Every year we see more and more eco-friendly products at the International Builders’ Show. Here are a few picks from this year’s event.
Tonusa. Created in collaboration with designer Fu-Tung Cheng, Elements contemporary cabinets offer elevated design at a moderate price. Designed to evoke warm modernism, the line includes a variety of luxurious and sustainable materials such as FSC-certified Plyboo bamboo doors, 3-form resin sliding panels, and recycled aluminum cabinet boxes. The series offers flexible component layout, integrated accessories, and soft-close hinges and door runners. 626.961.8700. www.tonusa.com. —Nigel Maynard
KlipTech. Featured on Builder magazine’s LivingHome exhibit-floor show house, EcoClad exterior cladding is made with an FSC-certified 50/50 blend of post-consumer recycled paper/wood fiber along with bamboo fiber, bonded with a water-based co-polymer resin. According to the firm, the cladding’s UV overlay protects it from fading and sun damage. The 4x8 panels come in 10 stock wood-grains and six stock matte colors or in custom colors. 253.507.4622. http://kliptech.com. —K.T.
Lennox. The XPG15 dual-fuel heat pump alternates between gas and electric heat to use the most efficient fuel source at all times; when the temperature gets too cold for the electric heat to operate efficiently, the unit automatically switches to the gas furnace, the company says. It features Nature’s Defrost, which prevents frost buildup on the outdoor coil, eliminating cold blow and improving efficiency. The 15-SEER unit is Energy Star qualified and uses R410A refrigerant. 800.953.6669. www.lennox.com. —Katy Tomasulo
Quadra-Fire. The Edge 60 is the industry’s first pellet fireplace. Specifically designed for supplemental home heating, the Edge 60 delivers 60,000 BTUs and can warm more than 2,500 square feet of living space. Advanced Energy multifuel pellet technology lets homeowners choose fuel options ranging from wood and grass pellets to corn and wheat. A programmable wall control and thermostat help regulate heat output to achieve optimum fuel efficiency. 800.926.4356. www.quadrafire.com. —Lauren Hunter
