The JLC Live 2025 trade show is a residential construction show based in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. It marked its 30th anniversary in March, showcasing advancements in building materials, tools, and systems for the USA market.
Matt is at the event and provides an in-depth look at cutting-edge products and techniques that are transforming North America’s residential construction industry.
Below is a summary of Matt’s key takeaways from the JLC Live 2025.
Innovative Building Materials
Modern Mill’s Acre Composite
Modern Mill introduced its Acre product, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional PVC composite wood. Acre combines PVC resin with rice hulls, a highly durable agricultural waste product. The addition of rice hulls enhances the material’s resilience against water, weather, mould, mildew, and pests – qualities essential for exterior building materials. Unlike traditional PVC,
Acre mimics the look, feel, and even the smell of wood but without the drawbacks. It doesn’t splinter, crack, or rot and can be submerged in water or exposed to soil without damage. Significantly, Acre is paintable and stainable, allowing builders to achieve a wood-like appearance while benefiting from PVC’s durability. The product’s ability to hold fasteners near its edges without splitting and its reduced thermal expansion compared to standard PVC make it a practical choice for builders.
Thermally Modified Wood by Lumber Plus
Lumber Plus showcased Maximo AOS, a thermally modified South African wood that undergoes treatment in Turkey to remove oils, sugars, and water.
This process enhances the wood’s durability and stability, making it suitable for exterior applications such as pergolas and siding. Maximo provides a cost-effective alternative to cedar, being priced at nearly half the cost while retaining a high-quality appearance.
The company also offers tropical hardwoods like Garapa and Ipe, and their composite decking material, MarkX, which features a UV-rated PVC facer for fade resistance and easy cleaning.
Evolve Stone
Evolve Stone, a polymer-based cladding material, stood out for its lightweight design and easy installation. Unlike traditional cultured stone, Evolve Stone requires no mortar and is installed using stainless steel nails, making it accessible to siding contractors.
The product is fully waterproof and incorporates rainscreen technology to enhance water management, addressing common issues with stone cladding systems. Its realistic appearance, achieved through moulds of actual stones, combined with its durability, makes it a compelling alternative to traditional stone.
Certainty’s Closed Panel Systems
Certainty unveiled its One Precision Assemblies at JLC Live 2025, a closed panel system for off-site construction. These prefabricated wall panels are highly customisable, allowing builders to adjust insulation levels and incorporate service cavities for MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) systems. This service cavity eliminates the need for cutting into the insulation or framing, streamlining installation while maintaining the integrity of the building envelope.
The system is adaptable to various climate zones, making it suitable for projects with differing thermal requirements. Currently available in regions along the East Coast and Midwest, Certainty plans to expand nationwide within the next year.
Advancements in Tools and Equipment
Festool’s Cordless Mitre Saw
Festool introduced a cordless miter saw weighing just over 20 lbs, equipped with Bluetooth-enabled batteries that sync with a dust extraction system. This pairing allows seamless operation between the saw and vacuum, enhancing job site cleanliness and efficiency. The lightweight design makes it easy to transport, particularly for finish carpenters who frequently move between job sites.
Integrated Sanding and Lighting Solutions
Another standout Festool innovation at JLC Live 2025 was a sander with integrated lighting, providing real-time illumination to reveal imperfections during sanding. This eliminates the need for separate lighting equipment, improving precision in finish carpentry work.
Exoskeleton for Overhead Work
Festool also demonstrated an exoskeleton designed to reduce fatigue during overhead tasks, such as sanding and drywall installation. This wearable device assists in lifting the arms and alleviating strain on neck and shoulder muscles, enabling workers to perform physically demanding tasks more comfortably and efficiently.
Waterproofing and Prefabricated Shower Systems
Wedi Shower Systems
Wedi showcased its high-density extruded polystyrene foam panels, offering exceptional strength and internal waterproofing. The panels are coated with a cementitious resin and woven fibreglass mesh, providing durability and rigidity. Wedi’s pre-sloped shower pans allow for curbless installations, and their recessed kits simplify the creation of barrier-free showers.
Connections between panels are made using a moisture-cured sealant, eliminating the need for tape or banding, which can cause build-up and uneven surfaces. With rapid curing times, Wedi enables tiling within hours of installation.
Structural and Fastening Innovations
Simpson Strong-Tie HDUE
Simpson Strong-Tie highlighted its HDUE hold-downs, which utilise SDS screws for both perpendicular and withdrawal loads. This design reduces installation time while increasing load capacity. The system includes bent foundation anchors that ensure proper concrete engagement, minimising installation errors.
Window and Door Technology
Sierra Pacific Windows
At JLC Live 2025 Sierra Pacific showcased its high-performance casement windows with hidden locking mechanisms and options for double or triple glazing. Their Timberlake 2.0 curtain wall system uses LVL structural components with thick wood veneers, achieving a narrow glass-to-glass profile.
The company’s powder-coating process ensures that even cut edges are protected, preventing corrosion and enhancing durability. Sierra Pacific also offers serviceable windows, allowing for sash replacements decades after installation without removing the entire window.
Pella Installation Innovations
Pella demonstrated its Steady Set brackets for efficient window installation. These brackets reduce thermal bridging by allowing continuous insulation around the rough opening. A thermal imaging demo showcased the superior performance of triple-pane windows over double-pane windows, highlighting the importance of advanced glazing for energy efficiency.
JLC Live 2025 – Educational Insights
Matt underscored the importance of proper installation techniques and adherence to manufacturer guidelines. He also emphasised that builders should familiarise themselves with new products and technologies before using them in the field to ensure optimal performance – and avoid mistakes. There is always a risk using new products as the products sometimes haven’t been in the field long enough to stand the test of time.
JLC LIve 2025 also highlighted the collaborative nature of the industry, with manufacturers actively seeking feedback to improve their offerings.
Conclusion
JLC Live 2025 showcased a broad array of innovative products and systems, all aimed at improving the durability, energy efficiency, and ease of installation in modern construction.
From eco-friendly composites and thermally modified wood to high-tech tools and prefabricated systems, the event provided valuable insights for builders, architects, and contractors. For those unable to attend, the Build Show Live event later in the year promises to offer similar opportunities for education and engagement.
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