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Forty to Try
Our editors and writers pored
over an array of exciting new products and technologies that promise, among
other things, energy conservation, added value, efficiency, cost-savings,
and a competitive edge to builders and renovators. However, we had to limit
ourselves to presenting 40 top picks out of 345 submissions. Please note that
we haven't tested or physically reviewed many of these products, so we're
not necessarily endorsing them. We're just giving you an editorial sample
of these innovations - many of them Canadian! - for you to explore and, hopefully,
benefit from. You'll find nine additional new products in our feature articles
and another five in "Tool Talk".
DELTA®-DRY "Barrier
Wrap"
Unlike conventional house wraps, which are porous, DELTA-DRY is impervious to
air or water. A semi-rigid, heavy-duty polyethylene membrane with a unique structure
of studs and channels, it creates a protective barrier around the home when
wrapped around exterior walls with edges overlapped so that its studs interlock.
DELTA-DRY uses convective airflow, instead of diffusion through a permeable
membrane, to provide two-sided ventilation, draining, and drying of wall assemblies
to prevent moisture build-up - a solution to builders' common problem with wet
building materials. As well, its metallic silver surface reflects back approximately
60 per cent of radiant energy.
Cosella-Dorken Products Inc. www.deltadry.com
Milwaukee 3/8" Close Quarter Angle Drill
Designed to offer the performance of a standard 3/8-inch drill in a compact,
ergonomic package, the new Milwaukee Close Quarter Angle Drill is perfect for
manoeuvring around awkward angles and hard-to-reach areas. It features a 3.5-amp
motor and a metal-framed gear train, delivering significant power and providing
a more stable gear mechanism for longer life. An angled chuck and small, compact
shape offers added convenience when working in close quarters.
Other features include a large paddle trigger for easy grip and smooth control,
a chuck shield to prevent damage to surface, and an angled cord exit to keep
cord from the work area.
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation www.milwaukeetool.com
Ultraplan® Easy
What could be easier than a self-levelling underlayment for surface preparation?
Ultraplan Easy, a quick-setting HCT (High-Hydrated Cement Technology)-based
underlayment can be applied over a variety of non-profiled substrates and well-bonded
floor adhesives. It typically requires only a clean, soundly bonded substrate
before application. Ultraplan Easy can be applied from featheredge to two inches
per left, and can withstand light foot traffic two to three hours after application,
tile and stone installation after four hours, and resilient flooring installation
after 16 to 24 hours.
MAPEI www.mapei.com
Northern Roof Tiles
Who says roofs have to be just functional? Importing architectural styles from
various regions - and eras - Northern Roof Tiles are designed not only to keep
rain out, but also to contribute to a home's architectural style. The 2007 Collection
of clay roof tiles include Patrimony, made in Pontigny, France, and available
in four sized and six colours; Frontier hand-finished tiles, available in four
colours; the typically English Ashdowne style, available in seven colours; Pantiles,
modelled after roofs in lower Europe and available in three colours; Romane,
which lends a Tuscan look with its wide flat pan and tapering barrel, available
in five colours; and others.
Northern Roof Tiles www.northernrooftiles.com
The Joist Jaw
Like a second pair of hands, the Joist Jaw is the perfect accessory for a wood
framer - whether the job is a deck, roof or floor. With a couple of twists,
it clamps its target from the top and tightly holds up rafters and joists, no
longer requiring two people to do the task.
Increasing accuracy and production, the auto-levelling joist and rafter clamp
eliminates wavy framing connections and the need to measure every board. The
Joist Jaw is made of zinc-plated durable steel and can be used for 2x wood framing
(or less) and stick-built roof systems.
Grabber Construction Products www.grabberman.com
4" Dry-Cut Masonry Saw
Tile, marble granite, concrete brick... the new 4" Dry-Cut Masonry saw
smoothly cuts through the toughest materials. Designed with a powerful 11.6-amp
motor that produces a no-load speed of 11,500 rpm, the saw also features the
shortest base edge-to-blade distance in its class, making it easy to cut into
the tightest spaces. A one-touch lever adjusts the depth of cut quickly and
easily, and a dust-proof switch prevents debris from entering the tool. Despite
its durability, the Dry-Cut Masonry saw is just 8-1/8 inches long and weighs
6.2 lbs.
Hitachi Power Tools www.hitachipowertools.ca
Dunham Work Boot
With the protection of steel toes, the Dunham Contractor Collection of work
boots provides instant comfort and tough, outdoor work performance footwear.
Advanced engineering teams the New Balance Suspension System with contoured
lasts, durable materials, waterproof leathers and a wider toe. Among other features,
the 6" Hecor® + Schoeller and 6" Leather boots meet ASTM F 2413-05
M/I/75/C/75 and EH electrical hazard standards, are waterproof, and have fibreglass
shanks and polyurethane insoles.
Dunham Canada www.dunhamfits.com
Energy Block
Air infiltration around and through electrical boxes can result in both energy
loss and an increased risk of mould. The Energy Block tackles this problem.
A simple and inexpensive block of foam insulation moulded to fit perfectly around
electrical boxes, it can be installed in a couple of minutes without the need
for an electrician. Applying a bit of latex caulk around the edges and then
pressing down on the block secures it permanently in place. After sealant is
smoothed around the electrical wires, insulation can be applied, without the
need of getting it behind the electrical box; the Energy Block provides R-10
insulation.
Energy Block www.energyblock.com
TotalFlash
A fully integrated moisture control system, TotalFlash features flashing, a
stainless steel drip edge that releases moistures away from the building, end
dams, no-clog weep tabs, a termination bar, and a drainage matte that defeats
mortar and grout droppings, all in one flashing panel. Between the termination
bar and drip edge is a sheet of tough, 90 per cent open weave polyester mesh
that lets moisture move to the weep tabs.
TotalFlash comes pre-assembled as handy five-foot panels, and its pre-drilled
holes allow quick one-man installation, resulting in significant time and cost
savings.
Mortar Net USA Ltd. www.mortarnet.com
MetStar Shingles
It looks like asphalt, installs like asphalt and is even priced like asphalt,
but the new MetStar Shingle - a Canadian innovation - is actually metal. "The
World's First Stone-coated Metal Asphalt Shingle" was introduced
to Canadian roofers for the first time at the Rooftech Show in Calgary this
past June and promises to be available throughout Canada by the end of the decade.
MetStar Shingles come in Teak Brown, Clay Red, Charcoal Black and Forest Green.
BAT Group Inc. www.batgroup.ca
Safety Boot® Guardrail System
New for 2007, the VersiShield Guardrail Clamp is a simple, low-cost temporary
clamping system that allows contractors to quickly erect freestanding guardrails
on concrete pre-formed stairs without drilling or fasteners. For guardrails
on concrete decks, builders can use the SurShield(tm) Guardrail Clamp. Both
fall protection systems are easy to set up and take down, instantly reusable,
light, compact, and easily storable, which means they're handy in unexpected
situations.
SFS Safety First Systems Inc. www.safetyfirstcanada.com
GuardDog Belt-Mounted Watch
There's finally a watch designed for people who need a watch for work but who
don't like to wear anything on their wrist - or are worried about safety or
breakage. More convenient than a pocket watch, the GuardDog Belt-Mounted Watch
clips easily to a tool belt, pants belt or your front pocket. The watch face
folds forward and locks securely into a vibration-reducing Santoprene case,
keeping the watch crystal protected at all times. An oversized white dial with
luminous hands is easier to read than a cell phone.
GuardDog Watch and Clock www.guarddogwatches.com