Each month, hundreds of products hit the market. Here’s our pick of the ones to watch.
LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated OSB Sheathing
LP FlameBlock Fire-Rated OSB Sheathing is certified to meet fire code compliance. It features a proprietary non-combustible, fiberglass-reinforced Pyrotite treatment, an ignition-resistant coating that slows the effects of heat and flames. LP FlameBlock carries load/ span and shear-strength design values that the company says are equivalent to three untreated wood structural panels of the same thickness. It was developed to provide more flexibility in the design of wall openings and more options in framing and bracing to meet structural requirements, compared to panels with reduced design values. www.lpcorp.com
Simpson Strong-Tie Fence Bracket
The new, patent-pending FBFZ flat fence bracket from Simpson Strong-Tie is designed to make the connection between rails and posts simple and strong. The flat-plate design, a new addition to the fence bracket line, is fabricated for a concealed look that shows less metal and is said to make installation easier by eliminating the need for toenailing or screwing. New, bendable tabs on each end of the bracket allow slight adjustments for attaching wood rails to a post while providing a strong connection to accommodate wood expansion and contraction. The FBFZ also can be used for handrail assemblies on porches and decks that are no more than 30″ above the ground. www.strongtie.com/fbfz
JELD-WEN Vinyl Windows
Available in both single-hung and double-hung applications, JELD-WEN’s new Premium™ vinyl tilt windows are designed to incorporate multiple style elements for modern homes. The windows incorporate contemporary design elements, providing more expansive panes of glass, sleek lines and clean details in the popular tilt design. Utilizing a proprietary construction method, these windows incorporate two different types of sills, designed to provide a wind pressure and water intrusion rating higher than many similar products. Premium vinyl windows, including the new tilt products, are available with impact-rated glass for added protection in hurricaneprone regions. www.jeld-wen.com
Pre-Drilled Stair Posts and Pickets from Feeney
Compatible with all DesignRail® Aluminum Railing top rail profiles, the pre-drilled stair posts and pickets feature slotted holes that are drilled to minimize the size of openings for a clean, aesthetically pleasing look while also maintaining angle flexibility. Pre-drilled posts are available for Base Mount, Stanchion Mount and Fascia Mount configurations. Three standard angle ranges and three standard railing heights are offered, with custom angles and heights also available. Pre-drilled components include: Intermediate Post, Threaded Terminal Post (bottom of stair), Quick-Connect® Post (top of stair) and Intermediate Picket. The posts and pickets can be used with any DesignRail aluminum railing project using 1/8″ CableRail infill on stairs. www.feeneyinc.com
MI Windows & Doors 1630 Vinyl Single-Slider
The 1630 Vinyl Single-Slider window from MI Windows & Doors is designed to combine styling and quality while helping to reduce heating and cooling costs in both new construction and replacement projects. The window’s dual-pane insulated glass packages are built to offer thermal performance qualities that help lower solar heat gain when temperatures get warmer. With low maintenance and design flexibility, the 1630 single slider meets ENERGY STAR® requirements in North-Central, South-Central, and Southern climate zones. The 1630 features a slim profile designed to provide a large viewing area. Available in two- and three-lite configurations with a DP-50 option to enhance performance in coastal areas, the window is available in white, clay, or almond with beveled exterior edges, an integral pull rail, and decorative mortise recessed locks. www.miwindows.com
INCREDI-BOND® Epoxy from MiTek
MiTek’s INCREDI-BOND is said to be a high-strength, two-component epoxy specifically designed to be a bonding agent for almost all household materials including wood, steel, concrete, brick, stone, and concrete masonry block. INCREDI-BOND, which is moisture-insensitive, has a two-year shelf life when stored in unopened containers in dry conditions between 40° – 95° F. INCREDI-BOND is developed to offer over 1,000 psi bond strength in two days, an initial cure time of two hours at 75° F, and 20-minute working time. The company says INCREDI-BOND’s non-sag formulation makes it an ideal epoxy for overhead patching and repairs. www.uspconnectors.com
Versatex Shiplap Profiles
The all-new VERSATEX shiplap profiles are available in nominal 1 x 6″ and 1 x 8″, with one leg at 5/8″ and the other at 1/2″, for a ready-made 1/8″ gap. The reversible Versatex WP4 nominal 1 x 6″ profile, which retains the industrystandard V-groove effect on one side, now features a nickel-gap option on the reverse. All profiles are sold in 18′ lengths that can span up to 24″ on center in ceiling applications. They’re designed to be equally suitable for horizontal and vertical orientation on walls, and fully compatible with the reliable, easy-toinstall VERSATEX range of PVC trim elements and building materials. www.versatex.com
New U2 Universal Screw Sizes
The U2 Universal Screw™ is described as ideal for replacing old deck screws. The screw’s features work together to drive and secure the fastener in many types of materials that are used in residential construction. U2 just added 6″ x 1-1/2″ and 9″ x 1-3/4″ to the lineup. The 6″ x 1-1/2″ screw has been developed to be used for projects such as lattice, fine woodworking, thin plywood, etc. The 9″ x 1-3/4″ screw is recommended for projects such as fence boards, sub floors, and shelving. In addition, U2 says it has become one of few fastener companies that are evaluated and comply with the International Building Code and Residential Building Code for corrosion resistance and structural strength. www.u2fasteners.com
Hy-Lite Prairie and Baroque Windows
Both the Prairie and Baroque styles of windows in the Home Designer Collection by Hy-Lite are available in standard sizing of 3′ x 5′. The fixed windows feature silkscreened tempered glass with clear decorative lines on the interior. Textured privacy glass on the exterior is designed to provide seclusion. The Prairie window has a simplistic outer edge double line design that works with a variety of home styles from traditional to contemporary, while the Baroque design features a mosaic pattern said to be appealing to both modern and classic home designs. Hy-Lite offers the 3′ x 5′ windows with the options of a nail fin, nail fin with J-channel, or retrofit framing. The vinyl window frames are available in white, tan, driftwood and bronze. The frame sizes are 35.5″ x 59.5″ with a rough opening of 36″ x 60″. www.hy-lite.com
