If you want to know where the fireplace and outdoor living industry is headed next, you go to the International Builders’ Show (IBS).
This year, more than 70,000 building professionals and 1,700+ exhibitors gathered in Orlando for IBS 2026, the largest annual light construction show in the world. For our team, it’s not just another trip on the calendar. It’s where new ideas are introduced, new technology is launched, and the future of home design starts to take shape.
Why IBS Matters
The NAHB International Builders’ Show is where manufacturers unveil their newest products and where industry leaders share what’s coming next in residential construction. With 28,000+ organizations represented and education sessions happening across the convention center, it’s an opportunity to see innovation in real time.
For CSS Fireplaces & Outdoor Living, attending IBS means staying ahead of the curve. It allows us to connect directly with the manufacturers we work with, explore new product lines before they hit the broader market, and evaluate emerging trends firsthand. Instead of hearing about what’s new months later, we’re seeing it on the show floor.
That’s important for our customers.
Discovering the Newest Fireplaces
This year’s show did not disappoint.
Linear and modern fireplaces continue to evolve with slimmer profiles, larger viewing areas, and designs that feel like an architectural feature. Overall, electric fireplaces have come a long way, too, with more realistic flame visuals, customizable color settings, and improved efficiency. Gas fireplaces are becoming smarter and more refined, with enhanced control systems and increased performance.
Outdoor living also took center stage. Fire features, fire tables, and fully integrated outdoor installations are being designed as seamless extensions of the home. Many products now offer smart-home compatibility, allowing homeowners to control their fireplace or outdoor fire feature directly from their phone or home-automation system.
We spent our time at IBS walking the floor, talking with manufacturers, and capturing a large collection of photos and videos.
Bringing Innovation Back Home
Attending IBS isn’t about trends for the sake of trends. It’s about ensuring homeowners in our community have access to the newest, most reliable, and most beautifully designed fireplace and outdoor-living products available.
By seeing products before they become mainstream, we can guide our customers with insight and confidence. We understand how these systems perform, how they integrate into real homes, and how they can elevate both design and functionality.
The result? Better options. Smarter recommendations. And spaces that truly stand out.
The industry is always moving forward, and so are we. If you’re considering a new fireplace or planning an outdoor living upgrade, let’s talk about what’s possible.