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.
Overall, improvements in building envelopes have helped homeowners benefit from greater protection against moisture. Builders are able to create more energy-efficient homes overall due to these developments. However, when the exterior envelope doesn’t allow a structure to breathe, any moisture that gets trapped inside simply rots—causing more problems than intended. What is the solution to needing a tight building envelope that allows for proper airflow? Symbiotic materials, such as the LP Structural Solutions portfolio of products, provide an answer.
Continue ReadingWe’re joining Oscar Trejo, LP Technical Sales Manager, for a typical day on the job sharing his knowledge about one of the most durable siding solutions available—LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding. Trejo dedicates his time to providing construction training for building professionals, assisting on the jobsite, and leading his team at LP.
As a leader in building solutions, LP Structural Solutions is consistently moving in the direction of greater resiliency. Each innovative building solution is viewed through that lens, as well as how it can help achieve LP’s overall goal of Building a Better World™. But why this direction? What led LP to focus on resilience in construction? Craig Miles, Director of OSB Sales & Marketing, explores how past trends inform LP’s work on modern building techniques today.
Coming off an unprecedented year, the busiest season for selling siding is almost underway! COVID-19 is still a significant consideration as you attempt to move forward with your siding business while taking learnings and challenges from the pandemic into consideration. We talked with Erik Perkins of Perkins Builder Brothers to get insight straight from the jobsite about COVID-19’s impact, tips for prepping for a new season, and more. Read on to see how LP can support you with one of the most durable siding options out there as your business ramps up!