Product Spotlight: IBS Roundup
MHN picks some of the most interesting and innovative products from the exhibit floor at this year's International Builders Show in Orlando.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders Show is an annual assemblage of industry giants and new faces alike on the exhibition floor, and the 2017 show in Orlando, Fla., was no different. After a few turns around the massive exhibit hall, we picked out some of the most interesting and well-designed products from the show.
Photo courtesy of MirageVisionMirageVision Outdoor TVs
The concept of outdoor living was a recurring theme at the conference, with developers and architects alike testifying to the growing trend of outdoor gathering spaces as a desired amenity. MirageVision’s outdoor commercial-grade TVs are the perfect way to take the lounge experience outside. The Diamond Pro-C model are Samsung TVs that have been custom tailored for permanent outdoor use. The screens are calibrated for clear viewing in sun or shade, and can withstand heat, cold, rain, snow and dust for a year-round, durable entertainment solution. Features like reliable 24/7 continuous operation and an auto-brightness sensor that adjusts levels based on light conditions optimize viewing and operating costs.
Photo courtesy of EcoStar LLCEcoStar Sustainable Roofing
The disparity between curb appeal and sustainability is a thing of the past when it comes to roofing, as EcoStar’s sustainable solutions prove. The company was established in 1993 to create a sustainable and attractive alternative to natural slate roofing. Today, the company’s line includes synthetic alternatives to slate and wood shake, all made with recycled plastic and rubber. While not only made sustainably, EcoStar roofing is durable and cost-effective. The lightweight tiles have a distinct and natural look without the maintenance issues associated with their natural counterparts. The 80 percent recycled content makes the product eligible to contribute points toward LEED certification as well.
Photo courtesy of Montigo FireplacesMontigo Fireplaces
Montigo Fireplaces brought an impressive display to the IBS show to showcase its see-through fireplaces, which can provide high-performance luxury and a noticeable design element to any space. With options like the traditional single-sided, a three-sided panorama model and corner models, a Montigo fireplace can be tailored to most room layouts. Commercial-grade models have a variety of features that make them safe and applicable for multifamily properties. The Cool-Pak technology makes exterior glass cool to the touch, addressing any liabilities that may be faced when installing a custom fireplace in a communal space. Located between the interior and exterior glass, the Cool-Pak system ensures safety. The company even employs an onsite Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) accredited lab to comply with strict certification standards.
After 16 years of development, ZBOM Cabinets have been rated in top two kitchen cabinet manufacturers in China. Their tagline, “Chinese ingenuity with German precision,” reflects the company’s extensive research and development team in China and its German Homag automatic production line. The combination of precision in design and high-tech manufacturing produces a variety of high quality products. ZBOM’s design team consistently researches layout, storage space, color and lights in order to produce cabinets that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical for everyday life. With new concepts coming out each year and more than 100 patents registered for kitchen cabinets, ZBOM is poised to bring its design-focused products worldwide.
As renters increasingly choose to look for apartments online, the image a multifamily community presents in the digital world is almost as important as the one it presents in the real world. AeonVirtual is a company that helps real estate properties create lifelike virtual reality so prospective renters can tour possible homes from the comfort of their homes. With 15 years of experience in animation, virtual reality programming and interactive technology, the team at AeonVirtual develops state-of-the-art communication tools to market and differentiate real estate properties from the competition. One of the company’s latest projects is creating virtual reality tours of penthouses for the yet-to-be-completed Aura Tower in Toronto, which is poised to be Canada’s tallest residential tower.