One e-zine, many products, 5 questions

Residential Building Products and Technology is the title of the latest digital venture of Lebhar-Friedman’s Residential Products Group, which also includes HCN and homechannelnews.com. RBPT editor Nigel F. Maynard is no stranger to building products. Learn more at Residentialbuildingproducts.com.

How did you get into this business?

Did construction for five years during junior and high school; covered Congress for four years after college; worked as a products editor for 14 years, dabble in renovation during the weekends. I also read every architecture magazine and watch an inordinate amount of “This Old House” and “The New Yankee Workshop.”

What’s the best new building product out there?

Tough one. I really like linear drains (which we will be covering in the first issue of the magazine), and the new high-efficiency toilets that are coming out are pretty nice. What manufacturers have been able to accomplish with toilet functionality is nothing short of amazing. I also think triple-glazed windows are cool (though pricey).

What’s the worst?

Personally, I’m not a fan of laminate flooring. I can say that because I had it in my house, and I wouldn’t do that again. I think it’s fine for a rental apartment, but there are other pretty good options out there.

What do you think builders want most out of a pro dealer?

Consistency. Expertise. Timely delivery. Efficiency. Quality products — this might be No. 1. I’m not a builder, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to a yard looking for studs and can’t find a straight one in the bunch. I’m sure professional contractors hate that too.

What’s the idea behind RBPT?

You can’t have architecture without products, and you can’t have houses without products. I think building products can be just as exciting as anything else. The new magazine will prove that.