The competition is getting stronger in 2017, meaning communities have to impress residents like never before to keep their attention. At this year’s International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, several products stole the show when it came to multifamily living experiences. From new surface options to smart-home technology, the following 17 products will simultaneously impress residents and make their lives more convenient.
DalTile’s Panoramic Porcelain
DalTile starts the year off in a big way—literally. These tiles come in 6-foot-wide slabs, meaning large, smooth surfaces without any messy grout to keep clean. The large format makes a bold impression as a statement wall either in social spaces or as one piece in the shower. The tiles make a good alternative for countertops, as well. Their 6-millimeter and 12-millimeter thicknesses make the tiles suitable for various uses.
Best’s Statement-Making Range Hoods
Kitchens are an important social space, so their appearance should reflect that fact. One way to elevate their design is through bold range hoods. Best brand showed off varied selections at IBS of architecturally styled hoods that will make the kitchen more than just a spot to cook.
Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens
What do renters want? Amenities. Where do they want them? Outside. Space to enjoy some fresh air is top of mind for today’s renters, and outdoor kitchens are sure to impress. Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens’ industrially inspired cooking ranges will live up to renters’ expectations.
Electrolux’s Affordable Induction Cooktop
Induction cooktops are all the rage right now, with their boasts of better cooking functionality. While they typically come at a price range over $2,000, Electrolux is introducing the most affordable option on the market yet, at just under $1,000. This will put induction cooking into the hands of more renters without breaking your (or their) budget.
Formica’s Writable Surfaces
Formica’s Writable Surfaces are a great option for units and amenity areas alike. With three patterned markerboard surfaces (LoveWords, ColorBlock, and ImagiGrid) and a traditional whiteboard option, Writable Surfaces can be mounted on walls, tabletops, cabinets, and more. Inside a unit, the product gives residents a space to leave notes for roommates or family members. In a lounge or at a concierge desk, the board is great for posting community messages about upcoming events.
InSinkErator’s Solution to Smelly Disposals
InSinkErator is launching Fresh Kitchen Food Waste Disposals, which impart a scent with every use. With INJEX Liquid Injection Technology, the garbage disposal will no longer be a source of offensive odors.
Mohawk’s SolidTech Vinyl Planks
There are enough problems to handle when spills and leaks occur; the flooring shouldn’t have to be one of them. These brand-new vinyl planks from Mohawk feature a natural-looking wood grain and the maker’s SolidTech finish, which makes the boards waterproof. When water is everywhere, just pop up a plank, let the space dry out, and put the plank back in place. One less thing to worry about.
Kohler’s Real Rain Showerheads
Rain showerheads can no longer be ignored in luxury Class A communities. At this price point, people will be expecting this latest trend to have hit baths in the past few years. Kohler’s Real Rain line imitates rain showers by varying the size and speed of the water droplets. The system builds in pressure to mimic the oncoming of a real summer storm. The 19-inch showerhead is designed to blend sleekly into any ceiling.
LG’s Combo Washer–Dryer
Laundry just got easier and faster to do with the 24-inch LG SIGNATURE Combo TWINWash System, a laundry unit that combines a washer and dryer all in one system. LG’s TurboWash cuts the wash cycle time by up to 30 minutes. The unit will then also dry clothes without users having to switch loads over to another machine. For an added perk, the Energy Star–rated machine uses half the electricity of conventional dryers and is Wi-Fi enabled for smart-phone control.
Masonite’s Colorful Doors
Color is back! The turn of the century saw beige everywhere; then, modernism and minimalism took over with blacks and whites. Now, it’s time to mix it up using bold color in your communities with Masonite’s wide array of doors. Interior doors in units—or even in amenity spaces—create a splash of fun.
Blue Ridge Fiberboard’s Soundstop Solutions
Blue Ridge Fiberboard has three new Soundstop acoustical shielding products that reduce sound transfer from room to room: Sound-Abate (for wall cavities), Renovation (for retrofits), and Stomp (for floors).
Weather Shield’s Pitched-Roof Corner Window
Pitched roofs have increased with modern and contemporary architectural trends, just as large windows have followed the demand for more natural light. Weather Shield is bringing the two trends together with its new corner-window option for pitched roofs. The design gives architects a bounty of new specification options and is sure to wow residents in tall entryways and amenity areas.
Andersen’s Digitally Controlled MultiGlide Doors
Andersen introduced its multiglide doors in a big way this year, with 12-foot heights and a digitally driven system powered by Stanley. Small remotes installed next to a door opening can be powered by key code or motion control. With a simple wave of the arm, the door can acknowledge a person’s presence, open to allow passage, and close afterward. Their unusually tall height makes the doors ideal for indoor–outdoor amenities, and the digital touchscreen will impress Class A residents all the more.
Invent Dev’s Virtual Reality System
Invent Dev is one of the best-known virtual-reality solutions for the real estate industry. Helping residents visualize a community that’s still under construction and allowing them to see different finishes and layouts gives your sales team a jump on the competition.
BA Technologies’ DekTek Charging Stations
Tech amenities are growing in popularity, and surface-mounted charging stations will be the next in-demand option in-home. DekTek, BA Technologies’ debut line of wireless charging stations, lets transmitters be placed just below a surface; users can then put their devices on top of the surface for charging. Goodbye messy cords!
Fakro’s Skylights
Skylights might seem more suitable for single-family residences, but don’t rule them out for multifamily use, too. In garden-style apartments, hallways, amenity spaces, and more, the addition of a skylight can give residents the increased natural light they’re demanding.
Ring’s Virtual Doorbell
Ring’s video doorbell system lets residents check who’s at the door simply by looking at a video on their smart phone. The manufacturer also offers hardwired and wireless floodlight options for outdoor security.
