April 2007 - Home Builders Association of Virginia

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A spotlight onThe biggest home show on Earth by Stacey Enesey KlemencWith 1 million net square feet of exhibits showcasing morethan 1,900 suppliers in 300 industry categories, where do youstart? Even with roller skates on, there’s no way you could haveseen everything at the International Builders’ Show hosted bythe National Association of Home Builders in Orlando, Fla. FromFeb. 7-10, the sprawling Orange County Convention Center waschock full of the newest and the best products for visitors toogle to their heart’s content.And nearly 104,000 housing industry professionals from aroundthe globe did just that, with each going home with a differenttake depending on where their travels took them. From walk-inbathtubs and bidet toilets to ovens that gave new meaning tofast food and screens built for privacy, here are but a few ofthe interesting items that were a part of the annual extravaganzacommonly referred to as IBS.A walk in the bathI’m not pointing my finger at aging baby boomers, but thisproduct is for those who may have trouble clearing the bathtubedge to enter the inviting waters beyond. At least two exhibitors— Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath and SanSpa Five Star — had walk-inbaths.The SanSpa model’s door opened outward and was lockedwith a conspicuous handle which, according to the company’sowner, helps make the unit as watertight as they come. Completewith whirlpool jets, the unit retails for $5,700. The company alsoshowcased its steam shower, which arrives in a kit and can beinstalled at the end of a job. MSRP starts at $3,500, with a varietyof discounts available if you buy in bulk or “for show.” www.sanspafivestar.comor (800) 450-7544The Jacuzzi Finestrawalk-in tub,which features a doorthat swings inwardand can be left- orright-hinged, starts at$6,800 for a soakermodel. This door’sinward-opening designseemed a littleimpractical to usefrom a seated positionbut it did clearthe knees. Securelyssealing with threeSanSpa Five Stardual-tension latches,the door features allconcealed hardware and is fitted with a backsplash to preventwater from dripping on the floor when the tub is drained andthe door is opened.Besides a soaker, the walk-in tub is available with jettedwhirlpools, an airbath system or a combination of the twosJacuzzi’s Finestra Walk-inwith mood lighting, in-line heating, electronic touchpad controlsand the newest technology for sanitizing. And, in case you’rewondering, it takes four to five minutes to fill up and a littlelonger than that to empty — so users would be wise to bringa book. www.jacuzzi.com or (800) 288-4002The best seat in the houseThe newest toilet feature atthe show were seats equippedwith a cleansing wand, a featurethat’s been popular in Europefor years and is finally washingup on the shores of thiscountry. Products on displayincluded the Refresh PersonalHygiene System by Jacuzzi,Kohler’s C 3 and Brondell’s Swash800, all offering the hygienicbenefits of a traditional bidetbuilt into a seat that will fitthe common toilet.The Swash 800, which waschosen by Home Magazine for a 2007 American Building ProductAward, combines a heated seat with endless warm waterwashes and a warm air dryer. Its design allows it to be fittedover 98 percent of residential toilet fixtures. Prices start at $799.Brondell also introduced The Breeza, an automatic deodorizingtoilet seat that eliminates odors at the source. There’s also theBreeza Warm, a heated deodorizing alternative. www.brondell.com (888) 542-335526 Virginia Builder April 2007
Jacuzzi’s version, which comes in both round-front and elongated styles,is a remote-controlled, multi-tasking unit with front and back cleansing,a warm air dryer and controllable heat for the seat. Price tag: $1,150.Kohler’s C 3 boasts hydro cleansing at your fingertips with all the bellsand whistles Jacuzzi has to offer, plus oscillating and pulsing modes forthe water spray and a lighted bowl. The Kohler seats retail starting at$750 and upward to $1,300. www.kohler.com or (800) 456-4537All decked outWith outdoor living on just about everyone’s “in” list, there wasn’tany shortage of products to give a deck or patio some zing. Fire Stone’shottest new Crystal Fire Pit handily converts into a complete granitetopcoffee table with a removable lazy Susan pit cover. When the fire’slit, the lazy Susan can be transferred to atable built to suit. The ensemble can beoutfitted with matching metal rocking chairs.The chat table retails for $999 and theglass fire pit, $399. www.FireStoneHP.com or (866) 303-4028sFire Stone’s Crystal Fire PitsFire Stone’s SolairaTo make outdoor rooms more enjoyablewhen the weather turns crisp, Fire Stonetakes it a step beyond the fire pit byoffering Solaira all-season quartz heaters.Economical and reliable, with the flip of aswitch one unit will instantly heat up thespace occupied by a table and six patiochairs. The units, which can be mountedon the house, will provide a reliable heatsource that won’t fail to start. Retail pricesstart at $390. www.solairaheaters.comor (905) 568-7655(See the biggest home show, page 28)Looking for a Better Way?• Working 14 hour days without improving the bottom line?• Frustrated with framing crews?• Want to grow your business? Turning down business?• Frustrated with inaccurate lumber yard quotes and unpredictable costs?• Spending more time on paperwork than building your business?We Help Builders Succeed• Guaranteed material quantities• Field framing labor included• Speedy and reliable scheduling• Decreased construction cycles• Business systems to improve efficiencies and manage timeTo learn how to build more homesin less time with fewer hassles, call us today.SterlingBuildingSystems.comToll-Free: 800-735-1812April 2007 Virginia Builder 27
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April 2007 - Home Builders Association of Virginia

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