At Home: Topeka Home Show continues this weekend – Topeka Capital Journal

After nearly an entire years preparation, the 55th annual Topeka Home Show continues this weekend.

About 225 exhibitors have their wares on display through Sunday afternoon at the Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive.

Hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7, with no charge for children 12 and younger.

Topeka Home Builders Association president and CEO Ivan Weichert recently talked about this years show, whats different in home improvement ideas and what proven favorites are back for people to enjoy.

Q: The home show is a yearly staple for Topeka. How many years has it been at the Kansas Expocentre?

Weichert: This is the 55th annual show and the 30th year it will be held at the Expocentre. An interesting fact: This was the very first event held in the newly constructed Exhibition Hall in 1987, and weve been there every year since.

Q: Its obviously a popular event in the capital city. What do you think has led to the shows longevity?

Weichert: Its pertinent for nearly everyone, since everyone lives in a home of some kind. We bring the local remodeling and building industry and consumers together in one place, where homeowners can see the latest innovations in products for building or remodeling, whatever their budgets may be.

Q: What tends to be the most popular products?

Weichert: Windows are always a huge attraction. Well have 10 window companies at this years show. You know, when homes were built 50, 60 or 70 years ago, windows werent given much thought. They were installed for the purpose of letting in light. Unfortunately, older windows let many other things in as well. One of the biggest markets is window replacement for older homes.

Heating bills in the winter and air-conditioning bills in the summer are some of the highest costs for homeowners. Window replacements and products for insulation, which people will also find at the show, are directly related to lowering those expenses, not to mention soundproofing their homes. And that ties in with our goal in promoting greener building codes: sustainable, efficient comfort and affordable products.

Q: Can you give us a sample of some of the other products consumers can find this weekend?

Weichert: Well have the latest in home security applications where even if youre at work, if someone rings your doorbell, you can answer as though youre simply in the kitchen. With hardware lock access apps, you could literally be in another country and lock your doors.

There will be new roofing materials on display, including a new product that looks like wood shake shingles but will last much longer and wont catch fire, so it gets a better insurance rating. There are flooring products you once saw only in high-end hotels that you can now have installed in your home.

Well have safety shelter companies there with pre-fabricated options that cause no inconvenience for homeowners. One day, its not there; the next day, its in place.

There will also be a number of products geared to help handicapped and elderly people stay in their homes, such as home elevator systems.

Q: Thats awesome! And I would imagine youll have all the popular interior remodeling ideas for people to see.

Weichert: Definitely. Well have all the other popular home improvement options, from lighting ideas and home siding to kitchen and bathroom displays. Well also have improved mud jacking products for foundation issues the list goes on and on.

Another thing we are doing this year is giving people the opportunity to register to win a Caribbean cruise.

With their registrations, we can find out what areas people are coming from and, in turn, someone will win a very nice vacation.

TOPEKA HOME SHOW

What: A three-day exposition featuring the latest in home trends; more than 120 vendors; displays on home building, remodeling and interiors; presentations on home financing and insurance; and give-aways. Concessions will be available.

When: 1 to 8 p.m. March 10; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 11; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 12

Where: Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive

Cost: $7; free for children 12 and younger

Information: http://www.thba.com

TOPEKA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

Address: 1505 S.W. Fairlawn Road

Information about membership or upcoming events: Visit http://www.thba.com; email thba@thba.com; or call (785) 273-1260.

Liz Montano is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at (785) 230-3907 or newsbizliz@gmail.com.

Liz Montano is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at (785) 230-3907 or newsbizliz@gmail.com.

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At Home: Topeka Home Show continues this weekend - Topeka Capital Journal