special report

First In Safety
The 2007 International Builders’ Show showcases storm safety.

Now in its third consecutive year in Orlando, FL, the heart of the nation’s hurricane and storm safety region, the 2007 International Builders’ Show showcased safe home building products and techniques like never before. From hurricane and high-wind protection to impact and water resistance and beyond, the 103,000-plus in attendance found plenty to draw their attention among the 2,000 exhibitors.

One of the most dramatic displays of storm protection (along with energy efficiency and environmental design) was the Next Gen Demonstration Home built in the Orange County Convention Center’s parking lot. The complete, 2,700-square-foot two-story home, of which Hurricane Protection was a media sponsor once again, gave builders and remodelers an up-close look at the future of home construction. Chief among the product sponsors demonstrating storm safety this year was PGT Industries, which furnished the home with its WindGuard impact resistant windows and doors.

Built by Anderson Construction, Seattle, WA, the home, billed as “First to the Future,” was constructed in partnership with the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH). The home followed the IBHS Fortified . . . for safer living® standard. More than 21,000 show attendees visited the home.

PANELS AND SHUTTERS
Inside the convention center builders could find storm safety products in a number of categories including exterior shutters, impact resistant doors and windows, roofing systems, exterior finishing products, building components and even fencing.

Among the shutters displayed, Atrium displayed its lines of Colonial, Bahama, roll-up and shutter panels alongside its SafeHarbor offerings of impact resistant windows and patio doors.

Florida Blinds & Shutters, Inc. presented its line of exterior storm shutters at its booth, including rolling shutters. Hurricane Safe Products introduced four new patent-pending products including the Clear-tech Lexan Panel, designed to be strongest in the center of the span; and the Quiet-track Aluminum H-track with rubber cushions to stop panels from “chattering” in high winds. Hurricane Armor showcased its protection screens and exterior shutters among its products.

Its full line of accordion hurricane shutters were presented by Shutters by Proline. The line included aluminum, Lexan, polycarbonate panels, roll-up shutters and even impact resistant windows and doors.

Wayne-Dalton exhibited its range of reinforced garage doors and highlighted its Fabric-Shield hurricane storm panels. Just prior to this year’s show, a test of a new side-channel mounting system for its roll-up line had shown the PVC-coated fabric blocking wind-blown rain as well as storm-driven projectiles.

Among the many offerings by GE Plastics was its Lexan polycarbonate that can be made into a shutter panel product offering impact resistance, stability and clarity.

ALL AROUND THE HOUSE
Window and door manufacturers were in abundance throughout the exhibit floor and most now offer impact resistant storm products.

Silver Line Windows presented an extensive selection of window types, sizes and shapes suited for new construction or replacement applications in aluminum, metal, wood and vinyl. Window hardware and frames also were offered.

Simonton Windows featured its StormBreaker Plus® line of impact resistant windows and patio doors. This year the company debuted a glass block product to its impact line.

Up on the roof, DECRA Roofing Systems offered a line of wind resistant shingles among its many roofing materials. TAMPKO Building Products Inc. presented a line of synthetic slate and metal shingles that offer wind, impact and fire resistance.

Outside, Outdoor Technology Inc. showcased 10 styles of HZ™ Hurricane Zone Fence. These composite products offer a natural appearance with high-wind performance. Meanwhile, for the home’s exterior, Sto Corp. presents its Sto Powerwall®, which has a stucco appearance but is moisture resistant, impact resistant and offers energy efficiency.

When it comes to building homes, the Southern Pine Council presented the benefits of pressure-treated southern pine as well as its “Build to a Higher Standard” program, dedicated to educating builders on raised floor systems that offer cost savings, insurance benefits, reduced flood risk and aesthetic charm.

For home sheathing, Norbord Industries offered its OSB CAD W windstorm wall offering consistent quality without gaps or core voids in sizes that will fit eight-, nine- or 10-foot walls from floor to ceiling.
Weyerhaeuser Co. presented iLevel, a new brand and business within the company that works with contractors presenting all of the company’s products, which includes engineered wood products.