The International Builders’ Show opened today at the Orlando Convention Center, and while the show may be somewhat smaller compared to years past there are still plenty of door and window industry companies on hand featuring new products and innovations, from hardware to moveable fenestration systems.

In the Schlage booth the company showed just how smart our homes are becoming, thanks to its Nexia Home Intelligence System, which it is exhibiting along with Trane. Nexia allows homeowners to remotely manage features and functions of their home, including door locks, heating and cooling, video surveillance, lights, shades and energy usage via any Web-enabled computer and most smart phones.

Ann Mathias, Schlage brand director, explained, that when kids get home from school and open the door, the homeowner would receive an alert on their mobile phone. It also features sensor scheduling for windows and doors that can be activated for extra security; the sensors identify whether a door or window is opened or closed.

Also on the hardware scene, Hoppe was featuring hardware for folding and lift and slide door systems, which provides effortless operation, according to Matt Taylor, product manager.

“A lot of companies are doing lift and slides,” said Taylor, who added that more and more are getting involved in this market segment.

One of those companies that is growing in this segment is Kolbe. The company recently launched a folding window system, designed to complement its folding door systems. The window features four panels with exteriors clad in recycled aluminum and ogee casing with double pane insulating glass with LoE3-366 coating.

“We’re really showing our custom capabilities,” said Lance Premeau, LEED green associate and products and market analyst.

Nanawall is one company solely focused on providing opening glass walls, and is exhibiting this week with a number of new products. Matt Thomas, marketing manager, was excited to talk about the company’s new Passive Solar House system, the WA67T, which has triple glazing and a foam layer to meet Passive House Standards set by the Passive House Institute. It has a U-value of 0.17 and meets Energy Star requirements for the United States and Canada. Thomas said one feature is that it allows homeowners in all climate zones, including the Northeast and other cold regions, to still enjoy the benefits of the exterior by opening up their living spaces to the outside, just still provides thermal performance and weather resistance.

Stay tuned to www.dwmmag.com all this week for more news and updates from the Builders Show.