Hard Rock. Compared with standard drywall,
ToughRock Gypsum Board is less likely to crack, sag, or absorb
moisture, the maker says. It also weighs 25 percent less and is
Greenguard-certified for low VOC emissions. The product is suitable
for interior walls and ceilings, veneer plaster base systems, and
fire-rated assemblies. A 1?2-inch-by-4-foot-by-8-foot sheet costs
about $8. Georgia-Pacific Building Products,
800/225-6119, gp.com/build
Roof Saver. Surround SR Underlayment is a
waterproof synthetic polymer that’s 40 percent lighter than
30-pound roofing felt — as well as more durable and
slip-resistant and less prone to tearing, says the maker.
It’s unaffected by moisture and has a reflective surface that
reduces heat buildup on the roof. According to the company, a
45.25-inch-by-267-foot roll covers 10 squares; the manufacturer
declined to provide pricing. Fiberweb,
615/847-7000, surroundtypar.com
Durable Doors. Nantucket Collection solid wood
exterior doors are built to withstand whatever nature throws at
them, says the manufacturer. They come in four species —
Douglas fir, mahogany, black locust, and cypress — and
feature mortise-and-tenon joinery with face-driven wood pins.
Design options include five profiles and two thicknesses (13?4
inches or 21?4 inches); glazed units contain 3?4-inch insulated
glass. Prices range from $650 for Douglas fir to $1,200 for
mahogany. Simpson Door Co., 800/746-7766, simpsondoor.com
Water Break. The Delta Footing Barrier is a
three-ply impermeable membrane that goes on top of freshly poured
footings before the foundation is built. Its purpose is to prevent
water from wicking up through the concrete and saturating the
basement walls. According to the maker, the membrane is flexible
enough to follow the contours of a keyway. It has an anti-slip
surface, a polyethylene center, and a polyester needle-punched
fabric bottom that sticks tightly to fresh concrete. It costs about
$1.20 per square foot. Cosella-D¶rken
Products, 888/433-5824, cosella-dorken.com
Sump Switch. LevelGuard is a submersible
electronic sump pump switch designed to replace a mechanical float.
Rated for up to 1?2-horsepower sump-pump applications, it mounts on
the discharge pipe and sends power to the pump through a piggyback
plug. It’s compatible with both new installations and
retrofits but won’t work with an integrated switch pump
system. According to the manufacturer, the switch will complete
more than one million cycles without failure and last seven times
as long as traditional float switches. It costs $130.
TouchSensor Technologies, 630/221-9000, levelguardproducts.com
Filter and Softener. The Kenmore Elite Hybrid
Water Softener does more than soften water and prevent scale
buildup in fixtures and appliances. It also functions as a
whole-house filter, reducing chlorine taste and providing cleaner
water to every faucet in the home, says the maker. The unit is
compatible with municipal water systems and most private wells and
features a tank design that allegedly makes it easier to pour in
salt. It’s available online for about $760. Sears
Brands, 888/536-6673, kenmore.com
One-Piece Fan. The company best-known for making
silent remote-mounted ventilation products now offers a lineup of
conventional bath fans. Fantech’s FQ Series Quiet Bath Fans
come in 80- and 110-cfm versions — with or without
fluorescent lights — and produce extremely quiet sound levels
of 0.3 sone or even lower, says the manufacturer. Prices range from
$130 to $200. Fantech, 800/747-1762, fantech.net
Simplified Rough-In. The new GrohFlex universal
valve system uses a one-size-fits-all rough-in box to serve a wide
variety of tub and shower fixtures. Because the product
accommodates so many different options, it reduces delays caused by
indecisive clients. Five “Bath Solution Kits” are
available for single- and dual-outlet applications and custom
showers; each offers three trim styles and four finishes. The
rough-in box lists for $135; trims range from $160 to $475.
Grohe America, 630/582-7711, groheamerica.com
New Double-Hungs. Hurd has added a double-hung
unit to its line of H3 windows. Like the casement, awning, and
fixed units in this midpriced collection, the new window is made
from extruded aluminum, vinyl, and solid wood, a combination meant
to balance good looks and energy efficiency, says the company. It
can be ordered with an integral nailing fin or as an insert window.
Prices for the most popular sizes start at about $270. Hurd
Windows and Doors, 800/433-4873, hurd.com
Light and Stiff. Easi-Lite gypsum board weighs up
to 30 percent less than standard gypsum board and has a
high-strength core that allows it to span 24-inch on-center ceiling
joists without sagging, says CertainTeed. The company also claims
that the material is easy to score and snap and is made with 100
percent recycled face and back paper. It’s sold in
4-foot-wide sheets in 8-, 9-, 10-, and 12-foot lengths for $7 to
$10 apiece. CertainTeed, 800/233-8990, certainteed.com/easi-lite
High-Class Mud. R-777 Premier All Purpose Ready
Mix Joint Compound may not be a household name, but its maker says
it contains less air than better-known products and yields more
working time with less tool drag. It also adheres well, shrinks
very little, and works nicely with automatic taping tools, says the
company. It comes in a 4.5-gallon pail or a 3.5-gallon box and
costs about the same as the all-purpose compounds from the big
brands. Magnum Products, 800/255-6678, magnum-products.com