This year, the NAHB International Builders' Show (IBS) was live and in-person for the first time since 2020. With over 200 entries to the Best of IBS Awards, a panel of reporters and building professionals named the best products of the show.
The eight categories, plus The Best in Show winner, were presented on the final day of the show. Awards were given to exhibitors with a product or line that shows the best combination of design, functionality and innovation, as well as its usefulness to consumers and/or home builders.
THE BEST OF IBS 2022
Best Energy Efficient Product
SPAN reinvented the electrical panel so homeowners can intelligently monitor and control their home energy and charge their EVs, making it easier to power their lives conveniently and sustainably. The company recently announced the SPAN Drive, a new Level-2 EV charger, and launched the SPAN Meter Panel, an all-in-one replacement for existing meter combo panels. SPAN’s ultimate mission is to accelerate the adoption of clean energy upgrades for the home, including solar, batteries, and EVs.
Best Home Technology Product
According to their website, SPAN is developing products to enable rapid adoption of renewable energy and deliver an intuitive interface for the home. They believe that powering your home with clean energy should be a simple and delightful experience that is technology-forward and human-centered.
Best Indoor Product
Murphy Door Flush Mount Pantry Door
Murphy Door has taken the hidden doorway concept a step further by converting your doorway into functional, usable space. The Murphy Ladder delivers compact storage, with full ladder function, that transports and stores with ease. The addition of Murphy Beds to our product offering continues to create functional, usable space within any home.
Check out Utopia's TikTok on their products:
@constructutopia ?? #IBS2022 #internationalbuildersshow #murphydoor #whatsbehindyourmurphydoor ♬ Skate - Trees and Lucy
Best Kitchen & Bath Product
Swidget 20/40/60 Control Switch
Swidget’s “smart ready” outlets and switches are installed and function just like regular wiring devices until they are paired with one of many sensing and convenience inserts: air quality, temperature and humidity, motion, USB charging, and much more.
According to their website, Swidget is committed to providing solutions for health and wellness, energy savings and conservation, and safety and security.
"The innovation and sustainability of the entries were much more evident in all aspects of products and services, but the biggest take away I saw from a judging standpoint was the efforts to create products that were easy to install for contractors and the ease of use for the end user." — Pat Coveny, Best of IBS Awards judge and president and owner of Arch Construction Management Inc.
Best Outdoor Product
Barrette Outdoor Screen Panels
Barrette Outdoor Living empowers homeowners to bring their personal outdoor space to life, however they envision it. Barrette Outdoor Living is an American manufacturer of vinyl, aluminum, steel and composite fencing and railing; composite decking; and other outdoor products that are sold through specialty retailers, home centers and lumberyards. With more than 100 patents, proprietary state-of-the-art machinery and industry-leading testing and control standards, Barrette Outdoor Living products are meticulously engineered and designed to be flexible, stylish, and durable.
Best Window and Door Product
Endura Panolock Multi-Point Lock
Endura Products designs and manufactures innovative exterior door components that deliver high performance. According to Endura, choosing their products means having a door unit that will outperform all others, even in real-world, imperfect conditions, and save valuable time and money.
Most Innovative Building Material
Evolve Stone is stone cladding that can be face nailed in the same fashion as traditional siding, reducing installation time dramatically. Like real stone, this proprietary material holds its color throughout, so it can be cut to fit on-site while maintaining the highest appearance standards. According to their website, Evolve Stone is a mortarless, color-throughout manufactured stone veneer that installs with a standard finish nailer.
Most Innovative Construction Tool
GAF Energy Timberline Solar Energy Shingles
GAF’s products include a comprehensive portfolio of roofing and waterproofing solutions for residential and commercial properties as well as for civil engineering applications. The full GAF offering is supported by an extensive national network of factory-certified contractors. According to their website, GAF’s success is driven by a commitment to empowering its people to deliver advanced quality and purposeful innovation.
"This year's winners represented innovative and aesthetically-pleasing designs and functions." — Tom Wong, Best of IBS Awards judge and associate and senior designer at Dandelion Associates
The Best in Show
Evolve Stone
The patented material that inspired Evolve Stone allowed them to produce a diverse portfolio of projects in theming and custom fabrication. Their products are even on display at renowned venues such as Cabela's, Sea World, Royal Caribbean, and downtown Disney.
Evolve Stone’s products offer infused color throughout, leaving cuts virtually unnoticeable—according to the company. The “stone” is strong and durable so it can withstand harsh weather conditions for years, and it is UV stable and moisture impermeable, having less than 1% water retention. It installs up to ten times faster than traditional stone veneer.
Check out this installation video from Evolve Stone:
