IBS 2026 Recap–Innovation, Engineering, and What’s Next in Residential Construction

In this episode, Royal and John recap their experience at the 2026 International Builders Show (IBS) in Orlando and break down the innovations, trends, and structural advancements shaping the future of homebuilding.

With over 87,000 attendees and more than 2,000 exhibitors across 1.15 million square feet of exhibition space, IBS 2026 showcased the scale and direction of today’s construction industry.

• 87,000+ attendees
• 2,250 exhibitors
• 1.15 million square feet of exhibit space
• Growing focus on technology and AI integration

Bottom-Supported Large Format Sliders

• Improved water management systems
• Integrated drainage channels
• Fully bottom-supported assemblies
• Reduced structural header requirements

Fleetwood & Panoramic Systems

• Advanced track integration
• Flush thresholds
• Miami-Dade rated performance

Nudura & Tremco Integration

• Expanded waterproofing systems
• Higher R&D investment
• Larger format ICF blocks

HercuWall System

• Concrete grid design
• Wind resistance up to 235 MPH
• R31 insulation performance

LightForm Systems

• LightDeck engineered floor systems
• Tilt-up insulated wall assemblies
• Retail-level accessibility of ICF components

• Lighter than traditional steel rebar
• Higher tensile strength
• Rust-free alternative
• Field-friendly handling and cutting

• Pre-cut MEP routing openings
• Reduced need for manufactured trusses
• Increased field flexibility
• Improved integration with evolving energy codes

• Magnesium oxide fire-rated assemblies
• Expanded continuous insulation options
• Integrated water management demonstrations

• AI-driven material takeoffs
• 30+ page detailed outputs in seconds
• Cost comparisons and vendor sourcing
• Why professional oversight still matters

Vacuum Elevators

• Plug-and-play systems
• No pit required
• Minimal structural modification
• Practical solution for multi-story homes

Innovation in residential construction is accelerating, but execution still requires expertise.

From ICF systems and fiberglass reinforcement to AI-driven takeoffs and engineered floor assemblies, IBS 2026 made one thing clear: materials are evolving, and builders who understand integration will lead the next phase of the industry.

If you’re bringing innovation to residential construction and would like to be featured on the Build Better Homes Podcast, reach out.

🔗 Learn more at https://plirisco.com!

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In this episode of Build Better Homes, Royal Mortier and John O’Shea break down 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) updates that are actively impacting projects in 2026.

While the code cycle is labeled 2024, many jurisdictions are adopting and enforcing these changes now, making their real-world implications more relevant than ever. Royal and John focus on the updates that actually affect builders, designers, and homeowners today, not theoretical changes buried in the book.

The conversation covers how extreme cold events are exposing weaknesses in regions not historically designed for freezing conditions, how frost depth and soil assumptions are being challenged, and which code updates offer real flexibility versus added complexity.

A key highlight is the expanded allowance for using USDA soil classifications as an alternative path to higher allowable bearing pressures, a change that can reduce concrete volumes, shorten schedules, and avoid unnecessary geotechnical reports when applied correctly.

These may be called the 2024 IRC updates, but their consequences are being felt now. Knowing how to apply them in 2026 is what separates compliance from competence.

🔗 Learn more at https://plirisco.com!

In this solo episode of Build Better Homes, Royal Mortier introduces a new recurring segment called Technical Topics, focused on engineering-related changes that directly affect residential construction.

This first Technical Topics episode breaks down a major hardware shift many builders and designers are already encountering in the field: Simpson’s transition from the HDU hold-down series to the new HDU-E series, along with the introduction of SABR (Saber) anchor bolts.

Royal walks through how and why the HDU-E series delivers higher tensile capacity with fewer screws and thinner gauge steel, what has changed in screw orientation, and how these updates affect real-world design decisions, pricing, and installation tolerance. He also explains where retrofit options disappear at higher capacities, and why anchor bolt placement accuracy becomes critical as loads increase.

The episode closes with a practical design tip that has dramatically reduced misplaced anchor bolts across thousands of homes: dimensioning hold-down anchor locations directly on foundation plans.

This is a highly technical, field-driven episode aimed at engineers, designers, framers, and builders who want fewer surprises during construction and inspections.

• Why the HDU series is being phased out
• Key differences between HDU and HDU-E hold downs
• Horizontal vs angled SDS screw installation
• How geometry increases tensile capacity
• Capacity comparisons (HDU2 → HDU-E3, HDU4 → HDU-E5, HDU5 → HDU-E7, HDU8 → HDU-E9, HDU11 → HDU-E13, HDU14 → HDU-E17)
• Gauge changes and reduced screw counts
• Retrofit limitations at higher hold-down capacities
• SB vs SABR anchor bolts (Grade 36 vs Grade 55 steel)
• Why SABR bolts simplify design and sourcing
• Pricing differences and where savings still exist
• A proven method to reduce anchor bolt retrofits by over 90%

Hardware keeps evolving. The builders who stay ahead are the ones who understand why it changed, not just what changed.

In this episode of Build Better Homes, Royal Mortier and John O’Shea dive into manufactured, modular, and panelized construction and clear up the confusion around what these terms actually mean.

They break down the key differences between manufactured homes, panelized wall systems, modular construction, and pre-cut framing packages, while sharing real-world examples from residential, multifamily, commercial, and even hospital projects.

The conversation explores where manufactured construction shines, where it creates challenges, and why planning, precision, and early decision-making matter far more in these systems than in traditional stick-built construction.

This episode also tackles common misconceptions around quality, cost, perception, and design flexibility including why many people still associate manufactured construction with outdated ideas that no longer reflect reality.

• Manufactured homes vs manufactured construction
• Panelized framing vs traditional stick-built framing
• Speed, precision, and quality control benefits
• Weather-related advantages of off-site construction
• Shipping, logistics, and scheduling challenges
• Why foundations must be more precise with panelization
• Cost realities and barriers to entry
• Change management and why late changes cause chaos
• Perception issues around quality and framing methods
• Advanced framing vs conventional framing explained

Manufactured and panelized construction aren’t shortcuts but actually, they’re systems.

When planned correctly, they improve speed, consistency, and quality. When rushed or misunderstood, they create expensive problems.

Learn more at https://plirisco.com!

In this episode of Build Better Homes, co-hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea kick off the year by diving into how home design is shifting in 2026, away from surface-level aesthetics and toward long-term livability, flexibility, and real-world use.

Drawing from decades of experience across production, custom, and high-performance residential construction, Royal and John unpack how economic pressure, remote work, multi-generational living, and lifestyle changes are reshaping the way homes are planned.

This conversation explores why the most successful homes aren’t defined by trends or paint colors, but by how well they support people through every stage of life.

• Why “designing for how people actually live” matters more than ever
• How aging-in-place and multi-generational living are driving floor plan changes
• The growing role of ADUs for flexibility, income, and family needs
• Why single-story living is making a comeback (without the old ranch-house feel)
• How indoor–outdoor living is evolving with large openings and collapsible walls
• The importance of early planning to avoid expensive structural mistakes
• Why purpose-built spaces (coffee nooks, pet washes, flex rooms) are becoming standard
• How builders can balance profitability with long-term homeowner satisfaction

This episode sets the foundation for a year-long conversation about smarter, more thoughtful residential design and why planning ahead is always cheaper than fixing later.

🔗 Learn more at https://pliris.co

In this solo episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal Mortier dives into one of the most timely and misunderstood topics in residential development: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Accessory Commercial Units (ACUs), and Live-Work Units.

Royal breaks down where these concepts came from, why they’re gaining traction across the U.S., and how they’re being used as practical tools to address housing pressure, affordability, walkability, and mixed-use community design.

Drawing from real-world projects across California, Florida, Oregon, Lake Tahoe, and coastal vacation communities, this episode walks through:

• What ADUs really cost and why price per square foot is higher
• When ADUs make sense financially and when they don’t
• The regulatory realities most people overlook
• How ACUs support walkable neighborhoods and local business
• Why Live-Work Units are becoming more common in modern developments
• Lessons from European towns, Seaside / 30A, and coastal planned communities

This episode is both educational and practical, offering builders, developers, and homeowners real context instead of hype.

Topics Covered

• What qualifies as an ADU vs illegal conversions
• Zoning, fire separation, egress, and energy code considerations
• Real cost breakdowns for ADU plan sets and construction
• Rental income vs equity benefits
• ACUs and neighborhood-scale commercial integration
• ADA implications when converting residential to commercial
• Live-Work Units and modern work-from-home realities
• Townhouse density and walkable community planning
• Why condos are the exception to “real estate never goes to zero”

Key Takeaway

ADUs, ACUs, and Live-Work Units aren’t shortcuts, they’re tools. When applied thoughtfully, they increase flexibility, density, and long-term value. When misunderstood, they create expensive mistakes.

Connect

Learn more about planning, feasibility, and jurisdictional guidance at https://pliris.co!

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal Mortier sits down with PJ Riley, a real estate investor who has quietly built a successful business buying and selling vacant land across the U.S.

PJ shares his unconventional path into real estate, starting with almost no money, no formal background in land development, and a willingness to learn by doing. From buying $550 quarter-acre parcels to structuring owner-financed land deals, PJ breaks down how land investing actually works behind the scenes, without the hype often pushed by coaches and online gurus.

The conversation dives deep into land wholesaling, seller financing, response rates, capital constraints, entitlement challenges, and why land remains one of the most misunderstood entry points into real estate. Royal and PJ also discuss the rising cost of development fees, why builders make their money on land (not houses), and how to vet real expertise in an industry crowded with “experts.”

This episode is an honest look at land investing, entrepreneurship, and the discipline required to build something real over time.

• PJ Riley’s background and path into land investing
• Buying vacant land with little upfront capital
• Why land wholesaling works for beginners
• Owner financing strategies for land deals
• Real response rates from direct mail campaigns
• Why capital, not deals, is the biggest constraint today
• Selling land via Facebook, signs, brokers, and direct outreach
• Failed developments and learning from past mistakes
• Rising jurisdiction fees and their impact on housing affordability
• Why most coaching programs miss the real work
• How to vet who you should (and shouldn’t) learn from
• Parallels between martial arts, discipline, and entrepreneurship

Land investing isn’t fast, flashy, or passive, but for those willing to do the work, it remains one of the most accessible and flexible paths into real estate. Real success comes from experience, patience, and understanding the fundamentals, not chasing shortcuts.

PJ Reilly - Real Estate Investor

Website: https://pliris.co

Podcast: Build Better Homes

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal is joined once again by building envelope expert Nate McIntyre for one of the most comprehensive building-science deep dives of the season.

Nate shares 25+ years of experience diagnosing failures, reviewing assemblies, and consulting for architects, engineers, contractors, and developers. Together, he and Royal unpack the real reasons buildings succeed — or fail — across spray foam installations, WRBs, compatibility issues, exothermic reactions, continuous insulation systems, product failures, and the unintended consequences of airtight construction.

They also explore the rise of digital twins, 360 capture, Matterport models, drone documentation, and how these tools are transforming inspections, forensics, and QA/QC across the industry.

Key Topics Covered

• Nate’s path from commissioning and mechanical systems to building envelope forensics
• Why product incompatibility is one of the top causes of failures
• The real pros, cons, and risks of spray foam (including exothermic reactions)
• Why “tight homes” require smarter ventilation and building science
• Common failures with continuous insulation & ZIP systems
• When WRBs are required — and why many builders misunderstand them
• Why mockups matter (and how they prevent major failures)
• How digital twins, drones, and Matterport models are reshaping construction QA/QC
• Real case studies: moisture traps, incompatible sealants, shrinkage failures, and membrane issues
• Why retrofits are often riskier than new construction
• The coming wave of defect claims tied to energy-code-driven assemblies

Modern construction requires more than “following the plan.”

It requires understanding how materials interact, testing assemblies, calling manufacturers, documenting work, and using the right experts at the right time. The best builders aren’t guessing — they’re verifying.

Plans • Engineering • Envelope Support

👉 pliris.co

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal sits down with Jeff Chisum, one of the nation’s top STR financing experts, to break down the real strategies behind acquiring, scaling, and protecting short-term rental investments.

Jeff shares his personal journey, from getting into the mortgage industry during the 2008 crash to becoming a top 1% loan originator and STR financing specialist. He walks through the 10% second-home loan, DSCR loans, self-directed IRA investing, and the powerful All-In-One mortgage, explaining how each tool works and when investors should consider using them.

Packed with real stories, actionable advice, and insights most investors never hear, this episode is essential for anyone looking to grow a rental portfolio or understand the financing side of real estate deeper.

• How Jeff got started in lending during the 2008 crash
• Why STRs thrive in places people don’t expect
• The truth about 10% down second-home loans
• DSCR loans: what they are — and what lenders get wrong
• How to use a self-directed IRA to buy real estate
• The All-In-One mortgage and why Jeff calls it “the biggest wealth-building tool in America”
• How investors choose the right market, lake towns, and year-round STR locations
• Why lifestyle investing often outperforms “math-only” investing

You don’t scale a real estate portfolio by guessing, but by using the right financing tools at the right time. Whether you're buying your first STR or planning a long-term portfolio, this episode gives you the roadmap.

Jeff Chisum – STR Home Financing

Website: https://strhomefinancing.com

Website: pliris.co

Podcast: Build Better Homes

In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal Mortier and John O’Shea introduce PLIRIS Forensics, a new division focused on investigating building failures, supporting litigation, and helping the industry prevent costly mistakes before they happen.

Drawing from real cases and decades of combined experience, they break down what construction forensics actually is and what it isn’t. From soil issues and structural failures to HVAC mistakes and misunderstood “leaks,” this episode shows how proper investigation can uncover the truth behind building performance problems.

They also explain how PLIRIS Forensics uses tools like drones, Matterport scanning, thermal imaging, and detailed modeling to deliver unbiased, accurate conclusions for builders, attorneys, and insurance carriers.

• What construction forensics really involves
• The role of expert witnesses in defect litigation
• Why unbiased analysis matters more than opinions
• The biggest causes of building failures (soil, moisture, HVAC, design gaps)
• How modern tech improves investigations
• Real-world case stories from the field
• Why PLIRIS launched a dedicated Forensics division
• How proactive builders avoid disputes long before litigation

Forensics isn’t about blame — it’s about clarity.
Understanding how and why failures happen helps the entire industry build smarter, prevent defects, and resolve disputes with real answers, not assumptions.

👉 Learn more about PLIRIS: pliris.co
👉 Explore PLIRIS Forensics: plirisforensics.com

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