Remodeling Show Recap

One of the most curious products at the recent Remodeling Show at Chicago’s McCormick Place was WildSide Camo Siding from Style Crest. We say “curious” because we’re pretty sure the product isn’t intended for suburban ranch homes, but rather for the more specialized market of duck blinds and hunting lodges. The product may not play in suburbia, but that may be the point: Building materials manufacturers are looking for additional niche markets in which to market products. Perhaps not so curious after all. Is this is a trend? It’s worth watching.

Likewise, DAP introduced at the show The Spec Line by DAP, a full line of sealants and adhesives designed for industry professionals, recognizing the importance of that market segment. The products have as a prominent part of their names numeric descriptions that match industry specifications, making it easier for remodelers and contractors to select the right product.

Both the Camo Siding the The Spec Line by DAP are new products, but both also represent a fine tuning of marketing efforts to a specific niche. Stay tuned.

Also worth noting is the co-location of the DeckExpo with the Remodeling Show. This isn’t the first year for the combined expo, of course, but the number of deck products and accessories on display confirms that manufacturers of products are betting the market for outdoor living products will continue to thrive and that remodelers will play a big part in it.

And it’s not just your father’s deck any longer. A number of manufacturers have introduced LED lighting accessories, some of them solar powered, to their offerings. Eye-catching patterns, judging from the displays, are replacing plain parallel deck boards. Traditional wood is facing stiff completion; composite decking materials were in abundance, all of them asserting their environmental friendliness and durability. Consumers, it’s obvious, have more choices than ever, and it’s going to be up to remodelers who specify decks to guide them.

And, of course, for those looking for a little diversion, Simpson Strong-Tie was on hand with their renowned collapsing deck, a guaranteed-to-fall-down crowd pleaser from previous shows, that convincingly demonstrates the perils of improper deck construction and fastening.