Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) July 08, 2014

Home automation - why the top companies in the home-building industry are jumping head first into the automation pool.

A recent article from one of the East Coasts largest custom builders, Arthur Rutenberg Homes, illustrates that luxury home buyers are now demanding home automation solutions almost as often as exotic countertops.

"How To Make Your Life Run Smoother" shows custom luxury home buyers there are new options to spend their money on that offer excellent returns in both time, convenience and money through energy savings. This article shows whats possible from the big brands today.

Big companies like Trane (heating and air), Schlage (locks and security), GE (appliances) and others in the home building, remodeling and home DIY space have all seen the writing on the wall and embraced technology to help customers use technology to make life a little easier, while providing a great differentiation from their competitors.

For instance, heating and air units are often considered a commodity for most consumers and its hard to differentiate among brands. However, as a manufacturer, if now consumers can control their temperature by room and systems change based on the weather as a result of automation, you really have something that makes you different for a while.

As the luxury custom home market demands some of the top home automation concepts today, it is only a matter of time before all builders are put in the position of needing to offer home automation elements as options or even standard features to stay relevant.

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Home Automation - Why the Top Companies in the Home-building Industry Are Jumping Head First Into the Automation Pool

Close to 400 kitchen entries vied for judges attention in Cosentino North Americas first national Silestone Ugly Kitchen Contest. The competition, which ran from July 1, 2009 to March 30, 2010, challenged designers to transform ugly kitchens into beautiful, inspiring spaces using their talent, technical know-how and Silestone countertops from the Zen, Life, River or Mountain series.

Designers competed in three categorieslarge, medium and small kitchenwith a grand-prize winner and runners-up chosen in each. This year, the grand-prize-winning large kitchen (shown above) was designed by Tamar Chang, of Pedini/Thurston Kitchen and Bath in Denver, while taking the top prize in the medium kitchen category was Jan Rutgers, of V6B Design Group in Vancouver, BC, Canada (a winner in the small kitchen was not chosen).

Both will receive a five-day all-expense-paid trip to Barcelona, Almeria and Maceal, tour Silestones manufacturing center.

According to Lorenzo Marquez, VP of marketing for Cosentino North America, the entries were judged by a panel consisting of six architecture and design professionals who sit on the companys design council. As to criteria, he noted, They were looking at square footage, of course, and the use of color, as well as innovative design, which includes the edge style selected and clever combination of colors.

When asked if anything surprised him about this years inaugural run, Marquez mentioned the relationship between the size of the kitchens and the countertops chosen. In the larger projects, designers seemed to be going toward more solid colors with not a lot of movement, he said. And in the smaller kitchens, people are using countertops with more patterns and movement.

Given the tremendous response, the contest will continue next year, said Marquez. Look for a call for entries to be announced on the Silestone website in September.

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Silestone Ugly Kitchen Contest Winners Announced

LifeStyle with Denise Simons: Interior Design New Tile Countertops
Shirley Horowitz, of Davishire Interiors, and Justin Higginbotham, of Designer Floors, visit LifeStyle with Denise Simons.

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LifeStyle with Denise Simons: Interior Design & New Tile Countertops - Video

Vetrazzo Bistro Green Countertops
We mixed Bistro Green recycled glass countertop in Dark and light for a stunning look. Interested 727.527.0206 or http://www.RefreshInteriorsDesign.com.

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Vetrazzo Bistro Green Countertops - Video

Beaverton Kitchen Countertops | (503) 336-9818 | Kitchen Countertops Beaverton OR
Beaverton Kitchen Countertops | (503) 336-9818 | Kitchen Countertops Beaverton OR If you are contemplating installing new Beaverton Kitchen Countertops, the best way to make sure your project...

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Beaverton Kitchen Countertops | (503) 336-9818 | Kitchen Countertops Beaverton OR - Video

Understanding GFRC for Concrete Countertops
This seminar will teach you how polymer really works, what fibers actually do, the meaning and importance of flexural strength. You will gain a deep understa...

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Understanding GFRC for Concrete Countertops - Video

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 28, 2014

The Countertop Manufacturing industry makes horizontal work surfaces used in kitchens, food preparation areas, bathrooms and workrooms. Countertops produced by industry operators incorporate a variety of materials, such as marble, granite and other natural stone, as well as wood, laminate, concrete, crafted glass and tile.

In the five years to 2014, the industry benefited from improving employment, rising disposable incomes and historically low interest rates, which spurred a rise in residential construction. According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst David Yang, residential construction and private spending on home improvements largely drive demand for the Countertop Manufacturing industry, as countertops are commonly installed in new homes and during kitchen renovations. Additionally, an increase in mortgage refinances and bank lending made more credit available for the remodeling of existing homes, further boosting countertop replacement sales. To a lessor extent, industry revenue is also driven by commercial construction activity, as countertops are installed in buildings that require cafeterias and kitchens. Therefore, a rise in private nonresidential construction aided industry sales as well during the past five years. From 2009 through 2014, these factors helped contribute to an expected annualized industry revenue growth rate of 5.7% to $5.1 billion, which includes a 7.1% increase in 2014 alone.

Going forward, this upward trend will continue as industry sales are expected to return to prerecessionary levels, driven by a steady rise in residential construction and private spending on home improvements, says Yang. A shift in consumer preferences to more expensive countertop materials, such as engineered stone and recycled glass, should also enhance industry revenue, which is expected to increase in the five years to 2019.

The Countertop Manufacturing industry exhibits a low market share concentration, as the industry's largest player accounts for barely more than 5.0% of industry revenue. The remainder of the market is captured by small businesses that serve local and regional markets.

For more information, visit IBISWorlds Countertop Manufacturing in the US industry report page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld. Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189.

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

The Countertop Manufacturing industry primarily cuts, shapes and finishes countertops for kitchens and food preparation areas. These countertops are made out of wood, laminate, solid surface (e.g. acrylic and polyester blends), tile and stone (e.g. granite, marble, and limestone).

Industry Performance Executive Summary Key External Drivers Current Performance Industry Outlook Industry Life Cycle Products & Markets Supply Chain Products & Services Major Markets Globalization & Trade Business Locations Competitive Landscape Market Share Concentration Key Success Factors Cost Structure Benchmarks Barriers to Entry Major Companies Operating Conditions Capital Intensity Key Statistics Industry Data Annual Change Key Ratios

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The Countertop Manufacturing in the US Industry Market Research Report Has Been Updated by IBISWorld

Caring for Quartz Countertops
Quartz Countertops-Care and Maintenance Learn about the Do #39;s and Don #39;ts when caring for Quartz Countertops. Fireplace and Granite http://www.fireplacecarolina.com e...

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Caring for Quartz Countertops - Video

Vetrazzo and Quartz Countertops
RefreshInteriorsDesign.Com 727.527.0206 See what Vetrazzo and Quartz looks like..Mix those materials for a stunning look.

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Vetrazzo and Quartz Countertops - Video

Cluttered Countertops | LG Studio Signature Kitchen
Nate Berkus and LG Studio reply to users questions around cluttered countertops in their new kitchen design web series.

By: ExperienceLG

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Cluttered Countertops | LG Studio Signature Kitchen - Video