel, Oak Summit Collection garage doors feature a carriage-house appearance with a bead-board profile. The four-section unit has a centerline that gives it the appearance of an out-swing garage door, and it has an optional polystyrene insulation to give it an R-value of 5.65. Available with 17 window options, the door comes in white, almond, and sand-tone. Amarr Garage Doors. 800-503-3667. www.amarr.com.

LINE JUDGE: The SpeedMeter electronic measuring wheel is available in 4-inch and 13-inch wheel sizes to accommodate almost any job situation, the manufacturer says. It has an LCD display with selectable backlight, an electronic brake that holds the measurement until it is reset, and a telescoping handle that adjusts for multiple users and easy storage. C.H. Hanson Co. 800-827-3398. www.chhanson.com.

POD JOBS: The jobsite just got hipper, thanks to the new Power Box jobsite entertainment radio with a docking station for an iPod music player. The new dock plugs directly into the Power Box's 12-volt auxiliary outlet and 3.5-millimeter input jack to play music or charge the iPod. The dock completely encases any one of five iPod models, and the weather- and dust-resistant casing protects the iPod from the elements. Bosch North America. 877-267-2499. www.boschtools.com.

ROCK ON: Durock-brand mortars, mastics, grouts, and accessories are designed for use with the company's cement board and Fiberock Aqua-Tough tile backer board. The four latex-modified mortars are intended to address most ceramic tile installations, while the latex-fortified grouts are available in sanded and unsanded versions. USG. 800-874-4968. www.usg.com.

NEW VIEW: Insight windows are made with cellular composite technology, so they have the appearance of wood and the durability of vinyl. Free of weather-related problems such as rotting and warping, the windows have better thermal properties, screw retention, and water absorption resistance, the manufacturer says. The windows are available in casement, awning, and double-hung styles in three colors. MI Windows and Doors. 800-949-3818. www.mihomeproducts.com.

ROOF TOPPINGS: Inspire synthetic slate roofing is made of 50 percent resin and 50 percent natural materials. It has six edge and surface designs, a Class A fire rating, and resists winds up to 110 miles per hour. The company says the product minimizes color fading, eliminates contraction and expansion, and resists the growth of algae, moss, and mold. It comes in 16 solid colors and seven color blends. Tapco Group. 800-521-8486. www.tapcoint.com.

RIDE THE RAILS:RadianceRail offers the attractiveness of white vinyl railing but provides the structural feel of a wood product, says the manufacturer. Made of a precision-engineered composite and capped with vinyl, the product has no exposed hardware or mounting collars and is available in 6-foot and 8-foot kits. TimberTech. 800-307-7780. www.timbertech.com.

NATURAL BY DESIGN: Natural Fusion resilient vinyl flooring comes in popular looks such as bamboo, stone, and exotic wood. Available in 35 versions, the flooring is made using a technology that yields realistic textures and gloss for a natural appearance, the company says. The line also incorporates polycarbonate-fused aluminum oxide, which enhances scratch- and wear-resistance. Armstrong Flooring. 800-233-3823. www.armstrong.com.

ARCH FIND: The Madison Arch door style features detailed door- and drawer-front edges with a raised center panel and an eyebrow arch in a full maple overlay. The style will be offered in five standard and 17 specialty finishes, including espresso and mocha crème, for the Premier and WoodCraft product lines. Wellborn Cabinet. 800-336-8040. www.wellborn.com.

CLEAN LINES: Designed for transitional interiors, the Trinity Collection offers the simple, sweeping, minimalist forms that are popular at the moment. The lights come with or without etched-glass shades and in brushed nickel, polished brass, antique bronze, or cobblestone finishes. The P3192-09 bath vanity fixture is shown here in brushed nickel. Progress Lighting. 864-599-6000. www.progresslighting.com.

FINGERTIP CONTROL: This new TP1-1D touchpad employs capacitive technology, allowing homeowners to use just one unit for multiple configurations, the company says. Capacitive technology allows the unit to react to and execute commands with a single touch, so one tap can operate lights or control a preprogrammed event schedule. The touchpad has no moving parts, can be mounted vertically or horizontally, and fits standard decora lighting plates. Colorado vNet. 970-203-3700. www.coloradovnet.com.

RATCHET UP: The Sheerline ratcheting base trim can be adjusted to fit 4-inch and 6-inch posts, the manufacturer says. Designed to be used with the company's Sheerline posts, the trim easily locks into place and has no visible screw tabs. It is available in four pieces that can be assembled on the jobsite. L.B. Plastics. 800-752-7739. www.lbplastics.com.

GO WITH THE GRAIN: The company's two new railing systems complement its EverGrain composite decking products. Made of a wood composite, the railings are low maintenance and come in colors to match the decking products. The traditional 2x4 railing system includes a 2x4 handrail, 2x4 siderails, and square balusters. Another railing comes with a 2x6 handrail, 2x4 siderails, and square balusters. Epoch Composite Products. 800-253-1401. www.evergrain.com.

COLOR THEORY: Two new color blends have been added to the manufacturer's line of residential bricks for home exteriors, fireplaces, paving, and more: Prairie Gray and Plum Creek. Plum Creek features a heavily mortar-smeared face on an old-red base, while Prairie Gray has a cleft surface and a tan-gray coloration. Acme Brick Co. 800-792-1234. www.brick.com.

EDGES OF REASON:These square-edged Traditional balusters look like ordinary products, but they are made of metal, so they offer some maintenance advantages. Measuring 1 inch by 1/2 inch and 32 inches long, the products are made of powder-coated aluminum and can be installed with pre-drilled holes and stainless steel screws. They are available in bronze and black finishes. Deckorators. 800-332-5724. www.deckorators.com.

WOOD-LOOKING:Providence Collection is a new line of veneer moldings that has all the benefits of wood at a more reasonable price, the manufacturer says. The product consists of real oak veneer over a polymer substrate, so it looks and works like solid wood but is less likely to warp, twist, or split, the manufacturer claims. The product comes in crown and baseboard profiles with coordinating pieces such as chair rail and quarter-round. Louisiana-Pacific. 888-820-0325. www.lpcorp.com.

DESIGNER LINE: Part of the manufacturer's Designer Collection, these four new solid-surface products feature colors and patterns that emulate natural materials. They include Quarry Palisade, Quarry Bluff, Breccia Bisque, and Breccia Rio Grande. The products are durable, easy to maintain, and stain resistant, the manufacturer says. Samsung Staron. 800-795-7177. www.getstaron.com.

COUNTER FIT: The manufacturer says its two-part countertop system creates a surface that eliminates the need for caulking. The Ditra universal underlayment serves as an uncoupling layer between the wood substrate and tiles, while a Kerdi-Band waterproofing strip seals butt joints and backsplash connections. Schluter Systems. 800-472-4588. www.schluter.com.