Best in Show

By BUILDER Magazine Staff. Let's face it--the International Builders' Show is no walk in the park. Occupying more than 1.2 million square feet of floor space at the Las Vegas Convention Center, this year's show will be a downright monster. It helps to have a guide negotiating your way through the world of products, which is usually the highlight of the show. And we have it right here.

Though it's not a comprehensive list of all the great things to see at this year's show, this preview list of 20 products offers a little something for everybody--from virtually maintenance-free windows and doors to an electric cooking element that mimics the performance of gas. Start with these, and see all the other wonderful things manufacturers have in store for you.

Warming front: WarmaTowel all-brass towel warmers are available in numerous wall, floor, and pivoting styles, and each features a stainless-steel, built-in heater. The towel warmers come in polished brass, satin nickel, polished nickel, brushed nickel, polished chrome, and regal chrome. Sussman Lifestyle. 800-767-8326. www.slgrp.com.

Nostalgic notion: With a nod toward yesteryear, this double-hung window features a weight and pulley system. The brass chains and alloyed weights allow the unit to operate easily because of the proportionate balance between the sash and weights. All units are custom made. Kolbe amp; Kolbe. 715-842-5666. www.kolbekolbe.com.

Seven up: CraneBoard 7 solid core siding is now available in a 7-inch profile. The Energy-Star-approved product has an R-value of 4 and is 300 times more impact resistant than traditional vinyl siding, the manufacturer says. Easy to install and virtually maintenance free, the product has a seamless appearance and a Perform Guard insect repellent in the backing. Crane. 800-366-8472. www.cranesiding.com.

Into the woods: CrestWood wood windows feature white or almond vinyl exteriors and come in casement, awning, double-hung, fixed, and picture configurations. They include clear pine interiors that can be painted or stained and multi-point lock systems. Insulated glass, glazings, wood grilles, and simulated divided lights are optional. Crestline. 800-552-4111. www.crestlinewindows.com.

Photo: Courtesy Exhausto Silent night: The BESF Box Ventilator is installed in an attic, garage, or basement, providing virtually silent operation, the manufacturer says. The fan motor adapts to both wall-mounted and island kitchen hoods or downdraft designs and can be controlled by most hood speed controls. It is available in four sizes with a starting capacity of 500 CFM. Exhausto. 800-255-2923. www.us.exhausto.com. Air apparent: The Model 400 Automatic Humidifier uses a water delivery system that includes a small float chamber, electronic water-level sensors, and a wicking water panel. The float chamber eliminates the need for a reservoir, and the water panel allows 100 percent of the water to be used in the evaporation process with virtually no standing water. Aprilaire/Research Products Corp. 608-257-8801. www.april aire.com. Photo: Courtesy Moen Form and function: This Aberdeen pullout faucet has a pause button that allows users to interrupt the flow of water and put water only where it's needed. The wand from the high-arc unit also offers a single-button activation spray feature that switches the water stream from steady to aerated. Available finishes include chrome, stainless, and copper. Moen. 440-962-2000. www.moen.com. Photo: Courtesy Yorktowne

First impression: Impressions multi-step finish packages are available on eight solid cherry, oak, and maple door styles, in all-wood Platinum cabinets. The finishes are created through random distressing, semi-transparent staining, glazing, sand-throughs, and sand-overs to produce aging and weathering effects. The packages come in harvest, fawn, and eggshell. Yorktowne. 800-777-0065. www.yorktowneinc.com.

Photo: Courtesy Jenn-Air Control freak: The CustomControl is an electric cooking element that mimics the performance of gas. As a result, it offers higher temperatures for searing and blackening, a lower temperature for simmering without scorching, and unlimited range of temperature control. The new element will be available on the manufacturer's 30- and 36-inch smooth-top glass cooktops. Jenn-Air. 800-688-1100. www.jennair.com. Photo: Courtesy Marley Mouldings

Trim down: Pro Series cellular vinyl exterior trim work is maintenance-free and will not rot. The new line includes door frames, door light surrounds, brick molds, jambs, crown and dentil moldings, window sills, door and window casings, utility trim, fascias, soffits, and trim plank boards. Marley Mouldings. 800-368-5520. www.marleymouldings.com.

Brick-a-brack: The manufacturer says its new Whitewash profile fiber-cement siding has a textured mortar surface that results in a product that looks and feels like real brick. Featuring the look of white-washed brick, the product comes in a red/beige color. It can be used for exterior or interior application. Nichiha. 770-805-9466. www.n-usa.com.

Easy off: The manufacturer's new window and patio door lines will feature EasyCare glass--an exterior coating that helps water sheet off so the glass will dry faster and stay cleaner longer, the maker says. The 300 series replaces the Image series, and the 500 series features pine interiors and pre-finished aluminum-clad exteriors. And the 700 series offers aluminum-clad windows and patio doors. Peachtree. 800-732-2499. www.peachtreedoor.com.

Photo: Courtesy USG

Inside corner: Flexible metal, tape-on drywall corner beads feature coatings to minimize scuffing and fuzzing during finishing and sanding. The product includes two steel strips that are attached to paper tapes to ensure adhesion of joint compounds, textures, and paints. Two corners are available: one for outside corner angles, the other for inside corners. USG. 800-874-4968. www.usg.com.

Door ways: Wood-hinged patio doors feature natural pine interiors and aluminum or wood exteriors. The doors are available in out-swing, in-swing, and center-hinged styles. They come with 3/4-inch-thick dual-sealed insulated glass and are available in six heights. Divided lights, grilles, and door hardware styles are optional. Vetter. 800-838-8372. www.vetterwindows.com.

Photo: Courtesy Simpson Strong-Tie

Hangers on: The model IUS hanger allows contractors to attach sub-floors flush to headers and to reduce gaps, bumps, and squeaks in I-joist construction. Funnel flanges guide the joist into place in the hanger where a starburst in the seat holds the hoist in the center of the hanger. The embossed hanger seat adds strength and stiffness around the bottom flange. Simpson Strong-Tie. 800-999-5099. www.strongtie.com.

Photo: Courtesy Heat-N-Glo Quest for fire: GEM series fireplaces feature true-arch fire-boxes that are made from one solid piece of ceramic-fiber material and herringbone design interior linings. They have heat-zone, heat- out, and heat-duct management options, sealed combustion chambers to keep warm air in and cold air out, and can be vented directly outside. Remote controls and decorative fronts are optional. Heat-N-Glo. 888-743-2887. www.heatnglo.com. Photo: Courtesy Pozzi

Clad in copper: Now you can jazz up your windows with copper finishes on the manufacturer's window sash and patio door panel components. The copper finishes are available in hand-rubbed patina, bright, and speckled. Because of the nature of copper, finishes will be unique to every project, and depending on the region of the country, it will develop a variety of natural patinas over time. You can also add additional pizzazz by highlighting windows with a combination of colored aluminum cladding and copper. Pozzi. 800-877-9482. www.pozzi.com.

Photo: Courtesy Wellborn Beaded door: Shown here in a taupe finish with a dark glaze, the new cabinet door style features a multi-step beaded molding that outlines the recessed center panel. It is available in the Premier and WoodCraft series in four standard and four specialty finishes. The taupe finish and a dark glaze are offered on five additional door styles. Wellborn Cabinet. 800-336-8040. www.wellborn.com. On guard: Part of the Security line, the Dakota handle set features an ANSI-grade three deadbolt, a solid core throwbolt, and a pick-resistant five-pin system. The handle set is available in five finishes and can be used with knobs and levers from the Maximum and UltraMax lines. Kwikset. 949-672-4001. www.kwikset.com. Photo: Courtesy Weyerhaeuser Decked out: ChoiceDek decorative railing systems are made from recycled oak wood fibers and recycled polyethylene plastic. The railing system consists of several components including large vertical posts and square baluster support blocks, and is pre-grooved for electrical lighting. Weyerhaeuser. 800-951-5117. www.choicedek.com.