On January 19-21, the LBM Journal editorial team explored the showfloor at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. Our quest: the latest/greatest products and services for the new housing and remodeling industry. We weren’t disappointed. While the vast majority of products on display represented improvements on already proven products, manufacturers are serious about contributing to more efficient, better constructed homes. As always, space limitations prevent us from including everything noteworthy, please consider this a glimpse into what’s new. The listings are in no particular order.
Grayne™ Engineered Cedar Shingles from The Tapco Group
A natural-looking cedar replacement for the hardboard market, Grayne introduced 5″ plain sawn shingles in six new colors. The shingles aim to mimic the depth and shadows of an aged cedar appearance through Grayne’s proprietary coating process. Available in six colors, the new shingles bypass the three- to five-year natural cedar weathering process to deliver an aged color. An engineered composite, Grayne features a weather-resistant cap that is designed to never cup, curl, crack, split or need painting. Grayne boasts a Class 1A Fire Rating, exceeds the 170 mph wind
load rating.
Learn more: www.grayne.com
RigidCore™ Plywood from Roseburg
Roseburg’s RigidCore plywood is 100% Douglas-fir and designed to meet or exceed industrial applications such as in trucks, buses, boats, RVs, manufactured components, displays and more. The
Douglas-fir Structural I plywood features a balanced layup to provide flatter panels with more strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability. RigidCore plywood is manufactured to be ideal for CNC machining. Its 1/8″ maximum core gaps are engineered to provide better yield for CNC routers and other industrial operations. RigidCore meets or exceeds APA PA 1-09 specifications.
Learn more: www.roseburg.com
Cable Railing Panel System from Fortress
Fortress Railing Products introduces what it says is the first vertical railing panel system in the cable railing industry. Fortress’s panels arrive pre-assembled for ease of installation. Panels are constructed of 316 marine-grade stainless steel cable and components and are compatible with wood, composite, vinyl and metal posts. Fortress Railing Products offers a complete line of railing
solutions available in six categories. All Fortress rails use a coating process first used in the auto industry. The process is said to eliminate the chance of rust and corrosion.
Learn more: www.fortressrailing.com