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.
Henkel
Flextec urethane silane crosslinking technology makes Loctite Universal TAC adhesive suitable for a range of projects in varying climate conditions and on multiple substrates, the maker says. Designed to create a high-strength bond, the adhesive is recommended for use on a variety of materials, including marble, wood, mirrors, ferrous and nonferrous metals, brick, glass, concrete, and PVC. 800-321-1733. www.henkel.com.
Bruce Hardwood Floors
The Turlington Lock&Fold collection offers popular hardwood species that install an average of 30 percent faster than traditional hardwood floors, the maker says. NextGen engineered technology offers double the lock strength of traditional laminate and hardwood floors, and eliminates the need for glue, nails, or staples. Crafted of 100 percent genuine hardwood, the collection is available in 3- and 5-inch oak, maple, or hickory planks, or 5-inch cherry or walnut planks. 800-233-3823. www.bruce.com.
Crossville
Glass Blox tiles come in a palette of 44 colors. Solid colors are available in 1-inch square mosaics, 2-inch-by-4-inch rectangles, linear bars, and 4-inch square tiles; blends are available as mosaics and liners. The tiles are suitable for interior and exterior walls in wet and dry environments. 800-221-9093. www.crossvilleinc.com.
Dwyer Kitchens
When a remodel puts a family's kitchen out of commission for an extended period of time, consider the Temp Kitchen. The all-stainless-steel unit features a cooktop, sink, faucet, storage, four grounded outlets, space for a microwave, a fold-up breakfast bar, and a dishwasher with easy plumbing hookups. It requires a 15-amp circuit for operation. 800-822-0092. www.dwyerkitchens.com.
Simpson Strong-Tie
Deck Spacers clip onto joists in deck framing to help keep boards evenly spaced. Unlike a 16-penny nail, commonly used for spacing in wood decks, plastic Deck Spacers meet specific spacing requirements for composite decks, and also work well for redwood, cedar, and other woods. The maker says the spacers also act as a shield for the top of the deck joist and help shed debris and moisture away from the framing. Three colors are available. 800-999-5099. www.strongtie.com.
EnOcean
EnOcean-enabled controls power themselves and don't need external wiring. Applications include lighting controls and leak detectors. 801-943-3215. www.enocean.com.
94: American Standard |
American Standard
The Champion 4 flushing system eliminates clogging and noisy flushes, the maker says; a 4-inch opening between the tank and bowl pushes water into the bowl three times faster than standard valves, and a bigger trapway can move a 70 percent larger mass than a standard product. The system also includes EverClean, a fired-in antimicrobial surface that repels dirt and resists bacteria growth on the exposed surfaces of the toilet. 800-899-2614. www.americanstandard-us.com.
Research Plastic
Currently available on products from Permachink, Flame Tech, and Quikrete Cos., the maker's self-tooling caulking tube incorporates a triangle-shaped tip that acts as a guide for the bead. Simply lay the tip of the tube into a groove and apply the caulk bead directly and accurately. The feature means money and time savings for users who will apply less caulk with each pass and spend less time refining applications. 877-990-9917. www.researchplastic.com.
Mitsubishi Electric
The Mr. Slim H2i P-Series outdoor heat pump offers a 36,000 BTU/h cooling and 38,000 BTU/h heating capacity, along with the maker's new Hyper-heating Inverter (H2i) technology, which incorporates higher compressor speeds at low temperatures and re-collects heat energy normally wasted in the flash process at the outdoor coil. As a result, the unit is highly efficient, operating at 100 percent of rated heating capacity at 5 degrees F, 87 percent at -4 degrees F, and 70 percent at -13 degrees F, the maker says. 800-433-4822. www.mrslim.com.
Panasonic
The WhisperComfort spot energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is the first ceiling-insert ERV available in the U.S. Using two ducts, the fan exhausts stale air and brings in fresh air from outside. Its low-rate continuous run helps ensure that VOCs and other indoor air pollutants are vented out and replaced with fresh air. The fan's capillary core adds heat and moisture to the incoming air to temper it and maintain a comfortable indoor living environment. 800-211-7262. www.panasonic.com/ventfans.
Basco Shower Enclosures
The Preceria shower enclosure offers a streamlined look with graceful curved elements, including a slightly curved shower door and corresponding solid header that suspends 11/2 inches over the door. The 74-inch-tall door features an oversized 8-inch elliptical through-the-glass pull handle. The enclosure's 5/16-inch-thick glass is available in clear for the door, and clear or frosted "silk glass" for the side panels. 800-543-1938. www.bascoshowerdoor.com.
89: Takagi |
Takagi
Specially designed for single-family homes, the T-K3-SP tankless water heater delivers efficiency in a compact design, but at a lower price point than previous models. With thermal efficiency of 80 percent for natural gas and liquid propane, and the ability to provide unlimited hot water up to 7 gpm, the T-K3-SP allows for multiple hot-water activities at once. The unit measures 13.8 inches wide, weighs 40 pounds, and can be mounted indoors or outdoors. 866-356-9190. www.takagi.com.
ClimateMaster
Tranquility 27 6-ton geothermal and water-source heat pumps use a zero-ozone-depletion refrigerant. Units feature a variable-speed motor and double-isolated compressor mounting. 405-745-6000. www.climatemaster.com.
Tiger Mountain Innovations
Rustic-looking Squak Mountain Stone slabs are made of recycled paper, cement, fly ash, and recycled glass. They come in five colors, and each piece is unique, the maker says. The product is 11/2 inches thick. 425-486-3417. www.squakmountainstone.com.
FireCrystals
For use in indoor or outdoor natural gas fireplaces, eco-friendly FireCrystals have the lowest fine-particulate emissions per unit of heat delivered, the maker says. As a direct replacement for gas or wood logs, FireCrystals emit all the beauty of a burning fire without releasing soot or ash into the environment. Their gemstone look is available in a multitude of colors that add extra interest to the application. 866-875-6615. www.firecrystals.com.
Renewed Materials
Made out of post-industrial aluminum milling scrap, Alkemi is SCS-certified and has 35 percent recycled material by weight, or 60 percent by volume. The product comes in two finishes and in a variety of colors. It can be worked like conventional solid-surface material. 301-320-0042. www.alkemi.com.
84: 3form |
3form
100 Percent countertops are made entirely from post-consumer recycled HDPE plastic-discarded milk and detergent packaging that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. The product resists UV, is entirely recyclable, and comes in four colors. 801-649-2500. www.3-form.com.
Harmonic Environments
The company's waterfalls can be fabricated in glass, stainless steel, granite, or copper; can be made in a range of shapes and textures; and can include sound, light, and color. The products are splash-free and leakproof, the company says. A manufacturer representative helps assemble the waterfalls on site. 772-223-9011. www.harmonicenvironments.com.
Everpure
The Exubera water dispenser delivers carbonated and chilled water from the tap. The unit's CO2 canister with adjustable regulator allows users to control carbonation to suit their needs, according to the maker. Water can be chilled to 40 degrees F. The product measures 16 inches high, 16 inches deep, and 10 inches wide. 800-323-7873. www.everpure.com.
LEDtronics
The series GDL002 FloodLED floodlight features low power consumption and a glare-free design that enhances night vision, according to the maker. It is available in warm white 3000K, cool white 8000K, and pure white 5500K color temperatures. The LED will operate for more than 50,000 hours, the company says. 800-579-4875. www.ledtronics.com.
Blaklader
The maker's line of work pants offers an array of features to keep each of five styles in top shape, even after heavy use. Reinforced utility pockets are easily accessible, even when squatting or kneeling, and have angled corners to keep screws and nails from getting stuck. Lightweight kneepad pockets with foam or gel inserts provide all-day comfort without constricting straps. A webbed hammer loop and detachable screwdriver pocket make tool access easy. 866-248-5452. www.blaklader.com.
79: Global Solar |
Global Solar
PowerFlex Solar Strings offer a pre-connected format for the company's flexible Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) cells, allowing manufacturers of solar products and modules (i.e., the end products installed on houses) to more easily fit thin-film cells into their manufacturing processes. The CIGS cells are made on a bendable substrate, the company explains, making it more adaptable in shape and size and thereby allowing for new and innovative designs. 520-546-6313. www.globalsolar.com.
Starrett
The ProSite CP505A-12 Combination Protractor provides fast readings for miter cuts, single cuts, compound cuts (with conversions for cutting crown molding), exact and supplemental angles, and roof-pitch references. Constructed of lightweight aluminum, the tool has scissor-action legs and easy-to-read, laser-engraved dial scales. It eliminates mathematical calculations and guesswork, the maker says. 800-541-8887. www.starrett.com.
Task Lighting
The Endure LED low-voltage undercabinet light is available in two colors (brushed nickel or black) and seven lengths ranging from 5½ to 32½ inches. It is available in white or warm white light and lasts 50,000 to 75,000 hours. 800-445-6404. www.tasklighting.com.
Dekor
The Millennium collection of LED lights offers stylish mood lighting for outdoor decks, docks, patios, and more, according to the manufacturer. The lights can be installed in floors, ceilings, or wherever accent lighting is needed. The exterior LED light kit includes all the components needed for an outdoor lighting project, including eight compact LED lights in powder-coated covers. It is available in downlight or stair light styles. 800-258-0344. www.de-kor.com.