A letter from NADRA’s President, Matt Breyer: 

This year’s International Builder’s Show was again held in Las Vegas, and like always it is almost impossible to absorb it entirely! It’s a very well-run event, but the sheer size and scope of what you are immersed in can be daunting.

Part of what I attempt to do is visit with as many of our NADRA members as possible while walking the show. However, due to the 80-100,000+ people walking the show with me, this means I’m not able to physically talk with our members- as there’s a crowd in their booth ahead of me!

It’s been encouraging to see the growth and development with our members- and with the industry segment at large at this show. At the moment they haven’t sectioned us off into our own “wing”, but there is no doubt that the “outdoor living” category is well represented at IBS.
Something else I attempt to do at this show is simply walk through as much of it as possible, looking for design inspiration, subtle market trends, and clues for where consumer preferences are headed. Rest assured, if there’s a kitchen cabinet feature consumers want inside, at some point that’s a detail they will be asking about outside with the grilling station, and I’d like to be informed enough to have that conversation!

Something else I’ve grown to love about shows like this, is the excuse for some “reflection time” away from the “daily grind” back at home/office. Vegas isn’t exactly known for it’s “quiet spaces”, but the dramatically different environment does provide an opportunity to disrupt daily routines, and some personal reflection- and that (at least for me) is extremely rejuvenating!

It looks like we’re headed into another strong year. There’s good pent-up consumer demand, a great overall economy, and we’ve got some of the best materials available to use as we seek to exceed our client’s expectations yet again. Here’s to an AWESOME 2020!

We hope to see you throughout the year at various NADRA events and shows. Please stay in touch! If you’d like to send us photos and a brief recap from your experience at the International Builder’s Show, please send images, links and comments to Info@NADRA.org. We will keep the blog updated with posts from our members!

At your service, 
Matt Breyer

We invite you to scroll through the photos & comments from NADRA members that participated & exhibited at the International Builder’s Show last week in Las Vegas:

Screw Products, Inc.:

We had a wonderful time at the International Builders Show this year in Las Vegas. The people who came to our booth were from a good mixture of states, a wide variety of visitors from lumberyards to designers, to contractors, and all were very interested in our new and improved line of Gen II fasteners. We had quality time to explain our Horizon Curve Head and its slight curvature of the head that make for for elegant, professional results. The Finish Ring underneath the head that provides a better finish by cutting the top fibers in the wood for an extra step in countersinking, our Turbine Ribs that cut quickly into the wood, leaving a professional, clean finish with maximum wood contact, our Twin Blade Knurls that cuts fast to dramatically reduce friction and heat on the shank, while reducing load on the drill and we talked about our Fast Start Tip sharp threads all the way to the tip and how the fastener has an immediate grip for a fast start. The inset thread cut drastically reduces splitting effect and minimizes the driving torque needed to engage the wood.

We introduced our new lines at the show that included AXIS™ Structural Wood Screws, EPIC™ Trim Head Screws, PICO™ Finish Head Screws, AURA™ for Cabinetry & More, NOVA™ Structural Lag Screws, YUKON™ Hex Structural Lags and ROCO™.

We were also able to show our new Planograms available to the retail lumberyard, home center and hardware store. Learn more at ScrewProducts.com.

TimberTech:

The 2020 IBS AZEK TimberTech booth was a labor of love with the joint efforts of Minnesota Platinum Contractors Phi Decks and Deck and Basement partnering on the deck build.  The 50×80 deck featured all of the colors in the Legacy and Vintage collections as well as the four colors in the new Reserve Collection. Learn more at: TimberTech.com

NADRA Members, AGS Stainless: 

At IBS this year, AGS Stainless released its newest stainless steel railing system, Cascadia Rail.

Cascadia Rail was designed to provide deck builders with a visually-stunning and cost-effective stainless alternative to aluminum railing systems. 

Made from 316 marine-grade stainless steel and fabricated to AGS Stainless’ exacting standards, the lineal foot cost of Cascadia is similar to aluminum rail. 

Cascadia is easy to install, ships within 48-hours and is is currently the only ICC-ES approved metal railing system with a horizontal infill. This means Cascadia can be installed quickly,  anywhere in the US and Canada, by just about anyone – and without the need for the engineering calculations typically required by local permitting authorities for custom stainless rails.

For additional info or to order Cascadia for your next project, go to: AGSStainless.com  

NADRA Members, Versatex:

IBS 2020 in Las Vegas was an incredible time. We had a blast showcasing our products at IBS with new color offerings with our Canvas Series. The best part about the show was conversing with industry professionals all week and learning about their work. This is definitely a show that should not be missed! Plenty of innovative products come up each year and we are lucky to have such great support from the industry. Learn more at Versatex.com

NADRA Members, Armadillo: 

Avon Plastics was at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) last week, showing builders how to cut deck installation time by up to 60% just by using TurboClip Hidden Deck fasteners. That’s precious time you can spend elsewhere.

Avon Plastics booth featured all of our building material brands from Armadillo Composite Decking, Grid Axcents Decorative Lattice, TurboClip Universal Hidden Deck Clip and Quix Tile.

We think our Builder Rebate Program is the best in the industry! We had a great response by getting people signed up for the builder rebate program right at the show when they visited our booth.  When you use our brands, we’ll rebate you 3% of your material cost on all Armadillo, TurboClip, and Grid Axcents products. Plus, our Armadillo and TurboClip builders will receive two 192ct boxes of Narrow Gap TurboClip fasteners (enough to install 200sf) simply for signing up! Sign up today at pro.avonplastics.com.  All in all, it was an awesome show!

NADRA Members, MoistureShield:

MoistureShield® made a huge splash with its new booth at the 2020 IBS Show, right on the heels of winning “Marketer of Year” –the highest honor in Hanley-Wood’s Brand Builder Awards.  The winning campaign was highlighted in the booth, with captivating images of underwater scenes on their extremely moisture-resistant composite decking. MoistureShield was also submerged in an actual water fountain and pool, something no other decking would dare to promote!

MoistureShield’s Elevate™ capped wood composite decking, initially offered in select locations in 2019, has now launched nationally at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Contractor and lumber dealer interest in Elevate is growing rapidly, as they recognize the need for an attractive capped decking product at an entry-level price point. Elevate decking features a strong, protective cap which shields each board from impact, corrosion and harsh weather. 

In addition, Elevate was Finalist in the NAHB’s Most Innovative Products in the Best of the IBS Awards.  MoistureShield also hosted designer and former HGTV host Chip Wade, as he explored the brand’s Solid Core Difference which makes all MoistureShield decking products moisture-resistant enough to be submersible in water.  He also did the “Feel the Difference” comparison the CoolDeck technology, in which you can actually feel the surface temperature difference in CoolDeck compared to other decking brands. And, Chip did a Facebook Live on how seamlessly MoistureShield complements Belgard® Pavers, firepit and outdoor kitchen for a complete backyard experience.  Learn more about Elevate HERE

NADRA Members, Regal ideas:

Award winning deck builder, Dr Decks, and co-host of the Vanilla Ice Project Wes Kain joined us in the Regal Ideas booth at the International Builder’s Show. It was great meeting so many new contractors. Regal ideas products raise the bar when it comes to safety and durability. Our products are made from high strength 100% pure aluminum alloys and engineered to resist the tests of time and weather and proven to outperform vinyl, composite, wood and steel materials. 

We showcased our TELESTEPS, a must have item for every contractor, builder and renovator! Here is a special offer to our fellow NADRA members!  Use code TELE10 on telestepsworldwide.com for 10% off the entire store plus FREE shipping!

It was a great show! We look forward to seeing you soon! Check out our DeckStars site to see where we will be on tour next!

NADRA Members, CAMO® Deck Fastening Systems:

The CAMO booth had an excellent turnout with quality conversations with both new and familiar faces. Every 15 minutes, attendees watched product demos, learning more about CAMO® DRIVE™, EdgeClips and EdgeXClips. Builders were able to try out the products themselves and hundreds entered to win a DRIVE while 15 walked away with a new tool! 

The CAMO DRIVE™ Stand-Up Tool features three end guides to fasten CAMO Edge Screws, CAMO EdgeClips or traditional face screws—all using your own drill! CAMO DRIVE is a collated stand-up deck fastening tool designed to save contractors time, get them off their knees, and save their backs. Using the CAMO DRIVE tool can result in a deck installation that is 5X faster than other methods.  And, CAMO® EdgeClip® and EdgeXClip® revolutionize installation of grooved boards, either using CAMO DRIVE or their Never Miss Guide™ for hand-held fastening. Stay tuned for more innovation as warm weather approaches!

CAMO was a Day 2 Product Find at IBS by BUILDER Magazine!

NADRA Members, Feeney, Inc.:

The International Builders’ Show was a fantastic way to reconnect with our reps, dealers, and contractors. This year we debuted our brand new faux wood grain finish top rails for our DesignRail® aluminum railing system. Even our own reps were fooled into thinking it was wood! Our reps were also excited by our new DesignRail® Express program, cutting shipping down on select options to 5-7 days. 

Besides the new products, we connected with editors at LBM Journal and Professional Remodeler magazine, and had delightful visits with Chip Wade and Mike Holmes Jr., and  attended the #bestofsocialmedia awards which highlighted some fantastic contractors on social. Learn more at FeeneyInc.com

NADRA Members, FastenMaster:

This year was FastenMaster’s biggest showing ever at the IBS in Las Vegas.  New to our booth was an interactive framing corner which showed off the FrameFAST tool and all-new NLB Connector.  The FrameFAST system has now expanded from its original configuration which made truss-to-top plate connections easier.  It can now create a continuous load path from the truss down to the foundation using the same 6” FrameFAST screw by utilizing different tool heads.  The new NLB, or Non Load-Bearing Connector, combines a screw with floating sleeve for attaching partition walls – delivering lateral stability while allowing for truss movement above the wall. 

Over the three days of this show, our knowledgeable sales, marketing and technical teams engaged with many Pro customers, giving constant demonstrations and answering a variety of product application questions.  For our decking Pros, these demos included our FusionLOC demo deck, showing how to install faster by having collated clips and fasteners in one tool.

Another time-saving product enhancement was our new collated Cortex plugs, allowing the decking contractor to more quickly and precisely align the grain and color of our plugs to match the decking.  No doubt that the few thousand attendees who walked through our booth left with new knowledge of our time and money saving products, and a better sense of why FastenMaster remains Pro Driven. Learn more at FastenMaster.com.

NADRA Members, Trex:

Enter the Next Deckade of Outdoor Living with Trex

Trex delivered the total outdoor living package at IBS 2020! The world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing, and leader in high-performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products, reinforced its position as a one-stop resource for decking dealers and contractors with the launch of three new collections and some exciting railing additions:

  • Serving up something completely fresh for spring, the Trex® Outdoor Kitchens™ collection boasts the finest in stainless steel cabinetry from category-leader Danver, including Trex-exclusive door styles and more than 20 luxurious finishes.
  • Extremely popular across commercial and residential buildings, exterior cladding is all the rage. Using industry-leading Trex Transcend® deck boards, new Trex® Cladding™ offers commercial-grade performance, premium aesthetics and low-maintenance benefits. The easy-to-use, open joint system makes hardwood planks obsolete in modern rainscreen applications.
  • Heating up the outdoor living category, the Trex® Outdoor Fire & Water™ collection offers stylish and durable outdoor fire features, water elements and decorative planters made of premium grade copper or stainless steel.
  • Building on the success of the commercially inspired Trex Signature® Rod Rail, Trex expanded the premium end of its aluminum railing line with the addition of Trex Signature Glass and Mesh Railing. Add striking industrial design with the new mesh infill or optimize views with up to 6 feet of invisible glass. Either way, the view from a Trex deck has never looked better!

To help Trex ring in the new deckade, HGTV personality and Trex brand ambassador, Alison Victoria of “Windy City Rehab,” made a special appearance in the Trex booth at IBS to welcome fans, take photos and sign autographs. A long-time user of Trex, Alison regularly specifies Trex products for the outdoor projects she designs. Be sure to check out Season 2 of “Windy City Rehab” later this spring and look for lots of Trex decks.With an ever-expanding and industry-leading portfolio of innovative, eco-friendly products, Trex aims to provide everything a contractor may need for any outdoor space, from foundation to finishing touches. To check out the newest product collections that debuted at the Trex IBS booth, visit www.trex.com.

NADRA Members, Barrette Professional Solutions:

Barrette Professional Solutions  was officially (and successfully!) unveiled at the International Builders Show last week in Las Vegas.   Barrette Professional Solutions utilizes the top category brands under the BOL umbrella – ActiveYards Fence, Alumi-Guard Fence, RDI Railing, and DuraLife Decking – to provide innovative and effective solutions for architects, builders, contractors, property managers, multifamily housing and landscape architects.  BPS is also supported with a new website that also launched last week – www.barrettepro.com.

We hope to see you throughout the year at various NADRA events and shows. Please stay in touch! If you’d like to send us photos and a brief recap from your experience at the International Builders Show, please send images, links and comments to Info@NADRA.org. We will keep this blog post updated with posts from our members that exhibited at the show!