According to the latest Census data, new-home sales rose by 16.7% month over month from April to May and 12.9% year over year from May 2019's new-home sales estimate. At the same time, the Meyers Research New Home Pending Sales Index rose by 16.7% MOM from April to May—all indicators of a housing market on the rebound.
Here's a sampling of the newest products builders can try across all product types, both for interior comfort and exterior curb appeal, to capture this surge in new-home demand:
Alside
The ASCEND cladding system is designed to provide an easy installation process, low total cost, and a beautiful high-quality finish for homeowners and professionals. The composite material incorporates glass-reinforced polymer and graphite-infused polystyrene, which features a Class A fire rating, strong wind load performance, and R-2 thermal resistance. The cladding system is nearly maintenance-free, according to the company, and joins with a self-aligning stack lock that requires no specialized tools to install. alside.com
Carrier
Carrier has unveiled two new residential HVAC systems: the Infinity 26 Air Conditioner and Infinity 24 Heat Pump. For most applications, the Infinity 26 offers a SEER rating of up to 26.0, and the Infinity 24 offers a SEER of up to 24.0 and an HSPF rating of up to 13.0. The Greenspeed intelligence function provides steady and consistent temperature performance, removes excess humidity, and may influence energy savings, according to the manufacturer. carrier.com
Legrand
Legrand has introduced a new mounting plate and network interface module for its On-Q plastic structured wiring enclosure system. The mounting plate allows a number of third-party devices to be mounted into the enclosure, while the network interface provides strong data throughput through a connection to an existing Wi-Fi router or wired networking throughout the home. The AC106A6 network interface module supports Cat 6a cable connections and terminates up to six data lines for high-speed device connections. legrand.us
Ashley Norton
Ashley Norton has expanded its Solid Bronze architectural hardware collection to include over one dozen new lever, knob, and pull designs fashioned from art-grade solid bronze. Highlights of the new collection pieces include the oblong Potato Knob, hexagonal Octave Knob, and gem-cut Jeweled Knob. Each piece pairs with a variety of plates and roses, and is available in five finishes: dark bronze, light bronze, matte black, white bronze, and white medium. ashleynorton.com
Island Stone
The Cascade glass tile collection features a custom-engineered textured finish designed to mimic the movement of water. According to the manufacturer, this texture creates a “retreat-like” vibe on shower walls, backsplashes, accent walls, and other applications. The tiles are available in three formats—1x2-inch mosaic, 2x8-inch field tile, and 6x12-inch field tile—and in six colors. islandstone.com
Blanco
The RIVANA faucet collection includes three new kitchen faucets with modern geometric styling in semi-professional, pull-down and bar faucet configurations, as well as a coordinating soap dispenser. All models feature a 1.5 GPM flow rate, and the semi-professional model features a magnetic handspray holder on the faucet. The faucets and dispenser are available in either a polished chrome or stainless finish. blancoamerica.com
RDI
RDI has expanded its MetalWorks Excalibur line of steel railing panels with two new level panel designs: Serpentine and Mosaic. Each of the steel panels is durable, low-maintenance, and pre-assembled and factory welded for an easier installation process. According to the manufacturer, the panels provide a custom railing look for customers without the need for a custom railing job. They are available in two textured finishes, satin black and hammered bronze. rdirail.com
Pabco
The PABCO GLASS Interior gypsum panels are designed for use in non-fire rated residential interior applications, particularly those where moisture is a concern such as bathrooms and kitchens. The panels measure ½-inch thick, and include a mold- and water-resistant gypsum core reinforced with glass fibers for increased core strength. They are non-combustible, dimensionally stable, and warp-, sag- and buckle-resistant. The panels may be used as a wallboard or as a backer around tubs and showers. pabcogypsum.com
Maytag
The Maytag Dishwasher with Dual Power Filtration is designed to eliminate the need to pre-rinse, soak, or scrub dishes before the dishwasher cycle. The Dual Power Filtration system combines a microfiltration system and a four-blade stainless steel chopper, which filter and disintegrate food particles. Additional features include the “PowerBlast” cycle, a combination of high-pressure jets, high water temperatures and hot steam to scour particles, and a PowerDry cycle option, which uses a fan to remove humid air. maytag.com
Polyglass
The Polystick XLR self-adhering roof underlayment is made to provide waterproofing and fire-resistance in high-temperature applications, including combustible decks with metal roofing. The product features an SBS (elastometric) modified bitumen upper compound and a self-adhesive lower compound, with fiberglass reinforcement for additional stability. It carries a UL Class A fire rating for combustible deck applications and withstands temperatures of up to 265 degrees Fahrenheit. polyglass.us
