In today’s market, the products that go into a home are more important than ever. Buyers are demanding better quality, greener design and more features for less money, and so are builders. On the following pages is a collection of new, innovative and design-oriented products to help builders save time — or keep up with the times.
Mission Stone Fireplace Surrounds
Mission Stone’s lightweight fireplace surrounds feature a layer of cast limestone cement over a Styrofoam core, giving the look and feel of solid cast stone without the weight, the price or installation requirements. A ½-in.-thick layer of limestone cement is hand cast around the foam core and subsequently hand-polished with a grinder to give it the look and feel of real cast stone. (missionstone.com)
Enerflex Radiant Barrier
Enerflex Radiant Barrier reduces heat transfer by thermal radiation across the air space between a
home’s roof and attic floor, where insulation is typically installed. All materials emit radiant heat to varying degrees based on their surface temperature. However, Enerflex Radiant Barrier will reflect up to 96% of this emitted radiant energy back toward the roof, keeping the top surface of the insulation up to 30 degrees cooler than it would have been. This redirection of heat leads to utility bill savings. (ufpi.com/product/enerflex/index.htm)
CertainTeed AirRenew
AirRenew helps clean the air by capturing VOCs, specifically formaldehyde and other aldehydes, and 
converting them into inert compounds that safely remain within the board. The product is designed to work effectively for up to 75 years. Additionally, AirRenew features M2Tech technology, which is specially engineered to provide enhanced protection against moisture and mold. (certainteed.com)
GoPro Universal Stair Bracket
The GoPro system is designed to save time and money when building stairs. The patented
pre-stamped measurements on each bracket allow the builder to screw the brackets correctly into the wood stringer the first time and without constant measuring or marking. The product reduces noise asthere is less wood-to-wood contact, and wood shrinkage in the stringer is constant. (goproconstruction.com)
Allied Moulded Products Sliderbox
Sliderbox is a full line of non-metallic adjustable outlet box wall and ceiling products designed for easy movement when wallboard thickness changes. Typical applications include ceramic tile in kitchen or bath, double drywall ceilings and undetermined baseboards. The product requires no removal or relocation of the mounting screws; simply loosen the screws a couple of turns, slide the box flush with the new wall surface and retighten. (alliedmoulded.com)
Superior Building Supplies Faux Wood Beams
Superior’s lines of Faux Wood Beams are made of polyurethane, making them lightweight (on
average, less than 15 lbs.) and easy to install. They are available in a variety of realistic-looking styles, including rustic, sandblasted, half-round logs and four-sided beams. The beams are insect-resistant and maintenance-free. (superiorbuildingsupplies.com)
Vita Nonwovens EnGuard
EnGuard is an environmentally friendly material providing long-lasting superior thermal and acoustic insulating properties. EnGuard’s low-impact manufacturing process implements recycled plastic PET bottle flake, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional insulations. Unlike other comparable materials, the process eliminates the need to add harmful chemicals, resulting in a product that is free of formaldehydes, Borates, VOCs and glass fiber irritants. (enguardinsulation.com)
Leviton SmartLockPRO GFCI
The new SmartLockPRO GFCI features a slimmer profile than traditional GFCI designs. The overall
volume of Leviton’s slim GFCI is as much as 25% less than traditional GFCIs. The slim design addresses one of the greatest challenges in GFCI installation — lack of room to maneuver and install the GFCI in the electrical box. The new slim series GFCI has all the advanced lockout features of traditional SmartLockPRO devices, with added benefits that make installation easy for electricians and experienced DIYers. (leviton.com)
Great Southern Wood YellaWood Columns
Constructed out of high-density lumber with small knots and bonded with a waterproof adhesive, YellaWood columns are engineered for structural integrity with a beautiful appearance. The wood is treated with a preservative process that is SCS-certified as an Environmentally Preferable Product. (greatsouthernwood.com)
Osmose MicroPro
MicroPro pressure treated wood is treated with micronized copper preservatives, which help protect
against termite damage and fungal decay and provide significantly improved corrosion performance. MicroPro treated wood products are U.S. building code compliant, and the treatment process is the first to be certified under Scientific Certification Systems Environmentally Preferable Product program based on Life-Cycle Assessment. (osmosewood.com)
Recycled Billboard Tarps
Repurposed Materials has taken old used billboards and remade them into heavy-duty tarps. The
result is a 20-mil. tarp that is stronger than the average 5-mil. blue tarp available today. The tarps are made of a 3-ply material with Vinyl on the outside layers and a denier polyester mesh inside. They also have a UV layer to protect them from the damaging rays of the sun. The tarps weigh 13 oz. per sq. yd. and are available in sizes ranging from 12 ft. by 24 ft., 10 ft. by 30 ft., 10 ft. by 36 ft., and 14 ft. by 48 ft. (repurposedmaterialsinc.com)
