The International Building Show, co-located with the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, is a three-day long mega-tradeshow. Most of the innovations at the show are not grand new inventions, but small improvements to existing products. Here are a few interesting examples I saw on the first day:
Bumpers for Movable Scaffolds: Scaffy.com makes it easy to protect walls and other finished work from damage by movable scaffolds and work platforms, defining a new best industry practice.
LED Lamp to CoverRecessed Can Lights: There are many new, innovative LED lamps. This one, from ilumigreen.com, is designed to cover a recessed can fixture, a neat application that solves a common relamping problem.
The Attack of the Drones: While proposed as a tool to survey or photo a construction jobsite, it is too tempting to carry in lunch take-out. Only $300 at the show for the entry-level device from RotorConcept.com.
Screws with Serrated Threads: Recently introduced in North America, www.Spax.us offers screws with serrated leading threads that tap into wood and other materials to eliminate or need for pilot holes.
Bathtub to Shower Conversion Kits: Bathtubs can be difficult for aging baby boomers. BathwrapsNow.com and others are showing showers compartments -- complete with grab bars and seats -- designed to slip into the space formerly occupied by a 5 ft. bathtub,
Bumpers for Movable Scaffolds: Scaffy.com makes it easy to protect walls and other finished work from damage by movable scaffolds and work platforms, defining a new best industry practice.
LED Lamp to CoverRecessed Can Lights: There are many new, innovative LED lamps. This one, from ilumigreen.com, is designed to cover a recessed can fixture, a neat application that solves a common relamping problem.
The Attack of the Drones: While proposed as a tool to survey or photo a construction jobsite, it is too tempting to carry in lunch take-out. Only $300 at the show for the entry-level device from RotorConcept.com.
Screws with Serrated Threads: Recently introduced in North America, www.Spax.us offers screws with serrated leading threads that tap into wood and other materials to eliminate or need for pilot holes.
Bathtub to Shower Conversion Kits: Bathtubs can be difficult for aging baby boomers. BathwrapsNow.com and others are showing showers compartments -- complete with grab bars and seats -- designed to slip into the space formerly occupied by a 5 ft. bathtub,
Step by step, innovations like these contribute to the overall advancement of construction and satisfaction of market needs.