by Reid
Shalvoy
Caulks & Sealants
Speedy
Seal. One or two days is too long to wait for caulk to
dry, especially in live-in remodeling situations. DAP's Kwik
Seal 3.0 forms a tough skin quickly, the company says, making
showers and sinks fully useable within three hours. It contains
Microban to help fight stain- and odor-causing organisms. A
9.8-ounce tube costs $4.75.
DAP, 800/543-3840,
www.dap.comRemain
Flexible. Roofs are always moving, whether because of
wind, precipitation, or temperature changes. Sashco's Through
the Roof sealant remains flexible over time, says the maker,
helping to prevent cracks from forming as a result of the
movement. The clear, paintable caulk has a skin time of 30
minutes and a cure time of one week, and comes in two
applications: a gun grade in 10.5-ounce cartridges and a paint
grade in quart or gallon cans. A four-cartridge case goes for
$24 on the company's Web site. Sashco,
800/289-7290, www.sashco.com
Radon Block. According to the National
Research Council, radon exposure may be responsible for more
than 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually, making it a leading
cause of lung cancer — second only to smoking. Titebond
Radon Sealant can help keep the radioactive gas from seeping
through concrete foundations, says the manufacturer. The
product is applied to foundation cracks and joints, and around
existing coatings. Franklin International,
800/669-4583, www.titebond.com
Metal Roofing
Classic Patina. If your clients don't want
to wait years for their metal roof to take on that soft, aged
look, check out Follansbee's TCS Satin roofing. This stainless
steel substrate comes with a micro-embossed coating (made of 50
percent zinc and 50 percent tin) that gives it the appearance
of an oxidized, pure-zinc plate. The company says the coating
diffuses light (for a less reflective surface) without
affecting energy efficiency.
Follansbee Steel,
800/624-6906,
www.follansbeeroofing.comSnap-On. Standing
seam roofing can be difficult to install without a trained
metalworker on site. Petersen Aluminum is trying to change that
with its Snap-Clad panels, which come with notched eaves, ready
to install right out of the box. Held down by a hidden fastener
system that allows for thermal expansion, Snap-Clad panels
carry a UL-90 classification (meaning they can withstand winds
of up to 188 mph). They come in a multitude of colors and
sizes. Petersen Aluminum Corp., 800/722-2523,
www.pac-clad.com
Quick Tile Panels. Adding a tile roofing
system often requires structural reinforcement and a lengthy
installation. To simplify the process, Metro Roof Products has
released a lightweight roof panel with a classic Roman tile
profile. Mounted on a 50-inch-by-16-inch sheet of 26-gauge
galvanized steel, this product weighs only 1.5 pounds a square
foot. It comes in various standard and premium colors and costs
$214 a square. Metro Roof Products,
866/638-7648, www.smartroofs.com