Build It Better: Products and Materials in the New American Home 2019

Building products are a cornerstone of The New American Home (TNAH) program, and 2019 follows suit with a wealth of innovative, creative, and compelling applications that are both beautiful and practical. TNAH 2019 would not be possible without the support of NAHB’s Leading Suppliers Council(*), sponsoring manufacturers, and others who contributed, donated, or discounted their products, and a host of local suppliers, contractors, and other participants. 

Read more about the design of the project and about how the building came together.

A| The home’s exceptional thermal performance is a testament to the quality and integration of several insulation solutions from Owens Corning*, including a net-and-blow system for the perimeter wall and ceiling cavities (pictured), augmented by Aeroseal’s AeroBarrier aerosol envelope sealing system. Meanwhile, PureSafetycertified asthma and allergy-friendly insulation for interior walls delivers up to 65 percent less dust; is mold, mildew, and fire resistant; and reduces noise transfer by up to 50 percent. Also check out the company’s Foamglas foundation slab insulation. Platinum Sponsor

B| The 60-Inch Pro Grand commercial-depth range from Thermador* is among a complete package of major appliances supplied by the company. It is the only range with a steam and convection (dual-fuel) oven, complementing a full-size convection oven, warming drawer, and multi-burner surface, the company says. The oven doors feature hydraulic SoftClose hinges that prevent slamming, while preprogrammed cooking modes automatically set ideal oven temperature and humidity. Platinum Sponsor

C| Eaton* installed a broad portfolio of innovative residential power delivery and management solutions that provide: safe, accessible, and reliable load centers and switches (pictured); AFCI circuit breakers to reduce electrical fires and help protect against electric shock; diagnostic technologies to reduce callbacks and ease troubleshooting; convenient USB receptacles; and complete home surge and circuit protection—in short, a system of smart, simple, and reliable products that help enable a safer, more secure, and efficient home. Gold Sponsor

D| Water and moisture intrusion may not be as common in Las Vegas as in other markets, but when it does rain, the Tyvek building envelope solutions from DuPont Building Innovations* provide superior protection against the elements while helping meet the home’s overall performance goals and long-term resiliency. From various housewraps to flashing products and fasteners, the system helps prevent air and water infiltration while allowing moisture vapor to escape, mitigating mold and water damage. Gold Sponsor

E| Kohler* provided all of the home’s kitchen and bathroom plumbing fixtures, faucets, accessories, and vanities, applying complementary solutions to stunning effect. Among those applications, the 48-inch Jute vanity in the spa bathroom (pictured) features a matte black sink faucet and handles from the Components line, serving a single lavatory basin from the Shagreen collection in Ebony Pearl and forged to deliver subtle coloring and an interplay of effects. A Verdera lighted wall mirror completes the ensemble. Gold Sponsor

F| Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi* deliver energy efficiency, performance, air quality, and control tailored to the home’s design and occupants’ lifestyle. The heating and cooling system consists of 12 comfort zones powered by three low-profile outdoor units (pictured) controlled individually via a mobile device app or a central home automation panel. Each zone has a designated indoor unit to deliver more accurate temperature and humidity levels. Zones not in use can be set to an energy-saving level or turned off. Gold Sponsor

G| The engineering and design of Western Window Systems’ Series 7000 aluminum glass walls enabled Sun West Custom Homes to achieve the wide expanses and seamless indoor-outdoor space relationships it envisioned for The New American Home 2019. The multi-panel, telescoping system, designed to carry the weight of bigger, thicker insulating glass panels, pockets fully into the wall and can be motorized to easily open and close at any point along its track. It is also Energy Star certified, aiding the home’s thermal performance goals. Gold Sponsor

H| As the name implies, Lamps Plus Pros offers far more than lamps, though the 10 different table, floor, and desk lamps it did provide (such as the Regina Andrew Monroe polished nickel desk lamp in the study, pictured) were integral to fulfilling the home’s design and lifestyle intent. The company also came through with a bevy of home furnishings, including accent and end tables, candleholders, and barstools to help Sun West complete its vision. Silver Sponsor

I| Look at almost every countertop or vanity in TNAH 2019, and even a few vertical surfaces, and you’ll see engineered quartz material from Caesarstone*. Consisting of up to 93 percent natural quartzite, the surfaces retain the cool tactile qualities of one of nature’s strongest, most sought-after stones. While Sun West’s designers specified Caesarstone’s nature-inspired Montblanc collection (pictured) most often, they also LED-backlit Sfumato from the Concetto collection to dramatic effect in the owner’s closet. Silver Sponsor

J| Innovative and efficient, the EvoPEX Plumbing System from SharkBite Plumbing Systems* is a push-to-connect system that revolutionizes traditional pipe-and-fitting solutions. The system includes fittings, PEX pipe, outlet boxes, valves, and other accessories needed to install a complete plumbing system from meter to fixture. Connections are confirmed with a clever color indicator, and a complete potable water pipe installation is attainable without special tools or skills, such as crimping and soldering. The result is faster installation and a lower risk of installation errors and potential leaks. Silver Sponsor

K| Sun West discovered and incorporated DaVinci Custom Fireplaces into the home’s near-finished design after seeing the sleek units displayed at IBS 2018 and took full advantage of their contemporary design, frameless proprietary Safe Touch Glass, and zero-clearance fireboxes to make the company’s DaVinci Collection a signature feature in the great room (pictured) and the owner’s suite. Controlled by a touch panel or mobile device app, the linear, gas-fired fireplaces come in lengths up to 66 feet. Bronze Sponsor

L| TNAH 2019 is big on convenience and style, and the LG Styler personal steam clothes refresher from LG Electronics* supports that effort. The sleek closet, easily tucked into a laundry room, takes just a few minutes to reduce wrinkles, remove odors and allergens, and/or gently dry garments and even stuffed toys and other fabric items. It’s also smart, with Wi-Fi-connected control through a mobile device app or voice assistant to enable remote activation and energy-use monitoring. Silver Sponsor

M| TracPipe CounterStrike CSST from Omega Flex* may sound like a missile defense system, but in fact it’s a safe and effective flexible gas piping scheme designed to deliver reliable fuel to several products and protect against leaks and damage. The stainless steel pipes feature a proprietary black jacket material with energy-dissipating properties that help protect the stainless steel pressure liner and other system components. The pipes lay straighter and pull and cut more easily to reduce installation time, the company says. Silver Sponsor

N| TNAH 2019 is a house of many colors, courtesy of the paints and coatings provided by Sherwin-Williams*. The company’s Duration Home interior acrylic latex is paint and primer in one, with an advanced stain-blocking formula ideal for high-traffic areas. Formulated to boost hiding power and deliver truer colors in fewer coats, the paint contains antimicrobial agents that inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the paint surface, contributing to the home’s overall healthy indoor air quality goals. Silver Sponsor

O| Fitted with frameless mirrored glass panels, the Avante Collection from Clopay* delivers a dramatic effect and privacy during the day and a more public display at night when lights are on in the show garage and lounge. Clopay also customized the aluminum door tracks to accommodate a pocketing system in the show garage, a service available for straight-up and angled applications to accommodate different needs and uses in the garage. The system’s 2¹/₈-inch-thick commercial-grade aluminum frame is designed for long-term resilience. Bronze Sponsor

P| Set over the kitchen’s main island, a trio of chandeliers from the Evoke collection by Progress Lighting* features an elliptical frame that gracefully supports a five-fixture candelabra with clear glass shades. A standard fixture, this and others provided by Progress Lighting throughout the home deliver a custom look and feel at an affordable price point. In fact, Sun West didn’t require a single custom or special-order lighting fixture to meet its design intent. Progress Lighting also supplied ceiling fans in several rooms. Bronze Sponsor

Q| Balanced, controlled ventilation and air quality is a key component of TNAH’s overall comfort and health goals, and Panasonic* provided a variety of ventilation solutions that meet that objective. Its WhisperGreen Select ceiling-mounted fans not only offer powerful CFM output to clear air and moisture but also operate quietly for added comfort. Meanwhile, the Intelli-Balance energy recovery ventilator (ERV, pictured, during installation) not only helps balance fresh air exchange while recovering heat from exhaust air, but also adds humidity in dry climates toward ASHRAE 62.2 compliance. Bronze Sponsor

R| The Helios Lever from Emtek, finished in flat black, delivers a sleek, contemporary look perfect for this mid-century modern home. Available in keyed and non-keyed options, the design offers clean lines and delivers smooth, reliable operation. The company supplied all of the door hardware—including for pocket doors and sliders—for the house from its Helios line. Emtek assembles each lock to order, but with in-stock lead times, so product ships within two to five business days. Bronze Sponsor

S| The pocket door to the laundry area from the TruStile Series by TruStile Doors showcases one of its many interior door designs displayed in the house. The series combines paint- and stain-grade solid wood stile and rail construction with opaque glass inserts to provide privacy while sharing natural light between spaces. The company also supplied solid doors from its Tru&Modern Infinite Rail Series, all of which deliver truly customized applications in a consistent style throughout the house. Bronze Sponsor 

T| The garage door opening system from LiftMaster* features a wall-mounted motor (pictured) that enables the show-garage door to pocket into a clever chase in the ceiling. The system is as powerful (for doors up to 850 pounds) as it is smart, with a DC-battery backup, operation via a mobile-device app, the company’s MyQ remote LED light, and an automatic garage door lock. A wireless keyless entry pad, wall control, and remote controls enable multiple manual options in addition to the mobile app. Bronze Sponsor