Meritage Homes' reNEWable Living Home BUILDER concept project includes new and noteworthy products from 18 manufacturers, including a Wi-Fi thermostat by Aprilaire, sliding glass doors by Western Window Systems, and a washer and dryer by Whirlpool. Some, including the HercuWall panelized wall system, are completely new to the Meritage product lineup, and their success may bring them into future Meritage homes.
You can learn more about Meritage Homes' product strategy from BUILDER's interview with Thaddeus Lynch, vice president of purchasing at Meritage Homes, and visit the reNEWable Living Home in Orlando, Fla. in January to get a firsthand look at these features in the field.
Aprilaire
The Aprilaire 8920W Wi-Fi thermostat with IAQ control allows homeowners to manage and adjust the home’s HVAC, humidifier, dehumidifier, air purifier, and ventilator settings from one connected device.
Users can access their home system settings from the touchscreen Wi-Fi thermostat interface, the associated app, or by voice command with Amazon Alexa. Settings include event-based air purification and ventilation cycles, temperature overrides, and three-day pollen and mold forecasts. aprilairepartners.com
Carrier
Carrier has upgraded its Infinity series heat pump with Greenspeed Intelligence, which uses adaptable-speed technology to create a system that can automatically adjust its heating and cooling output to the needs of the home. It can adjust between 40% and 100% operating capacity, which allows it to operate for longer periods of time at up to 20.5 SEER cooling efficiency and up to 13 HSPF heating efficiency, depending on the unit’s size. All units are Energy Star certified. carrier.com
CertainTeed
CertainTeed’s AirRenew drywall system removes formaldehyde particles from the surrounding air, filters them through its paper face, captures the particles in its gypsum core, and converts them into inert, organic compounds. The drywall is UL certified and emits zero VOCs, the manufacturer says. It is available in two varieties: AirRenew Essential and AirRenew M2TECH, which incorporates enhanced moisture and mold resistance to further improve indoor air quality. certainteed.com
Cloplay
The reNEWable Living Home garage is outfitted with Clopay’s Canyon Ridge composite garage doors with mahogany-look woodgrain cladding and REC11 insulated glass windows. All Canyon Ridge faux wood doors are made from a five-layer composite with a 2-inch-thick polyurethane foam steel core that provides a 20.4 R-value. clopaydoor.com
Eagle Roofing Products
Eagle Roofing Products’ Bel Air concrete roof tile—shown here in dark charcoal—is flat, smooth, and blends well with modern and traditional architectural styles. The company’s tiles come in a vast array of colors from terra cottas to earth tones to cool grays, purples, and greens and are also available in blends. Many Eagle products are Energy Star and Cool Roof rated, which can qualify for LEED points and save customers money and energy, the manufacturer says. eagleroofing.com
Eldorado Stone
Eldorado Stone’s LedgeCut33 architectural stone veneer is formed from rough-hewn stone pieces in three lengths—12, 18, and 23 inches—stacked in rows 3 inches high. LedgeCut33 is designed for dry-stack installation and is easy to handle, cut, and install, according to the maker. The product is available in five color profiles: Ocean Floor, Golden Oak, Sage, Birch, and Beach Pebble, shown here. eldoradostone.com
Heat & Glo
The reNEWable Living Home’s interior fireplace is the minimalist-style Primo gas fireplace from Heat & Glo. The Primo’s patented glass leaves no exposed seams, mesh, or trim, and its SafeSurface wall maintains a cool temperature around the fixture, the company says. PowerFlow direct venting lets users control the fire’s heat distribution, which allows for year-round use. The fireplace is available in 48-, 60-, and 72-inch lengths, with a choice of single-sided and see-through models. heatnglo.com
HercuTech
The home’s HercuWall panels combine a structural wall, R-30 insulation, window and door casements, a water/vapor barrier, and exterior/drywall attachment components into one building component. HercuWall component installation is faster and requires less labor than traditional methods, the company says. It is pest- and mold-resistant, and has been tested to resist hurricane-force winds. hercuwall.com
Kwikset
Kwikset’s Kevo Touch-to-Open smart lock features a single cylinder deadbolt, which can be locked or unlocked with a smart device that is within Bluetooth range. The lock’s smart device control allows users to control their lock from inside their home, check the lock’s status, or send “eKeys” to family and friends, which allow them to unlock the door by touching the exterior side of the deadbolt. Users may also lock or unlock the door by turning the turn-piece from the inside or using a key from the outside. kwikset.com
Ply Gem
Ply Gem’s 1500 Brickmould vinyl windows feature two-tone, co-extruded exterior and interior colors. The color is applied directly during the extrusion process, creating a durable, high-performance window trim. The trim is available in neutral-toned interiors and black, dark bronze, beige, and clay exteriors. Optional window features include a selection of grilles, simulated divided lites, custom shapes, and three glass packages. plygem.com
Progress Lighting
The Elevate collection by Progress Lighting is featured in the owner’s bedroom of the reNEWable Living Home as a seven-light chandelier. The fixture’s Space Age-styled trapezoidal frame features a brushed bronze finish and etched white glass shades that contribute to a midcentury modern look. The fixture is UL listed, and requires seven medium base lamps, 100 watts max each. progresslighting.com
SES Foam
SES Polyurethane Systems’ SucraSeal open-cell spray foam insulation sports high R-values, yields of up to 17,000 board feet, and the highest bio-based content in the spray foam industry, according to the manufacturer.
Its air and thermal seals can reduce the strain on the home’s HVAC system, extending the life of the unit and lowering energy bills. SucraSeal is Energy Star certified and USDA Bio-Preferred. sesfoam.com
Sherwin-Williams
The Harmony Zero VOC interior acrylic latex paint features odor-eliminating technology, which works to reduce common indoor odors, and formaldehyde-reducing technology, which reduces VOCs from other home sources. Its antimicrobial agents resist mold and mildew, and the durable hide and finish can stand up to multiple washings, the company says. The formula is Greenguard Gold certified and is tinted with Sherwin-Williams’ zero-VOC ColorCast Ecotoner colorants. sherwin-williams.com
Square D Schneider Electric
The Square D HEPD80 home electronics protective device, installed under the reNEWable Living Home’s load center, provides surge protection for devices that are not compatible with standard plug strips, such as kitchen appliances and HVAC equipment. The device is rated for indoor or outdoor use, even under harsh conditions, and can protect against surges up to 80kA. schneider-electric.us
Timberlake Cabinetry
The clean lines of Timberlake Cabinetry’s Lausanne cabinet doors create a smooth, contemporary look. The doors are full overlay and available with veneer or Duraform wrap. Twelve finishes are available in a wide range of shades. Lausanne cabinets are featured throughout the 2018 reNEWable Living Home: in cherry slate in the kitchen and flex bar, in maple truffle in the heavy wet bar and pocket office, and in Duraform linen in the walk-in closet, utility, and seasonal storage spaces. timberlake.com
Toro
Toro’s SMRT Logic internet gateway provides remote access to up to 10 outdoor landscape features through a laptop or smartphone. Users can make changes to their cloud-connected system components, such as irrigation, lighting, and speakers, from anywhere in the world. The SMRT Logic is backward compatible with all Toro controllers. It communicates with connected devices using a 900 Mhz radio signal. toro.com
Western Window Systems
The Series 7600 Multi-Slide Door stands up to 15 feet tall and features a thin profile and large, rolling glass panes. The door comes standard with low-E, argon-filled dual-pane glass from Cardinal Glass Industries, which scores a 0.30 U-value for energy efficiency. It is one of the strongest doors of its kind on the market, with a design pressure rating of 50, according to the manufacturer. A variety of custom glass options are available. westernwindowsystems.com
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s Smart Cabrio washer and large-capacity dryer are paired to form the Smart Top Load Washer and Dryer with Amazon Alexa. Both Energy Star–certified units are connected to the Whirlpool app, which allows users to remotely start or pause laundry cycles, track laundry progress, and assess energy usage data from their smart device. On top of Amazon Alexa compatibility, the Whirlpool app can also automatically replenish laundry supplies through Amazon. whirlpool.com
