Building Products articles from July 2003

Building Products archives from July 2003

Great expectations. (Editor's Perspective).
July 1, 2003... Doesn't any business value customer service these days? Everywhere you go, particularly in big metropolitan cities, service stinks. For example, I walked into my local Home Depot one night to buy a ceiling fan and some other small items. I...

Celesta. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Luxury: glass shower enclosures by Basco are cut and finished to custom specifications. The glass is available in clear, symmetry, or rain styles; the hardware comes in brass, chrome, satin chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, or...

Luraline. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Facets lighting can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications and comes in wall-mount, ceiling, and pendant configurations. Made from wall-spun aluminum with zinc alloys, the line comes in seven finishes. Lamping choices include...

Pactiv. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... GreenGuard RainDrop housewrap features drainage channels to move bulk water down to the base of the exterior wall. Vertical cords every few centimeters divert water and facilitate airflow along the exterior face of the wrap, says the firm. It...

Comfortmaker. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... SoftSound R410A air conditioners use chlorine-free refrigerant and are environmentally safe, says the firm. The line includes the 12 SEER model 1200R and the 14 SEER model 1400R. Model 1400R features a compressor sound jacket for quiet...

Georgia-Pacific. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Georgia-Pacific. Savannah shutters come in two styles: open louvered with a wood-grain texture and arch top and a Colonial raised panel design. Both come in a variety of heights and widths in eight color choices. Two types of mounting hardware...

A&H. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Builders can select from various brick molds, grilles, and sashes to create unique windows in the Gallery series. All windows in the series feature a common vinyl composite frame. Four brick mold, three grille, and four sash options are...

Viking. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Part of the Professional series, the electric 36-inch-wide built-in double wall oven allows consumers to cook several items at once and use their commercial sheet pans in a built-in application. It features several convection as well as baking...

Avonite. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Solid surfacing now is available in metallic designs to bring sparkle and shimmer to nearly any application says the maker. Made with natural metals, the solid surfacing is available in copper canyon, night pearl, and argent, as well as a wide...

Bomanite. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Yorkshire concrete stone can be used in indoor and outdoor applications. The slate-look products comes in two textures and eight sizes ranging from 6 inches by 24 inches to 36 inches by 36 inches. Numerous colors are available. More than 100...

Aprilaire. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Installed near the air conditioning coil, Aprilaire UV germicidal lamps kill bacteria, fungi, and mold that grow on the coil pan, improving the efficiency of the unit and eliminating the spread of those contaminants throughout the HVAC system....

HomeCrest. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Lexington cherry cabinetry comes in natural, spice, and burgundy finishes and can be used in every room in the house. The kitchen design features an open spice rack, a pot and pan drawer located under the cooktop, and decorative plate cabinets....

Kolbe & Kolbe. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Available in wood or clad profiles, in-swing and French in-swing casement windows feature bottom rail heights of 3 1/2 inches, dual weather stripping, and drip lips on the bottoms of each sash and weep channel to guard against water leakage....

Hoppe. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Stainless steel multipoint locking hardware is available in tongue, roller, shootbolt, roundbolt, or tongue/shootbolt versions. The HLS9000 line features deadbolts, full-size screw supports that help control possible bending of the gear, and a...

Newport Brass. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The 940 faucet series is available in more than 34 finishes and colors. The model 941 kitchen faucet, shown with a brass PVD finish, features single-handle control and a solid brass handspray. Series styles include a faucet without a handspray...

Bisazza. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Stripes glass mosaic tiles come in shades for each season: The spring palette has bright, cheery tones; summer features warm glowing colors; autumn has earthier shades; and winter is a contrast of cool and icy blues alternating with woody and...

Nafco. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... New Generation vinyl flooring includes the Claystone, JaspeStone, Parquet, and Exotics collections. Claystone 12-inch-by-12-inch tiles come in eight colors; JaspeStone 12-inch-by-12-inch tiles come in seven colors; Parquet 12-inch-by-12-inch...

Heatilator. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The Silhouette electric fireplace is available in 31- and 36-inch models. It has a dashboard control panel to manage flame speed and turn the unit on and off. Options include a dusty rose traditional brick refractory, a remote control, and...

Merillat. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Lariat cabinetry has the look of furniture, with accents including rope molding and mitered corners, says the maker. The line is available in maple (in natural and toffee finishes) and cherry (in cider and paprika finishes). The kitchen...

Soft-Lite. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Injection-molded Aurora patio doors feature self-lubricating tandem roller systems, steel-reinforced vertical sash rails, 7/8-inch-thick insulated glass, and pre-punched frames to eliminate jobsite fabrication. The DP-50 rated 6-foot-tall doors...

Swanstone. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Part of the American Classics collection, the Chesapeake solid surfacing vanity top features a center bowl. The top comes in seven standard sizes ranging from 25 inches up to 61 inches. All sizes are available in the firm's complete line of...

DeWalt. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Four new 7- and 9-inch angle grinders feature 15-amp AC/DC motors and are available with different ranges of torque and rpm. The grinders have trigger switches, rear handles, five-position side handles for better control during surface and edge...

Jenn-Air. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... CustomControl electric cooking elements provide 3,000 watts of power, rivaling the cooking performance of a gas range, claims the maker. The CustomControl element is included on the firm's 30-inch and 36-inch smooth-top glass cooktops. It...

BKE Supply. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The Vintage outdoor kitchen line includes a 56-inch gas grill, a refrigerator, and a food-warming compartment. The built-in grill has a halogen light for evening illumination, side burners with stainless steel grates and windscreens, and is...

Americh. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The Bermuda acrylic tub is available in two sizes in more than 23 colors. Model I measures 59 inches by 59 inches by 17 inches while model II measures 59 inches by 59 inches by 21 inches. Both feature six adjustable jets and air switches with...

Metals USA. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Ultra-Lattice aluminum lattice rails, beams, and rafters feature driftwood embossing and come in white, ivory, beige, adobe, and sand. A variety of rafter and beam end cuts, including mitered, beveled, corbel, and scalloped styles, are...

Alsons. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The 698 series showerhead measures 10 inches in diameter, 29 inches in length, and is held secure with a 4-inch-long decorative arm. Part of the ShowerSpa line, the showerhead features 86 spray holes and comes in chrome, satin nickel, and 18...

Custom Cupboards. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The company uses Weyerhaeuser's Lyptus Brazilian eucalyptus hardwood for its newest kitchen, bath, and office cabinetry. Made from two breeds of eucalyptus, the wood, which has a grain similar to mahogany and a cherry tone, is harder than white...

Jeld-Wen. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Available in oak, cherry, mahogany, fir, hemlock, knotty alder, or pine, Craftsman series exterior doors are inspired by Arts and Crafts design elements. The doors have clean lines, flat panels, and Shaker-inspired sticking in two- and...

Melton Classics. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... DuraClassic columns and the MarbleTex synthetic stone balustrade system shown are two examples of the exterior molding and millwork products the firm manufactures. Molded polymer moldings and brackets, as well as Corinthian columns also are...

Chamberlain Group. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The LiftMaster Estate series garage door opener features a DC motor with an enhanced belt drive for quiet operation. Model 2500 also comes with the firm's illuminated SoftGlo control panel and remote control for the car. The product works with...

Wellborn. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Tumbleweed is the firm's most recent oak finish. The matte brown tone is available on Oak Park, Montana, Sierra Arch II, Sierra Square II, Waverly Cathedral II, Waverly Square II, and Highland II cabinet styles. It is created through...

Cooper wiring devices. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The expanded structured wiring product line includes hubs for PC networking, telephone connections, music distribution, and video applications, it allows builders to offer pre-wired homes and offices with enhanced electronic capabilities by...

Bates and bates. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... English basins feature Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) finishes that prevent tarnishing and corrosion. The small round basin shown in polished brass measures 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches. Three additional shapes and sizes are available...

Milwaukee. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The 11-amp chipping hammer is ideal for breaking concrete with bull points and chisels, surfacing concrete with bushing heads, removing mortar from brick or block joints, and scraping surfaces to remove tile and adhesive, says the maker. The...

Eldorado stone. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Manufactured bluffstone, cliffstone, country rubble, fieldledge, hillstone, limestone, mountain ledge, river rock, rustic ledge, shadow rock, stacked stone, and top rock are the 12 profiles available in the firm's new Core line. The collection...

Architectural products by outwater. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Genstone structural 2x4 polyurethane sheets are available in brick and stone patterns in a variety of colors, finishes, and textures. The product can be installed with the same tools used for molding and millwork, in indoor and outdoor...

Kuehn bevel. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... LaKor solid surfacing countertop edges feature accent strips in laminate, wood veneer, or metal options. LaKor comes in seven profiles, including beveled and ogee. The edges also can be used in back-splash, cabinet door, tabletop, desktop,...

USG. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Sheetrock paper-faced metal bullnose outside corners create rounded corners during gypsum board finishing and decorating. They feature paper tape laminated to a metal form and can be painted or textured. The corners come in three styles and can...

Homeland. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Gorilla Deck vinyl decking features an interlocking design that keeps the space below the deck dry for storage, says the maker. Available in five colors, the decking boards measure 1 1/4 inches by 6 inches and come in lengths up to 24 feet. The...

Superseal. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... The molded-vinyl 650 masonry window is a two-piece system. The window buck first is set in and secured to the form while the foundation is poured. The snap-in window unit is added in next and can be installed to vent from the top or bottom. The...

Tamko. (Summer style: check out these hot new products for your homes).
July 1, 2003... Tamko. Heritage Declaration triple-laminate architectural shingles come in weathered wood, Old English pewter, harvest gold, slatestone gray, and thunderstorm gray. The UL Class A fire-rated shingles have self-sealing asphalt strips for extra...

Breathe easy: Johns Manville's formaldehyde-free insulation addresses indoor air quality issues. (Trends).
July 1, 2003... Johns Manville now offers a line of formaldehyde-free resin fiberglass insulating products that the firm claims are environmentally friendly because they address concerns about indoor air quality and because the products are made partially from...

Home safe home. (Feature).
July 1, 2003... Most builders quiz clients about their preferences for kitchen countertops and foyer flooring. Virginia Beach, Va., custom builder Brian Camden also asks each homeowner another question: "Do you want protection from someone standing in your...

Home runs: the MVP Award winners are sure to be hits with you and your clients. (Feature).
July 1, 2003... Splashed across the next eight pages, you'll find the winners of BUILDING PRODUCTS' second annual Most Valuable Product (MVP) Awards. These products represent some of the best and the brightest available--from polyethylene encapsulated wood...

Style solutions. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... These two-piece ceiling medallions make installation fast and easy, saving time and costs, says the company. Made of lightweight urethane, the products feature a unique interlocking connection that helps ensure fast, secure, level...

Boise. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... HomePlate is a polyethylene encapsulated wood fiber siding formed using proprietary high-pressure and high-heat technology to create an integrated material. Our judges were impressed saying this is a "very handsome" product that's "very close...

Johns Manville. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... To quell concerns about indoor air quality, the manufacturer is the first insulation maker to remove formaldehyde from all its fiberglass insulation. Instead, the new formaldehyde-free formula uses an acrylic binder to hold the fibers together....

Benjamin Obdyke. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... With so much concern about mold these days, this product makes a lot of sense, said our judges. Home Slicker helps prevent moisture from being trapped between the siding and building paper or housewrap. The product's unique 3-D Nylon matrix...

Air Vent. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... "Congratulations for pioneering a cost effective, energy-conscious method of attic ventilation," our judges said about the Solar Powered Roof Vent. This product is an energy-saving alternative to conventional power ventilators because it offers...

Correct building products. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... One judge said the CorrectDeck Signature composite decking's handsome appearance will make for an easy sell. Best of all, the product's groove-and-groove deck board and hidden fastening system let you install a deck in three hours, according to...

WaterFurnace. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... A geothermal heat pump that features the first dual-capacity compressor split system, the Premier ES is quieter and more efficient than a traditional HVAC system. It's so small that it can be installed in very tight spaces. "Although geothermal...

Milwaukee electric tool. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Lok-Tor cordless driver/drills and hammer drills have been scooping up accolades, with Hanley-Wood's TOOLS OF THE TRADE, Workbench and Fine Homebuilding magazines selecting the 18-volt as best in class. That's because the 14.4- and 18-volt...

Broan-NuTone. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Because of today's tighter houses, homeowners may complain about window condensation, mold problems, and gases and odors from building materials. The GuardianPlus HEPA filtration system with flesh air ventilation and energy recovery solves...

Moen. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Here's a product that has benefits for the installer and the homeowner. The Aberdeen pull-down kitchen faucet offers two new features: quick, easy installation and a one-of-a-kind Pause button. The patented Hydrolock installation system snaps...

Restoration direct. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... The judges called the Cobra Air professional sprayer system (model CA-CO 1-S) a "remarkable" tool because one user can empty a 55-gallon drum of chemicals faster than five workers using pump-up sprayers. The tool sprays a wide range of acid,...

Heat-N-Glo. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... The Infinity direct-vent gas fireplace uses the patent-pending Draft Assist system that allows venting up to 90 feet with eight elbows--five times longer than most fireplaces--and enabling installation in difficult settings. The Infinity's...

Crane. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Last year, this firm's Solid Core Siding was an MVP winner. In 2003, its Solid Core Architectural Essentials Accessories takes home the prize. The package offers nine wood-look accessories available with a solid-core foam backing that makes the...

Sterling. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Our judges called the Ensemble shower system, which includes the wall surrounds and receptors, an excellent economic solution to more sophisticated, higher priced products. The four-piece system is easy for one person to move, says the maker....

Schluter systems. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... This low-maintenance shower assembly eliminates the risk of failure due to vapor and water penetration, the manufacturer claims. The foundation of this watertight assembly is the Schluter Kerdi-Drain, which is designed to ensure a simple,...

Broan-NuTone. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Finally--an attractive alternative to the high-priced upscale medicine cabinet, our judges said. The Metro collection offers consumers an attractive upgrade from basic entry-priced units, and they're easy to install too. They come in 24- and...

GE appliances. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Profile ovens and ranges with Innovection technology combine thermal, convection, and metal-safe microwave energies in a full-size oven cavity. "Imagine--a three-in-one oven!" said one judge. They use built-in algorithms to determine the best...

LP. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Composite decking has been growing in popularity, but until recently there weren't many composite railing systems to complement the decking. WeatherBest Crystal White composite railing has the appearance of a painted surface without requiring...

Progressive Foam Technologies. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... This is not a building product per se, but part of a growing number of vinyl siding products. The Fullback Thermal Support System is patented, contoured polystyrene foam configured to support and insulate a vinyl siding panel. According to the...

Jackson Systems. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Do you have workers who crank up the thermostat and forget to turn it down when they leave? This product solves that problem. Temp-Stat is a low-cost, non-adjustable, temporary construction thermostat preset to a given temperature. It works...

Kohler. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... The Purist soaking whirlpool bath is "magical," as one judge commented. The whirlpool is engineered to be a shell within a shell, with an overflow rim that allows the bather to be fully immersed in water within the 22-inch-deep tub. It's very...

In-O-Vate Technologies. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... One judge was so impressed by the Dryerbox that he commented: "What a great idea! Why didn't I think of it?" The product is a recessed dryer vent box that saves space in the laundry room because it allows the dryer to be pushed against the...

USG. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Word gets around about good products. One of our judges said he's heard so many positive comments from colleagues about Sheetrock Primer-Surfacer that he's going to use it on an upcoming project. Also known as Tuff-Hide, the product is a vinyl,...

Progress lighting. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... The P83-ICAT recessed fluorescent light fixture not only is one of the only Energy Star-approved recessed products that provides energy efficiency and reduced costs to the homeowner, but it also doesn't need added components to meet state...

Jackson Systems. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Comfort System is a low-cost residential and light-commercial zone-control system that consists of a control panel and a number of zone dampers and thermostats. The system is designed to eliminate the 6- to 8-degree temperature difference that...

Smart Vent. (Most Valuable Product Award 2003).
July 1, 2003... Smart Vent seems to be a great product for easing the incredible pressure in a house caused by rising floodwater, our judges said. As the first NES-certified automatic foundation flood vent, Smart Vent provides immediate entry and exit of...

Free fall: soaking showerheads and models with consumer-friendly features reign in the bathroom. (Bath Products).
July 1, 2003... Like the petal-soft soaking of a gentle, tropical rain shower, the droplets that fall from popular wide-faced showerheads splash gently on the bather's skin. "Bigger is better in the bathroom," notes Beth Allison, a senior product manager...

Red hot: for a home heated with a boiler, adding an indirect tank can provide efficient, reliable hot water. (Construction Products).
July 1, 2003... Hot tubs, large baths, multi-head showers, and bigger homes with more bathrooms have increased America's appetite for hot water, and indirect water heaters can satisfy the need faster than any other technology. This story provides an...

Metal mania: from basic ag panels to shakes, shingles, and tiles, there's a metal roofing for every taste and budget. (Exterior Products).
July 1, 2003... The range of metal roofing choices in type of metal, thickness, finish, and method of application is wider than it's ever been and continues to grow. But selecting the right material for a given application requires some thought. The first step...

Stylish tile: a variety of new materials, sizes, and shapes add to the appeal of a popular covering. (Interior Products).
July 1, 2003... Tile, once relegated to bathrooms and backsplashes in most U.S. homes, is enjoying an American renaissance. So much so, according to Robert E. Daniels, executive director of the Tile Council of America (TCA), that it has doubled its share of...

Above the rest: editors of Hanley-Wood's tools of the trade pick their favorite products. (Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2003... Each year, the editors of HANLEY-WOOD'S TOOLS OF THE TRADE magazine comb the industry to uncover the tools they wish they'd invented, the must-have tools for your jobsites, the ones that make you say, "Finally!" Some of the Editors' Choice...

Pick a passage: molded interior doors offer good looks at a reasonable price. (Windows & Doors).
July 1, 2003... Debby Allmon of Schlagel Contracting and Remodelling makes sure that everything in her clients' newly remodeled homes--including the interior doors--matches the existing style of the old house. So the Kansas City, Mo.-based sales manager...

Driveway repair. (What's new: short reports on products & programs).
July 1, 2003... Cofair Products. Driveway Medic self-adhesive asphalt-impregnated fabric measures 6 inches wide and 9 feet long. The product patches, seals, and waterproofs driveways and is more effective in these applications than liquid crack filler, says...

Paint can stand. (What's new: short reports on products & programs).
July 1, 2003... Triple C Unlimited. Designed to keep paint cans stable on slanted roofs to prevent spills, the paint can roof stand adjusts to any angle with twist-lock knobs and extendable legs. It features spiked ends to grip into asphalt shingles or cedar...

Taping knives. (What's new: short reports on products & programs).
July 1, 2003... Warner Tool. ProGrip2 blue steel taping knives have polypropylene and rubber grips and aluminum backing plates; the carbon steel blades are blued to resist corrosion, says the maker. Geared for drywall pros, the knives come in 8-, 10-, 12-, and...

Layout tool kit. (What's new: short reports on products & programs).
July 1, 2003... C.H. Hanson. The carpenter's marking and layout tool kit includes a 7-inch aSquare folding speed square, a 25-foot-long tape measure, a carpenter's pencil sharpener, and three carpenter's pencils. The square is ruled in 1/8-inch increments....

Notched trowel. (What's new: short reports on products & programs).
July 1, 2003... Marshalltown. The Flipper double-sided notched trowel features a tempered steel blade and a DuraSoft handle. Left- and right-handers can use the 16-inch tool. The trowel comes with additional notches to lengthen the life of the product. The...

Hacksaw blade. (What's new: short reports on products & programs).
July 1, 2003... M.K. Morse. The Triple Tooth bimetal hacksaw blade has three tooth pitches on one blade. The 32-tpi leading edge requires less thrust for a quicker start; the 24-tpi middle section increases cutting efficiency while preparing the cut for the...

Interior wall surfacer. (What's new: short reports on products & programs).
July 1, 2003... Sherwin-Williams. Builders Solution Interior System latex surfacer and topcoat minimizes surface defects to create a smooth drywall surface. Contractors who use the product will spend less time repairing small flaws prior to priming, says the...