So we’ve talked about the amount of walking we did, the trends we saw and the sentiment among the attendees. What about new products? You can’t have a trade show issue without discussing the star attraction. Our team compiled their favorites and we left it to a vote. With over 1,300 vendors, there were ample choices this year. Unlike year’s past, we didn’t have any parameters to fill – just pick what you felt was a truly innovative and cool product.
Without further adieu, here’s the Kleber & Associates top products from Building and Construction Week 2015.
Dimplex OPTI-V
Gas log fireplaces aren’t a new phenomenon – the new line-up from OPTI-V takes it to a whole new level, however. With integrated steam ports and infrared light sources, these new fireplace products not only mimic real fire but the signature elements as well. Synthetic smoke, optical flame patterns and unique designs make for a dramatic replacement to the traditional fireplace or as a focal point in a home’s interior design.Gas log fireplaces aren’t a new phenomenon – the new line-up from OPTI-V takes it to a whole new level, however. With integrated steam ports and infrared light sources, these new fireplace products not only mimic real fire but the signature elements as well. Synthetic smoke, optical flame patterns and unique designs make for a dramatic replacement to the traditional fireplace or as a focal point in a home’s interior design.
Bosch Power Ready
You pull up to a job and are greeted with the dreaded battery drain – the small wane of the drill then dead silence. If you don’t have another battery or an outlet to connect the charger, that $200 drill was out of action for the day. Enter Bosch and their new Power Ready charging solution. Compatible with all Bosch 18V battery packs, Power Ready is a technology using contact-less energy transfer, also known as inductive charging.
Per Bosch: “when the charger is plugged in and the compatible battery is placed on it, the charger begins wirelessly transmitting an alternating magnetic field. The battery, featuring an internal copper coil, acts as a receiver. As the alternating magnetic field penetrates the coil, voltage is induced and a charging current flows to the cells until full. Similar to conventional charging, the battery and charger are in constant communication during the charge process to ensure proper charge and a long battery life.” No plug or replacing the battery? Power Ready is truly a game changer in the power tool space.
Creative Mines: Synthetic Surfaces Continue to Amaze
Nature’s canvas, with its unique qualities that give each installation a personalized look, has long been sought for homeowners seeking a high-end finish in harmony with nature. It’s natural properties- the texture, sheen and patterns- that offer one-of-a-kind options for the homeowner. With natural-sourced materials being a premium price point, two companies in particular are emerging as leaders in this new synthetic space. We first met the team at Creative Mines at the 2014 Pacific Coast Builders Show in San Francisco. Over those past six months, Creative Mines has developed a portfolio of stunning veneer stone surfaces, both naturally sourced and crafted options. Unlike other manufacturers, Creative Mines keeps sustainable sourcing core to their operations. Rather than using fly-ash by=product, for example, the company uses a high-purity, natural pumice pozzolan that “enhances compressive strength, minimizes efflorescence, resists sulfate attack, reduces permeability and improves durability.” The end result is a near flawless application rivaling stones pulled from the mine. Eco-Top, an Asian based manufacturer, took the nature’s look one step further and was showcasing its new wall-hung synthetic panels. When our team first walked by, we honestly thought it was natural wood and wondered how they cut is so thin. The realism and texture was as close to natural as we’ve seen at a show. Company reps said the veneer is made for wall-mount but additional products were in development. Synthetics have come a long way since the wood paneling we had in our parent’s basement.
Arch Kit
The Romans first pioneered the use of arches in their designs – noting their rigidty and structural strength. The design was so revered in fact, Roman engineers designed the city’s aquaduct system using the principle for bringing water to its citizens across hundreds of miles. In design, the arch is still a popular addition that adds a bold structure to a roof. Its’ construction, however, can be a taxing process requiring a craftsman. Enter Universal Arch Kits – an out of the box system that allows builders a complete arch solution with minimal install time. Universal has multiple options including Archways, Dome Ceilings, Groin Vaults, Barrel Vaults and Cove Ceilings
