The 2021 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) took on a new format this year. The entire event took place virtually through engaging online education sessions, networking opportunities and product demonstrations. It’s a show we look forward to year after year to learn more about the trends shaping the building industry. We’ve captured our key takeaways here.
In a press conference that helped kick off IBSx, Rose Quint, AVP of Survey Research, National Association of Home Builders, and Donald Ruthroff, Principal, Dahlin Group Architecture Planning, shared some trends, buyer preferences and most likely features for 2021.
Industry professionals are craving more flexible training opportunities. According to the presentation ‘Teaching Future Skilled Labor Through Tech: Re-Skill & Upskill with Blended Learning,’ delivered by Ed Brady and Bethany Shean from Home Builders Institute (HBI), the typical construction worker prefers learning by watching and doing, and, when using blended learning, 73% of educators report an increase in learning engagement with 59% of learners more motivated to learn.
While the desire for blended learning, which combines online and in-person training, isn’t new to us, this session supported that we’re taking the right approach to industry training by combining in-person instruction, led by construction professionals, with on demand, video-based training through LP SkillBuilder™ to provide the most impactful skills training for industry professionals.
At LP, we’re constantly striving to help you build better. Even though we could not attend IBS in-person this year, we’re still starting the year off by highlighting a few of our innovative solutions through our 2021 Innovation Showcase. Check out the latest from LP and read more about how we’re moving the industry forward by viewing the complete showcase.
LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Floor Adhesive
This new product works in tandem with LP Legacy panels and LP® SolidStart® products to help create a tight seal in small gaps between panels. Proven to defend against squeaks, one can provides up to 12 times the coverage of a typical tube of conventional sub-floor adhesive.
LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier: Now Structural I
With greater cross-panel strength and stiffness for both walls and roofs, LP WeatherLogic panels’ water-resistive barriers create a tight envelope to protect against moisture and air.
LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding
From LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding to the new LP® SmartSide® Outside Corners, LP SmartSide products continue to represent the best in durability and flexibility for home exteriors.
Online Training and Resources
In a time in which online resources became more important than ever, LP answered the call with LP SkillBuilder™, which includes tips and tricks for installing LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, as well as exclusive content from professional builders and contractors. Video instruction on the LP Structural Solutions portfolio is also available from LP and trusted expert partners.
Through our attendance at dozens of online educational sessions during IBS, we learned about the trends and issues impacting the industry. These sessions underscored the need for continued innovation in the industry—such as LP’s latest solutions featured in our 2021 Innovation Showcase—to effectively tackle some of the industry’s most pressing problems. As they say, never stop learning because life never stops teaching.
Do you frequently build in regions with heavy rain or strong winds? 2021 is projected to be a severe storm season, which means your builds will need some extra reinforcement. Finding the most durable siding or building solution for your projects can be confusing. Thankfully there are practical ways and durable products to help prevent damage and help protect against harsh weather so you can be prepared before the storm season arrives.
Continue ReadingYou’re likely building more smaller houses than you were about five years ago. Homeowners across the country want affordability, energy efficiency, or simply less home to clean and maintain so they have the weekend to explore—or they’re empty nesters. Whatever the reason, they still want their small home exterior to have maximum curb appeal and have all the charm and pizzazz of a larger home.
Green building has moved from a trending industry practice to an industry standard. With the growth in demand for sustainable practices, there are a host of initiatives surrounding green building codes and standards. Keeping track of these standards can be difficult. We’ve created a resource for building professionals to refer to as you navigate the world of green building.
New trends in house siding often go beyond different styles and siding color ideas. Many of your clients will be interested in how to create curb appeal, and that’s where gable siding comes in. With endless design variations, gable end siding can help your clients elevate their home’s exterior and boost curb appeal.