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.
York
Soleil composite copper flashing is produced using the manufacturer's Everlam technology, which combines copper with flexible aluminum to create a lightweight, affordable product that is easy to work with, according to the maker. Soleil products include door and window flashings, sheet stock, roof valleys, roof drip edges, and gutter products. 800-551-2828. www.yorkmfg.com.
MFM Building Products
Ideal for low-slope/low-pitch roofs, versatile Peel & Seal also solves waterproofing problems around chimneys, vents, ducts, skylights, and other irregular features. Composed of a patented laminate of aluminized foil, high-density polymer film, and a thick layer of rubberized asphalt, Peel & Seal is flexible, self-sealing, and energy efficient, and will not crack or dry out from exposure, the maker says. It is available in almond, granite gray, aluminum, or white. 740-622-2645. www.mfmbp.com.
Southwest Windpower
With built-in controls and inverter, the Skystream 3.7 residential wind generator has a 1.8-kW capacity. It is designed for use on properties measuring at least .5-acre with unobstructed views and an average wind speed of 10 mph. It is 42 feet tall. 928-779-9463. www.windenergy.com.
Eaton Electrical
The company's home standby generators provide fully automatic operation that starts the generator when it detects a power outage. The unit has a permanent connection to natural gas or propane for uninterrupted power, says the firm, and a commercial-quality V-Twin engine that provides extended life, low maintenance, and easy starting. Air passages, an automotive-style exhaust system, and acoustic foam dampeners provide for quiet operation, the manufacturer adds. 800-525-2000. www.eatonelectrical.com.
WaterSaver Technologies
The Aqus reservoir uses water draining from bathroom sinks to flush toilets, saving about 10 to 20 gallons per day in a two-person household, says the maker. Simple to install or retrofit, the system creates no change in the normal operation of the lavatory sink and toilet, and it requires minimal annual maintenance, the firm adds. 502-550-1506. www.watersavertech.com.
20 Heat Transfer. |
Heat Transfer
The Phoenix solar water heater combines domestic hot-water storage with a 97-percent-efficient, gas-fired backup in one unit. In addition, the unit features side tappings in the jacket that permit auxiliary connections to a hydro-air system for space heating. Made from stainless steel, the product incorporates a dedicated solar heat exchanger. 800-323-9651. www.htproducts.com.
L.E. Johnson
Designed for applications where a sliding pocket door and a swinging door are not an option, 2610F wall-mounted sliding door hardware is surface-mounted outside the wall. No close fitting is required, and the hardware can be adapted for particular installations. The hardware can support doors weighing up to 125 pounds. 800-837-5664. www.johnsonhardware.com.
Stiebel Eltron
The Tempra Tankless on-demand Electric Water Heater eliminates the standby heat losses associated with tank systems and reduces water-heating bills by 15 percent to 20 percent, says the firm. The compact unit's microprocessor control allows exact temperature setting from 86 degrees F to 125 degrees F through a knob and a digital display. The heater has all-copper piping and heating elements. 800-582-8423. www.stiebel-eltron-usa.com.
Rinnai
The Tankless Heating System combines a tankless water heater with a hydronic air handler to deliver on-demand heat using the same source for both domestic hot water and space heating. For optimum heat output in both applications, a priority system temporarily shuts down the air handler during periods of high hot-water demand, preventing the unit from blowing cold air. 800-621-9419. www.foreverhotwater.com.
GE
Available in indoor or outdoor models, these tankless gas water heaters measure 23 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, making them ideal for small spaces, such as attics and closets. Users can choose from two flow rates: a natural-gas 7.5-gpm model or a 9.4-gpm unit available in natural gas or LP gas. By heating water only when needed, the tankless units maintain efficiency ratings of .82, compared with .53 to .62 for standard water heaters, and can save homeowners up to 25 percent on water-heating costs annually, the manufacturer says. 800-626-2000. www.ge.com.
15 Evergreen Solar. |
Evergreen Solar
ES-Series poly-crystalline solar panels feature String Ribbon wafer technology. The panel's design consists of 108 polycrystalline silicon solar cells, anti-reflective tempered solar glass, EVA encapsulant, polymer backskin, and a double-walled anodized aluminum frame. Each panel measures 37.5 by 61.8 inches and weighs 40.1 pounds. Three panel options achieve an STC maximum power rating of 180 to 195 W. 508-357-2221. www.evergreensolar.com.
Woodfold Mfg
Made of solid wood, foldable bookcase doors come in two sizes and three wood veneers, and are available with a clear lacquer finish or with custom stain or paint finishes. They ship fully assembled and have a custom hinge. The units support up to 500 pounds; a heavy-duty roller system ensures easy and smooth opening, the company says. 503-357-7181. www.woodfold.com.
Solatube
The Solar Star Conversion Kit boosts performance and lowers noise of existing attic fans. The Solar Star ventilator is powered by a 10-watt photovoltaic solar panel and features a high-performance brushless motor and five-wing injection-molded fan. The unit works continually to maintain low humidity and temperature levels, eliminate wintertime condensation, and keep attic heat from building up in the summer. It requires no electrical hookup. 888-765-2882. www.solatube.com.
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.
SunPower
SunTile roof tiles and solar panels provide a built-in look. The tile product suits S-shape and flat tile profiles; each panel measures 17 by 59 inches and achieves an STC power rating of 63 W. Panel-designed products integrate with various roof finishes, measuring 61.39 by 31.42 inches and achieving an STC maximum power rating of 210 W and a conversion efficiency of 16.9 percent per panel. The company's solar cell technology delivers up to 50 percent more power than conventional cells and converts up to 22 percent of available sunlight into electricity. 877-787-6527. www.sunpowercorp.com.
10 Kyocera. Kyocera |
A trio of KD Series solar modules uses a larger and more powerful solar cell to deliver a higher output per module and achieve an STC maximum power rating of 135 to 205 W, depending on the model, says the firm. The MyGen Grid-tie Photovoltaic Power System offers a complete package of modules, inverter, wire and lightning protection, and mounting and mechanical support that hastens installation and meets most code and utility requirements. 800-223-9580. www.kyocerasolar.com.
Sharp
Poly-crystalline modules feature a textured solar cell surface that increases light absorption and improves efficiency, while a bypass diode minimizes the power drops under shady conditions. The module achieves an STC maximum power rating of 187 W and a 12.7 percent conversion efficiency, and is designed for the company's solar racking system. Sharp's OnEnergy system offers custom designs and delivers a complete package of all components and fasteners. 800-765-2706. www.sharpusa.com/solar.
Luma Resources
This residential roof-mounted solar kit uses thin-film PV technology and consists of 60 solar shingles, a DC-AC inverter, and all flashing and fastening components. Each interlocking shingle measures 51.125 by 15.625 inches and achieves an STC maximum power rating of 31 W. The system is designed to integrate with common horizontal roof shingle layouts. 888-733-5862. www.lumaresources.com.
Lighting Science Group
The company's Edison-based LED lamps fit into traditional recessed cans and other sockets, and come in cool white as well as warm white and in narrow- and wide-beam distributions. Aluminum fins dissipate heat. The company says the lamps are more efficient than incandescents, halogens, and CFLs; their life span is eight to 25 times longer than halogens and incandescents and more than six times longer than CFLs. 877-999-5742. www.lsgc.com.
Uni-Solar
PVL-136 FlexLight is a flexible, lightweight, laminate PV panel that adheres directly to the roof finish without nullifying the roof's warranty. The panel's laminated design captures the complete solar spectrum more efficiently than traditional systems, says the manufacturer, to produce more electricity per watt; the top layer minimizes power loss when the panel is shaded. Each panel measures 216 by 151/2 inches, achieves an STC maximum power rating of 136 W, and is code-approved for use in Miami-Dade County, Fla. 248-475-0100. www.unisolar.com.
5 Sanyo. Sanyo |
HIT Series photovoltaic panels for residential, grid-connected systems feature a proprietary hybrid of single crystalline silicon surrounded by ultra-thin, amorphous silicon layers to reach greater cell and module efficiencies. Panels measure 51.2 by 35.2 inches, achieve an STC maximum power rating of 180 to 205 W, and boast conversion efficiencies up to 17.4 percent. 469-362-5600. www.us.sanyo.com/solar.
Takagi
The T-K3 tankless water heater is water efficient and space efficient. Measuring 13.8 inches wide and weighing 40 pounds, it can be recessed between two wall studs. Up to four units can be connected without needing an additional control box, giving the heater a maximum flow rate of 7 gallons per minute. It starts heating water at .5 gpm, not the usual .75 gpm, allowing users to get hot water faster at faucets with less water flow, the maker says. 866-356-9190. www.takagi.com.
Velux
Designed to replace or add to an existing water-heating system, the company's solar hot water heating system can provide up to 100 percent of the demand for hot water heating, says the firm, with typically 80 percent of hot water needs coming from free solar power. The SRCC-certified solar energy roof collectors are designed to integrate well with roof lines, the company says, and they integrate seamlessly with roof windows. 800-888-3589. www.veluxusa.com.
Ready Solar
A prefab, modular solar electric system with frame mounting, Solar in a Box is sold off the shelf for an alternative to more expensive, custom photovoltaic systems. It comes with all components for easy installation with no adjustments needed, the company says, and includes Web-based monitoring. The pre-assembled system can be customized and is compatible with any roof surface. 650-299-9854. www.readysolar.com.
Endurance Wind Power
The Endurance S-250 wind turbine can be connected directly to the power grid without the need for an inverter. It has a power rating of 5 kWh and can match the energy requirements of average U.S. households that consume up to 18,000 kWh per year, the company says. A braking system and over-speed protection stop the rotors in cases of extreme high wind or fault conditions. 888-440-4451. www.endurancewindpower.com.