Sterling Plumbing Priced from $278, the Karsten dual-flush toil…
Sterling Plumbing Priced from $278, the Karsten dual-flush toilet costs about the same as a standard single-flush unit. The Water Sense-certified product has a minimalist design, a round front, and flushes with 1.6 gallons for bulk waste or a water-saving .8 gallon for light needs.
www.sterlingplumbing.com.
Trend USA Glass tile is a universal favorite, but its high cost…
Trend USA Glass tile is a universal favorite, but its high cost usually prevents buyers from selecting it. Trend USA’s Feel glass mosaic costs a mere $7 per square foot, which is far cheaper than the $20 a square feet or more that most glass tiles run. Plus, it’s made from up to 78% post consumer recycled content and comes in 12 colors.
www.trendingreen.com.
American Clay Enjarre is designed for commercial projects, but …
American Clay Enjarre is designed for commercial projects, but no one says you can’t use it in your houses. And, at prices as low as 35 cents per square foot for materials, it’s irresistibly inexpensive. Made from 70% recycled content, the plaster can be spray-applied and can achieve a variety of textures and finishes. It comes in eight colors.
www.americanclay.com.
Cellulose Material Solutions ECOCELL may be the first cellulose…
Cellulose Material Solutions ECOCELL may be the first cellulose batt insulation on the market. Designed for 2×4-stud framing, the product has an R value of 13 and is easy to handle and install. No itching here for installers; this product is made mostly from post-consumer recycled newspapers. Expect to pay $1 to $1.50 per square foot.
www.cmsgreen.com.
IKEA Yes, IKEA! Where else will you find a pendant light this s…
IKEA Yes, IKEA! Where else will you find a pendant light this simple and stylish for less than $15? Made from lacquered aluminum, the Foto fixture is ideal for direct light over a dining table or an island. It measures 10 inches in diameter and comes with a 15-foot, 5-inch cord.
www.ikea.com.
Lumber Liquidators
Bamboo flooring allows you to shake things…
Lumber Liquidators
Bamboo flooring allows you to shake things up a bit. Morning Star bamboo flooring is made from plants that are at least four years old, which increases the hardness. Planks measure 3¾ inches wide and can be purchased from the supplier’s Commercial Division for $3.59 per square foot. www.lumberliquidators.com.
Danze There are lots of good faucets with a great value proposi…
Danze There are lots of good faucets with a great value proposition, and Danze is one of them. The Antioch two-handle centerset is made from solid brass and features ceramic disk cartridges for long-lasting performance. This one costs $125 for the chrome finish.
www.danze.com.
The Hillman Group If you’re the type to sweat the details, th…
The Hillman Group If you’re the type to sweat the details, these Floating Mount modern house numbers are for you. Compared to the $50 you’d spend at Design Within Reach for such numerals, the 5-inch numbers cost only $5.99 each at The Home Depot (in store only). They come with spacers so the numerals sit proud of the surface.
www.hillmangroup.com.
Overstock.com The Charleston vanity is ideally suited to a vari…
Overstock.com The Charleston vanity is ideally suited to a variety of housing styles. Featuring solid wood construction, the 32-inch-wide unit comes with a pre-drilled granite top and an attached undermount sink. Available in four countertop options, it’s a heck of a deal at $611.
www.overstock.com.
Mr. Direct If you can find a 16-gauge stainless steel sink this…
Mr. Direct If you can find a 16-gauge stainless steel sink this large for less than $275, then you should buy it. But this one gets our vote. The 3322S 90 Degree undermount sink measures 32 inches wide and 10 inches deep, and is made from one solid piece of 16-gauge steel.
www.mrdirectint.com.
Not long ago, we wrote about 10 luxury items you should consider for the future, presumably, when the market returns. The story was more of a window-shopping piece, as not many home buyers are in the market for an $8,800 tub, a $3,300 faucet, or a $4,900 sink.
In that story, we promised we next would find you some super budget-minded products, and we have kept our word.
After all, what buyers and even builders are looking for is value right now. No wonder outlet malls, dollar-stores, and discount services such as Groupon, Gilt, and Rue La La are doing so well: They know that consumers want the style of name-brand products, but they don’t want to pay too much for it. “Shopping for bargains has become a social disease,” writes a blog post on the site Get Rich Slowly .
In home building’s future, new products and technologies will focus on water, energy, and sustainability.
The trick to looking for real value is keeping an open mind. Salvage yards are not out of the question as a possible source. So are websites or stores that you wouldn’t normally think to visit. These places all offer a wealth of affordable building products if you know where and how to look for them.
So, here you go. Trust us: the 10 products included here are so cool that no one will ever believe how little you paid for them.
