Each month, hundreds of products hit the market. Here’s our pick of the ones to watch.
Available in two lengths, and designed for truss, rafter, and stud connections, the WSTS screw is developed to provide uplift resistance and lateral load resistance for the following connections: Truss-to-top-plate, rafter-to-top-plate, top-plate-to-stud, stud-to-bottom-plate. The WSTS Truss/Stud screw is tested in accordance with ICC-ES AC233 and AC13, and meets 2015 and 2018 IRC and IBC code requirements. The WSTS Truss/Stud screw offers a “reverse thread angle” on opposite ends of the screw for greater resistance to withdrawal. The WSTS Truss/Stud screw package includes an installation angle tool that makes proper installations easier. The installation angle tool is also removable so the bit can be used with or without the device. The screw comes in two lengths: 4-1/2″ for stud-to-bottom plate connections, and 6″ length for connections thru the double top plate. www.mitek-us.com
ProVia’s new Grout Color Visualizer is an online tool that enables dealers and homeowners to preview various grout color choices with selected stone styles. ProVia launched the tool to ease the burden for dealer showrooms that can’t stock the number of sample boards that would be required to demonstrate all the various options. To solve this dilemma, ProVia now offers the Grout Color Visualizer, designed to take the stress and guesswork out of selecting profiles and grout colors for manufactured stone. The Grout Color Visualizer is designed to be easy to use, the company says. Dealers can bookmark the page on the ProVia website, or, for an enhanced experience, use it on the ProVia app for iPad. www.provia.com/grout-visualizer
The Mantis hidden deck clip system is designed to install grooved composite decking. The product is said to be easy to install for the average homeowner or professional deck builder. Built to enhance the beauty of a deck by providing a safe, fastener-free surface that makes decks look like a hardwood floor, the Mantis clip system automatically spaces the deck boards 3/16″ to allow for adequate drainage. Four profiles are available to ensure a cling fit to the deck boards. The product carries a 30-year limited warranty against loose deck boards. www.panamericanscrew.com
Royal Building Products introduces Cedar Renditions as part of its Royal Design Series, a line of premium aluminum siding. Designed to feature a streamlined, modern aesthetic, Cedar Renditions is said to offer endless design possibilities for architects, designers and remodelers of residential and light commercial projects. Cedar Renditions was previously available only in Canada. Cedar Renditions is available in a 6″ profile in three traditional woodgrain colors: Amberwood, Charwood and Cedar Bark, and two premium colors: Timberline and Riverwood. Each Premium color has three distinct shades—dark, medium, light—designed to achieve a realistic and natural variegated plank look once installed. Seamless overlapping notches were developed to achieve longer length. The products are 100% recyclable and LEED compliant. Cedar Renditions siding is backed by a 25-year limited warranty. www.royalbuildingproducts.com/cedarrenditions
Derby Building Products has introduced a new color, Atlantica, as the latest addition to its Beach House Shake product line. Atlantica was developed as a soft, silvered coastal gray tone reminiscent of cottages found in a New England village. Atlantica is the fourth color in the Beach House Shake line. Other colors include Sandcastle, Hatteras, and Pacifica. Beach House Shake products feature subtle shading variations, grain textures, and saw-cuts designed to replicate the look of natural cedar. Unlike cedar shingles, Beach House Shake products will not rot, decay, crack, or split, and are impervious to moisture and insects, the company says. Designed for easy installation, the panelized shake is lightweight and can be installed using just a hammer or nail gun, allowing for one-person installation, the company says. www.beachhouseshake.com
Simpson Strong-Drive SDWS Timber SS Type 316 stainless-steel structural screws are marketed as a premium solution for construction and repair of coastal piers, boardwalks, docks and other projects that require structural fastening in extreme saltwater environments. Available in 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″ and 12″ lengths, the SDWS Timber SS features a patented SawTooth point to eliminate the predrilling and counterboring required by lag screws while providing greater load ratings than spikes without nail-pops and their associated tripping hazards, the company says. The SDWS Timber SS 316 stainless-steel structural screw complements the Strong-Drive family of fasteners. go.strongtie.com/sdwss
Sherwin-Williams’s new Moisture Vapor Barrier Interior Latex Primer/ Sealer is designed to achieve a quick- drying coating said to help reduce the loss of moisture through walls and ceilings. The new waterborne formula combines a primer and finish into a single, cost-effective solution intended to address common moisture vapor problems that can lead to costly mold and wood damage. Moisture Vapor Barrier can be top-coated with any interior latex or alkyd product in as little as two hours, the manufacturer says. The product can be applied directly to previously-painted surfaces or bare drywall, and it’s UL/GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low chemical emissions during application. www.s-w.com
Spyder Products’ new hole saws are said to be up to 10 times faster and provide up to 50 times more cuts than standard bi-metal hole saws. Their carbide- tipped teeth are designed to allow users to make clean cuts through even the toughest materials, including stainless steel, steel, cast iron, nail embedded wood, and cement fiber board. The Tarantula line features Spyder’s patented Rapid Core Eject arbor system that is engineered to eject cores instantly, without the need for tools. Tarantula hole saws are available in 3/4″ to 4-1/4″ diameters, in a six-piece kit. In addition to the six-piece kit, individual hole saws and a professional nine-piece kit will be available in the coming months. www.spyderproducts.com
Maibec Resistech siding has launched in the U.S. in partnership with Huttig Building Products. The Resistech siding line of products is built on LP SmartSide. Resistech textured shingle strips are said to work equally well as a primary or accent siding. Their sawn wood texture and varied groove spacing are designed to recreate the typical architectural styling of shingles. Resistech shingles are also free of visible defects, and come in strips for easier installation. Known as a predominant prefinished siding system specialist, Maibec is the largest producer of prefinished Eastern white cedar shingles in North America, the company says, and the leading Canadian manufacturer of prefinished wood siding, and a large supplier of cedar mulch for the Canadian and American markets. Maibec’s Resistech siding is available in six colors: Smokey Quartz, Copper Rock, Brown Opal, Carbon Grey, Pearl Grey, and Kashmir Granite. www.maibec.com
Wood Haven Inc. has introduced The Grad Clip. The new system is said to reduce install time by 50% or more for decking and siding applications. The system is designed to install faster, easier, more efficiently, and require no special tools. On decking, users are said to no longer have to be on their knees once the Grad strips are in place. No drilling at an angle or broken screws is necessary. Both Grad Clip for Siding and Soffits and the Grad Clip for Decking come complete with trim and accessories that can be custom fabricated to any design. Pre-finishing on all species is available. www.woodhavenproducts.com
Haas Door has introduced a new 900 Series impact garage door glazing options within the company’s American Tradition Series. Made of durable steel, the garage doors feature four impact window polycarbonate choices: Clear, Dark Gray, Bronze and Pebble. The American Tradition Series feature an overall thickness of 2″, CFC-free polyurethane insulation with a calculated R-value of 13.45. Overlay boards are added to maintain a traditional carriage house look. Available as single or double doors, with solid top section designs or several window options, the garage doors come in 13 solid color options plus four wood grain base options. Each color can be used as a base and/ or overlay color to give added character to the elegant garage doors. Fifteen options of insulated glass windows are offered in the line, plus eight non-insulated options. The Series 900 brings the four additional impact window polycarbonate options to the line of Clear, Dark Gray, Bronze and Pebble. www.haasdoor.com
Oldcastle APG has expanded its BIM Design Tool Library to include three of Belgard Hardscapes lines: Moduline and Aqualine pavers and Diamond Pro Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs); as well as several Westile rooftop pavers. According to Oldcastle APG, the availability of accurate and intelligent BIM objects from Belgard provides designers with essential product data, saving time during the design process. Each 3D model is compatible with the architectural design software, Autodesk Revit, and includes access to specifications, cut sheets, and other product data. www.bimsmith.com/belgard
Irion-America, manufacturer of dispensing tools and caulking gun products, has introduced the new eXcePt series product line featuring drip control caulking and sausage guns. The eXcePt series is designed for various features including a rubber-coated handle and trigger, antirust/scratch- proof barrel and built-in tip cutter. At a 19:1 thrust ratio, it is engineered to dispense materials with extreme ease and is said to be ideal for trade professionals. The adjustable drip control technology can be activated by a switch on the handle and can be turned on and off while laying a bead. Irion-America is now stocking the eXcePt series products for 310 ml or 10.5 fl. oz cartridges and sausages, and cartridges up to 600ml. www.irion-america.com
PPG has introduced PPG MACHINECOAT WB (waterborne) weathering stain for new commercial cedar shingles. The low volatile organic compound (low-VOC) stain is an alternative to traditional solvent-based PPG Machinecoat alkyd weathering stains. Whitish-gray when machine-applied to new cedar shingles, PPG Machinecoat WB weathering stain lightens over a six-to-nine-month period, gradually assuming the appearance of aged cedar that blends naturally into its surroundings. The faux- weathered appearance lasts until the cedar begins to age and fade naturally. PPG Machinecoat WB weathering stain is designed to provide a uniform, weathered appearance when applied to white cedar shingles and air-dries in approximately 30 minutes in ambient conditions. It also can be force-dried under suitable conditions. www.ppgmachineappliedcoatings.com
Milwaukee Tool’s M18 FUEL 7-1/4″ Rear Handle Circular Saw is capable of making up to 570 cuts in a 2×4 per charge. The new M18 FUEL 7-1/4″ Rear Handle Circular Saw combines three exclusive innovations—the POWERSTATE brushless motor, REDLITHIUM battery pack, and REDLINK PLUS intelligence. The brand-new POWERSTATE Brushless Motor delivers 5,800 RPM. A redesigned REDLINK PLUS Intelligence package contributes to maximum performance of the saw under load and prevents against overload and overheat. For added utility, the saw also features an LED work light to help make more accurate cuts and a multi-sized rafter hook for easy storage. www.milwaukeetool.com
Building Material Distributors, Inc. has partnered with Trespa North America to distribute the Trespa Pura NFC line of siding products. Trespa Pura NFC is a siding solution for the California and Nevada markets, both from a climate and design standpoint. It’s designed to be versatile, durable and contemporary. The siding is crafted from up to 70% natural fibers that are impregnated with thermosetting resins and features a closed surface that ensures optimum weather resistance and high UV stability. The siding is said to not need to be painted or lacquered. www.bmdusa.com/trespa
DAP’s Touch n’ Foam kits use disposable, pressurized chemical cylinders that dispense polyurethane spray foam, eliminating the need for external air compressors, pumping equipment or dry nitrogen. The 2-component foam kits from DAP are the Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 200, which provides up to 200 board feet of polyurethane spray foam that, when applied, is said to dry in 60 seconds, and the Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 comes complete with color-coded hoses, ergonomic foam applicator, and all the necessary tools to get started. The system provides up to 600 board feet of polyurethane spray foam. Designed for larger insulating projects (up to 2″ fills), sealing, patching and filling applications, the System 600 is said to provide a quick, consistent flow of foam with rapid curing (60 seconds). www.touch-n-foam.com
Marvin Modern now has more Casement and Awning products joining the Modern Multi-Slide Door and Modern Direct Glaze Window lines. The Marvin Modern line currently offers a Direct Glaze Window in rectangular and polygon shapes, a Multi-Slide Door, and casement and awning windows, which are both available in crank out and push out styles. The new Crank Out and Push Out Casements are available in sizes up to approximately 3′ wide and 9′ tall. The new Crank Out Awning is available in sizes up to 8′ wide and 8′ tall, and the Push Out Awning is available in sizes up to 4′ wide and 8′ tall. Boasting an industry-first, high- density fiberglass exterior and an aluminum interior, the products are designed to be durable and energy-efficient in demanding climates. All products achieve a low standard U-Factor of 0.28 with Low E2 and Argon gas. Available in a curated palette of ebony, bronze, anodized/silver, gunmetal and stone white, with the ability to split finishes on interior and exterior. www.marvin.com
The Bosch GSB18V-535C Hammer Drill/Driver and Bosch GSR18V-535C Drill/Driver are designed to combine advanced user control with a compact, powerful cordless tool. The tools feature Bluetooth connectivity (which connects to an optional Connectivity Tool Module) that links the tool to the free Bosch Toolbox App, which is available at the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. The app works with a mobile device to provide enhanced tool control and detailed tool usage feedback, including battery charge status. Users can customize the tool, Bosch says, which includes changing the KickBack Control sensitivity and adjusting the time the LED remains on after trigger release. www.boschtools.com
SoundBreak XP Ceiling Board is 3/4″ sound-damping drywall comprised of two pieces of high-density, mold-, mildew- and moisture-resistant gypsum board, with a specially designed PURPLE paper, laminated together with a viscoelastic polymer. It installs and finishes like traditional gypsum board and achieves GREENGUARD Gold Certification for indoor air quality. The product was developed for floor-ceiling assemblies where airborne sound such as disturbing voices and structurally transmitted sound such as second floor foot traffic is a concern. www.purpleproducts.info
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