All Stars: Building Products Presents the 2007 MVP Award Winners32 products have been deemed the latest crop of top-notch products

Source: BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine

Publication date: 2007-06-07

Each year, Building Products' Most Valuable Product Awards competition singles out an elite group of new products worthy of special recognition. This year, 32 products--ranging from a limestone veneer to a water-conserving showerhead to steam-assist ovens--have been deemed the latest crop of top-notch products by our panel of expert judges. These products offer ways to make your job easier, your projects more stunning, and your business more profitable. And they just might add a little fun back into your work day.

Building Products asked manufacturers to submit their best product introduced between January 2006 and January 2007. Unable to test each product, our builder, remodeler, and architect judges scrutinized written statements, press materials, brochures, pricing information, testimonials, and photography submitted by the manufacturers. Specifically, our panel assessed each entry based on the single requirement: Is the product of "value" to pros, meaning does it reduce installation time, callbacks, or labor costs; solve a problem; simplify installation; boost profits; add curb appeal or a "wow" factor to a home?

All claims about the winning products come from their makers; the editors and judges could not independently verify the statements. What's more, the winners represent only a small portion of outstanding products that were introduced during the past year. The judges made their selections based on items entered in the competition, not from all products that debuted between January 2006 and January 2007.

The Judges Grant Barnhill Boutique Apartments Denver John Barrows J. Barrows Inc. Long Island, N.Y. Alan Freysinger Design Group Three Inc. Glendale, Wis. Clayton Nishikawa Architectural Design & Construction, Inc. Wailuku, Hawaii Mark Retherford SummerHill Homes Palo Alto, Calif.

Without further delay, here are this year's winners:

Decco Bath & Shower Works. Designed to be both attractive and practical, the company's header and column system mounts easily around the tub surround and adds storage to the bath. "The easy install makes this a great product for remodelers," one judge said. It conceals fixtures and provides 10 concealed shelves to organize shower clutter. The header assembly is adjustable to fit enclosures from 54 1/2 inches to 70 inches wide. Installation requires neither drilling nor cutting into existing tile. Made of ABS thermoplastic, the product is mold- and mildew-resistant, according to the maker. It comes in a satin white finish but can be painted. Five header styles provide different looks, ranging from classical to contemporary. Cost: $300. 800-964-7945. www.deccobathandshowerworks.com.

Builderscale. Mathematically impaired contractors, rejoice! Planreader tape measures are designed to make it easier to take measurements off blueprints in the field. On the reverse side of the tape are both the standard commercial construction 1/8-inch scale and the residential construction 1/4-inch scale. The markings represent the actual feet and inches drawn on the plan, thus eliminating the hassle of converting fractional numbers to feet and inches. In addition, the numbers on the front side are extra large, making them easier to see than on many other measuring tapes, the firm says. The tapes come in lengths of 16, 25, 30, and 35 feet. Cost: $8.96-$16.96. 201-837-1204. www.builderscale.com.

NuCedar Mills. Classic Clapboard "achieves the true look of cedar lap siding in a low-maintenance factory-painted siding," one judge commented. The beveled siding is milled from boards of cellular PVC, creating a product that weighs half as much as fiber cement, creates no silica dust during installation, and avoids the maintenance issues inherent in cedar, says the maker. The prefinish comes in 22 standard colors and more than 1,400 custom colors, and it allows the siding to be installed year-round with no worries about painting it. A limited lifetime warranty includes labor and materials during the first year, reducing the potential for costly callbacks. In addition, the line includes color-coordinated molding, sheet, trimboard, and architectural components. The 16-foot lengths come in 4-, 6-, and 8-inch exposures and two textures. Cost: $400 to $550 per square. 866-393-8883. www.nucedar.com.

Texas Quarries. Limestone veneer priced in the same range as artificial stone sounds like a real deal. Rivera Stone typically costs only 50 cents to $1 per square foot more than concrete stone, and has the advantage over concrete stone because it features color throughout, the company says. It's "a beautiful limestone veneer with the integrity of being real stone," said one judge. The product is a svelte 1 to 1 1/4 inches thick, unlike traditional chopped stone at 3 to 4 inches. It is adhered to the wall on a cementitious bed applied over a composite lathe of corrugated metal and felt. A variety of sizes and standard dimensional cuts are available for exterior use; for the interior, Rivera Stone comes in sheets up to 4 feet by 8 feet. Cost: $11 to $18 per square foot installed. 800-932-2263. www.texasquarries.com.

Home Care by Moen. More homeowners these days ask for grab bars in the bath, and SecureMount anchors provide a quick but secure installation. "A simple install--no stud needed," a judge said. That means no sections of wall need to be removed, and no backing needs to be added, saving time and money, according to the maker. Instead, the grab bar is mounted into the D-shaped anchors that require simple drilling to install. The anchors are appropriate for walls 1/8 to 1 1/2 inches thick and work with marble, tile, drywall, fiberglass, and fiberglass tub surrounds. They can be used not only with Moen and Home Care by Moen grab bars but also those made by most other manufacturers. Cost: $36 per pair. 800-882-0116. www.homecare.moen.com.

Delta. Conserving water is an admirable goal, and low-flow showerheads help, but they don't always permit homeowners to effectively rinse shampoo from their hair. The Water-Efficient Showerhead solves this dilemma by delivering 1.6 gallons of water per minute at 60 pounds per square inch. "Thirty-six percent less water than conventional 2.5-gpm showerheads is a huge accomplishment," one judge said, adding that the showerhead "is designed well and is aesthetically pleasing." Without using any moving parts, the showerhead provides a dense spray pattern, says the firm. Cost: $55. 800-345-3358. www.deltafaucet.com.

Huber Engineered Woods. Everyone loves a two-fer, which is exactly what ZIP System wall panels provide. These distinctive-looking 7/16-inch-thick structural panels feature a built-in water-resistant barrier, eliminating the need for housewrap. "I like the one-step installation," a judge commented. ZIP System tape is then used to install the panels and secure the seams. The panels feature a preprinted fastening guide for 16-inch and 24-inch on-center stud spacings for vertical and horizontal installation, plus a preprinted tape guide. The barrier doesn't blow off or tear like housewrap can, according to the maker. Cost: $7 to $9 a panel. 800-933-9220. www.huberwood.com.

Knaack Mfg. Co. Keeping your ladder on the floor or on top of the roof of your vehicle doesn't necessarily provide the easiest access. The Weather Guard sliding ladder rack stores a ladder up to 8 feet long on the inside roof or interior wall of the vehicle. A tension-locking device keeps the ladder in place without requiring buckles, latches, or ties, the firm says. The rack consists of adjustable front and rear cradle assemblies, which run along a rail that attaches to the vehicle with a universal mounting bracket. "Why didn't I think of this?" one judge wondered. Cost: $185. 800-456-7865. www.weatherguard.com.

Red Devil. Latex caulk ... siliconized latex caulk ... silicone caulk ... tile adhesive ... wood adhesive ... The list of caulks, sealants, and adhesives a contractor might need is mind-bogglingly long. Help is at hand, though. King Kaulk is formulated to replace almost everything on that list. "At last, only one tube needed," a relieved judge said. The new caulk can be used inside and out in all temperatures for everything from gluing mitered joints in trim to caulking around windows and doors to sealing gutter joints to adhering laminate backsplash to walls. The low-VOC elastomeric caulk is UV- and mildew-resistant and is paintable, the firm says. Cost: $7.99. 800-423-3845. www.reddevil.com.

USG. Dust is a fact of life when you're sanding joint compound. But it doesn't have to be a big deal: Sheetrock Dust Control joint compound reduces the amount of airborne dust by generating heavier dust when it's sanded. The heavier dust falls straight to the floor instead of floating all over the place and covering a large area. As a result, cleaning up takes less time. "It has cut down on dust cleanup substantially," said Paul Myers of Mastercraft Drywall in a written testimonial. The ready-mixed product also weighs as much as 35 percent less than other joint compounds, the firm notes, and is formulated to provide excellent adhesion, low shrinkage, and good crack resistance. Cost: $11 to $13 for a 3 1/2-gallon container. 800-874-4968. www.usg.com.

Ridgid. The Fuego 6 1/2-inch compact framing saw weighs 8 pounds but is said to handle the job like heavier 7 1/2-inch contenders. "The large knobs for adjusting are spot-on," a judge commented. Depth-of-cut capacity is 2 1/8 inches at 90 degrees, 1 5/8 inches at 45 degrees, and 1 1/2 inches at 50 degrees. Full-length front and rear kerf indicators help make cutting more precise. An integrated dust blower helps clear the cut line, improving sight lines. The composite shoe is designed to endure falls from one story up without bending or breaking. Another nifty touch is the 12-foot power cord, which includes a lighted plug that features an easily read icon to tell you when the tool is live. Cost: $139. 800-474-3443. www.ridgid.com.

Quiet Solution. Joining the company's line of soundproofing drywall products is QuietRock 525, which provides the same amount of noise reduction as eight layers of standard 5/8-inch drywall. "I wish this had been available when we did our offices," a judge said wistfully. Using the panels on one side of a single-stud wall results in a sound transmission rating of 51, compared with a rating of 34 for standard gypsum drywall. It scores, snaps, and hangs like standard drywall, and it weighs about the same, the firm says. The three-layer fabrication consists of viscoelastic polymers, ceramics, and gypsum, and it is one-hour fire-rated. Cost: $80 to $90 per sheet. 800-797-8159. www.quietsolution.com.

Oz-Post. These post anchors are said to offer an easier alternative to the time-consuming, backbreaking job of digging post holes and mixing concrete for fences and decks. They are jackhammered into the ground using a special adapter in about five minutes apiece, and go through asphalt, hard-packed clay, and frozen or rocky ground. They "will make all fence installs a cinch," said a judge. Oz-Posts are hot-dipped galvanized and are longer and wider than other post anchors. They come in a wide range of sizes and lengths. Cost: $12.75 per post. 866-422-0751. www.oz-post.com.

Eaton. Who hasn't left the house and then wondered if some appliance was left plugged in or the garage door was still open? The Home Heartbeat wireless home monitoring system can allay those worries--and others. It even can be set up to check on water leaks. The system "provides a sense of security that unforeseen calamities can be recognized early," a judge noted. The homeowner can receive information by text messaging, e-mail, the Internet, or the system's portable Home Key programming device. Setting up the system takes less than 15 minutes, the firm claims. The starter pack consists of the base station, a Home Key, and a sensor that checks whether a door or window is open or closed. Optional sensors include ones that check on motion, water, and whether an appliance is drawing power. Also optional is a water shutoff controller that cuts off the main water supply line if a major leak is detected. Cost: $184.99 for the starter pack. 800-386-1911. www.homeheartbeat.com.

AEC Software. It takes software that is both flexible and comprehensive to track the many elements that go into project planning. FastTrack Schedule 9 "lets builders quickly view the status of multiple projects," a judge said. The project management software not only helps keep projects on schedule and on budget but is competitively priced, produces presentation-quality plans, and can exchange data with spreadsheets, databases, and other project management packages. Predefined columns allow for tracking of critical information such as dates, durations, resources, and costs. Best of all, several projects can be consolidated into one master file. Cost: $349. 800-450-1985. www.aecsoftware.com.

Home Automation. The ubiquitous flash drive now does more than port music or work around. It provides homeowners who use this manufacturer's home control system with a tool to tap into their home's system from anywhere in the world. "A lot of our clients' homes are vacation homes or vacation residences; this is a great product for 24/7, anytime, anywhere monitoring," one judge said. Snap-Link software comes installed on the drive, which can plug into any Windows-based computer (Windows 98SE or higher) and then communicate with the home control system using an encrypted Ethernet connection. No programs need to be installed to permit homeowners to remotely monitor and control lights, security, and temperatures. There are no subscription fees. Cost: $99. 800-229-7256. www.homeauto.com.

Alsons. The four showerheads in the Fluidics line provide water, water everywhere but also conserve that resource. The dual-setting 657 offers a choice of a water-saving 1.6 gallons per minute or the standard 2.5 gpm at the flip of a lever. The other showerheads are single-setting: The 656 provides 1.85 gpm; the 655 provides 1.6 gpm; and the 653 operates at 1.75 gpm. There are no moving internal parts creating the droplets, which are larger than those coming from standard-issue showerheads. The line comes in chrome and satin nickel finishes. Its clean design is "stylish yet efficient," according to a judge. Cost: $80 and up. 800-421-0001. www.alsons.com.

CertainTeed. A new formula means both WeatherBoards and ColorMax fiber-cement siding are more environmentally friendly, lighter weight, and lower density than in their previous incarnation. "This is a great siding product made better by its lower weight," a judge said. "The variety of profiles makes this the right product for many architectural styles." The new recipe calls for a mixture of recycled fly ash, portland cement, wood fiber, and additives; sand no longer is an ingredient. Soffit, trim, and accessories also are available. Cost: $65 to $100 per square. 800-233-8990. www.certainteed.com.

Fypon. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's also in a PVC Column Wrap kit when you want to cover up an ugly wooden or steel post. The kit includes the cap, base, and caulk adhesive. The wrap can be used inside or outside and is paintable. "For us, the fast installation of the product is the critical aspect--it saves us labor time and costs on the jobsite," said Rob Cox of Metro Siding in a written testimonial. Installation typically takes less than 15 minutes, according to the company. The plain version comes in 18 sizes and ships within five days. Special-order wraps include fluted, raised-panel, recessed-panel, tapered plain, and tapered recessed-panel. Cost: $150 to $762. 800-446-3040. www.fypon.com.

Kohler. There's something ironic about installing a water-saving toilet and wasting water in the process. But that's not a problem with the Cimarron Comfort Height toilet with Class Five EcoSmart Technology, which is designed to install quickly without leaking water. The DryLock installation system uses a metal bracket plate on the bottom of the exterior of the tank; two bolts slide into the plate rather than sticking through the tank. The tank is then set on the toilet and fastened with a socket wrench. 'Installation time is cut by one-third with the DryLock system,' one judge noted. Best of all, with EcoSmart technology, the toilet uses only 1.28 gallons per flush, qualifying it for EPA WaterSense's High Efficiency Toilet criteria. Cost: $338. 800-456-4537.www.kohler.com.

Senco. The ability to go back and forth quickly between sequential and contact-actuated operation is the big step forward in these three cordless finish nailers. A judge praised the simplicity of the drive control: A push button goes in for sequential and out for contact actuation. The switchable drive also permits the 18-gauge brad nailer, 16-gauge finish nailer, and 15-gauge angled finish nailer to drive up to four fasteners per second with 600 to 1,000 drives per charge. Depth-of-drive is adjustable. Two rechargeable batteries come with the tool. Cost: $402 to $435. 800-543-4596. www.senco.com.

Broan-NuTone. A new weapon has been forged to join the ongoing battle against indoor humidity and the mold it breeds. Ultra Silent humidity-sensing fans are designed to detect a rapid increase in moisture at the ceiling and turn on automatically to exhaust it. They also turn off automatically. Homeowners can set the humidity-sensing level and how long the fan runs--from 5 to 60 minutes--after the humidity level is back to normal. "The sensitivity controls are a nice feature," one judge said. The fans operate at a respectably quiet noise level of .9 sones. Two models come with nightlights. Cost: $312 and up. 800-558-1711. www.broan.com.

Freud America. Sometimes "general purpose" means doing many things, none of them very well. The Premier Fusion general-purpose saw blade, however, has been designed to cover the gamut from crosscuts and rips in hardwoods and softwoods to cuts in two-sided veneer and laminates. Not having to change blades "saves huge amounts of time," a judge noted. A double-grind tooth design helps the carbide blade cut smoothly so vibration is dampened. The nonstick coating prevents corrosion and gumming. The series features four sizes: 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-inch. Cost: $99. 800-334-4107. www.freudtools.com.

Johns Manville. You can't work on something you can't see, so Gorilla Wrap housewrap was designed to make it easier to see windows, studs, and other areas on the framing, speeding up the construction process. "I love the translucence," a judge said. "The durability is what sold me." The non-perforated, non-woven wrap has a tear strength measured at 300 percent higher than its leading competitor, says the maker. It also handles the job of keeping out air and water; it has more than eight times the wind resistance of the leading housewrap, claims the manufacturer. Cost: $35 to $50 for a 3-foot-by-100-foot roll. 800-654-3103. www.gorillawrap.com.

Whirlpool. With gourmet kitchens consistently ranking as a huge selling point, upscale appliances can make a key difference. Architect Series II ovens borrow a technique from chefs: steam assist. "This oven helps [the homeowner] prepare gourmet foods and look like a pro doing it," said Thomas L. Hoskins II of Fischer Homes in a written testimonial. The ovens' automatic settings provide precisely the amount of moisture that is said to improve the flavor without all the pesky work of basting, misting, and water baths. They also include manual settings. Double and single models come with steam assist and convection; a microwave combination includes steam assist in the oven. Cost: $2,699 to $4,199. 800-253-3977. www.insideadvantage.com.

iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. Given that you can only put so many holes in a beam to accommodate plumbing and electrical work, the new Trus Joist TimberStrand laminated strand lumber beam offers a whole new option. In a 14-inch-deep beam, you can drill holes up to 4 5/8 inches wide. This "helps eliminate guesswork and time lost waiting for an answer from the engineer," one judge said. The number of holes you can drill is determined by the length of the beam and the size of the holes. The beam comes in widths of 1 3/4 inches and 3 1/2 inches, with depths from 9 1/4 inches to 16 inches. Cost: $20 to $30 per cubic foot. 888-453-8358. www.ilevel.com.

Werner Ladder. Many people believe that walking under a ladder is bad luck, but falling off a wobbly ladder is worse luck. The Equalizer extension ladder's leg levelers make working on uneven ground a more stable experience. The leveler leg has dual channel holes that allow the ladder to be adjusted in 3/8-inch increments up to 8 1/4 inches. A steel locking pin with detent ball then secures the leveler. A judge liked another safety element: The bottom step has a bright blue inset with a built-in bubble level that lets the user know when the ladder is level. The colored step also alerts the user when he is one step from the ground. Underneath, the feet have slip-resistant gripping pads and swivel 90 degrees. Cost: $179 to $249. 888-229-7727. www.wernerladder.com.

Sage Software. Making sure the left hand knows what the right hand is doing requires the kind of integration between operations and financials that the judges felt Sage Timberline Office provides. Getting started with such a package can be baffling, but "the set-up wizards are great, especially for new users," one judge said. There also are "lots of practical, incremental upgrades, things like one-time data entry and automated database set-up." The software offers tools to help with everything from procurement to estimating to job costing to billing. Users can easily set up common jobs and contracts from one location, and a project management suite even creates and monitors change orders. Cost: $7,595. 800-628-6583. www.sagetimberlineoffice.com.

Sterling. It's a snap--literally--to install the Accord tile bath-shower--no caulking is required, the manufacturer says. The four-piece unit's two end walls interlock with the back wall. The wall clips make a clicking noise when installed properly. "The easy install is a plus," said a judge who also liked the fact that there is an ADA-compliant model. The Accord is made of lightweight yet durable Vikrell components and can be easily carried and set by one installer. A tile-and-grout look is molded into the unit, which includes two recessed corner shelves. Cost: $503.80. 800-783-7546. www.sterlingplumbing.com.

Safety Tubs. For many homeowners, the ST6032 tub with door offers the simple pleasure of walking right into the tub and sitting down to take a bath. "This is an innovative product that assists both the elderly and the disabled," one judge said. The acrylic tub has a built-in molded chair, color-matched grab bar, and slip-resistant floor. It is 60 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 32 inches tall and comes in white and biscuit. Options include whirlpool systems and a faucet with a personal showerhead. Two other models are 51 inches long. Cost: $6,900 to $9,800. 877-304-2800. www.safetytubs.com.

Georgia-Pacific. Rain and snow inevitably interrupt the building process and can mean materials must be torn out and replaced. "If it rains over the weekend, water could wind up standing on the subfloor for two or three days. With DryPly, that's not an issue," said Raymond Craven of Raymond Craven Construction in a written testimonial. The water-repellent coating on Plytanium DryPly plywood protects the product from downpours and storms for four weeks. The wood absorbs 40 percent less water than unprotected plywood, says the manufacturer. When floors are stiffer and thus quieter, builders get fewer callbacks. Cost: $25 and up per 4-foot-by-8-foot sheet. 800-284-5347. www.gp.com/build.

Eldorado Stone. "This brick profile achieves an aged artisan appearance that enhances many styles of architecture," a judge said of Eldorado Brick veneer. The line comes in four profiles and 14 standard color blends, plus custom colors. RomaBrick (shown) is wider and slightly thicker than the others. Bricks in all the profiles are rough-edged and irregularly sized to create a timeworn look. For use in both exterior and interior applications, the veneer is made of portland cement, oxides, and aggregates. It typically is installed over concrete masonry block, sheathing, rigid insulation, or open stud framing. Matching molding, crowns, caps, half rounds, and trim are available. Cost: $5 to $7 per square foot. 800-925-1491. www.eldoradostone.com.