The Pro’s Picks for 2017 IBS New Products
Readers tell BUILDER about the new products that stood out to them at the 2017 International Builders’ Show.
Last month at the 2017 International Builders’ Show and Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, the editors at BUILDER and Remodeling magazines showed you what caught our eye on the IBS show floor. After the show, we asked readers and industry professionals to let us know what stuck out to them in this online survey. Here, we share with you the products that impressed your peers.
Stikwood
Getting the look of wood planking has never been easier than with Stikwood: adhesive reclaimed and sustainable wood planks designed for interior applications Deller as a “cool product … to use on walls for accents.” Stikwood is 100% real wood, available in more than 20 natural varieties as well as several graphic printed options and can be installed on any interior surface, including on doors and ceilings. Planks are available in a 5-inch width; reclaimed wood planks are 3⁄16-inch thick and sustainable hardwood planks are 1⁄8-inch thick. Stikwood’s adhesive is rated for 10 years. Stikwood.com
Glance Mirror
New from Chicago-based Glance Displays, Glance Mirror uses an LED screen and embedded computer to bring smart tech into a product the homeowner sees every morning: the bathroom mirror. Though the product looks like a normal mirror when not engaged, users can prompt the mirror, which uses voice recognition rather than a camera, to display information personalized contextual information. The mirror pairs with a smartphone app that allows users to select which widgets are displayed—options include events, weather, a to-do list, and commute information—and customize the layout. Said Elliott Pike of ELM Construction, “Nice way to get a head start on the day while you brush your teeth!” Glancemirror.com
Hestan Outdoor
Along with its deluxe grills, the premium appliance manufacturer Hestan Outdoor now offers a new suite of outdoor living suites. Grills are available in built-in (30-, 36-, and 42-inch widths) and freestanding (48-, 54-, and 60-inch widths) models, while the customizable outdoor islands measure 8 to 12 feet. Pike called the products “possibly the most beautiful, unique, and well-designed grills on the market today.” Hestan uses a durable stainless steel design and several patent-pending features, including high-performance tubular burners and motion-activated under-hood lighting. Hestan grills are available in 12 signature color finish options and come with a lifetime warranty. HestanOutdoor.com
TopZero
Lora Deller of York, Pa-based Red Oak Remodeling loved TopZero’s seamless sinks and the fact that the product is available in stainless and porcelain. Using patent-pending technology, TopZero’s rimless sinks are designed to be undermounted to a solid countertop, where the edge meets the surface without any visible edges. The system uses welded sink brackets and a knife-grade epoxy to seal any voids and keep the sink watertight. TopZero sinks can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms, and with any solid surface. TopZero.com
Kohler
Both Briesemeister and Thom Pitschke of Scottsdale, Arizona-based remodeling company TraVek took note of Kohler’s new Real Rain shower. Pitschke was impressed by the way the product “is actually designed to mimic a rain shower.” Real Rain’s nozzle geometry mimics rainfall by adjusting the size of water drops, as well as the rate at which they fall. Intensity of the spray grows throughout the shower, and users can choose to enable the Deluge feature, which releases water gathered in the shower’s reservoir. Real Rain uses a minimalist, ceiling-mounted 19-by-19-inch square panel, and has a flow rate of 2 gallons per minute. US.Kohler.com
Lapitec
Sintered stone slabs from the Italian company are available in the largest formats available on the market and can be used in various applications, such as flooring, countertops, and interior or exterior cladding. Said Anne Harvey of Fresh Kitchen and Bath Design, “Each color is available in a variety of finishes and textures, giving great flexibility in how and where you use the stone.” Lapitec also emphasizes the surface’s durability as a non-porous, weatherproof, and abrasion resistant. Harvey noted, “In the exhibit kitchen, they had a cooking demo running in which wine, oil, and acidic foods were sitting on the product and the chefs chopped and cut food directly on the surface. Cleanup required only a wipe with a wet paper towel.” Lapitec.com
Cook-N-Dine
Pike also took notice of Cook-N-Dine’s stainless cooktops, admiring the variety of options for “Teppanyaki-style social cooking brought home.” Cook-N-Dine offers built-in, portable, and table-style grills, which use high-quality electric heating elements to divide the surface into a cooking center with surrounding warming area; table models also include a dining area that stays completely cool. The company’s patented shallow-dip technology causes the center of the surface to dip slightly when on, keeping juices in the middle of the surface. Built-in cooktops are available in round or rectangular models of various sizes, and can be routed into or sit on to of countertops. Controls knobs can be top- or side-mounted. CookNDine.com