Appliance trends for 2008 . . . and beyond

Michael DiLauro, a product-information specialist who covers a wide range of home products for Consumer Reports, recently attended the 2008 International Builders’ Show. Here, Michael, who knows a thing or two about the appliance industry, provides his insight into the appliance trends you’ll see in the coming months and years:

• New lines and brands emerge. You’ll have three new full lines of appliance to consider when shopping this year. Samsung and LG will round out their offerings in 2008, as both will offer a complete line of major appliances; Samsung has added a dishwasher while LG has come out with a wall oven and a cooktop. Also debuting in the U.S. market this spring is Electrolux, which will have 130 new products in stores. Take a look at the new Electrolux appliances. The GE Café line, introduced last fall, has been a big success. Look for GE to increase the number of Café line products this year.

Also, after years of major changes and consolidation in the appliance industry—including Whirlpool’s acquisition of Maytag, Jenn-Air, and Amana—some brands are now being repositioned. Amana is being morphed into the brand for the practical style seeker. (Read about the company’s Jot dry-erase refrigerator, shown.)

• Appliances go high-tech. Sophisticated electronics continue to make their way into the appliance world. For cooking appliances, the gadgetry allows for easier-to-clean glass touch controls and more one-touch functions that control cooking time and temperature. Behind these one-touch settings are algorithms designed to bring the ovens up to the correct temperature and cook to the proper doneness, adjusting and providing visual feedback along the way. One range I checked out features 11 different cooking modes, many of which would not be possible without state-of-the-art electronics and algorithms. Ranges and wall ovens from several brands have electronic controls that are completely blacked out until you touch the surface. The electronic controls on some Bosch gear lights up when you bring your hand to within six inches of the controls.

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Best by Broan IP29 Vent Hood

When you’re shopping for an undercabinet range hood, you’ll find a large variety of styles, sizes, and performance abilities as well as a number of very good $500 and under models. (See our latest report, “Over the Range.”)

Downdraft models are another venting option. These are designed to reverse the direction of rising smoke and fumes and exhaust them through ducts running beneath the floor. But our testing has shown downdrafts to be among the least effective venting systems at removing smoke and steam.

But if you cook at a kitchen island, venting can be more complicated—and expensive. Many overhead vent hoods cost $2,000 and up, without installation and ducting.

The stylish stainless-steel Best IP29 from Broan costs $3,300 to $4,800, might be a good choice if you need a vent hood. Sensor technology detects what you’re cooking and can turn on the hood automatically, at whatever speed and duration are needed, according to the manufacturer.

The IP29 features pushbutton LCD controls for speed and light settings and an Americans With Disabilities Act–compliant remote control, says Broan. The hood comes in 42- and 54-inch lengths and is 32 inches deep.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: See our Ratings of range hoods (available to subscribers) and tips for proper venting. To help you make your dream kitchen a reality, refer to our kitchen-planning guide.

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Lithium-Ion Tools Move Into the Mainstream

It wasn’t all that long ago that you had to pay a premium for cordless tools with lighter, longer-life lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries. But during my visits to the booths of several big tool manufacturers at the International Builders’ Show, I noticed that several big companies are now offering higher-tech Li-Ion cells for less.

Much of the action is happening with lower-volt batteries. Ryobi’s new 12-volt Li-Ion drill-driver ($79) weighs less than 2 pounds and comes with some big claims: Its battery is 30 percent smaller, 33 percent lighter, and offers four times more recharge cycles than the company’s 12-volt NiCad cell, says the manufacturer of this Home Depot exclusive. Ryobi is also offering a new 18-volt Li-Ion four-piece cordless kit (shown), with a drill, circular and reciprocating saws, flashlight, two batteries, and charger ($179). The battery fits Ryobi’s earlier One+ NiCad tools. You can also buy an 18-volt battery and one-hour charger alone for $99 to upgrade earlier Ryobi NiCad tools.

Ridgid’s 12-volt Li-Ion drill-driver joins the company’s other lithium-powered tools debuting this spring. A major talking point for the $129 drill is that you get free replacement batteries, parts, and service for as long as you own the drill. This tool features 30-minute recharging instead of the typical hour or more. Also new from Ridgid is a four-piece kit with an 18-volt hammer drill, reciprocating and circular saws, and impact driver ($499). Ridgid tools are sold at Home Depot.

The new Li-Ion battery on the new Craftsman (Sears) 16-volt drill ($119 with a flashlight) features inline cells for flatness and, like other Li-Ion batteries, has built-in protection against overheating and overcharging. A cushioned chuck is another perk. If you’re too tough for a “homeowner” drill, check out Craftsman’s two new Professional Li-Ion-ion drills with beefier, all-cast-aluminum gearboxes. The 12-volt drill runs $180; the 16-volt version (shown), $200. Both kits include a charger, second battery, and utility bag.—Bob Markovich

Essential information: Read our latest report on cordless drills to find the right tool for your workshop. For more information on cordless tools, click here. And see how we test cordless drills in our new video hub. Click on Home & Garden and scroll down to Cordless Drill Testing.

Impressions of the 2008 International Builders' Show

My three daughters gave me a hard time about attending the 2008 International Builders’ Show (IBS). To them, Orlando means theme parks, not work. They figured that my trip would be a respite from winter weather and some nice meals, despite my explanation that my job was to coordinate the online show coverage for Consumer Reports and also report on the new products and themes I’d see while hoofing it around the cavernous exhibition halls.

I enjoyed my time in Florida, but it had a lot more to do with what I saw—the NextGen house and other leading-edge technologies, the glistening displays of the latest appliances—than what I did. Even the occasionally corny opening ceremonies featured some interesting banter from keynote speakers Mary Matalin and James Carville. (Full disclosure: I caught a couple of rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios after the show let out one afternoon. The Tower of Terror is awesome.)

I was just one of 13 Consumer Reports staffers to attend the IBS. You can check out our coverage from the show here. What follows below are our postshow impressions of what’s happening in the American home now and what we’ll be seeing in years to come.—Steven H. Saltzman

“Conservation Without Sacrifice”
What do a new dimmer switch, bathroom faucet, and toilet have in common? They all represent  conservation without sacrifice, an obvious theme at the IBS.

My first encounter with this trend was at Lutron Electronics, where a rep from the lighting-controls manufacturer made the point that dimmers save electricity only when homeowners use them. So Lutron has developed a switch that automatically dims a bulb’s output by 20 percent, a drop in illumination that is not only undetectable by the human eye but also results in energy savings.

Over at the Kohler booth, I saw a bathroom faucet with an aerator that reduces water flow from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5. That flow rate, says Kohler, delivers savings without any perceivable drop in water pressure. (Learn more about Kohler's water-conserving faucets.)

The American Standard display featured the FloWise toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons per flush—down from the 1.6-gallon federal standard—and meets California’s new residential-toilet standard. Despite the drop, the toilet can still deliver a forceful flush, claims American Standard. (See the toilet in action in our video.)

I was encouraged by this conservation-without-sacrifice trend. To me, it seems to mark the decline of the McMansion mentality as some manufacturers have abandoned conspicuous consumption for inconspicuous conservation. That approach should bode well for the planet and consumers too.—Daniel DiClerico

“Embracing Energy Efficiency”
After spending two days scoping out numerous new green products at the IBS, what resonated with me most wasn’t a new soy-based insulation or a bamboo countertop or any other product I checked out.

The highlight of the show for me was the good old-fashioned concept of energy efficiency, perhaps summed up best by the “You Can’t Spell Green Without EE” presentation I saw. (“EE” equals energy efficiency.) Because until the day when renewable technologies like solar and wind become more widely available and affordable, energy consumption arguably takes the cake when it comes to the environmental impact of buildings.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org

Ed Begley Jr. promotes energy efficiency

Many Hollywood types have hopped on the green bandwagon in recent years, but Ed Begley Jr. gets credit for having been on board for decades. I caught up with the 58-year-old actor and environmental activist at the International Builders’ Show on Friday, February 15, to talk about things green and a product he was pitching. (Celebs rarely show up at trade shows unless their hawking something.)

“Growing up in smoggy L.A., by 1970 I’d had a bellyful, and I wanted to do something about it,” says Begley, perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the 1980s TV show St. Elsewhere, about his initial interest in green matters.

His first move was the purchase of a Taylor-Dunn electric car in 1970s. The vehicle, recalls Begley, “was little more than a golf cart with windshield wipers and a horn.” These days, Begley walks and bikes to his destinations and also drives a fully electric Toyota RAV4, which he charges using solar power at his home in Studio City, California.

His house is equipped with all kinds of eco-friendly gear, including solar roof panels that can track the sun, a solar oven, and a rainwater-collection system. (See just how green Begley is at the Web site of his HGTV show, Living With Ed.)

The house also has the new A.O. Smith Vertex 100 power-vent gas water heater, the product Begley was promoting at the Builders’ Show. The Vertex uses an unusual helix configuration, basically 30 feet of coil that transfers gas-fired heat to the water (shown). This 100,000-Btu unit operates at 95 percent efficiency, according to the manufacturer, besting the 80 percent level of the most-efficient traditional water heaters. It is supposed to produce as much hot water as a typical 75-gallon model.

With a suggested retail price of around $2,000, the Vertex 100 (available only through wholesalers) isn’t cheap, though the manufacturer says it’s comparable in cost to premium water heaters. That price tag puts it above what Begley calls the “low-hanging fruit” of household energy conservation, products like compact fluorescent lightbulbs and thermostats. But, Begley reasons, the money people save using those products can eventually go toward more-expensive items.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” Begley says about making homes greener. “We haven’t completed all the tasks [toward building truly energy-efficient homes], but we’ve proved we can get there.”—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new water heater, use our free buying advice. Read our expert advice for 10 easy ways to save hundreds of dollars on energy costs at your house, and visit our Energy-Saving Guide for expert advice on saving energy—and money—everyday.

2008 International Builders' Show Coverage

The Consumer Reports Home & Garden team recently returned from Orlando, where we attended the International Builders' Show, the housing industry’s largest trade event. From Feburary 13-16 we checked out the latest products and gear from more than 1,900 exhibitors and attended industry conferences, all in an effort to keep you informed of the latest happenings in the American home.

We won't have tested any products featured here . . . yet. So consider our previews a chance to see what’s headed your way. We've also included some stories on the trends we spotted at the show. Bookmark this page so you can come back to read the postings we'll add in the coming days.—Steven H. Saltzman

PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Amana Jot Refrigerator

American Standard FloWise Low-Flow Toilet, with video 

Best by Broan IP29 Vent Hood

DeWalt Nano Cordless Tools, with video 

Electrolux's New U.S. Appliances

Flo n Stop Household Flood-Prevention System

GE Profile WPDH8800J Washer With SmartDispense, with video 

Gem-Loc Premiere Edge Countertop Edging

Kenmore Pro Built-in Refrigerator, with video 

Kohler Express Vanities, with video 

Kwikset SmartKey, with video

Lithium-Ion Tools Move Into the Mainstream

QuietRock Soundproof Drywall

State-of-the-Art Measuring: Bosch DLR165 Laser Rangefinder

Storm-A-Rest Hurricane-Protection System, with video 

Trex Escapes Decking 

Vinotemp Walk-In Wine Vault

Whirlpool SteamClean Electric Ranges

 
SHOW NEWS AND INDUSTRY TRENDS

Ed Begley Jr.promotes energy efficiency

Green is big at the Builders' Show

Home storage is a must

Opening ceremonies at the International Builders' Show

Postshow impressions by the Consumer Reports team

 

 

In search of green at the 2008 International Builders' Show

From a 10-cent metal drywall clip to a $1,200 tankless water heater, the green offerings at this year’s International Builders’ Show ran the gamut: old-school gear to leading-edge technology; inexpensive wares to pricey equipment; simple tools to complex gadgets. Products with an eco-friendly profile were everywhere at IBS—there was even a Green Day on February 14, when show staff encouraged attendees to wear something green. (Note to IBS organizers: The one color you might convince people to wear on Valentine’s Day is red, not green.)

In my quest to understand how manufacturers and builders are now defining green, I spoke with many of the nearly 2,000 exhibitors at the show in Orlando. Their eyes lit up when I asked why a particular product was being marketed as green. Were those dollar signs I saw? From the sheer number of so-called green products on display even to the signage I came across—including the National Association of Home Builders’ declaration that the “future of residential construction is green”—it’s apparent that the housing industry has embraced green.

The challenge will be for us consumers to sift through the hype and avoid throwing away money by trying to buy our way to a cleaner environment. Remember, despite what some marketing mavens want you to believe, you don’t always have to shell out greenbacks to be green.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org

Essential information: Cut through some of the green hype by learning about greenwashing and visit GreenerChoices.org for the latest news on environmental issues and expert advice on ways to save energy and money everyday. 

State-of-the-art measuring: Bosch DLR165 Laser Rangefinder

The Bosch DLR165 Laser Rangefinder I checked out at the 2008 International Builders' Show isn’t your grandfather’s tape measure—and not just because of its $169 price.

This laser-equipped 4-inch-tall x 2¼-inch-wide tool can calculate distance, area, volume, and even indirect length—say, when a heavy object stands between you and the wall at the other end of the room. The DLR165 automatically figures the distance based on the space above and below that immovable object. It also measures from the top, bottom, and middle of the tool, and includes a swing-out pin that, claims Bosch, will measure into grooves and other tight spots where other laser tools won’t fit.

The DLR165, powered by four AAA batteries, also allows you to step off distances while you walk and boasts an accuracy of within one-sixteenth of an inch up to 165 feet, touts the company. The Laser Rangefinder is available now at Lowe’s and specialty stores that sell Bosch tools.—Bob Markovich

Essential information: Visit our Tools & Power Equipment page for expert advice on circular saws, cordless drills, miter and table saws, and a wide range of power equipment.

International Builders’ Show Preview: Electrolux’s New U.S. Appliances

You might think of Electrolux only for its vacuums, but the company actually is one of the biggest appliance brands throughout Europe and makes full lines of kitchen and laundry appliances. The company will be launching the Wave-Touch line and the IQ-Touch series of appliances in the U.S. this spring, with a wide range of kitchen gear.

Based on what I saw in Orlando, these new lines are all about luxury, with features like glide racks and lighting that gradually increases in intensity when you open a door. The display on the Wave-Touch appliances, like the dual-oven model shown, are blacked out except for the clock until you pass your hand in front of them. They then light up, at which point you can set them.

One compelling feature on the ovens is the “perfect turkey” function. Electrolux claims that you just put a turkey or any other poultry into the oven, insert the included probe, and press a button. The oven automatically roasts the bird at the optimum temperature; it also displays how much time is remaining until the cooking is done.

These appliances include many bells and whistles. One of the freestanding ranges, for example, has 11 different cooking modes, including slow cook, convection bake and broil, dehydrate, and bread proof (for baking bread), and the aforementioned turkey setting.

The new lines will be available at Lowe's and other retailers nationwide.—Michael DiLauro

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Amana Jot Refrigerator

If your kid tends to scribble or doodle on everything in reach, you might find yourself reading—literally—the writing on the wall . . . or the floor, counter, and other household surfaces. But what if you could strike a deal so that your burgeoning Picasso or aspiring Austen were to confine his or her assaults to only one front: the refrigerator?

A 28-inch-wide top-freezer fridge from Whirlpool’s Amana brand could be the answer. The new Jot, $549, features refrigerator and freezer door panels that are covered from top to bottom with a white dry-erase surface. (Thank the savvy folks at Whirlpool’s Brastemp brand for this idea; that Brazilian appliance maker first offered this fridge with wipe-clean front panels.)

While there’s no guarantee your kids won’t use crayons, markers, or other weapons of mass messiness on the Jot, you can wipe away anything applied with dry-erase markers to make room for the next masterpiece. Try to get your children not to use red and green dry-erase markers. The documentation for the Jot indicates you’ll need to use a bit more elbow grease to remove works done in those colors.

The Jot (model ATF1822MRE) comes in white only and offers a very basic design, with rounded edges and corners, hidden hinges, and an integrated door handle. Other features inside include dual up-front temperature controls and SpillSaver glass shelves.

If the media you’re more interested in is of the “multi” not marker variety, check out the latest upgrades to the Centralpark Connection line of side-by-side refrigerators, which we first covered at the 2007 Builders’ Show. The latest electronic add-ons to these refrigerators include an iPod dock, a photo display, and centralized family scheduling. Look for our First Look review on some of these features in the coming weeks.—Ed Perratore

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Kenmore Pro Built-in Refrigerator

The new Kenmore side-by-side built-in refrigerator is the latest in the brand’s upscale Pro line of kitchen appliances and the first built-in from this Sears brand. Unlike lower-priced cabinet-depth models, which extend a tad past cabinets, the Kenmore Pro aligns with them for a sleek, flush look.

Highlights of this high-end cooler include 304 stainless steel instead of the cheaper 400-grade variety, oil-dampened doors designed to close without a thud, and, of course, the requisite on-the-door ice-and-water dispenser. This latest Pro brings a pro-style price—$6,500.

Sears labels the capacity of this 48-inch-wide refrigerator at nearly 30 cubic feet of storage. But remember that most refrigerators don’t have nearly the usable capacity that their makers claim, as we reported in “Refrigerator capacity claims don’t add up.”

Essential information: The next time you’re shopping for a new refrigerator, read our buying advice and also ignore the claimed-capacity numbers and rely instead on the more-accurate, real-world measurements in our Ratings of bottom-freezers, built-ins, side-by-sides, and top-freezers (available to subscribers).

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: DeWalt Nano Technology Cordless Tools

Nanotechnology refers to the control of matter sized as small as a nanometer—a billionth of a meter. But DeWalt hopes its new Nano Technology 18-volt DC927KL hammer drill and DC827KL impact driver will be a big hit on the shelves.

DeWalt’s nano-phosphate lithium-ion battery boosts power for its weight as well as life—2,000 recharge cycles, claims the manufacturer. The 18-volt cell fits every other 18-volt tool DeWalt has made since 1996, and the charger also works on the company’s earlier 18-volt or lower batteries.

The hammer drill costs $369, while the higher-torque for impact driver runs $349; each comes with two batteries and charger. Four- and six-tool 18-volt kits are also due this spring, and DeWalt also sells 28- and 36-volt Nano tools.

Our recent report on cordless drills found DeWalt’s 36-volt drill, $450, capable but pricier than several models that outscored it overall. We’ll see how the 18-volt Nano fares in our future tests.—Robert Markovich

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Flo n Stop Flood-Prevention System

If the hose on your washing machine were to burst while you and your family are of out of the house, thousands of gallons could flood your home. Think substantial water damage. Think potential mold problems. Think head-shaking claim adjusters.

The simplest solution would be to shut off the water supply to the appliance, but you probably don’t ever touch the shutoff valve. (Be honest.) Enter the Flo n Stop, a wireless, remote-controlled device that can prevent a nightmarish flooding scenario, claims Millennium International Development Corp.

The setup comprises a solenoid valve installed just after the main water valve in your home, a transceiver module plugged into a nearby electrical outlet, and a battery-powered wireless transmitter that goes near an entry door. When you leave the house, says the manufacturer, you press the off button on the transmitter, which tells the transceiver to cut off the water at the solenoid valve.

The Flo n Stop can’t prevent the damage that would occur if water pours out of a ruptured water heater, for example, but it is supposed to prevent your fresh-water supply from continuing to flow once a leak occurs.

The companion 24/7 Water Sentinel mat is designed to prevent floods even if you leave the Flo n Stop in the on position. If the mat gets wet when an appliance or pipe leaks, it is supposed to send a signal to the Flo n Stop transceiver to cut off water to the household.

The Flo n Stop is expected to cost under $200, without installation. It is available at www.improvementscatalog.com and in spring at Lowe’s stores in Florida.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: You can’t plan for every emergency, but you can minimize the likelihood that an old appliance will turn on you. Read our expert tips for maintaining your appliances.

Opening Ceremonies at the International Builders' Show

“This thing is a long, long way from over.”

“This is a . . . cycle like no other.”

“This is an incomprehensible series of events . . . ”

Those are just a few of the compelling comments from keynote speakers Mary Matalin and James Carville during this morning’s opening ceremonies for International Builders’ Show in the South Hall at the Orange County Convention Center.

While the husband-and-wife political analysts—she’s the Republican representative, he’s the Democratic delegate—were talking about the 2008 presidential election, they could have just as easily been talking about the state of the crisis-riddled U.S. housing market.

Despite the metaphorical clouds hovering over the housing industry—and the actual ones that have been darkening the skies here in Orlando the last two days—the National Association of Home Builders tried its best to enliven spirits during the show opening.

Florence Henderson, known more as Carol Brady than for her earlier roles on Broadway, provided a perky presence during a variety of song-and-dance numbers during the “Viva Orlando” festivities.

This is the fourth year Orlando has hosted the IBS; for the next two years the show will move to Las Vegas, a city that seems to be bucking the building slowdown: 40,000 new hotel rooms are being built, part of $30 billion in building and infrastructure improvements there.

More interested in politics than building? Carville’s best line of the his discourse hinted at a Democratic victory: “We will have to literally talk our way out of winning [the 2008 presidential] election,” he said. Not wanting to make too bold a prediction, he added, “We [Democrats} are perfectly capable of doing that.”—Steven H. Saltzman

Women want a clutter-free home

What do women want?

That age-old question should be on the minds of builders, remodelers, and manufacturers of products for the home. Why? Because 91 percent of all new household purchases are made by or influenced by women, according to Paul Foresman, who earlier today at the International Builders’ Show delivered the “Her Home in 2015” seminar, which focused on the design and amenities that women will want—and expect—in their homes in the coming years.

The typical American woman is stressed, and builders/remodelers and manufacturers need to design spaces and products that will make her life easier and her home a haven from the madness, says Foresman, director of business development for Design Basics, a home-plan-design company and runs the quarterly publication Her Home.

Some other key points Foresman made during his presentation:

• Household messes cause stress, but cleaning is no walk in the park either. The solution? Provide women with products and spaces that are easier to clean, say showers without doors.

• Women want to eliminate clutter in the bathroom, kitchen, and garage. They’ll expect to see well-designed storage systems that can rein in the mess.

The simplest stress reducer I can imagine? Have everyone in the house put his or her stuff away without nagging. My colleagues and I agree that would alleviate a lot of tension.—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman

Essential information: Read our report on closet and garage organizers to find the best products to unclutter your home.

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: QuietRock Soundproof Drywall

Dedicating a room of a new home theater with the latest flat-panel TV and state-of-the-art sound system? Then the last thing you want to do is wake the kids while you’re watching the DVD or have your entertainment ruined by your neighbors’ noisy central-air compressor.

QuietRock drywall is a soundproofing wall and ceiling panel that manufacturer Quiet Solution claims will reduce up to eight times more noise than ordinary gypsum board. The QuietRock comes in varying thicknesses in 4x8-foot sheets, with additional sizes up to 4x12 feet.

QuietRock 510 (shown), suitable for DIY installation, according to the manufacturer, costs $40 for a 1⁄2-inch 4x8-foot sheet; the same-size panel of the 5⁄8-inch 530 costs about $130. The highest-performance panels are 1-3⁄8 inches thick.—Ed Perratore

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Storm-A-Rest Hurricane-Protection System

The news images of the devastation caused by colossal hurricanes like Andrew (1992) and Katrina and Rita (both 2005) resonate years later. While no home hurricane-protection system can withstand the tide surges and flooding that accompany the worst tropical storms, John Boyle & Company’s Storm-A-Rest panels promise to fend off the pounding winds, torrential rain, and flying debris that define Mother Nature at her worst.

The tough fabric panels include tough Honeywell Spectra fibers, which the company claims help make the panels 15 times stronger for its weight than steel and allow them to withstand winds in excess of 155 mph. Indeed, Storm-A-Rest panels are certified for Wind Zone 4 and Large Missile D Impact, part of the Florida building code.

The translucent panels install over windows and attach to wood, brick, or concrete and allow 76 percent of the light through to the inside (keeping the interior from getting too dark during a storm), then roll up after storm season. You can also trim the panels with any of 350 Sunbrella fabrics, which show over the window when the panel is rolled up.

Panels for standard-size windows costs about $20 to $22 per square foot without the trim; custom sizes are also available. They are backed by a 10-year warranty.

Essential information: You'll find expert advice for dealing with hurricanes and other natural disasters in  our Storm & Emergency Guide. And learn more about windows in our latest report, "Clear Choices."

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Whirlpool SteamClean Ranges

When it comes to appliances, steam is, well, hot. We’ve recently tested washers, dryers, and dishwashers with steam modes. (Steam-mode improvements ranged from barely to noticeably better than the cycles we regularly test. But other nonsteam cycles might also perform better as well, as we found on this LG dishwasher, for example.) Whirlpool is the latest appliance maker to unveil a steam-equipped product, launching new electric ranges in September.

Whirlpool claims the SteamClean cycle on its ranges will clean grime off the oven interior and that routine use of the new feature will eliminate having to run the self-cleaning cycle. To run a SteamClean cycle, you pour 12 ounces of water onto a tray at the bottom of the oven, close the door, and push a button. After 20 minutes, according to the manufacturer, you simply wipe the oven clean. The SteamClean ranges will cost $700 and up.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new range, read our buying advice and latest report.

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Trex Escapes Decking

In these days of green marketing—and, yes, greenwashing—here’s something you don’t hear from a lot of companies: “This product is made of 100 percent inorganic products.”

That’s how Scott Fedor, senior product manager for Trex, described the company’s latest line of decking, called Trex Escapes. This new decking is made entirely of virgin PVC—it contains no recycled material of any kind, unlike other Trex products. (Plastic and vinyl decking is made of PVC and polyethylene made from recycled milk jugs and detergent bottles. Composite decking is made of plastic resin and wood fiber.)

Escapes comes in 1x5½-inch boards and 1x12-inch sizes for fascia, riser, and trim uses and is available in  Acorn, Glacier (white), Pewter, and Sahara (sand) colors. It is designed to holds its color for an extended time.

Escapes is stain, scratch, and mold resistant and won’t rot, splinter, or warp, according to Trex. The photo here shows how Escapes compares against untreated natural wood when wine and barbecue sauce are poured on the surfaces. The wood absorbed the stains while the Trex decking wiped clean.

We haven’t tested Escapes yet so we can’t verify these results. But we have looked at other decking materials and deck stains.—Daniel DiClerico

International Builders'€™ Show Product Preview: Gem-Loc Premiere Edge

Laminate countertops have gotten better looking in recent years, thanks to the use of vibrant colors and patterns that mimic pricier materials. But their edge treatments have generally lacked innovation. The new Gem-Loc Premiere Edge, made by Loti Corporation, is a unique hybrid alternative to the standard-issue laminate edging with square or beveled edges.

The manufacturer claims Gem-Loc is the first edge material to combine a laminate face with solid-surface edging with rounded corners. The result is a near seamless molding designed to minimize the unattractive black line of square laminate edge treatments. By softening the transition, the edge treatment becomes a design element, rather than an eyesore, says the manufacturer. What’s more, says Loti, Gem-Loc can be color-matched to a countertop from just about any laminate maker.

Maybe most important, Gem-Loc is designed to be more durable and easier to install and than beveled laminate. That’s because the edging is applied slightly higher than the countertop and then filed flush, eliminating the precision required on beveled jobs.

This edge treatment retails for about $6 per square foot. Across an entire kitchen, Gem-Loc should run only $100 more than beveled edges, according to a company spokesperson.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Visit our kitchen-planning guide for expert advice on countertops and many others elements of kitchen remodeling.

International Builders'€™ Show Product Preview: American Standard FloWise Toilet

The latest low-flow toilets use even less water: California now requires that a residential toilet use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), 20 percent less than the 1.6-gpf standard in effect elsewhere nationwide.

The American Standard FloWise (shown) is among the first commodes to meet the new California standard without requiring a second, water-saving mode. It also carries the EPA's WaterSense label for high-efficiency toilets—€”akin to an Energy Star qualification—€”and is eligible for rebates in drought-prone areas.

This gravity-fed toilet is green without being wimpy, claims American Standard, thanks to a funnel-shaped, piston-action flush valve that helps accelerate incoming water; the valve is similar to the one on the company'€™s Champion models, a line of gravity toilet that did well in our last toilet report.

The FloWise retails for $395 in white and is backed by a 10-year limited warranty. We'll see how these American Standard models and other lower-flow toilets fare in our next toilet test.—€”Bob Markovich

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Kwikset SmartKey

The Kwikset SmartKey is the first door lock you can rekey in seconds without having to replace the lock. That means you can let contractors or painters into you home with the key you gave them, say when you’re at work or our of town on vacation, then cancel that key when the job is done. The SmartKey comes with two keys and a specially shaped “Learn Tool.”

Rekeying a key takes only three steps:
1. Insert a functioning key and turn it clockwise.

2. Insert the Learn Tool into the slot above the key to reset the lock mechanism, then remove the tool and key.

3. Insert the new key and turn it counterclockwise. (See how the SmartKey works.)

Kwikset claims SmartKey locks also prevents lock bumping—a technique where thieves use filed-down keys to jiggle the pins and turn the cylinder—by replacing the usual pin and tumbler design with side-locking bars. Note that we don’t know how SmartKey locks will perform in a kick-in attempt, the most common variety of forced entry

Finishes include antique bronze and rustic pewter, among others. Dead bolts, lever locks, and knob locks cost about $30 and handleset locks about $120. Additional keys for cost about $1.70; rekey sets from KwikSet include six keys for about $10, saving you the hassle of changing locks for security if someone loses or doesn’t return a key. SmartKey locks are sold at home centers and hardware stores nationwide.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Read our expert advice to make your doors secure and these reports on entry doors and door locks.

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Kohler Express Vanities

A vanity will add style and storage to your bathroom, but getting that bulky piece home from the store, schlepping it to its location, and assembling the piece can prove challenging.

The Kohler Express installation system, available on the Alberry, Chalkstripe, Clermont, and Westmore vanities, addresses those inconveniences. This patented setup (shown partially open) uses a patented hinge design that allows you to stow the vanity relatively flat in your car, lift it more easily through a doorway, and essentially snap it into shape. Even better, there'€™s no charge for delivery and installation.

Vanities with the express system costs $450 to $700; countertop and sink are sold and installed separately. The vanities are available at Kohler showrooms and at major retailers nationwide, including Home Depot and Lowe'€™s.—€”Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Our report on bathroom makeovers includes information on countertop materials and a primer on how to avoid common remodeling blunders.

International Builders' Show Product Preview: GE Profile WPDH8800J Washer With SmartDispense

All washing machines are set-it-and-forget-it when it comes to the water—but it’s still up to you to measure and add the detergent. We’ve seen liquid-detergent-and-fabric-softener dispensers for washers before, but GE’s new Profile WPDH8800J front-loader (left in the photo) is the first washer designed to dole out the right amount of detergent and softener based on the load size, soil level, fabric, cycle, or even water hardness. Called SmartDispense, the new feature is built into the pedestal below the Energy Star–qualified washer and has a claimed capacity of up to 350 ounces of detergent and 85 ounces of fabric softener—roughly six months’ worth for a typical household.

Costing $1,800 with the pedestal, the washer and its matching model DPVH880 dryer, $1,329, aren’t cheap. If you’re willing to dispense with the SmartDispense feature, you’ll find high-scoring front-loaders from our washer tests for as little as $650 and top-loaders starting at $400.

The washer and dryer will be in stores in July.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Read our latest report on washers and dryers.

International Builder' Show Product Preview: Vinotemp Walk-In Wine Vault

If you’re a serious wine collector whose sizable cellar features rare gems like the 1993 Screaming Eagle ($3,000-plus for a single bottle), you’ll want to be sure your wine doesn’t degrade while you’re away on vacation. The Vinotemp Walk-In Wine Vault, says the manufacturer, will send an alert to your cell phone should a temperature change take place in the 1,500-bottle unit which, costs $20,000.

The Vinotemp’s software is designed to upload your inventory onto your personal computer and track it by vintage, country of origin, and location on the racks inside the vault. The unit adds good looks to its brains, featuring a brushed-aluminum exterior, glass windows and doors, and handcrafted redwood racks. So while you might want to place the vault in the basement, it’s handsome enough to go near a living area—where your bottles will always be close at hand.

Essential information: Not ready to invest in a walk-in wine vault? A wine refrigerator or wine chiller might be a better option. And to help add to your collection, read our expert coverage of wines.

The ever-expanding American home

It’s not only American consumers who are growing in size. The average single-family home has “supersized” 48 percent, going from 1,660 square feet to 2,459 square feet in 2006, according to Gopal Ahluwalia, staff vice president for research for the National Association of Home Builders, who gave a presentation on February 8 at the International Builders’ Show. By 2015, says Ahluwalia, the average home will have gone on a bit of diet and will total 2,330 square feet.

As the average home has swelled in size, so too has the number of bedrooms. In 1987, 12 percent of single-family homes had three or more bathrooms. By 2005, that figure had more than doubled, with 26 percent equipped with three or more baths. The number of bedrooms has increased as well, with 39 percent of single-family homes having four or more bedrooms, up from 23 percent in 1987.—Cyndi Schoenbrun, Senior Research Analyst

“Green” is the hot color in building

Whether you label it “green,” “environmentally friendly,” or “eco-friendly,” one of the hottest trends in home remodeling and building is the use of energy-efficient, sustainable, and nontoxic products and construction methods. More builders are willing to use these products because green and energy-efficient products are increasingly affordable and available from more manufacturers and in a wider variety.

According to a recent survey of its builder members by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), there was a 20 percent increase in the number of builders “dedicated to green building issues” from 2005 to 2006. Of these builders:
• 85 percent specifying low-energy windows.
• 65 percent are recommending insulated exterior doors.
• 65 percent are advocating increased insulation.
• 75 percent are recommending alternatives to traditional framing materials and/or techniques.
• 65 percent already incorporate recycled or recyclable materials.
As part of their efforts to enhance the “green home,” these pros also installed Energy Star appliances, low-flow water fixtures, and the highest-level heating and cooling systems their clients can afford.

It’s worth noting that consumers don’t seem as eager to go green. Only 30 percent of homeowners are prepared to pay more for green products in the home, according to Gopal Ahaluwalia, the NAHB’s staff vice president for research, who gave a presentation at the International Builders’ Show. These include tankless water heaters, dual-flush toilets, low-VOC paints, alternative-wood flooring such as bamboo, and eco-friendly carpets. Twenty-five percent of home dwellers are concerned about the environment but not as willing to pay, and 35 percent are not concerned about the environment and will not pay for green products.—Cyndi Schoenbrun, Senior Research Analyst

Essential information: Visit GreenerChoices.org for the latest news on environmental issues and expert advice on ways to save energy and money every day.

An uplifting appliance

The Gaggenau Lift Oven is a doorless wall oven. See how this unusual appliance performs in this video report by Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy editor of the Consumer Reports Home and Yard franchise, from the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

 

IBS wrap-up: The never-ending show

Know what I did after spending three exhausting days schlepping from one booth to another under the glaring fluorescent lights at the International Builders’ Show? No, I didn’t head to Disney World or lounge by the pool in sunny Orlando. I returned to the Orange County Convention Center to spend the better part of the day at the show with my husband, who had escaped the frigid New York City temperatures to join me. Consider us crazy—or ideally suited to each other.

When I mentioned that spouses of press attendants could attend the show, my husband jumped at the chance to check out the toilets, showers, faucets,  appliances, windows, doors, and tools. And then more tools. Did I mention that my husband loves tools and construction equipment? The large trucks, drilling, hammering, and construction noises emanating from the exhibition booths reeled him in. Hours later, when he’d finally had his fill and I’d finished my work for Consumer Reports, we left the cavernous convention center. “Wow! This show is huge—my feet ache,” he exclaimed.

I thought to myself, Now he knows how I feel.—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman

Hitachi’s bits are important parts

As we previously reported about the new cordless drills from DeWalt and Makita, manufacturers have emphasized smaller—yet still powerful—devices in their 2007 releases.

Another small but certainly not minor part of any drill/driver is the bit you use. A high-quality bit can save you time and, perhaps more important, prevent you from damaging the surface you’re working on, say a granite countertop or porcelain soap dish you’re installing as part of a kitchen or bath remodel. Hitachi poin ts to a diamond-sintered ridge at the tip of the bits as the major timesaving factor. The manufacturer claims that you can drill a hole through stone in only seconds compared with minutes for a typical carbide bit.

At the International Builders’ Show last week, we tried out Hitachi’s new Diamond-Grit Drill Bits on a marble surface. While a tryout at a trade show is hardly a test at our labs in Yonkers, N.Y., we managed to get through the marble surface in about 20 seconds without a lot of elbow grease. At about $13 to $16 each, these bits aren’t inexpensive. But, says the manufacturer, each diamond bit will last for 20 to 30 holes versus just two or three for carbide bits. The bits are available at Lowe’s and independent hardware stores.

Another promising entry from Hitachi, a top-scoring brand in our past tests of cordless drill/drivers, is its new 14.4-volt DS14DL HXP lithium-ion cordless drill/driver (low $200s). It weighs 4.6 pounds with the battery and includes a “save” mode that keeps drilling speeds within the 0- to 200-rpm range for better control and longer run time (maximum speed is 1,500 rpm). There’s also an adjustable belt hook that doubles as a light for dark corners.—Bob Markovich

Essential information: Our buying advice will help you make the right decision when you’re in the market for a drill. And The drill on using a cordless drill will help you avoid common mishaps like gouges and scratches.

IBS wrap-up: Industry trends

Karin Weisburgh, a senior research analyst for Consumer Reports who has logged many miles during her past International Builders’ Show expeditions, shares here overall impressions of the 2007 installment of the event:
• As my colleague Michael DiLauro reported, competitors continue to spy on one another. At a meeting I had with Electrolux, the marketing folks mentioned that the company had six bouncers in its booth at the 2006 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS). The company will not be attending this year's K/BIS in May because it doesn’t want competitors to get a sneak peak at its major appliance launch scheduled for fall. I also heard that Whirlpool will not be exhibiting on the floor at K/BIS.
• The trend in appliances is all about the look. A new Kenmore fridge will have a mirrored finish, and stainless-steel and sleek lines prevailed. For refrigerators overall, the talk was focused more on handles and doors than on inner workings.
• Appliances have yet to go on a diet. Even Miele, known for its slimmer, Euro-sized washers and dryers, is introducing a beefed-up washer and dryer. Drawer appliances are a definite niche market, but as one dishwasher buyer remarked, a good number of drawer models are being sold as second dishwashers.
• Energy savings are inherent in many products, but consumers aren't willing to sacrifice on capacity or looks.
• The crowds were smaller this time around, and overall the show felt more relaxed.—Karin Weisburgh

Makita finds good things in smaller packages

Cordless drill-drivers remain a big part of most homeowners’ tool arsenals because they combine fast drilling for big, involved projects (decks, closet systems) with enough torque for most tasks. Expect to see more 14.4-volt drills instead of the high-voltage behemoths that were all the rage in recent years as manufacturers woo active DIYers who want ample power in a smaller, lighter package.

Makita, a major player at the upper end of the cordless-tool market, is releasing three new lithium-ion cordless tools in the weeks ahead, including two of the smallest 14.4- and 18-volt cordless drill-drivers we’ve seen. The 18-volt BDF452 compact drill-driver ($199, shown) weighs in at only 3½ pounds compared with almost 5 pounds for its 18-volt NiCad model.

Makita is also coming out with a 7.2-volt cordless impact driver ($99) that’s the smallest and lowest-voltage impact model we’ve encountered. Essentially an articulating, multiposition screwdriver, it weighs less than 2 pounds and belts out 3,200 hammer blows per minute for loosening power.—Bob Markovich

Essential information: Our buying advice