Flex-Ability ConceptsQuick Qurve Plates make it easy to create curved walls, arches, and other architectural features. Constructed of untreated or treated OSB, the plates come in two-foot segments and are hinged with dowels instead of mechanical fasteners. Available for 2x4 or 2x6 construction, Quick Qurve plates provide a solid framework for curved designs, and wall coverings and moldings can be fastened directly to the plates to finish projects. Quick Qurve Plates won a Cool Product award at the 2009 Remodeling Show. 866.443.3539. http://www.flexabilityconcepts.com/.
Timberlake CabinetryThe Sonoma cherry Bordeaux fits with today’s popular clean, contemporary design—but with a warm, Shaker-style look that fits a transitional space. The line features adjustable concealed hinges, fulldepth drawers, and 3/4-inch-thick plywood veneer boxes and shelves. Drawers are made with dovetail joints. 800.967.9674. http://www.timberlake.com/.
ThermaTruThe Fiber-Classic Mahogany Collection of fiberglass doors is Energy Star qualified and may be eligible for federal tax credits up to $1,500. Composite top and bottom rails offer increased rot resistance, while LVL stiles improve the doors’ structural integrity. The doors’ simple lines and architectural details make the Fiber- Classic Mahogany line compatible with many styles. Doors are available with a range of decorative glass designs. 800.537.8827. http://www.thermatru.com/.
Milwaukee”Subcompact cordless tools are a fast-growing trend, and no brand has taken them further than Milwaukee’s M12 line,” report the editors from our sister publication, TOOLS OF THE TRADE, in their 2009 Editors’ Choice Awards. They selected two Milwaukee tools for specific praise: the Hackzall mini recip saw and the motorized coppertubing cutter. The Hackzall is a tiny one-handed Sawzall for making fine cuts. It fits standard recip saw blades or the line of 4-inch blades made just for it. The copper-tubing cutter is a direct replacement for a manual tubing cutter and works the same way, but its motor spins the cutter head. It cuts much faster and allows easier access to water lines parallel to a wall than a manual cutter. It works on copper tubing from 3/8 to 1 inch in diameter. 800.729.3878. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/.
TrexDealers we have talked with are impressed by Transcend decking’s ability to bridge the gap between the looks of a composite and the durability of PVC, at a price point that’s between the two. The decking is protected by a shell to offer a high-definition woodgrain pattern and improved stain and fade resistance, Trex says. Transcend features a no-sheen look and a 25-year limited fade and stain warranty. Available in four colors and two profiles, the decking also includes a modular railing system and contains 95% recycled content. It will not warp, rot, or crack, the maker adds, and spills wash off with just soap and water. 800.289.8739. http://www.trex.com/.
Group Award: Reflective RoofingHomeowners can save 7% to 15% in total cooling costs by putting products on their roofs that refl ect the sun’s rays rather than absorb them, the Cool Roof Rating Council says. Technical issues have limited them in the past to the palest of hues, forcing builders to sacrifice style for performance. That’s no longer so. Manufacturers have begun making cool roof products in vibrant hues. Tamko Lamarite Slate Composite Shingles now feature an expanded palette of five energy-saving “cool color” options that reflect the sun’s heat and satisfy the standards of the Cool Roof Rating Council. New colors include terra cotta (shown) and pale olive. Shingles are produced in widths of 5, 7, and 12 inches. 800.641.4691. http://www.tamko.com/.
Owens Corning The maker says its Duration Premium Cool asphalt roof shingles offer more vivid colors than in the past. The maker developed new solar-refl ective granules for a brighter, richer look. The products come in four color choices, are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council, and meet California Title 24 requirements. 800.438.7465. http://www.owenscorning.com/.
CertainTeed Corp. New colors for Landmark Solaris solar reflecting asphalt roofing shingles allow homeowners to have an Energy Star-qualified product that does not sacrifice curb appeal, the maker says. Solaris shingles can lower the surface temperature of a roof by up to 20% during warm months, withstand up to 130 mph wind, and meet Title 24 requirements. Four new colors are available. 800.233.8990. http://www.certainteed.com/.
OsmoseCertified as an Environmentally Preferable Product by Scientific Certification Systems, MicroPro treated lumber releases 90% to 99% less copper into aquatic and terrestrial environments than standard treated wood products, the company says. In addition, what’s released bonds to organic matter and becomes inactive, keeping it from having a toxic effect on the environment, the maker says. The product also takes less energy to create and is more concentrated than standard wood treatments, resulting in less greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing and shipping processes. These characteristics helped it win BUILDING PRODUCTS’ Green Product Award this year. 770.233.4200. http://www.osmosewood.com/.
Armstrong World IndustriesTastes in kitchen cabinetry change, but homeowners are always looking for convenient storage. The Elements line of cabinets offers a variety of storage options, including spaces for cutting boards, small appliances, and cleaning implements. Shown is the ChefCenter offering in Calibra plantation hardwood. 800.527.5903. http://www.armstrong.com/.
Empire LevelTaking the traditional level up a notch, the e100 digital level features a shockabsorbing system with dual molded end caps to help ensure accuracy under rugged conditions. It comes equipped with a backlight for illumination, an audio beeper that signals when level or plumb is reached, and a digital readout that displays degrees, percent slope, and inches/feet. The tool is available in 24- and 48-inch sizes. 800.558.0722. http://www.empirelevel.com/.
LenoxEditors at TOOLS OF THE TRADE were impressed with the performance of LENOX Gold with T2 Technology recip saw blades. “Cut through a section of cast-iron pipe” with the blades, they wrote in their 2009 Editor’s Choice Awards, and “you’ll think somebody switched it out for PVC.” According to the company, these new blades deliver the longest-lasting, fastest, and most efficient cutting performance in the industry. The products optimize the tooth shape, pattern, and set for each TPI (tooth per inch) specification. These features—along with new surface coatings—help reduce friction and heat build-up so users can achieve the lowest possible cost per cut with less effort. 800.628.3030. http://www.lenoxtools.com/.
Jeld-WenThe Juniper Door collection finds a positive use for a species that’s so scorned as invasive and waterhogging, programs have been created to remove it from areas where it is endangering plants and wildlife. The juniper interior and exterior doors sport large, swirling grain patterns and knots, along with a rich color ranging from light to deep cinnamon brown. Cracks and splits enhance the material’s rustic feel. The doors come in several designs and finishes, including the chappo finish shown here, and can be specified with distressing, hammering, and blackened antiquing. Sister publication BUILDING PRODUCTS recognized the line for its sustainability. 800.535.3936. http://www.jeld-wen.com/
Ansell LimitedSafety is one of the most important concerns on the jobsite, especially when it comes to your most important tool, your hands. The Cut Protection Glove protects hands from lacerations and abrasions that occur during construction. Made from a stretch yarn that features the strength and durability of Kevlar and steel, the Cut Protection Glove offers up to eight times more protection than other gloves, the maker says. 800.207.7017. http://www.ansellconstruction.com/.
GoldblattThe BladeRunner drywall cutter cuts both sides of a sheet at the same time, cutting one step of the usual three-step process. BladeRunner splits into two halves, each with a cutting wheel, that you place on either side of a sheet of drywall to score both sides simultaneously. It will cut up to 5/8-inch drywall. Powerful magnets hold the two cutters in line and the two halves tight to their opposite surfaces while you guide the tool along your cut line. Spring-loaded hinged legs hold the sections apart and fold in when you start a cut at the edge of a sheet, then emerge again as you reach the end of your cut. 866.562.4229. www.goldblattbladerunner.com.
