The International Builders' Show came to a close Thursday morning. Although the three-day event drew tens of thousands of residential construction professionals, we know that not everyone was able to make the trip to Las Vegas. For those who couldn't attend, or for anyone interested in construction products, we've compiled a list of the coolest booths, exhibits and events from the IBS show floor.
Batter up
To show off the durability of their siding product, AZEK set up a booth in the outdoor section of the show and gave passersby the opportunity to drop a baseball into a pitching machine and pound the ball against the siding. The company said its product was side-by-side with traditional fiber cement board siding to demonstrate the distinction from its competitors. And after three days, the AZEK side of the wall looked unscathed, while the side with traditional siding took a visible beating.
A creative outlet
In one of the prettiest booths on the show floor, Behr drew visitors in with its bright colors and massive display. Once inside the exhibit, attendees could unleash their creative side and choose to paint with any of the open paint can colors. We hope no business suits were harmed in the process.
It's the climb
In another exhibit demonstrating the strength of its product, CertainTeed, owned by Saint-Gobain, featured a rock climbing wall to show off the stability of its Habito drywall product. The company representative climbing the wall said he felt incredibly secure with all of his weight being held up by the product. To add a fun flair to the exhibit, the company placed baskets of beer at the top of the wall to offer a prize for the climber who made it to the top.
Celeb sighting
One of the most popular booths on the IBS show floor was Lumber Liquidators, which sponsored four celebrity appearances that gave visitors the chance to meet them and snap a photo. Rapper Vanilla Ice, "This Old House" star and contractor Tom Silva, sports radio talk show host Jim Rome, and "Flip or Flop" stars Tarek and Christina El Moussa all stopped by the event.
A face in the foam
File this one under talents we never even knew existed. The IBSLive! booth featured barista artist Michael Breach, who could draw a picture of anyone or anything visitors requested into coffee using foam. Breach drew an impressively life-like image of me during the show Wednesday.
A little bit country
On Wednesday night, Ply Gem sponsored a concert next to the outdoor exhibits featuring country singers Easton Corbin and Claire Dunn. The exterior home product company recently debuted its Home for Good Project, bringing country singer Alan Jackson to build affordable housing in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. As part of the kickoff at IBS, Ply Gem invited Corbin and Dunn to perform for show visitors.
