Prosales articles from March 2006

Prosales archives from March 2006

Product knowledge: keeping up to date on the latest building materials and manufacturing strategies is a critical competitive strategy for dealers and distributors.(Editor's Notes)
March 1, 2006... Finding a unique value proposition, whether it's offering manufactured components or stocking a diverse product selection, has been at the forefront of most construction supply executives' minds these days. Amid a whirlwind of recent...

2006 Editors' Choice.
March 1, 2006... From the hundreds of great building products and tools we cover in PROSALES, it is our daunting task for every March issue to select our Editors' Choice Award winners, which represent the most interesting, useful, and cutting-edge products that...

Show sampler: from the exhibit floor to our pages--here are a few of the best products from the 2006 International Builders' Show.
March 1, 2006... A Dow Building & Construction Composed of rot-resistant PVC, the two-piece Weathermate Sill Pan is designed to form a protective barrier against water intrusion at window openings. The product provides seamless protection and a positive...

2006 product review: our annual roundup highlights an array of products, building materials, and tools for your customers, along with the equipment and software you can use to serve them better.(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... Each year building products improve and evolve to meet the changing requirements of the industry, answering the needs of contractors and pros who are continually trying to keep up with the latest products and trends to better service their...

A The Tapco Group.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A The Tapco Group InSpire synthetic slate shingles have an aggressive surface bond at each shingle to resist lift-up from the roof deck. Guide boxes on each Class A fire-resistant, Class 4 impact-resistant shingle assist with fastener...

B Kolbe Windows & Doors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Kolbe Windows & Doors Engineered to meet or exceed most coastal building code requirements for impact resistance, Kolbe K-Force impact-resistant windows and doors also protect against forced entry and provide reduced sound transmission...

C Alcoa Home Exteriors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Alcoa Home Exteriors Board & Batten premium vertical vinyl siding features a 6 1/4-inch board with a 1 3/4-inch batten and a low-gloss cedar-grain finish. Designed with crisp lines and a classic shadow pattern to provide the look of cedar,...

D Simonton Windows.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Simonton Windows StormBreaker Plus impact-resistant double-hung windows are now available in 165 new larger sizes, with maximum heights up to 72 inches and widths up to 52 inches. The windows feature an outer layer of tempered glass and an...

E Heartland Building Products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E Heartland Building Products Cedar Peaks Super Polymer siding incorporates Hybrid+Solar Resistant technology, which combines acrylic styrene acrylonitrile with PVC to provide enhanced UV and heat resistance. The formula also provides better...

F Universal Forest Products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... F Universal Forest Products The Latitudes Ornamental Railing system includes composite handrails and posts, heavy-gauge-aluminum ornamental balusters, decorative aluminum centerpieces, and post caps. The ornamental balusters feature Fastball...

G Medeco.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... G Medeco Part of the manufacturer's line of residential Maxum deadbolts, the Captive Thumbturn Deadbolt features a removable thumbturn key that converts the deadbolt from a single cylinder to a double cylinder and back again: Leaving the...

H Amsco Windows.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... H Amsco Windows Constructed of a wood fiber-based composite, the Renaissance Series slider window offers the aesthetics of wood and the low maintenance of vinyl. The windows can be custom sized to the nearest 1/8 inch and glass options include...

I Hurd Windows and Doors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... I Hurd Windows and Doors Instead of utilizing jamb liners, the historically inspired Kingsview single-hung window uses a clip-and-track balance system with a side-load removable bottom sash that allows for easy cleaning access. Kingsview's...

A Simpson Door Co.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Simpson Door CO. Available in panel, decorative-light, and French designs, entry doors in the Mahogany Collection show off the wood's natural color and graining variations. Several glass options are available for decorative-light doors, while...

B ODL.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B ODL The company has partnered with designer Michael Graves for its latest collection of decorative glass. The Michael Graves Collection includes the Acacia style, shown here, which the designer says was influenced by the Vienna Succession...

C Weiser Lock.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Weiser Lock The Aspen lever features smooth lines in a left/right-universal design that is available in passage, privacy, entry, and dummy functions. Aspen can be installed easily with the maker's Modern, High Point, Columbia, and Augusta...

D Crane Performance Siding.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Crane Performance Siding The Hand-Split Portsmouth Shake features a wide double 9-inch profile with a rustic split-cedar-grain pattern that wraps under the profile edge to give the look of a real wood shake. The vinyl siding offers...

E Deckorators.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E Deckorators Part of the Scenic Series, Contour glass balusters for deck and porch railings are made from tempered glass and feature an hourglass shape. Measuring 6 inches at its widest point and 4 inches at its narrowest, the Contour glass...

A Royal Crown.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Royal Crown Harmony Select decking combines the natural look of wood with the resilience of vinyl, says the manufacturer. The material is made of natural fibers and is protected by a weather-safe resin. It comes in sunset (red mahogany) and...

B LP.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B LP Tuscan walnut, a deep brown hue, is the latest color option for the WeatherBest Premium Grain composite decking line. Reversible decking boards install like wood and feature a random graining pattern over a rough-sawn board finish. Other...

C Epoch Composite Products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Epoch Composite Products Elements composite decking dual-finish reversible boards install simply with common tools and fasteners, according to the company. The decking comes in Cape Cod gray, redwood, or weathered wood tones and has a 10-year...

D Crestline Windows & Doors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Crestline Windows & Doors CrestWood double-hung windows are available with a simulated transom--a more structurally sound, easier-to-install, and less expensive alternative to stacking a transom above the window, according to the company. The...

A Silver Line Windows.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Silver Line Windows The SafeGuard impact-resistant double-hung window features DuPont Sentry Glass Plus laminated glass for more safety against airborne debris, greater security, and reduced sound and UV infiltration. The unit features...

B CMI.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B CMI Made from a treated wood composite, Extira exterior panels are moisture-and termite-resistant and are designed for exterior millwork applications that require a smooth, unprimed panel. Ideal for fabrication into shutters (shown), column...

C Tamko Roofing Products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Tamko Roofing Products Made from a polymer-based composite, Lamarite Shake Composite Shingles mimic natural wood shakes with deep grain patterns. The Class 4 impact-resistant shakes, which come in widths of 5, 7, and 12 inches, are available...

D Wolfpac Technologies.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Wolfpac Technologies A 3/4-inch-deep and 3/4-inch-wide groove in Versatex PVC Stealth Trims accommodates nearly all siding products and makes trimming corners and windows easier, the firm says. The corner board eliminates the need for two...

E Kwikset.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E Kwikset The UltraMax Amherst, Hawthorne, Shelburne, and Wellington handlesets each complement a different design trend. For example, Amherst features an updated traditional country style while Hawthorne (shown) reflects simplicity of line and...

A AZEK Trimboards.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A AZEK Trimboards The company has expanded its line of trim products in all thicknesses to include a 16-inch-wide size suitable for large coverage areas such as band boards, vertical column wrap, and beam wrap. Made from cellular PVC, the trim...

B TimberTech.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B TimberTech The Earthwood Plank, available in a tropical walnut color, replicates the look of expensive exotic hardwood through the use of a color streaking process. TimberTech Earthwood Plank is made from a composite of pure plastic resins...

C Revere Building Products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Revere Building Products Sovereign vinyl replacement windows feature fully welded frames and sashes, steel-reinforced interlocking rails, and multi-layer weather stripping. Insulating glass packages to achieve Energy Star ratings are...

D Andersen.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Andersen Arch-top and springline-style 400 Series Frenchwood curved-top patio doors feature Perma-Shield exteriors, natural wood interiors, low-E glass, and a multi-point locking system. Arch-top single-panel doors come in 6-foot-8-inch,...

E Superseal Window and Door Co.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E Superseal Window and Door Co. The Series 1150 double-hung window features impact-resistant glass, a sound transmission rating of 36, and a DP-50 rating. The window includes a tilt-in sash, Intercept Warm-Edge spacers, multi-chambered...

A Velux America.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Velux America With an adjustable angle adapter, this line of Sun Tunnels can be installed in a straighter line to the ceiling, resulting in an easier installation and more light output, the manufacturer says. A stable dome-to-flashing...

B Weather Shield.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Weather Shield Utilizing a concealed aluminum interlocking check rail system, LifeGuard Insulated Glass impact-resistant double-hung windows now have none of the visible dovetail hardware or structural sill pins that were previously...

C MW Windows & Doors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... MW Windows & Doors MW 1300 and MW 1400 custom vinyl replacement windows and patio doors offer durability, efficiency, and a range of decorative options, the maker says. MW 1400 windows offer a DP-35 wind-load rating and low-E glass or...

D Wasco.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Wasco Ideal for flat-roof applications, Sentinel Skydomes offer a skylight and fall-protection unit in one. The units have impact-resistance up to 2,200 foot-pounds without metal grids or screens. The Skydomes come in curb- or deck-mounted...

E Great Lakes Window.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E Great Lakes Window GrandView 3000, 4000, and 5000 Series windows feature a wide range of custom decorative options and many performance features for energy efficiency and durability. GrandView 5000 windows have a DP-50 rating, feature a...

A Milgard.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Milgard The double-hung tilt Classic II Series vinyl window features a traditional sloped sill, a standard J-channel design to accept a range of trim accessories, and a 3 1/4-inch frame depth. It comes standard with low-E glass and is...

B Gorell Windows & Doors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Gorell Windows & Doors Engineered to protect against wind-borne debris, Armor Impact Plus (ALP) Hurricane double-hung windows carry a DP-50 rating. Two panes of glass sandwich a polyvinyl butyral interlayer and a third pane provides an...

C Elk Premium Building Products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Elk Premium Building Products Cool Color Series asphalt shingles meet Energy Star reflectivity requirements using 3M roofing granules that contain reflective color pigments. The shingles are available in four earth-toned colors: cool...

D GAF Materials Corp.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D GAF Materials Corp. In addition to the ability to self extinguish when exposed to fire, the CRRC-listed FireShield Roof Restoration System reduces energy costs by creating a surface that reflects sunlight. The SeamFree elastomeric roofing...

E Therma-Tru.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E Therma-Tru Fiber Classic (shown) and Smooth-Star sliding patio doors come in heights of 6 feet 6 inches, 6 feet 8 inches, and 8 feet, with two-panel configurations available in widths up to 12 feet. Features include a standard multi-point...

A Pollard Windows.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Pollard Windows In its second generation, the E-Series Liberty Twintilt vinyl-clad wood double-hung window features a variety of improvements, including a new water-shed sill that directs moisture away from the frame and a split-finish jamb...

B Alsco Metals Corp.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Alsco Metals Corp. The Contours Collection of aluminum friezes and fascia now includes friezes in 18-foot lengths to reduce overlaps and seams. Contours Collection frieze and fascia trims are installed using the maker's Float-Lok attachment...

C Plastpro.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Plastpro Distinction Rustic Series fiberglass entry doors offer a blend of Southwestern and European styles. The deep-grained texture, shown here in a walnut finish, gives the appearance of natural wood. The Rustic series comes in three...

D Alside.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Alside Charter Oak Energy Elite insulated vinyl siding incorporates the foam Fullback Thermal Support System to deliver up to four times the R-value of conventional vinyl siding, the maker says. Pest-deterring Perform Guard in the foam...

A Jeld-Wen.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Jeld-Wen Featuring the manufacturer's PUR-fiber technology, the Premium Fiberglass line of doors is made with 35 percent fiberglass content--more than the 10 to 12 percent content that is standard, the manufacturer claims. Mahogany and alder...

B Yale residential security products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Yale Residential Security Products Hardware in the Design Elements from Yale collection is constructed from solid brass and features three entry handlesets, two knobs, four levers, and three deadbolts in a variety of coordinating styles and...

C Kleer Lumber.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Kleer Lumber Manufactured with free-foam expanded rigid cellular PVC, Kleer trimboards offer the look and feel of wood but do not require paint, are uniform and consistent, and are weather- and insect-resistant. The trim, which is easy to cut...

E Marvin Windows and Doors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Marvin Windows and Doors The Ultimate Double Hung Magnum window is available in sizes up to 5 1/2 feet wide and 10 1/2 feet tall and meets commercial design-pressure ratings. Constructed with a spiral balance system that allows it to operate...

E CertainTeed.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E CertainTeed TrueComfort insulated vinyl siding now comes in a double 6-inch Cedar Board profile, offering the look of wide-board wood siding. Cedar-grained TrueComfort Cedar Board features a polystyrene foam backing that lends rigidity and...

A Hy-lite Products.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Hy-lite Products Solar Block Plus acrylic block combines a non-metallic, smoke-colored tint molded into the exterior half of the block to prevent solar heat gain without any mirroring, while still providing a clear interior block for a...

B Pella.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Pella For use with Select Series storm doors, Expressions Glass allows homeowners to change their decorative glass design as seasons or wishes dictate. The user can remove one panel and install another as easily as changing the screen, the...

C Loewen.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Loewen The company now offers its complete line of windows and doors in mahogany, exhibiting a rich grain with a short, light swirled pattern, hues that age to reddish brown over time, and natural resistance to decay and insects. The products...

D Boral Bricks.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Boral Bricks The 17th Century series of bricks is now available in an oversized format, measuring 3 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches by 7 5/8 inches. The bricks have an Old World style, featuring a distressed appearance, rough texture, uneven...

E Nana Wall Systems.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... E Nana Wall Systems Designed to work with the manufacturer's glass wall systems, NanaScreen retractable units allow fresh air to enter the home but offer protection from insects. The product features a pleated polypropylene screen, reinforced...

A The Foundry.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A The Foundry The company's vinyl siding includes shingles, split and staggered shakes, and a variety of specialty shapes, all with a realistic natural cedar look, the maker says. The siding is packaged so that less than three repeats occur in...

B Builders Accessories.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Builders Accessories Creating a unique visual effect, this new circular pattern for the company's acrylic block windows has a prismatic design that breaks up lightwaves; the design, along with a frosted perimeter, also maintains privacy, says...

C Fletcher Wood Solutions.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... C Fletcher Wood Solutions Available in trimboards, fascia, siding, and exterior moldings, Armourwood is manufactured from finger-jointed radiata pine and pressure-treated with a penetrating biocide preservative to resist rot and termites. The...

D Hoppe.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... D Hoppe 300 Series stainless steel multi-point door hardware features two locking points that fully retract when disengaged to provide a clean appearance on the door. A mishandling device prevents the locking points from firing accidentally and...

A Windsor Windows & Doors.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... A Windsor Windows & Doors Pinnacle Impact Windows feature SeaStorm LoE2 insulated glass and offer a DP-50 rating. The insulating pane utilizes annealed glass on the exterior and laminated glass on the interior for safety. The windows come with...

B Trex Co.(Exterior Products)
March 1, 2006... B Trex Co Seclusions composite privacy fencing includes 6x6 hollow Trex posts, decorative post caps, an aluminum channel at the base covered with C-shaped pickets that slide together, and a top rail supported by brackets. The fencing is low...

A Benjamin Obdyke.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... A Benjamin Obdyke Home Slicker Plus Super Jumbo Tex 60 Minute rainscreen/water resistive barrier features the Home Slicker 3-D rainscreen matrix bonded to Fortifiber Building Systems' Jumbo Tex 60-minute building paper, providing the protection...

B Pine Ridge Builders.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... B Pine Ridge Builders Molded from foam insulation, EnergyBlock fits around standard electrical outlet and light switch boxes to seal out drafts that cause air infiltration and exfiltration, providing an R-10 insulation and helping to reduce...

C Potlatch.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... C Potlatch EnStron particleboard flooring underlayment is engineered to provide a smooth, consistent surface with no core voids or flaws to eliminate bonding or surface telegraphing problems. Made from 100 percent recovered wood fiber, EnStron...

D Knauf insulation.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... D Knauf Insulation Friendly Feel Duct Wrap with KwikStretch markings features staple flange markings on its foil-scrim Kraft or polypropylene-scrim Kraft facings for easy measurements without a tape measure. The easy-to-handle duct wrap is soft...

E Pactiv.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... E Pactiv Manufactured of an extruded polystyrene foam core and a reinforcing woven facer, GreenGuard Plygood-Ultra's laminated surface allows for pneumatic staple or roofing nail installation and is able to withstand winds of up to 120 mph....

A Tyco Plastics & Adhesives.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... A Tyco Plastics & Adhesives Nashua Select 527-20 and Nashua General Purpose flashing tapes work in conjunction with housewraps to seal around windows, doors, and skylights. Nashua Select 527-20 self-adhered flashing tape consists of a butyl...

B Protecto Wrap Co.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... B Protecto Wrap Co. The Protecto Sill Drainage System combines peel-and-stick adhesive with positive-sloped closed cell foam to direct water and condensation inside the window opening to the outside, protecting openings against moisture damage...

C Atlas Roofing.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... C Atlas Roofing Designed with thermally efficient HCFC-free poly-iso insulation with 1-, 1 1/2- or 2-inch vent spacer strips and a nailable surface, CrossVent roof deck insulation creates cross-ventilation over unventilated sloped roof decks....

D National Gypsum.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... D National Gypsum Made with a 100 percent-recycled purple paper on the face and a mold/mildew-resistant liner on the back, Hi-Impact XP wallboard is abuse-, impact-, and penetration-resistant. The wallboard consists of a type-X fire-resistant...

E Ainsworth.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... E Ainsworth Made in a one-step process where a radiant barrier foil is applied as the OSB panel is produced, Thermastrand OSB blocks up to 97 percent of the sun's radiant heat. The micro-perforated aluminum foil provides better panel...

A Roseburg Forest Products.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... A Roseburg Forest Products The RFPI 20 series I-joist has been redesigned with a wider flange, measuring 1 3/4 inches, and eased edges to provide greater stability during installation and a better nailing surface for attachment of subflooring,...

B Longlac Wood Industries.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... B Longlac Wood Industries The DRIcore engineered wood/moisture membrane modular subfloor system has been reengineered with a new raised grid pattern on the moisture membrane that creates a 1/4-inch airspace between the concrete floor and the...

C York Mfg.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... C York Mfg. Asphalt-free YorkShield 106 PT copper flashing for pressure-treated construction features a polypropylene backing, instead of standard paper, that isolates galvanized fasteners and hangers from treated wood, protecting against...

D Owens Corning/Tembec Forest Products.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... D Owens Corning/Tembec Forest Products Designed to provide noise control in interior wall applications, the QuietZone Acoustic Wall Framing stud features an integrated resilient clip system that breaks the path of noise vibrations, preventing...

E Cosella-Dorken.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... E Cosella-Dorken Designed to waterproof insulated concrete form (ICF) foundations. the Delta-MS Clear membrane is see-through, so attachment points on the ICFs can be seen through the membrane. The heavy-duty, dimpled sheet protects ICF...

A Mapei.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... A Mapei Ultralite Mortar's lightweight formula incorporates Easy Glide Technology, which yields a buttery consistency that lessens user fatigue while troweling, the maker says. The mortar allows large-format tile to be installed on vertical...

B Johns Manville.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... B Johns Manville The company's formaldehyde-free, lightweight thermal and acoustical fiberglass insulation, MR Faced Batt, is manufactured with glass fibers bonded by an acrylic thermosetting binder while its facing is treated with an...

C Boise Engineered Wood Products.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... C Boise Engineered Wood Products Wide-flange BCI Joists now include several region-specific lines. The BCI line for western markets is the BCI 600 1.7 featuring a 2 5/16-inch-wide flange to provide more nailing surface and to make handling...

D Franklin International.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... D Franklin International With a bond strength of 220 psi, VOC-compliant Titebond 821 Premium urethane wood flooring adhesive offers a strong bond and a powerful initial grab. The adhesive instantly grips solid wood flooring planks and holds...

A USG.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... A USG For low slope commercial roofing applications, Securock Roof Board is composed of reinforced gypsum fiber rather than standard face layers, a water-resistant core to prevent moisture and mold, and of 95 percent recycled material that...

B DAP.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... B DAP Phenoseal Does It Clear acrylic latex adhesive caulk dries clearer than other latex, silicone, or solvent-based sealants, the firm claims. Providing a watertight seal that will not crack or discolor, VOC-compliant Does It Clear is ideal...

C Valeron Strength Films.(Construction Products)
March 1, 2006... C Valeron Strength Films Valeron Vortec housewrap is engineered to facilitate moisture drainage in wall cavities. The thin, flexible micro-perforated plastic film has a raised pattern of dimples and bumps that channel water away from the...