This is a longer version of an article that appeared in the March 2020 issue of Pro Builder.
Fiber-Cement Siding
The recently expanded Dream Collection by James Hardie (shown, above) features more than 700 available finish colors, which resist fading, discoloration, chipping, and cracking, the company says. Builders can further customize a home’s look by choosing from different sizes and textures. Made from a cementitious mix, the siding is highly resistant to impact and heavy winds, and accepts paint well.
Kitchen Garden
Natufia Labs has developed a fully automated indoor hydroponic Kitchen Garden appliance so homeowners can grow a range of herbs, vegetables, and microgreens right in their kitchens all year round without pesticides. The unit features technology that automatically maintains light, temperature, water, and pH levels for plants and optimizes all minerals, nutrients, and vitamins for the non-GMO leaves and flowers. It comes with seedpods, nursery tray, and ceramic cups. Each Kitchen Garden is Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing homeowners to connect via mobile device.
Smart-Control Faucet
Grohe’s Ladylux L2 is a sleek, minimalist kitchen faucet that has no levers or handles. Instead, users push a button for on/off control and adjust temperature with a knob. Separating the control of flow rate and temperature results in a new way of interacting with the faucet that is faster and more precise, the company says. Users may use their elbow or the back of their hand to move the on and off push valve to the front of the spout if their hands are dirty or full. Other features include magnetic docking, touch technology to start/stop water flow, and triple and dual-spray toggle controls.
Flashing Membrane
Georgia-Pacific’s new DensDefy is a self-adhering membrane that can be used to maintain continuity of the above-grade water-resistant barrier and air barrier at complicated transition points. Ideal for construction situations where gaps are greater than 1 inch, DensDefy bonds easily to most building substrates, the company says, and allows for high elongation, low-temperature application, 12-month exposure to normal weather conditions, and adhesion without primer. It’s available in rolls measuring 6, 9, and 12 inches wide.
Smart Toilet
Kohler’s Avoir is a battery-powered tankless toilet that doesn’t require access to an electrical outlet. Instead, it uses just four AA batteries to power the toilet for one year. Kohler says the unit is an excellent solution for those who love the look and design of intelligent toilets but may not have access to electrical outlets. Avoir is equipped with the company’s Readylock system for easy installation and its corrugated base template helps installers set the toilet properly in a tight space. It comes with a Quiet-Close seat and cover and full skirt for easy cleaning. Available in White, Dune, and Black (shown), the high-efficiency unit uses 1.28 gallons per flush and comes with an optional remote single-button actuator with light.
Wood Filler
DAP Premium Wood Filler with Chameleon Technology is the brand’s latest entry in the wood-filler category, offering an easy-to-use solution for protecting and rejuvenating wood surfaces. The 3-in-1 filler/sealer’s water-based formula allows users to mix stains or pigments directly into the filler in its wet state for an exact custom color match, ensuring an invisible repair, the company says.
Dual-Fuel Range
Signature Kitchen Suite’s new 36-inch dual-fuel range offers gas and induction cooking and sous vide technology in one unit. Following in the steps of the brand’s flagship 48-inch dual-fuel Pro Range, the smaller unit packs all of the same features into a smaller footprint. Complete with sous vide, induction, and gas burners, the range is designed to help home chefs achieve professional-level results, the brand says. It offers Ultra High 23,000 Btu burners and Ultra-Low simmer burners that maintain temperatures as low as 100° F, and a 6.3-cubic-foot oven with steam and convection cooking. The unit will be available in Q3 2020.
High-Efficiency Toilet
With a 0.8-gallon flush, Gerber’s new Viper toilet will save 50% more water than the national standard, the company says, and 33% more water than high-efficiency units. Other features include: a 17-inch seat height, a 2-inch fully glazed trapway, dual-fed siphon jets, 3-inch flush valve for faster water flow, and a 12-inch rough-in.
Light/Speaker Fan
The Sensonic Grille from Broan-NuTone can upgrade a bath fan in 5 minutes, the company says. The cover offers an LED light and Bluetooth speaker that allows homeowners to transform an incandescent bath fan into an efficient LED light using an existing bathroom feature. The quick-connect pass-through plug eliminates the need for extra wiring and the grille is sized to conveniently cover existing drywall.
Pop-Out Window
Marvin’s fully assembled pop-out glass unit creates additional indoor space and gives homeowners more access to light. The Skycove is suitable for a wide range of projects and is the first pop-out window of its kind in the U.S. that’s available fully constructed, the company says. Made from glass and steel, the unit features vertical framing that measures less than 3 inches, creates a near-seamless connection to the outdoors, and admits more light than traditional openings. It has an integrated bench offering 16 to 20 square feet of usable space, bottom insulation, an aluminum interior, high-density fiberglass exterior, and dual or optional triple-pane glass.
Multi-Slide Door
Jeld-Wen has added Multi-Slide Patio Doors to its Siteline product family. The Multi-Slide patio door utilizes narrow, 3-inch stiles and rails to increase the amount of glass while minimizing vertical obstructions. Designed to create large patio door openings that admit ample daylight and seamlessly connect interior and exterior spaces, the panels are available in sizes up to 60 inches wide by 108 inches tall and can be configured with up to six panels in a single direction or 12 panels in a bi-parting configuration. Door panels have a wood interior with a laminated, veneered lumber substrate and an extruded aluminum exterior.
Camera Garage Door Opener
LiftMaster has expanded its myQ-connected ecosystem of products to include an opener with an integrated smart camera. The 85503 model is the first garage door opener with a built-in wide-angle, high-definition camera, the company says. The unit also has a battery backup and Wi-Fi capability so it can be controlled using the brand’s myQ app. The built-in camera features live streaming 1,080p video, manual 360-degree rotation, motion detection, and night vision, while the audio offers live two-way communication, adjustable volume, and an adjustable microphone.
Touchscreen Deadbolt
Yale Home and LiftMaster have teamed up to create this smart Touchscreen Deadbolt. The companies say the deadbolt can be retrofitted onto existing doors to provide a keyless entry that can be unlocked remotely via smartphone. The accompanying app alerts guests to the lock’s activity, locks or unlocks the door, or shares access with up to three other users.
Combination Boiler
The Noritz residential combination boiler heats domestic hot water while also space heating the room—an industry first, according to the company. The boiler meets the standards for the highest efficiency rating by the Environmental Protection Agency, and its austenite stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers can extend the unit’s life compared with other less corrosion-resistant units, the company says.
Water Screen
LP Building Solutions has added a WeatherLogic Water Screen to its Structural Solutions portfolio. The synthetic polymer-based screen can be used with OSB and a WRB housewrap or in conjunction with an integrated panel, such as the brand’s WeatherLogic air and water barrier, to maximize the moisture protection of a homes. Lightweight and easy to install, the company says the screen resists mold and helps buildings dry out.
Access a PDF of this article in Pro Builder's March 2020 digital edition