By David Laprad
A quick scroll, a couple of taps and a cardboard box on your porch two days later are a great way to buy a phone charger or paper towels. But when the stakes are higher – what kind of window will keep your house comfortable in July, or how a new deck might change the way you use your backyard – the internet can start to feel flat.
That’s part of the pitch behind the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga’s Tri-State Home Show, returning Feb. 13–15 to the Chattanooga Convention Center. In a season when people are still budgeting, still making lists and still thinking about what 2026 might look like at home, the show aims to give residents something Amazon cannot ship: a place to see, compare, ask questions and get inspired.
Now in its 59th year, the Tri-State Home Show has long been a gathering point for homeowners, future buyers and remodelers looking to connect directly with the people who design, build and improve homes across the region. Over three days, the Chattanooga Convention Center will be filled with builders, designers, remodelers, landscapers and lenders, all under one roof and all ready for real, face-to-face conversations.
That access is a big part of the draw.
Instead of clicking through galleries and spec sheets, attendees can talk through ideas in real time, compare materials side by side and ask the practical questions that rarely fit neatly into an online search: How long does this project really take? What holds up best in this climate? What can I realistically do within my budget this year, and what might wait?
Vendors like Chattanooga Exteriors plan to lean into that hands-on approach. The company will have leadership, sales staff and product specialists on-site throughout the weekend to talk through exterior remodeling projects ranging from siding and replacement windows to composite decking, roofing, entry doors and outdoor living upgrades.
Hands-on product displays will let homeowners see and feel the differences in materials and colors, while visuals of recent local projects help translate abstract ideas into something more tangible.
Those conversations often extend beyond products alone.
Many exhibitors are prepared to walk visitors through timelines, design options, budgeting and financing, and what to expect from the process from initial estimate to final installation. For homeowners who are early in their planning – or still figuring out what’s even possible – that guidance can be just as valuable as the products themselves.
The show also casts a wide net in terms of style, scope and price point.
High-end design inspiration will sit alongside practical solutions for urgent repairs and everyday maintenance, making the event accessible whether someone is planning a major renovation or simply gathering ideas for the future. Exhibitors will also highlight trends in smart home technology, outdoor living and interior design, with live demonstrations scheduled throughout the weekend.
Beyond the booths, the Tri-State Home Show is designed as a family-friendly outing.
A Kid Zone, entertainment, food and activities aim to make it easy to spend an afternoon walking the floor.
The Tri-State Home Show runs Friday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St. There is no cost to enter.
For homeowners weighing ideas, priorities and possibilities for the year ahead, it offers a chance to move beyond the scroll and into something more concrete.