Marketing Home Products

I look forward to the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show every year, anxious to see which trends and products will prevail. As homeowners continue to remodel and upgrade, they’ll focus on the two most-used rooms of the home: the kitchen and the bathroom. Because of this, we should see some big splashes in product innovation at the show.

In an earlier post, I wrote about NKBA’s top 10 trends for the year. I think they’re pretty spot on, but want to share a few specific companies and products that I think will shine at K/BIS in a few weeks.

In no particular order…

• Native Trails – We met the Native Trails team at Greenbuild last year, and were so impressed with the craftsmanship and simple elegance of their bath and sink accessories. The company uses reclaimed wood and hand-hammered copper to create beautiful kitchen and bath elements. (K/BIS Booth S3844)
• Enkeboll Designs – The superior craftsmanship is what makes Enkeboll’s products worth a look at K/BIS. The company manufactures architectural accents that will complement virtually any home’s style. From moldings to panels and columns… Enkeboll’s attention to detail is seen in everything they produce. (K/BIS Booth S344)

• Gerber Plumbing Fixtures – Gerber is well-known for its high-efficiency toilets and will be revealing two new ones at K/BIS. But the company also manufactures bathroom fixtures – in fact, three new faucet lines will debut at the show. Gerber is a partner in the U.S. EPA WaterSense Program and takes water savings seriously with its professional-grade products. (K/BIS Booth S2244)
• Kropp Woodworking – This is custom-made at its finest. Paul Kropp and his team not only produce beautiful cabinets and countertops, but they’re made from local wood and with safe, eco-friendly materials. I hear the company is launching a new product at the show sure to impress! (K/BIS Booth S114)
• Danver Stainless Steel Cabinetry – The stainless steel cabinetry company offers contemporary and sleek products that look great in the kitchen or out. Expected to be on display at the show are the company’s cabinetry, pizza ovens, grills and shelving for outdoor living. They’ll even help you design your custom outdoor kitchen complete with a fire pit. (K/BIS Booth S663)
• Cosentino – Another great company we met with at Greenbuild, Cosentino is showing off its new line of countertops made with 75% recycled raw material. The company is recognized in many ways for its sustainable practices and products which look as great as they are safe for the environment. (K/BIS Booth S623)
• Warmly Yours – Radiant floor heating could make all the difference when it comes to creating a warm and welcoming home. Warmly Yours’ heating products can be installed under tile, carpet, laminate, stone or hardwood and give off comfortable heat in the kitchen, bath or any other room in the house. (K/BIS Booth S233)
• KraftMaid Cabinetry – The company’s cabinets were featured prominently in House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year in 2009. At the Kitchen & Bath Show, they’ll likely prove why these cabinets were chosen for the project. KraftMaid offers hundreds of solutions for customizing your cabinet’s color, finish and function. (K/BIS Booth S1210)

Property-Assessed Clean Energy programs, commonly referred to as PACE, are poised for major growth as more municipalities consider legislation that would allow homeowners this new way to pay for energy efficient retrofits.

Here’s how it works. A local government creates an improvement district, then a bond, secured by real property within the district, is issued. The proceeds are lent directly to participating homeowners to be used for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Projects may include solar panel installations, energy efficient water heater and furnace installations and improvements in insulation, ventilation, windows and doors, to name a few.. Some municipalities also cover water saving upgrades.

Property owners pay next to nothing upfront. Instead, they repay the debt on the bond in fixed payments as part of their property tax bill. The debt is tied to the property, not the homeowner, so it can be passed along to the next homeowner, who also receives the benefit of lower utility costs, which the retrofits made possible.

PACE programs significantly reduce the hesitance of homeowners who might be interested in retrofits but worry that the upfront costs will be too high. And since the payments are tied to the property, PACE can overcome homeowner concerns that they won’t reside in the home long enough to recoup the costs of energy efficient upgrades. Whoever lives in the home will both pay toward the retrofits and reap the rewards in saved energy costs. The terms of the loans usually run from 10 to 20 years.

The town of Babylon, N.Y. has had a program in place since 2008. Its Web site touts that consumers will see money savings immediately, because in most cases utility bill savings exceed the additional tax assessment.

As of right now, 18 states have passed legislation allowing such programs, and according to Green Inc., another 12 are considering similar legislation.

With the purchase of so many home improvement products associated with these programs, it is imperative that building professionals be aware of where they are popping up and what kinds of products will be covered under their auspices. And with water shortages and water rights issues top of mind in communities all over the country, it seems only logical that new programs should include water-saving retrofits as well as energy efficient ones.

It’s essential that the building products community be involved in crafting new PACE programs nationwide to ensure that the right products are covered under the law and that homeowners are aware of the opportunities available to them as well as the benefits of involvement.

For more information on PACE programs and where they are being implemented, check out these links.

• http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/solutioncenter/financialproducts/PACE.html
• http://energycenter.org/index.php/public-affairs/property-assessed-clean-energy-pace
• http://www.renewfund.com/about-us/company

The kitchen and bathroom are the two most-used rooms in your home, so shouldn’t they be first in line for a face lift? A common misconception is that these remodels have to cost a fortune.  However, many kitchens and baths already have great elements and can be updated instead of completely redesigned.  The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recently shared its top 2010 kitchen and bath trends, and we agree!

1. Shaker style kitchen design
2. Maple and alder cabinetry finishes
3. Quartz countertops
4. Pull-down/pull-out kitchen faucets
5. Polished chrome finishes
6. Under-counter refrigerator drawers
7. Dishwasher drawers for small loads
8. Marble vanity tops
9. Integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks and pedestal sinks
10. Bronze and stainless steel finishes

What we (at K&A) are looking forward to this year and at K/BIS 2010…

The push to turn convenience into a luxury is very exciting. This can be seen with the under-counter refrigerated drawers and the dishwasher drawers for small loads. According to the NKBA, nearly a third of designers are incorporating this new trend into kitchens.

We are also excited about the pull-down/pull-out faucet, which is utilized by 85 percent of kitchen designers. This fixture has a retractable spray hose hidden inside the traditional fixed spigot. Sleek arms contain a hose, faucet, spray, and hot and cold controls all in one place. It’s convenient, compact and functional.

If you’re tired of running the dishwasher when it’s only half-full, consider installing a dishwasher drawer. Because it’s independently operated, you can wash small loads as economically as large ones. Plus, the extra flexibility to run cycles simultaneously with your traditional dishwasher makes clean-up quicker and easier, explaining why nearly a third of designers are incorporating this new trend into kitchens as well.

Granite and chrome will be stealing the show in 2010. According to the NKBA, granite is the dominant material chosen for vanities in current remodels – used by seven of every eight designers. However, granite will have some stiff competition as alternative natural materials, like marble, continue to gain momentum.

Chrome – which was the standard for faucets in the 1930s – is also making a comeback in a big way. Although it has remained one of the most popular looks, it is positioned to be one of the top trends in 2010. This finish reaches further than just the kitchen, and can found everywhere from bathrooms to garages. It’s one of the best little ways to make a big improvement.

What trends will be most popular?

I predict the trends listed above will prevail at the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (being held in Chicago April 16-18). It’s one of the industry’s biggest and best shows, and as always, we’ll be there to be your eyes and ears if you can’t make it.

The K&A Team will scour the tradeshow floor to see what this year’s hottest trends are, and what new products the marketplace has to offer. Stay tuned to my Twitter and YouTube channel as we update live from the show.