Best Indoor Living Product
& Best in Show
Perfect for bat…
Best Indoor Living Product
& Best in Show
Perfect for bathrooms, hallways, or kids’ rooms, SnapRays’ Guidelight is a sleek, low-profile nightlight built directly into the design of a standard outlet cover plate, providing extra light while leaving both outlets free. Three energy-efficient LEDs at the bottom of the plate turn on and off automatically thanks to an ambient light sensor. The Guidelight is easy to install with no additional wires or batteries—patented power prongs on the back of the cover snap around the outlet receptacle, drawing power from the screws on the side of the outlet for operation.
Best Kitchen Product
The Benchmark Wall Oven from Bosch gives u…
Best Kitchen Product
The Benchmark Wall Oven from Bosch gives universal design a boost with a side-opening door for easier access to the full oven cavity. The 30-inch unit provides 4.6 cubic feet of capacity with three racks, and is compatible with the cut-outs of most major brands. True convection promises even cooking on multiple racks, and an EcoChef setting uses residual heat to complete the cooking process and save energy. Other user-friendly features include QuietClose doors, a multi-color touch interface, a delayed start timer, and 14 specialized cooking modes, including custom programs.
Best Green Building Product
Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Pure Ge…
Best Green Building Product
Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Pure Genius smart floors are engineered to improve a home’s indoor air quality and minimize odors through an air-purifying agent made of titanium dioxide added in the hardwood’s titanium finish. The technology is activated by light to break down contaminants and pollutants, such as formaldehyde, chemicals, and mold, and transform them into harmless molecules—especially important in modern, more airtight homes. The finish improves air quality by up to 85% over time, the company says.
Photo courtesy Big Ass Fans
Best Home Technology Product
Haiku ceiling fans from Big Ass Fa…
Best Home Technology Product
Haiku ceiling fans from Big Ass Fans incorporate SenseME technology, which saves energy by automatically turning the fan on or off when people enter and exit the room. Sensors also adjust the fan speed according to the room’s temperature and humidity. For further energy savings, homeowners can also connect the fan with Nest Thermostats via mobile app to raise the thermostats to temperatures suggested based on the fan’s cooling power. In addition to the sensing capability, high-efficiency motor technology makes Haiku the top-ranked energy-efficient ceiling fan by Energy Star.
Most Innovative Building Product
Using fully electronic control…
Most Innovative Building Product
Using fully electronic controls, the press of a button causes Marwin’s One Touch Electric Attic Stairway to unlatch and extend to the floor, and then retract, close, and re-latch. For safe operation, the stairway will stop if an obstacle is detected and reverse direction the next time the button is pushed. One Touch has a 350-pound duty rating, is FRS rated, and is fully insulated with R-10 aluminum foam board. Three sizes are available to fit 8-10 foot, 10-12 foot, and 12-14 foot ceiling heights.
Best Window & Door Product
Marvin Windows & Doors combi…
Best Window & Door Product
Marvin Windows & Doors combines a classic aesthetic with modern technology in the Next-Generation Double-Hung Window, which controls all window operation through a single piece of hardware. A multi-point locking system locks directly into the jamb; users can open either the top or bottom sash while keeping the other locked. Sashes can be locked with 4 inches of clearance to vent, and tilt in to easily clean the exterior. Made in classic double hung or round top styles, the window has an all-wood interior and a narrow checkrail.
Best Outdoor Living Product
Aquor Water Systems makes irrigatio…
Best Outdoor Living Product
Aquor Water Systems makes irrigation simpler with the House Hydrant; instead of a traditional spigot, consumers insert a grooved connector into a flush mount outlet and engage the system with a quarter turn. An automatic valve starts and stops water flow, allowing homeowners to swap hoses and nozzles without returning to the tap. All of the plumbing components are behind the wall, virtually eliminating freeze risks. A water pressure seal keeps the valve closed to guard against leaks, and the House Hydrant is made from marine-grade stainless steel to prevent rust.
Best Bath Product
The Center Redi Trench from Tile Redi USA is …
Best Bath Product
The Center Redi Trench from Tile Redi USA is a one-piece shower pan with integrated splash walls and a fully molded-in linear trench and center drain. The leakproof, pre-pitched trench is designed for easy installation, with various sizes and single-, dual-, and triple-curb options available. With a tileable top, consumers can apply coordinating floor tiles of any material to the surface; the trench is offered with a tileable top for a seamless appearance, or a non-tiled solid or grate top in chrome or nickel.
With more than 1,200 exhibitors at the 2015 International Builders’ Show, attendees had plenty of new products to see. Out of these many offerings, eight stood out: the winners of the Best of IBS Awards.
The contest received 400 entries; though awards are given in eight categories, products can be entered in more than one. Each member of the judging panel was tasked with evaluating 10-15 products on the show floor, according to Meg Meyer, vice president of marketing at NAHB.
“This was our way to cull them down to a manageable level, because there was no way for every judge to see them all,” she adds.
Entrants were judged on functionality, design, innovation, and usefulness to consumers and/or builders on a scale of one to 20. SnapRays’ Guidelight was selected as the overall best in show due to its high performance across every category in which it was entered, Meyer says.
Though there’s been a recent frenzy of ultra-high-tech home additions, the award winners show that seemingly small things can have a big impact.
“One of the trends that stood out is the simplicity,” says Meyer, noting that many of the winning products are thoughtfully designed with features that add convenience and improve ease of use.
Meyer’s observations were reflected by many manufacturers on the show floor, who displayed product upgrades aimed at increasing functionality, rather than including technology simply for technology’s sake or for a novelty factor—an approach no doubt appreciated by end-users. These winning products demonstrate that a straightforward approach can deliver significant innovation that resonates with builders and buyers alike.
Laura McNulty is senior managing editor for Remodeling and ProSales magazines. She formerly served as an associate editor for Hanley Wood's residential construction group. Contact her at [email protected].
