Kitchen range hoods serve an essential role in modern homes, removing smoke, steam, grease, and odors from the cooking environment. But for years they were treated as purely functional appliances, selected only for their CFM ratings. That approach is changing. Range hoods are now one of the top five best-selling categories in kitchen remodeling, with […]
Why Appliance Selection Matters for New Home Construction Modern homebuyers expect more from their kitchen and laundry appliances than ever before. Smart technology, health-oriented cooking features, and personalized design options have shifted from premium luxuries to near-essential considerations for builders specifying products in new homes. Understanding these trends helps builders make informed decisions that satisfy
Tile selection is one of the most consequential decisions a home builder makes during the construction or renovation process. Floor and wall tiles define the visual character of kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and living spaces while also serving critical functional roles in moisture management, durability, and maintenance. With the tile industry introducing increasingly sophisticated products each
Supply Chain Partnerships in Home Building: What Research Reveals About Builder-Manufacturer Relationships The relationship between home builders and their building material suppliers has undergone significant change in recent years. Disruptions from global supply chain bottlenecks, material price volatility, and shifting labor markets have forced both sides to reexamine how they work together. Recent research into
Understanding the Modern Building Envelope The building envelope is the physical barrier between the conditioned interior of a home and the outdoor environment. It includes the roof, walls, windows, doors, and foundation, working together to control heat flow, air leakage, and moisture intrusion. For builders, selecting the right combination of structural framing, insulation, and housewrap
Professional builders know that the kitchen and bath are two of the most scrutinized spaces in any new home. Buyers expect surfaces that resist stains and scratches, fixtures that perform reliably, and designs that feel current without dating quickly. The 2019 Top 100 Products list in the Kitchen and Bath category showcases exactly the kind
When Professional Builder magazine releases its annual Top 100 Products list, the windows and doors category always draws attention from builders seeking a competitive edge. The 2019 edition featured products from manufacturers including Bilco, Endura Products, Jamsill, LaCantina Doors, LiftMaster, Pella, Renewal by Andersen, Solar Innovations, Western Window Systems, and Windsor Windows and Doors. From
Selecting the right mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) products is one of the most consequential decisions a home builder makes. These systems determine how a home performs day after day—how efficiently it heats and cools water, how reliably it delivers power and data, and how well it resists the wear of moisture, heat, and time.
The Foundation of Product Selection: Code Compliance and Climate Zones For professional builders, the process of choosing building products begins long before any purchase order is written. Every material that goes into a home must comply with local, state, and national building codes that dictate performance standards for structural integrity, energy efficiency, fire resistance, and
The New American Home 2019, built for the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, was more than a showpiece. It was a real-world proving ground for the building products and materials that professional home builders were beginning to specify on production and custom projects across the United States. From the foundation to the roofline, every
