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.
With temperatures dropping, insulation and protecting new construction against the elements are top of mind. Of course, builders must consider how insulated wall sheathing can help meet code requirements and contribute to the overall performance of the building envelope. However, they must also carefully consider potential moisture problems both during and after the build and the potential impacts of freeze/thaw cycles. With the season of potential hard freezes followed by fast warm-ups upon us, let’s explore methods for choosing the best house sheathing for cold climates.
Continue ReadingWith housing demand at an all-time high, builders do not have the ability to halt home construction during the winter months. Builders can work safely year round, even building houses during winter with planning and preparation. Advanced products and installation methods allow work to be performed during wet and very cold temperatures, but builders also need to consider winter safety for construction workers.
Engineered wood siding has long been considered a trustworthy exterior product for single-family homes, but it is often overlooked for multifamily and commercial construction. LP® SmartSide® products are versatile enough for a range of builds beyond traditional single-family homes. Take a look at the homes featured in Madison Parade of Homes for siding inspiration and to see how LP SmartSide Trim & Siding might suit your building needs.
If 2020 was the year of uncertainty, then 2021 was a year spent adjusting to new norms. What kind of year will 2022 be? We checked in with LP Building Solutions executives to reflect on the past year and to get their predictions for the year to come.