Decks + Railings 

Universal Forest Products 

Latitudes Composite Decking and Railing

Universal Forest Products, makers of Latitudes Composite Decking and Railing, has a new addition to its composite decking lineup. The new Latitudes Capricorn is a tropical decking, which features two unique tropical colors, adobe and koa. These richly colored boards resemble the exotic hardwoods mahogany and ipe, with a natural-looking wood-grain pattern on both sides. Capricorn tropical decking is fortified with the same Strandex technology used in all Latitudes composite products, and it’s co-extruded for ultra-low maintenance and resistant to fading and moisture, and virtually impervious to stains. Your homeowner customers will be thrilled to find out that Latitudes Capricorn is barefoot-friendly and proven not to splinter, split or rot without sealing, painting or staining required. It’s also covered by Latitudes’ 25-year limited warranty. 

latitudesdeck.com

877-463-8379

 

Digger Specialties Inc.

Westbury Aluminum Railing

Digger Specialties Inc.’s Westbury Aluminum Railing offers a continuous handrail, just like handrails look in the blueprints before you see the pieced-together lumber that’s needed to stretch the length of your deck. The adjustable aluminum post mounts allow for quick and easy installation, and the continuous handrail creates a smoother appearance—and we think that’s nice. It also maintains strength and stability, and comes in powder coating colors as well as custom colors. And its lifetime warranty? That gets our support, too. 

westburyrailing.com

800-446-7659  

 

LifeTime Lumber

Wood-alternative decking

The decking and railing market continues to grow even in a down economy. The reasons are many: More homeowners are still demanding an outdoor room [which has become pretty standard these days] or are asking for decks, since they add tremendous value to a home. Homeowners are also demanding more sustainable products and ones with easy maintenance. LifeTime Lumber’s new wood-alternative lumber is a new category of composite material for decking and fencing, and it’s made up of 68 percent of pre-consumer recycled material; and who doesn’t love recycled stuff? According to LifeTime, the fly ash in the boards is a byproduct of the coal power industry. Since the boards are made out of ash, no animals or pests will try to eat or chip away at it. In addition to that, the ash won’t rot and the material is naturally fire resistant. And by mixing polyurethane with the ash at lower temperatures, the process of making the ash board is more energy-efficient than wood substitutes made of melted plastics combined with sawdust. 

lifetimelumber.com

877-285-4338 

Tru-Stile 

Vogue door collection

We confess we chose Tru-Stile’s Vogue interior door collection solely based on its looks—and that’s OK, since this new series is a wonderful addition to any builder’s or specifier’s palette. The Vogue collection is a modish mix of high-design doors that feature glass and plant-on elements. Several of these contemporary door designs lend themselves to dramatic two-tone paint finishes and mixed wood species and just might become the conversation piece of your room. If your clients want the popular midcentury [think Mad Men] or Art Deco look, these will fit right in—in any doorway.  

trustile.com

866-442-5302

 

Plastpro 

Trimmable Doors 

Here’s a scenario: You’re on a jobsite, the doors finally arrive for installation … and they don’t fit. We’ve all been there, but a new product by Plastpro might help alleviate some of that last-minute headache. Plastpro’s Trimmable Doors give builders the ability to cut at least 2 inches from the width and length of the door right on the jobsite. The doors have trimmable, 1-inch stiles on each side, as well as a half-inch top rail and a 1.5-inch bottom rail inside the door’s reinforced fiberglass skin. There are numerous style options as well—think beyond boring white door. Anything to give the builder more options and more flexibility on the jobsite is a winner with us.  

plastproinc.com

310-693-8600

 

Simpson Door Co. 

Artist Collection

From exterior doors offering high-quality new designs and energy-efficient attributes to interior doors offering fun new patterns, door manufacturers continue to meet builders’ as well as homeowners’ demands. Long gone are the days of a simple pattern, local wood and limited glass panels. Nowadays, homeowners want natural light, sturdiness and a door that makes a statement. Simpson Door Co. continues to offer that splashy statement homeowners want with its Artist Collection. Simpson partnered with experts in the fields of design, architecture and homebuilding to create unique showpiece entry doors. For this first edition, the company partnered with Mark Olson, a renowned master glass designer. Most of these doors feature “unexpected” colors and shapes to create a unique entryway for homeowners. We liked this series of customizable doors for its [obvious] design styles and the fact that builders have an even wider range of styles available to them.  

simpsondoor.com

800-952-4057

Logix Hybrid Technology

ICFs

Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) have made such huge inroads in the past half-decade that many multifamily builders are now incorporating the technology to build multistory structures and projects. Once relegated as a convenient way to install basements, ICFs have gone beyond panels and are now a complete system for constructing everything from a single-family home to a 100-unit apartment building. ICFs are also becoming more flexible in installing depending on the size of the job. For instance, Logix offers knockdown forms that are fully compatible and interchangeable with Logix solid forms, letting builders integrate assembled, solid Logix blocks and Logix knockdown blocks into a one building technology. Builders are always looking for ways to cut labor and cut costs—using Logix Hybrid Technology is one way to do that. 

logixicf.com

888-415-6449

 

Huber Engineered Wood

Zip System 

Alternatives to standard oriented strand board (OSB) have continued to evolve into more robust and easy-to-install products. One product we liked, Zip System, manufactured by Huber Engineered Wood, is applicable for both roofs and wall sheathing. The cool thing we liked about it is the built-in protective overlays that help eliminate the need for housewrap or felt (according to the manufacturer). And installation? Builders install the panels, tape the seams with tape designed for the Zip System and call it a day. Builders also like the product for its durability—it doesn’t rip or tear, and they don’t have to re-apply, say, after a windstorm, as with traditional wraps. 

zipsystem.com

800-933-9220

 

Next Generation Energy

Zilla UNIVERSAL RACKING & MOUNTING

It’s only a matter of time before solar panels become so integrated with installing roofs that many contractors will be tasked with doing both at the same time. Many have already jumped in front of the race by using newer, innovative turnkey products such as Next Generation Energy’s Zilla Solar Rack. Zilla is a multiple-component racking and mounting system that includes a four-piece flashing assembly. No caulking is needed, and because no parts are exposed there is no water infiltration or degradation. In other words, installers don’t have to worry about compromising the integrity of the roofing system, nor do they need any special roofing materials to accompany Zilla. We’re also impressed with how simple the components are to construct then install. Zilla has the possibility to be a game changer in the industry.

zillarac.com

877-NGE4SUN

Fantech

Dual Port Premium Bath Fans  

With building envelopes being made tighter, builders are having to take further steps to promote healthy indoor air quality. Fantech’s Dual Port Premium Bath Fans fit this bill by expelling toxins or moisture from homes to prevent homeowners from breathing harmful chemicals or the buildup of mold. The Dual Port Premium Bath Fans feature small ceiling grilles with an inline fan motor, which mounts in the attic for quiet operation. The addition of a Fantech Ventech 20-minute timer and the ventilation system is everything you’d hoped for and dreamed of. The Ventech switch can be programmed for low-level intermittent background ventilation as well. We like things you can program and forget about.  

fantech.net

800-747-1762

 

Rheem Water Heating

HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater 

As energy prices skyrocket, homeowners are looking at ways to cut down on utility bills while builders are constantly on the hunt for products they can offer these homeowners to be more competitive. We think Rheem Water Heating’s new integrated air-source HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater will help give builders that needed competitive, energy-efficient edge. The HP-50 can be used in both new construction and drop-in replacement of existing water heaters. Storage capacity weighs in at 50 gallons, which meets the qualifications for an Energy Star listing. What makes this water heater even more special is that, instead of heating stored water directly with a conventional electric element—or with a burner, as in the case of a gas unit—a heat pump water heater transfers available heat from the ambient air, intensifies the heat and transfers the heat into the water, a far more cost- and energy-efficient process. Cost and energy efficiency are things we know our readers appreciate. 

rheemhpwh.com

866-720-2076 

 

Energy Saving Products Ltd.

Hi-Velocity System 

The Hi-Velocity System is an energy-efficient high-pressure air delivery system that can be designed to provide heating, cooling, filtration, ventilation, humidification and dehumidification. The Hi-Velocity System works on the principle of pressure rather than air velocity; thus it is quite different than a conventional furnace, the main difference being that the supply ductwork is all “small diameter” or “mini duct.” 

With a pressurized small-diameter duct, Hi-Velocity has conditioned the air differently than conventional forced air systems. With the use of a high-pressure area to low-pressure area, the system continuously mixes the room air, creating even temperatures from floor to ceiling. Because the plenum duct is pressurized, dust buildup within the ductwork is eliminated. The continuous air circulation from the constant fan helps filter out airborne dust and other allergens. The Hi-Velocity System can also remove up to 30 percent more moisture from the air than conventional systems, making it easier to maintain a constant air temperature in the home and prevent mold buildup.  

hi-velocity.com

888-652-2219 

Uponor

Climate Control Network System

Home automation used to be some 1950s buzzword relegated to sci-fi films or “futuristic” home displays. We’re way beyond that now. In fact, some form of home automation is available in most newly built homes. Some are even easy to install and operate. That’s why we liked Uponor’s Climate Control Network System, an integrated computer hardware and software package that connects all of a building’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems to a single network control system. The system offers increased functionality for homeowners without adding cost, something that builders are sensitive to during harder economic times. The product removes the complexity found in typical HVAC systems with simple plug-in connections, eliminating the need for rewiring. The flexibility of the system gives end users the ability to select the components they need now and add to them later if needed. This way, the system is compatible with any budget and can grow with the owner’s needs into the future. 

uponor-usa.com

800-321-4739 

 

verve living systems

whole house lighting control System

We love new technology that lets homeowners live better. That’s why the Whole House Lighting Control System caught our eye. It uses a technology based on a discovery made by an EnOcean scientist, and the discovery is this: Enough energy is created by a simple act like turning a switch on and off to allow the transmission of radio signals across distances as great as 300 feet. What EnOcean did was to create small wireless sensors that can collect and harvest the tiny amounts of energy. When Verve got a hold of the technology, it used it to create a wireless, energy-harvesting, whole-house lighting control system that can control incandescent and compact fluorescent lights. The system turns the lights on and off and can dim them without having to wire the switches to the lighting sources, so the switches can be totally movable. The system is wired through controllers, which allow different lighting scenes to be set up and controlled through the click of a switch.

vervelivingsystems.com

800-542-3789

 

Lutron

The RadioRA 2

The RadioRA 2 from Lutron is a wireless light control system that provides control of not only lights, but also shades, audio-visual devices, and temperatures in a single room or throughout a whole home. It installs easily, programs quickly and operates reliably with Clear Connect RF Technology. Easy and quick? That’s what we love about it. Create scenes by pre-selecting light and shade levels to match your activity: watching movies or sports, playing games, or relaxing. The new lamp dimmer adds table and floor lamps to the system. The two-way integration through enhanced RS-232 and Ethernet in one device offers seamless direct communication with Lutron’s Sivoia QS wireless shades and drapery tracks. 

radiora2.lutron.com

888-LUTRON 

Delta

Addison Two Handle Wall Mount Lavatory Faucet

This product is all about the design and looks, which is inspired by the “fragile scallops of a sea shell.” Addison Two Handle Wall Mount is for vessel type lavatories, has a three-hole, 8-inch center wall mount installation and has two handles designed for style and precise temperature control. Besides great looks, users benefit from environmental feature as well and can save more than 30 percent of water—the product is WaterSense labeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Low-lead options, which meet the lead requirements of California AB 1953 and Vermont S152, also are available. 

deltafaucet.com

800-345-3358 

 

Jenn-Air

New oven line

In mid-2009, Jenn-Air unveiled a new line of smart kitchen appliances, most notably its oven line, that are much smarter than the average appliance. Its new line of oven models come equipped with a 7-inch color “touch anywhere” control screen that provides easy access to food-specific convection modes, and pan and rack suggestions. The “Culinary Center” lets users select an option for a specific setting and the oven will adjust the cooking cycle.

jennair.com

800-536-6247 

 

KitchenAid

Superba Dishwasher series

Kitchens are still the heart and soul of any home, and as most remodelers will attest, kitchens rule as the most popular remodel project for homeowners. Of course, with a remodel come new appliances like dishwashers. We were impressed with KitchenAid’s Superba Dishwasher series, with features such as 36 targeted spray jets that provide cleaning for baked-on messes; a built-in hard food disposer that requires no manual cleaning and eliminates the need to pre-rinse dishes; and an array of premium loading options, including adjustable upper racks, a culinary caddy utensil basket, fold-down rows in the upper racks, and an extra-large silverware basket. In addition to performance, the appliance is Energy Star-qualified, making it a good value-add to energy-conscious homeowners. 

kitchenaid.com

800-541-6390 

Troy Adams Design

HiddenScreen Media Cabinet 

Let’s face it, the days of smooth white walls and little design elements are long over. Homeowners want some luxury elements, whether it’s small touches like wall sconces or elaborate beams or finishes. Of course, many also want their entertainment center in the main room but don’t want to stare at their TV set when the unit is turned off. Thanks to the HiddenScreen Media Cabinet by Troy Adams Design, any flat screen TV can be viewed in all its high-definition splendor one moment, and hidden from sight the very next when homeowners are-ready to relax without being plugged in. Designed as a flat-screen TV enclosure and storage, the unit offers storage shelves and doubles as a piece of art when the TV is concealed. And when the TV is displayed, homeowners may still be too busy staring at the cabinet to get any quality TV watching done.   

troyadamsdesign.com

310-657-1400

 

Innovative Building Products 

GlassWalk 

Innovative Building Products’ GlassWalk is a structural glass flooring system that utilizes laminated glass lites from 12 inches by 12 inches and individual pieces up to 48 inches by 48 inches to create a unique flooring cover. By using an IBP floor system you can create dynamic, functional structures that harness natural sunlight and allow artificial light to flow through and illuminate the space below at night. The GlassWalk system utilizes an aluminum grid framework for easy installation. The laminated glass is available in more than 30 different ceramic frit, non-slip patterns. Custom radius corners, curves, or special size or shape laminated glass can be created to fit whatever you need.

ibpglassblock.com

800-932-2263 

 

Fypon

Customized beams

Do you know how to draw attention to your “fifth” wall? These days a lot of designers refer to the ceiling as the fifth wall of a room, and Fypon beams are one of our favorite ways to draw people’s eyes to the sky. To connect the ceiling with the overall style of the room, many builders and contractors add decorative crown mouldings or ceiling medallions, but with the current trend of building more modern, industrial-looking homes, faux beams made of lightweight urethane are another great option. The beams come in both smooth white and wood-grain styles. With continuous beams running up to 20 feet long, the wood-grain versions are available in cedar, white ash and red oak textures that can be stained to resemble real wood. Each beam is made of durable urethane that resists rot, decay, humidity and insects. These beams are a great way to make a cathedral ceiling really stand out. 

fypon.com

800-446-3040 

Eldorado Stone

Building blocks for luxury outdoor spaces 

Builders are always looking for more ways to offer their customers better materials to build with, whether that material is used in the construction of a home or to add an aesthetic value. We chose building blocks for outdoor spaces from Eldorado Stone because they allow builders to create custom outdoor patio spaces or outdoor kitchens with little time or specialized (masonry contractor) labor investment, compared to traditional masonry blocks. The modular components are easy to handle, affix to a solid surface and are easy to assemble. Builders also like the blocks because they can up sell to fit a homebuyer’s budget. The glass-fiber reinforced concrete blocks, which are light enough to carry and come in different sizes, eliminate waste and can be assembled in just hours with custom cut-outs for sinks, drawers, barbecues or side-burners.   

eldoradostone.com/outdoor

800-925-1491

 

Acoustiblok

ACOUSTIBLOK 

Noise abatement products? We’ve heard it all; or at least we thought we had. Not only does Acoustiblok cut down on noise, but it also transforms sound energy into trace amounts of inaudible friction energy. Typically applied as part of layered wall, ceiling or floor construction, Acoustiblok is stapled to wood studs or screwed to metal studs prior to drywall. Besides being a strong noise barrier, it’s rated with the highest score possible for protection against mold and mildew growth and is also good for the environment as it is a recyclable product and it is manufactured using over 80% organic and recyclable material content. Acoustiblok is non hazardous, odor free and will not diminish in performance over time. Noise-free and Green? Sounds like a winner to us. 

acoustiblok.com

813-980-1400

 

Roofing and Siding

Windows

 

Milgard

Tuscany Series 

The key words for windows in 2009 were “energy efficiency” and “rebates.” Sure, new styles and colors were introduced at the beginning of the year, as they are each year, but we found many manufacturers wanting to focus on the energy attributes of their window products. There’s a good reason for that—homeowners can get some killer rebates when installing windows that are rated energy-efficient. Most window manufacturers offered mail-in rebate deals in 2009. Milgard’s Tuscany Series—though released a couple years ago—gets recognition from us for the fact that it not only looks nice, it’s also part of Milgard’s recent 3D MAX energy package campaign. Customers who purchased five or more windows and doors and mailed in a rebate got $20 back for every Tuscany Series window in 2009. Throw in the federal tax incentives, and that adds up to a decent amount of cash back.  

milgard.com

800-645-4273

 

Andersen Windows 

EcoExcel 

Andersen Windows meanwhile unveiled its EcoExcel package that offers high-performing windows and rebates. Some of the attributes that make Andersen Windows energy-efficient include its SmartSun glass technology, which lets sun in but keeps heat buildup out while blocking 95 percent of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, and its exterior Perma-Shield system, which gives Andersen Windows a protective shell that safeguards the wood inside, repels water, resists dents and blocks the transfer of heat.   

andersenwindows.com

800-426-4261

 

Mikron

EnergyCore Window System 

We don’t usually list companies that are OEMing to manufacturers, but we thought Mikron’s new EnergyCore Window System merited a nod. It offers a patent-pending, fusion insulated technology that delivers energy savings and blocks thermal conductivity six times better than fiberglass, four times better than rigid PVC and three times better than wood. It also combines an engineered air-cell core design with an exclusive, tri-extruded manufacturing process ensuring fully insulated, corner welded windows that provide superior thermal performance.   

mikronvinyl.com

800-456-8020

For this year’s Best Products we put on our Swami hats and attempted to predict a couple of future trends. One is the advancement of solar energy and technologies, or more specific, cool new applications that are coming on to the market that might help advance solar technologies. But let’s start with an easy prediction: Mobile is going to get even bigger. Think about it, most builders’ “offices” are on the jobsite or in the cab of a truck, not in some cushy corner office with unlimited web access. 

Mobile technologies, via applications, have enabled builders to have everything they need to run their business in the field, from back-office access to important files and tasks such as invoicing and accounting, real-time inventory to immediate submittal of purchase orders [the quicker those get filed, the quicker payment comes in] via smart phone or iPhone.

 

Bear CreEk Lumber

iPhone applicationS  

It’s not a real huge stretch to say mobile will play a big part in the future of building. In fact, there’s a free iPhone application developed by Bear Creek, Board Feet calculator, that lets iPhone users convert linear feet to board feet units and calculate equivalents on BF and LF pricing. Bear Creek also offers a 99 cent version called LumberCalc that also has coverage estimator for different paneling patterns and a coverage estimator for flooring. Both applications get our nod for being innovative and forward-looking for 2010 and beyond. The company says it plans on updating the paid app with coverage estimates for paneling products and shakes and shingles. Who knows what tasks and jobs users will be able to accomplish via their phones by 2015.

bearcreeklumber.com

800-597-7191

 

 

Ceramatec Inc. 

24-hour Solar Energy Storage Battery  

Lastly, speaking of energy, we’re intrigued by Ceramatec Inc.’s 24-hour Solar Energy Storage Battery. Why? For one, it can power a house for an entire day. According to website Coolerplanet.com, the battery, which fits in the palm of a hand, stores energy from solar panels throughout the day. It has a 92 percent charge/discharge rating that allows grid-tied solar energy users to “store energy from their solar panels during off-peak hours and use them when kilowatt-hour electricity costs soar during the day,” according to Coolerplanet.com. One word for that: cool. 

ceramatec.com

801-972-2455