Labor efficient products take center stage. 

Building product manufacturers continue to invest in products that streamline the installation processes, with KATERRA’s large booth the poster child for potential labor disruption this year.

• Turn‐Key Construction Solutions: KATERRA’s booth highlighted its plans to revolutionize construction, controlling nearly every part of the value chain from procurement of raw materials to framing and finish work. It plans to be a one‐stop shop for production building, controlling cabinet manufacturing, finish plumbing installation and wood floor manufacturing.
• Wall Panels: Manufacturers have been designing products that eliminate labor in the framing process for several years. At the 2018 International Builders’ Show, Huber Engineered Woods debuted advanced versions of its R-Series Modular Wall Sheathing Panels, in four different thicknesses, as insulated wall panel solutions for various climates. Structural wood panels with protective barriers eliminate the need for house wrap and on-site framing. It also provides a continuous barrier to moisture and air that optimizes energy efficiency.
• House Wrap/Seals: Residential‐grade sealants and tapes have been around for decades but companies are beginning to design better, more forgiving products that create efficiencies in the framing process.  Many companies, including DuPont and Georgia Pacific, introduced new flexible tapes that cover wide  surface areas while creating tight seals around exterior wall outlets or between structural panels. Framing crews can spend less time measuring and cutting outlets to precise fits because these products  seal any imperfections that exist as a result of a quick cut.
• Fittings: A modular under the sink rough‐in plumbing solution that eliminates the need for on the job‐site pipe fabrication, sweating and sealing was launched by Keeney Manufacturing Co this year. The pipes can be connected in just three steps, similar to other labor‐eliminating quick‐connect fittings and supplies on the market.
• Plumbing: Updating a shower is one of the most expensive, labor intensive components of a bathroom remodel. In recent years, many plumbing manufacturers have launched retro‐fit  ‘custom‐shower’ solutions that allow plumbers to upgrade a shower without going behind the wall, saving time and money for the installer and homeowner.

Engineered products offer better design and less maintenance. 

Engineered products look increasingly like their natural counterparts, often at better or comparable prices, and continue to offer meaningful value propositions to the trade and consumers.

• Windows and Doors: Door manufacturers continue to build lower‐maintenance doors made from metal or composites that look just like solid wood alternatives.
• Structural Lumber: LP debuted a new subfloor, infused with Gorilla Glue, that it markets as stronger and  more water resistant than traditional OSB.
• Decking: Trex and other composite decking manufacturers continue to expand offerings that make deck installation and maintenance simpler for the installer and homeowner.
• Engineered Wood Products: Weyerhaeuser launched a new parallam® that it claims is one of the most durable engineered wood beams on the market and it comes in the form of a fireplace mantel — a unique application that has become fashionable in interior design.
• Siding: Companies continue to develop siding made from metal or composites that offer the look of wood but are designed to shorten installation times and eliminate maintenance for the homeowner.
• Plumbing: Paneling solutions for custom showers continue to gain popularity in the custom‐shower  segment as these products not only eliminate labor (panels are far less labor intensive than tile), but they also requires less homeowner maintenance (no grout, fewer leak paths). Although plumbing  manufacturers have been designing similar products for years, solid surface and laminate manufacturers such as Wilsonart are now introducing products for this segment as well.
• Countertops and Surfaces:  Engineered Stone (also known as ‘Quartz’) product offerings continue  to grow, emphasizing easier to maintain products than natural stone slabs like granite, marble and  soapstone. Consumers often prefer engineered designs because the factory‐controlled process provides a consistent look. With major laminate and solid surface players such as Corian making large investments in this now very‐competitive market, prices may come down as more capacity comes online.

Black is back. 

Black finishes dominate the appliance, plumbing, hardware and window/door exhibits.
In the design community, it’s often difficult to delineate between what is fast‐fashion and what will become a mass trend. In 2018, it is clear that black finishes are a huge trend in the building products industry. Home appliance  manufacturers debuted ‘black stainless’ several years ago, and plumbing, hardware and window and door manufacturers have quickly followed. Mixed metals, perhaps a developing trend, often include black as well.
 

Customizing becomes simpler. 

Customized product offerings this year focused on minimizing costs and complexity for the consumer. Standouts included private-label hardware options, mix-and-match handle/spout colors and finishes and appliance panel customizing options.
The design community and homeowners love choice. Custom product specification has historically been a complex and expensive process, but product manufacturers have invested heavily in lines that offer the customer more options to truly customize or personalize a space. Higher‐end finishes such as specialty door hardware no longer need to be specified from a separate vendor or commissioned made‐to‐order from local artisans. Today, consumers can get similar modifications directly from the door, cabinet, appliance or window manufacturer, making product customization easier than ever.

Design has shifted to ultramodern.

Exhibitors highlighted ultramodern interior designs in the 2018 International Builders’ Show, mirroring the home builder shift to ultramodern home elevations.
Many new product launches across categories leaned ultramodern in their design aesthetic, mirroring the home builder shift to ultramodern home elevations. Themes included large/oversized formats in doors, surfaces and plumbing products; modern cubist/geometric design in tile, surfaces and plumbing products; and unique ombre finishes.