Welcome to ebuild New Product News, a twice-weekly showcase of the latest building product introductions and trends, hand-picked by the editors of BUILDING PRODUCTS magazine and ebuild, the magazine's Web site. We welcome your feedback.

Editors' Picks

Battery Chargers by 10C Technologies

Stone Fireplace Mantels by Texas Carved Stone

Tasani Polymer Vessel by Neptune

Hardwood Floors by Armstrong

Fiber-Cement Boards by Nichiha

Stainless Steel Range Hood by Broan-NuTone

Feature Story

State of the Builder Study Shows Home Technology Sales Hot in an Uncertain Market

Despite a severe drop in housing starts in 2007, the share of builders offering home electronics remained fairly constant, according to the most recent State of the Builder study, scheduled to be released next month by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Moreover, the share of builders actually installing technology in new homes held steady. "Even though housing starts were down substantially last year, on a percentage basis builders remained committed to home technology as a category," says Steve Koenig, CEA's senior manager of industry analysis. "They weren't fleeing and saying, 'We're not building as much, so we better back off.'" But a closer look at the numbers reveals what you might expect: That despite the overall importance of home technology in new construction, the way builders think about electronics and approach them in their business operations, has evolved.

Announcements From Manufacturers

Universal Forest Products Adds White Solar Cap to Latitudes Ornamental Railing Line

Universal Forest Products announces the addition of a new solar post cap light to the Latitudes Ornamental Railing line. The White Solar Cap is a wireless, sun-powered light, perfect for accenting deck posts, fences posts and more with ambient lighting. The small solar collector on the White Solar Cap rests atop an attractive silhouette light made of shatter-resistant plastic. The White Solar Cap requires no wiring or electricity and comes with two rechargeable AA batteries, the maker says. Its glow is "perfect for casting a relaxing ambiance on deck areas.," the maker says. The solar lens, which becomes fully charged after a full day in the sun, is designed to absorb enough sunlight to provide subtle lighting in the dark. The Latitudes Ornamental line includes several styles of balusters, railings and post caps, which allow builders, architects, contractors and homeowners the freedom to transform a deck into an inspiring outdoor living area.

Metabo Expands Lithium-Ion Cordless Tool Line to Include Hammer Drill

Metabo Corporation, an international manufacturer of professional grade portable electric power tools and abrasives for industrial, construction and welding applications, now offers an 18V lithium-ion hammer drill, the SBZ 18, that weighs only 4.4 Ibs and provides up to 40 percent greater performance than cordless tools with traditional rechargeable batteries, the maker claims. The hammer drill ensures "optimum performance" with a torque adjusting sleeve with five torque settings, drill and hammer drill settings as well as a high-speed, two-stage gear box that delivers up to 26,800 blows per minute, the maker claims. In first gear, the drill offers 0-400 rpm, which the maker claims is ideal for high torque applications such as driving in large diameter fasteners. In second gear, the tool features 0-1,450 rpm, making the drill suitable for drilling into metal and fast impact drilling into brick, block and concrete, the maker says.

Complete details

Sill-Rite Expands Vinyl Window Sills Line

Sill-Rite has enhanced its line of solid vinyl window sills by adding a variety of new depths to its product offerings, the maker claims. The prefabricated and finished sills are now available in 3-, 4- 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- and 9-inch depths, giving contractors greater options for using Sill-Rite sills on both new construction and remodeling projects, the maker claims. Sill-Rite interior sills help protect the window sill area from damage caused by moisture, condensation and leaks, the makers says. The low-maintenance Sill-Rite PVC sill resists water, mold, stains and warping, according to the manufacturer. Each sill is pre-finished on all exposed edges and requires no priming or painting. The white sills (which attractively wrap around the sides of the window instead of being butt cut) can be painted and are available in two profiles: Classic, for an elegant traditional style, and Streamline, for a contemporary style.

Complete details

News and Trends

Economic and Environmental Concerns Shape Kitchen and Bath Preferences

Consumers are keen on green kitchen and bath products, but demand for high-end appliances and many luxury features appears to be waning in the face of less than exuberant market conditions, according to the most recent Home Design Trends survey by the American Institute of Architects. AIA members weighing into the organization's fourth quarter 2007 architectural billings index reported the weakest business conditions in the three year history of the survey, suggesting the sluggish housing market is unlikely to rebound any time soon. The billings index fell from 47 to 42 points in a year over year comparison (any score above 50 is positive). Client inquiries for new projects fell from 50 to 40 points in that same time frame. Those consumers who are buying new or renovating their homes appear to be more budget conscious and environmentally minded than in years past. Renewable flooring and countertop materials ranked among most popular kitchen features in the latest poll (at 61 percent and 49 percent respectively), along with drinking water filtration systems (44 percent), and recycling centers (45 percent).

(BUILDER Online)

Fireplace Shipments Slip as Housing Market Slows

As members of the hearth industry gather in Atlanta for the Hearth Patio & Barbecue Expo, the industry is coming to grips with the cold hard facts that its product shipments have slowed--in some cases, significantly. The industry--which includes manufacturers, dealers, and installers of fireplaces, grills, and an assortment of outdoor products--had seen tremendous growth that correlated with the run up in the housing market. But as the home industry goes, so goes many of the sectors associated with it. As a result, the hearth industry is experiencing its second consecutive year of declining sales. For the year ending 2007, 2.4 million hearth appliances were shipped, a number that is off by 500,000 compared to 2006. Shipments of wood-burning fireplaces declined 30 percent; pellet stoves declined 59 percent; gas numbers were off by 12 percent; and electric units had a modest decline of 2 percent.

(BUILDER Online)