New Arrivals: Sept/Oct 2008Autumn Arrivals: The new season brings a fresh selection of eco-friendly building products.

  • By Jeffrey Lee
  • Source: BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine
  • Publication date: 2008-09-14
3form

3form

3form. Ecoresin translucent sheet materials are made from Spectar PETG co-polyester resin with 40 percent post-industrial recycled content and are non-toxic, the maker says. The material provides 40 times the impact strength of glass, according to the manufacturer. Ecoresin is the outer layer of Varia architectural panels, encapsulating an interlayer of various colors, textures, patterns, and materials. New collections include Nest (pictured in Thicket Fire), which features nest-like intertwined patterns, and Alchemy, which features metals in organic forms. 800-726-0126. www.3-form.com.

Morso

Morso

Morso. 6100 series cast iron wood stoves are made with 98 percent recycled material and carry the Nordic Swan Eco-label, a Scandinavian environmental certification that sets standards for low particle emissions and high efficiency, and recognizes companies for actively reducing their carbon footprint, the firm says. The four models boast simple, contemporary styling with clean lines and clear fire viewing. They have a maximum heat output of 30,000 BTUs. 866-883-9619. www.morsousa.com.

Highland Craftsmen

Highland Craftsmen

Highland Craftsmen. Poplar Bark House shingle siding utilizes the bark of yellow poplar trees; the bark, which normally would be considered a waste product, is stripped off of the trees before they are shipped to sawmills for use in furniture and plywood manufacturing. The shingles are kiln-dried to prevent shrinking and cracking and contain no chemical additives. They resist infestation and can meet municipal building code standards for flammability, the company says. 828-765-9010. www.highlandcraftsmen.com.

Smith & Fong. The company now offers FSC-certified bamboo plywood and flooring. The products qualify for the FSC Pure designation, the manufacturer says, signifying they are 100 percent FSC material from an FSC-certified forest and have been sold and/or processed by an FSC chain-of-custody certified company. 866-835-9859. www.plyboo.com.

Akeena Solar

Akeena Solar

Akeena Solar. Andalay solar panels are all-black and feature built-in racking and built-in wiring for a smooth, flush appearance that resembles skylights. With 70 percent fewer parts and 25 percent fewer attachment points, the panels for a small house can be installed in less than an hour, the company says. These features also mean fewer penetrations in the roof and less opportunity for leaks and failure. 408-395-7774. www.andalay.net.

Broan

Broan

Broan. Engineered for continuous operation, Energy Star-rated Ultra Silent QTXE ventilation fans are quiet at .3 to 1.4 sones and are designed for use with a 6-inch duct. Louvers hide the fan housing at almost any angle, helping the grille to blend in with the ceiling, the company says, and a 16- to 24-inch-span hanger bar system allows for easy installation in all types of construction, the maker adds. It includes a 5- to 60-minute shut-off timer. 800-558-1711. www.broan.com.

Huvco

Huvco

Huvco. A new way to bring natural light into interior spaces, the Parans fiber-optic skylight system collects sunlight through lenses on roof- or facade-mounted panels, then funnels the light through optical cables into luminaires. The system's thin, flexible optical cables, which are routed through walls and ceilings, have high light transmission that allows sunlight to efficiently reach far into buildings, and the luminaires are designed to recreate the feeling of sunlight. Hybrid luminaires that combine natural light and electric light are available. 800-832-6116. www.huvco.com.

Protecto Wrap

Protecto Wrap

Protecto Wrap. Featuring high-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive combined with a three-ply, cross-linked tear- and puncture-resistant poly facer film, Super Stick window and door flashing tape offers maximum adhesion, even in high temperatures, the company says. The product forms a permanent waterproofing air/vapor seal to prevent moisture and air intrusion, says the firm. It adheres to a range of materials. Its release paper is serrated, allowing part of it to be removed while the rest remains intact for easier integration with the weather-resistant barrier. 877-271-9661. www.protectowrap.com.

Nana Wall Systems

Nana Wall Systems

Nana Wall Systems. The WD66 wood folding glass wall system comes with krypton-filled Heat Mirror glazing, providing an energy-efficient solution for large openings. The glass carries a U-factor of .23 and an SHGC of .31. The doors can be installed anywhere a traditional wall would stand and come in openings from 8 feet to 40 feet. 800-873-5673. www.nanawall.com.

Ze-Vo Products

Ze-Vo Products

Ze-Vo Products. A clear, oil-based, and VOC-free coating, DeckCuts seals the bottoms of doors, window trim, and the exposed ends of decking, protecting them from water penetration, checking, rot, and decay. The product comes in a 4-ounce container and has a leakproof sponge applicator that works like a shoe-polish dispenser, so the pro need only dab the cut end to protect the wood. 508-879-3151. www.ze-vo.com.

Typar

Typar

Typar. The company's Peel & Stick flashing now includes Quik-Peel technology, which allows installers to peel release paper from half the width, leaving the remainder in place for easier installation of a weather barrier. Designed for straight jambs and headers, the flashing tape is sturdy yet flexible, the company says, and features a high-performing pressure-sensitive adhesive with a co-polymer formula to provide strong adhesion in virtually any environment. Four sizes are available. 800-284-2780. www.typar.com.

Jeld-Wen

Jeld-Wen

Jeld-Wen. The manufacturer now offers SFI-certified windows and patio doors as part of its Custom Wood window line. The products include ponderosa pine windows, patio doors, and trim components. 800-877-9482. www.jeld-wen.com.

LP Building Products. TechShield radiant barrier foil can reduce monthly energy costs up to 17 percent by preventing radiant heat from entering the attic space, according to the company. The product reduces attic temperatures up to 30 degrees, creating less work for HVAC systems. The foil comes in 500-square-foot rolls and can be used alone or on hot walls and gable ends in combination with TechShield sheathing. 888-820-0325. www.lpcorp.com.

Quad-Lock Building Systems

Quad-Lock Building Systems

Quad-Lock Building Systems. The R-etro insulation system allows remodelers to attach expanded polystyrene insulation to an existing building. The system, which has an R-value of 18, adapts to the shape of an existing building and around protrusions and openings, the company says, and it can be attached to any wall structure. After non-invasive installation, the product serves as a fastening point for finishing materials. 888-711-5625. www.r-etro.com.

Cree

Cree

Cree. The LR4 4-inch architectural recessed LED downlight offers 540 lumens of light while using just 11 watts of power. The lamp comes in warm white or neutral color temperatures, offers a color rendering index of up to 94, and is available in 15-degree and 30-degree shield angles. The product is dimmable. 919-991-0700. www.creelighting.com.

Sonoma Cast Stone. EarthCrete concrete mixes are composed of formulas that use local, natural, raw pozzolans (a siliceous volcanic ash), industrial waste ceramics, and fly ash for up to 30 percent portland cement replacement, the company says, reducing the material's carbon footprint. The product can be used for sinks, countertops, tiles, and other applications. 877-939-9929. www.sonomastone.com.

American Clay

American Clay

American Clay. Ideal for commercial or multifamily applications, zero-VOC Enjarre spray-on single-coat plaster provides a hard, durable, reimulsifiable, fade-resistant finish that is mold-resistant, non-toxic, and creates no on-site waste. The finish comes pre-tinted in a choice of eight colors and can be applied to a variety of substrates. It lasts the life of the walls, adds the firm. The finish can be hand-troweled, if desired, to draw out more of its textural properties. 866-404-1634. www.americanclay.com.

Danze

Danze

Danze. Five new low-flow showerheads are designed to reduce water consumption by 20 percent by using 1.5 gpm regardless of water pressure, according to the company. The 4-inch, 45-jet Victorian showerhead comes in chrome, brushed nickel, antique copper, distressed nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze finishes. Other designs include the 4-inch round sunflower; 3-inch, two-function massage; 4-inch lamp sunflower; and the 6-inch 305 showerhead. 877-530-3344. www.danze.com.

Caroma

Caroma

Caroma. The Sydney Smart dual-flush toilet offers two flushing options: .8 gpf and 1.28 gpf. The WaterSense-labeled unit can save an additional 2,975 gallons of water versus other high-efficiency toilets, the manufacturer says. Enhanced water dynamics ensure a small amount of water can evacuate the bowl, the company adds. 800-605-4218. www.caromausa.com.

Rheem

Rheem

Rheem. Solaraide passive solar water heating systems operate without pumps or controllers, instead relying on convection to circulate a freeze-proof heat-transfer fluid in a closed-loop environment. The product combines a storage tank with one or two collector panels and comes in 47- or 80-gallon systems. Both models are Solar Rating and Certification Corp.-certified. 800-621-5622. www.rheem.com.