The 2024 International Builders’ Show is just a few weeks away—is your schedule ready? The show returns to Las Vegas, Feb. 27-29, and once again will co-exhibit with the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show as part of Design & Construction Week.
With three halls of exhibits, dozens upon dozens of education sessions, and a host of demos and special events, there’s plenty to see and do throughout the week. Take a look at some of our picks and previews for IBS to help you get organized.
This year’s show features several types of education opportunities, including Super Sessions, fast-paced Learning Labs, daily Game Changer keynotes, and 60-minute Building Knowledge Sessions.
Here are a few that caught our eye:
• Navigating Generational Differences: How Today’s Leaders Can Attract Tomorrow’s Talent (Building Knowledge Session)
Tues., Feb. 27, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
• Punch List: 2024 Design & Product Trends (Learning Lab)
Tues., Feb. 27, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
• A Simple Project Management Formula for Better Service, Cycle Times & Profitability (Building Knowledge Session)
Tues., Feb. 27, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
• The Outlook: Housing Trends, Forecasts & Insights for 2024 (Super Session)
Tues., Feb. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• Avoiding Profit-Killing Callbacks & Poor Performing Homes (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
• A New Estimating Strategy for Greater Remodeling Profit & Resilience (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
• Emerging Trends & Forecasts for Building Materials (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
• 20 Elevation Styles to Have on Your Radar for 2024 (Building Knowledge Session)
Weds., Feb. 28, 2-3 p.m.
• Outside, Inside & In-Between: 2024’s Top Trends & Design Practices (Building Knowledge Session)
Thurs., Feb. 29, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
See the latest trends and products in person through these at-show opportunities:
ProTradeCraft’s Jobsite Training Portal comes to life across three stages. Be sure to check out live demos of our Tapco Tools brakes hosted by siding professionals!
See the latest innovations, products, and design trends across a neighborhood of demonstration homes at the Pro Builder Show Village in the Silver Lot exterior exhibits. Along with home tours, check out live demonstrations, skills challenges, block parties, and more.
A variety of 30-minute interactive demonstrations on home details, finishes, and updates, from decks to fine woodworking.
Each year, the New American Home showcases the latest products, design trends, and building innovations. This year’s house, located in the luxury Ascaya community in Henderson, features skyline views and a resort lifestyle. Tour busses run every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Pick up tickets at booth C10 in the Central Hall.
See a handful of the 2024 International Builders’ Show product introductions at the New Product Zone on the exhibit floor.
This year you’ll find Westlake Royal Building Products at one of the Central Hall’s largest exhibit booths—C3819.
Browse our entire product portfolio—Siding, Trim, Roofing, Stone, Windows, and Outdoor Living—to see the latest solutions for beautiful exteriors and interiors. We’re introducing an array of new products across our brands, including new siding profiles and colors, new column wraps, new roof colors, new stone profiles, and more.
And be sure to check out these special events at our booth:
Wednesday, February 28:
Jake Bruton – Day Two 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Matt Risinger – Day Two 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Need a free Expo Pass? Get yours here.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Want more insights into design trends, events, product installation, and more? Subscribe to our enewsletter.
Top photo: Nick Hagen Photography
What Does Low-Maintenance Siding Truly Mean?These days, low-maintenance siding is one of the most popular trends in home exteriors. And nearly every siding manufacturer is touting the low-maintenance aspects of their cladding materials. Unfortunately, there are no industry standards around low-maintenance claims, and therefore no way for buyers to fully understand what “low maintenance” truly means when it comes to individual products.
Without a universal approach or definition of low maintenance, it’s important for pros and DIYers to ask questions and understand how each manufacturer defines low-maintenance for their siding products.
Here are some areas to watch out for.
When trying a new material, always research a manufacturer’s maintenance claims, including reading the warranty, and compare it to other materials. Don’t take claims at face value without inquiring for greater detail.
This graphic from the Vinyl Siding Institute provides an example of how maintenance needs vary from material to material.
Often seen in concert with low maintenance, moisture resistance is another term often used but not always defined clearly. For example, some fiber cement products claim to be “moisture resistant,” but also cannot be installed against moisture-prone areas like the masonry or the ground. Compare that to vinyl siding or TruExterior poly-ash siding, both of which can be installed directly against those elements.
Moisture is one of the biggest challenges homeowners face when it comes to siding performance and longevity, so understand how each siding material handles moisture and be sure to adjust installation practices and maintenance expectations accordingly.
When investigating low-maintenance siding, consider the other products used in its installation. For example, if a cladding requires caulking to prevent moisture from infiltrating the cladding layer, that caulk is a secondary maintenance liability, requiring regular inspection and replacement before the siding’s life span is complete.
Some siding warranties are divided into categories, with different guarantees for product life span versus details like color and fading. For example, if you compare Royal’s and Exterior Portfolio’s surface finish coverage versus a fiber cement manufacturer’s prefinished offering, Royal and Exterior Portfolio both offer a Double Lifetime Warranty with fade coverage of 3 or 4 Hunter units, depending on the color, while the fiber cement product carries just a 15-year warranty for chipping and flaking, but only covers fade of up to 4 Delta E for only three years. This means homeowners may need to repaint their fiber cement in a few years if they wish to maintain a color close to what they purchased.
Homeowners are increasingly seeking exterior cladding materials that don’t require frequent painting, caulking, and other maintenance. And for many, it’s worth additional upfront investment to avoid those hassles. That’s why it’s important to do your due diligence when considering new materials and truly understand what the manufacturer is claiming when they describe their product as low maintenance. Doing so can not only ensure that the siding meets customers’ expectations, but that they know what to expect for future maintenance expenses. This is particularly important for multifamily properties, where building management and HOAs need to prepare for future assessments for large-scale painting and exterior maintenance.
Have questions about the maintenance needs for Westlake Royal Building Products’ portfolio of siding materials? Contact us today.
