The need for product innovation doesn't stop in a down economy, and last year building product manufacturers continued to serve customers with plenty of new, valuable introductions for the home and the jobsite. And if Building Products' annual Top 100 list is any indication, contractors looking to differentiate and innovate welcomed that information.

The Top 100 represents those products readers of Building Products and its sister publications Builder, Custom Home, and Remodeling requested more information about by mailing to us the reader service cards found in each issue. As in year's past, you won't find run-of-the-mill commodities here: The Top 100 spans a range of categories, but most are less familiar, new, or trendy. Not surprisingly, green products and technologies--including photovoltaics and solar water heating, tankless water heaters, and energy-efficient lighting--dominate this year's list as pros aim to keep up with the burgeoning sustainable-building movement.

Beyond green, the Top 100 contains many unique gems, such as an inventive sliding door hardware option, a hole-enlarger tool, a water carbonator, and an eye-catching waterfall system.

Whether you caught them the first go-around or are viewing them for the first time, this year's top picks could hold the solutions you and your customers have been looking for. Stay with us over the next two weeks as we count down to number one.

Part 1: 100-76.
Part 2: 75-51.

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50 Baldor.

The GLC line of commercial/industrial standby generators is now available in 10-kW to 25-kW models. The generators feature a water-cooled four-stroke gaseous engine, a brushless synchronous alternator with four-pole construction, a fully programmable microprocessor-based controller, and a heavy-duty air cleaner. Options include an automatic transfer switch and a sound-attenuated enclosure. 479-646-4711. www.baldor.com.

49 WinterPanel.

The company offers SIPs in three panel types: StructureWall, CurtainWall, and PineClad. StructureWall panels, which replace studs and rafters, are twice as strong as a 2x4 wall, according to the firm. CurtainWall panels, ideal for timber-frame or metal-frame buildings, include an interior skin of gypsum for finishing. PineClad panels offer the benefits of StructureWall but with an interior finish of tongue-and-groove pine. Foam cores are available in expanded polystyrene or polyisocyanurate. 802-254-3435. www.winterpanel.com.

48 Fleurco.

The rollers on the Kinetik frameless sliding shower door glide easily along a stainless steel bar. Because each set of rollers can support up to 300 pounds, shower doors can be created from a single pane of glass. 800-993-0033. www.fleurco.com.

47 Acoustic Ceiling Products.

The Evoba wood coffer ceiling system comes in three standard species and in light and dark finishes. Panels measure 2 feet by 2 feet and 2 inches deep. 800-434-3750. www.acpideas.com.

46 Supress Products.

One layer of Supress Sound-Engineered Drywall provides the acoustical performance of up to eight layers of standard drywall, according to the manufacturer, making it ideal for a range of applications, including multifamily properties and home theaters. The panels require no special tools, finish like regular drywall, and can be installed over existing standard drywall with no demolition. Panels come in 1/2-, 5/8-, 3/4-, and 1-inch thicknesses. 800-456-4061. www.supressproducts.com.