Even with concerns about the housing industry, the 2008 International Builders Show, held February 13 to 16 at the Orange Country Convention Center in Orlando, FL, still drew 92,000 building professionals. More noticeable this year than in recent past shows, there was a strong emphasis on building storm safe by the show’s 1,900 exhibitors.

Hurricane protection was displayed specifically by several companies. Alutech United showcased its lines of roll shutters, accordions and exterior screens; Wayne-Dalton displayed wind-load products and secure garage doors; Florida Blinds & Shutters exhibited its clear panel and roll-up shutters; Proline featured its Bahama and colonial shutters along with its accordion line; clear panels and roll-down shutters were displayed by Hurricane Safe products; and Hurricane Armor showcased flexible fabric wind and water abatement systems.

New this year was a storm curtain by Honeywell made from its high-strength Spectra® fiber. Sold as Storm-A-Rest™ these lightweight curtains meet or exceed requirements for winds in excess of 155 mph and for impact from large wind-borne projectiles. They are approved under the state of Florida’s building code for Wind Zone 4.

Window and door manufacturers continue to increase lines of impact- and storm-resistant products. Atrium Companies offered a complete line of custom-fit hurricane and storm protection systems for new construction applications throughout the state of Florida.

Marvin Windows and Doors introduced coastal hardware as an option on all of its operating casement and awning windows, including the upcoming Impact family of products. Coastal hardware will be available in spring 2008. Marvin’s Integrity windows and doors are made with Ultrex, a pultruded fiberglass material.

Silver Line presented a selection of window types, sizes and shapes and PGT’s WindGuard impact-resistant windows and doors were featured.

Storm protection also was top-of-mind for many companies offering other building products. Amarr presented its line of wind load garage doors under The Weather Channel brand. Garage doors with impact windows with Miami-Dade approval were featured.

Sto Corp. offered cladding and coating systems to protect the exterior of homes from damage caused by wind, wind-borne debris and moisture. Typar® Weather Protection Systems showcased its StormWrap™ weather-resistant barriers for air and moisture.

Many roofing products were featured from barriers to tiles that will withstand high velocity winds, including new connector products from Simpson Strong-Tie, which featured two new hurricane ties.

Recognizing the need to maintain electrical power during a storm, Cummins Onan introduced its new residential standby generator RS 12000. The system can operate a four-ton air conditioner yet runs quietly. It also can be monitored and adjusted from a controller inside the home and remotely.

NEXTGEN AGAIN
Again this year, Hurricane Protection magazine was a media sponsor for NextGen 2008 IBS Home constructed in the convention center’s parking lot with an Ultimate Value theme. In response to the market slowdown in residential building, approximately 55 percent of reporting homebuilders in a recent National Association of Home Builders’ survey said they have begun offering more amenities.

The 2,700-square-foot home built by TownHomes LLC showcased the latest products and best practices available now for building stronger, greener, more efficiently and more digitally connected. More than 2,500 visitors walked through the home built in compliance with the Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Fortified . . . for safer living program.

This year the home featured a deck awning powered by Somfy Systems motors, impact-resistant windows from MW Windows & Patio Doors and a DuPont StormRoom™.

IBS HIGHLIGHTS
With more than 1,900 exhibitors covering more than one million net square feet of exhibit space, attendees came to see the latest in building products, services and technologies. The four days were packed full of education, exhibits and special events.

This year’s show kicked off with a Grand Opening Ceremonies extravaganza and keynote speakers, husband and wife political analysts James Carville and Mary Matalin.

For the first time ever, NAHB held Green Day, celebrating all things Green in the building industry. Green Day began with a session by William McDonough on The Promise of Cradle-to-Cradle Design: Sustainable Architecture for the 21st Century. In addition, green education was held throughout the day and NAHB officially launched the NAHB National Green Building Program and the Certified Green Professional designation.

Other show highlights included daily featured speaker sessions by Mark Jarvis, chief marketing officer at Dell, and Ken Schmidt, formally with Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Thursday’s Luncheon Impossible featured The Food Network Star of “Dinner Impossible” Chef, Robert Irvine.

Next year, the International Builders’ Show returns to Las Vegas. IBS 2009 will be held January 20 to 23.