FEATURES
Best of the Best in Building Products
by Karen L. Chandler
The National Association of Home Builders celebrated its picks of 2021’s best building products at the International Builders’ Show.
Best in Show! Number one on the list and the best of the best of award winners is Evolve Stone, chosen for its look and feel of real stone and the ease of its use in both indoor and outdoor applications, a real boost for today’s homeowners looking for trendy, seamless transitions between their home and outdoor living spaces. Evolve Stone eliminates the need to hunt for a skilled mason to lay genuine stone, is easy to install with a nail gun and cuts like wood. Not only is Evolve stone beautiful, but its durability and waterproof qualities will make it a hit for home designs. Contact a design and build professional from the Home Builders Association of Berks County if you would like to discuss using Evolve Stone in your living spaces.
Best for Energy Efficiency and Home Technology Voted the Best for Energy Efficiency and the Best Home Technology Product, the SPAN Gen 2 Smart Panel by SPAN is a home energy management system that replaces a standard electrical panel. The Gen 2 Smart Panel makes it easier for homeowners to control their energy use and simplifies solar and storage upgrades. A helpful tool for owners, SPAN gives them 6
AT HOME IN BERKs Spring/Summer 2022
the ability to track and optimize their energy use and control separate circuits from the SPAN Home app. Homeowners with SPAN Gen 2 can see how long their appliances can be run during power outages and make informed choices on whether a solar battery can power their homes until their power comes back on. Contact an expert contractor from the HBA of Berks to discuss how a Smart Panel will help your home run more efficiently.
Best Indoor Product The Best Indoor Product brought to the International Builders’ show was Murphy Door’s Flush Mount Pantry Door. Anyone building a new home or taking on a kitchen remodel can gain valuable and beautiful storage with this innovative design by Murphy. The new pantry door combines pantry and kitchen storage area into the space of a doorway with a door front featuring etched glass, mirror, or chalkboard. The Murphy Door front conceals a reverse side featuring adjustable spice racks and storage shelf, and a fixed shelf all totaling an extra fifteen cubic feet of storage space.
