Modern home materials & technologies discussion thread

[Kaido]

Magnesium oxide (or MgO) - a building alternative to drywall, subflooring, etc.:

A building alternative to drywall, subflooring, and more

For most of the past 100 years, residential and commercial construction has relied on three main building products to form the sheathing and underlayment of our structures.

lbmjournal.com

Vendors:

MagPanel MgO Board Benefits and Features

MagPanel MgO boards are greener and healthier alternative to plywood, fiber cement and gypsum-based building materials. Learn more about benefits and features of MgO Boards.

www.magpanelmgo.com

EXACOR® | Huber Engineered Woods

EXACOR® MgO panels install in less steps, in less time and with less mess — all while offering fire protection and sound dampening.

www.huberwood.com

About | Magnum BP

Our mission is to provide high-performance, eco-friendly solutions that exceed industry standards for durability, safety, and sustainability. Learn more about our commitment to integrity, our cutting-edge technology, and how Magnum® BP is shaping the future of building materials for industrial...

www.magnumbp.com

PDF: What are MgO Structural Panels?

Magnesium oxide is a compound made up of two magnesium molecules and two oxygen molecules. When oxygen is combined with the magnesium under heat and pressure, it produces a stone-like material—MgO. The MgO is then ground into powder and mixed with water and other materials, and then pressed into panels that are reinforced with layers of glass fiber mesh. The panels are similar to drywall or cement board, but MgO manufacturers say the product is stronger, fireproof, and more resistant to mold, mildew, moisture, and weather.

MgO boards can be used in many applications across both residential and commercial builds, including as fascia, soffit, tile backing, wall and ceiling surfacing, and underlayment. The panels are available in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and properties that allow them to compete with traditional gypsum “drywall” boards, oriented strand boards, and plywood.

 

[Kaido]

Great resource site: OFFSITE DIRT NETWORK

Offsite Dirt Network is a media and event company spotlighting the latest news, techniques, technology, influencers, and trends in offsite construction—covering modular, prefab, panelization, and multi-trade assemblies.

Youtube channel:

Offsite Dirt Network

Offsite Dirt Network: Where Industry Experts and Innovation Build the Future. Offsite Dirt Network is a media and event company that showcases the latest news, techniques, technology, influencers, and discussions in offsite construction. This sector includes the distribution of building supply...

www.youtube.com

 

[Kaido]

ThermaSteel residential steel panels:

Residential Projects – ThermaSteel

thermasteelinc.com

Youtube channel:

ThermaSteel

ThermaSteel makes custom structural insulated panels (SIP) for both residential and commercial buildings. Our videos demonstrate both how to install ThermaSteel panels as well as some of the testing, applications, and customizations we can perform. Give us a call at (540) 633-5000.

www.youtube.com

 

[Kaido]

Great subreddit: French Cleats

https://www.reddit.com/r/FrenchCleat/top/?t=all

One of my favorite mounting options:

 

[Kaido]

3D-printed mounting & storage solutions:

Multiboard for vertical:

Multiboard

www.multiboard.io

Gridfinity for horizontal:

Gridfinity :: Unofficial wiki

The modular, open-source grid storage system.

gridfinity.xyz

Giant 3D printer:

ELEGOO Neptune 4 Max FDM 3D Printer

ELEGOO Neptune 4 Max FDM 3D Printer with Up to 500mm/s Printing Speed, 300℃ High-temp Nozzle, Dual-Gear Direct Extruder, 420x420x480mm³/16.53x16.53x18.89 Inch Printing Size.

us.elegoo.com

 

[Kaido]

Good video on the current state of robotic mowers:

 

[Kaido]

Pool vacuums review:

 

[Kaido]

Great hidden home theater install:

My favorite DIY speakers:

https://billfitzmaurice.info/

Infinite Baffle subwoofer forum:

Home | "Cult of the Infinitely Baffled" Hear The Bass, Not The Box The definitive online resource for Infinite Baffle subwoofer design Established 1999

Visit our forum at: ibsubwoofers.proboards.com

ibsubwoofers.proboards.com

 

[Kaido]

Hopefully my next projector: Valerion VisionMaster Max

Valerion VisionMaster

The Ultimate Cinematic-Grade RGB Laser Projector with ProVision Engine™

www.valerion.com

3,500-lumen RGB laser. Crazy technology for the price:

 

[Kaido]

EcoFlow says its new Ocean Pro is better than Tesla’s Powerwall:

EcoFlow takes on Tesla with a more powerful home battery system

This home battery outpowers Tesla’s Powerwall.

www.theverge.com

Ocean Pro system:

OCEAN Pro Home Solar Battery :Free From The Grid| EcoFlow US | EcoFlow US

Power your home 24/7 with EcoFlow OCEAN Pro 's home solar battery storage. Max out solar generation, store infinite energy & profit from smart savings.

www.ecoflow.com

Smart Electrical Panel:

OCEAN Smart Electrical Panel for Home Energy | EcoFlow US

Protect your home from blackouts with EcoFlow's Smart Electrical Panel. Automatically switch to battery backup power and monitor & manage your energy usage easily.

www.ecoflow.com

This is basically the new Generac system, + the Leviton Smart Panel combined, but with up to 160 kWh. Crazy impressive!

 

[Kaido]

Very interested in the development of atmospheric water generators:

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/4/16/new-generator-creates-water-out-of-thin-air

Boerne homeowner turns air into water with innovative tech

Boerne homeowner Brian Schewe relies on rainwater for his water needs, but has invested in an atmospheric water generator.

www.ksat.com

Vendors: (indoor & outdoor models)

Products

www.aquaria.world

AquaBoy Pro II

AWS

www.atmosphericwatersolutions.com

Atmospheric Water Generator | Producing Water from Air - Genesis Systems

Discover sustainable hydration with Genesis Systems' Atmospheric Water Generator. Get water from air efficiently and eco-friendly.

genesissystems.com

Watergen USA | Water from Air

Discover Watergen’s patented atmospheric drinking water (AWG) technology that creates high quality drinking water from air for people everywhere

us.watergen.com

AQ.2

Atmospheric Water Generator

aquaphant.com

Spout | The Future of Water

Get clean drinking water effortlessly with Spout - the best atmospheric water generator. It's portable, easy to use, and cost-effective. Pre-order yours today!

www.spoutwater.com

Shop All | SkyQuench

Shop all of our available products, ranging from solar-powered water generators to fully standalone systems.

www.skyquench.com

On a fun tangent:

 

[Kaido]

Very interested in the development of atmospheric water generators:

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/4/16/new-generator-creates-water-out-of-thin-air

Boerne homeowner turns air into water with innovative tech

Boerne homeowner Brian Schewe relies on rainwater for his water needs, but has invested in an atmospheric water generator.

www.ksat.com

Vendors: (indoor & outdoor models)

Products

www.aquaria.world

AquaBoy Pro II

AWS

www.atmosphericwatersolutions.com

Atmospheric Water Generator | Producing Water from Air - Genesis Systems

Discover sustainable hydration with Genesis Systems' Atmospheric Water Generator. Get water from air efficiently and eco-friendly.

genesissystems.com

Watergen USA | Water from Air

Discover Watergen’s patented atmospheric drinking water (AWG) technology that creates high quality drinking water from air for people everywhere

us.watergen.com

AQ.2

Atmospheric Water Generator

aquaphant.com

Spout | The Future of Water

Get clean drinking water effortlessly with Spout - the best atmospheric water generator. It's portable, easy to use, and cost-effective. Pre-order yours today!

www.spoutwater.com

Shop All | SkyQuench

Shop all of our available products, ranging from solar-powered water generators to fully standalone systems.

www.skyquench.com

On a fun tangent:

I think it would be cool to integrate a multi-source water system like the Ecoflow electrical system:

1. City water
2. Well water
3. Rainwater cistern collection
4. Atmospheric water generator

 

[Kaido]

I think it would be cool to integrate a multi-source water system like the Ecoflow electrical system:

1. City water
2. Well water
3. Rainwater cistern collection
4. Atmospheric water generator

A couple water storage system videos:

 

[Greenman]

Decra metal roofing: (Gerard alternative)

What is the Strongest Type of Roofing Material for My Home?

To determine the strongest roof for your home, consider these questions when comparing the different residential roofing options available.

www.decra.com

View attachment 127877

View attachment 127876

Way cool the way that roofing kept the walls from being scorched and the wood deck from burning. There isn't even any soot on the roof.

 

[Kaido]

The Tesla Diner has a spaceport screen in the bathroom ceilings! I want to steal this idea with a cheap 4K screen lol:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946974043510354165

https://www.reddit.com/r/elonmusk/comments/1mcti8z/hidden_elon_in_tesla_diner_bathroom