Custom Colors. DaVinci now offers custom
color formulations for its synthetic slate and shake roofing
tiles. For an extra $1,000, customers can choose a blend of the
company’s existing colors (shown); for an extra $4,000,
they can create a totally unique custom shade. DaVinci’s
polymer roof tiles have a 50-year warranty and a Class A fire
retardant rating. DaVinci Roofscapes,
800/328-4624,
davinciroofscapes.com.
Energy-Efficient
Lights. Kichler’s new Design Pro LED rail
fixture uses four LEDs that draw a total of 24 watts of
electricity while producing as much light as a 200-watt
incandescent lamp, says the maker. Each light pivots and
rotates for flexible illumination; the LEDs allegedly last
40,000 hours. The fixture comes in two designs for $447 each.
Kichler Lighting, 866/558-5706,
kichler.com.
Rain Screen. Benjamin Obdyke’s Home
Slicker Stone and Stucco rain screen — a vertically
channeled 1/4-inch-thick fabric-covered matrix —
separates porous cladding materials from the housewrap to
provide drainage and ventilation. The fabric remains breathable
even when covered with mortar or a scratch coat. Formerly
called Mortairvent, it is sold in 200-square-foot rolls for
about $150. Benjamin Obdyke, 800/346-7655,
benjaminobdyke.com.
Square Drain. Sometimes a custom tile shower
needs something flashier than a utilitarian strainer. With
California Faucets’ Style Drains, this detail can become
an attractive focal point — and in some cases, the square
shapes might make the tile installation a little easier, too.
The company sells kits with the drain body included, or you can
buy a drain throat compatible with the drain fittings of major
brands. The chrome grid shown costs $135; bronze models cost
more. California Faucets, 800/822-8855,
calfaucets.com.
Dry Under Pressure. Tremco’s new
Tuff-n-Dri H8 foundation-wall waterproofing resists hydrostatic
head pressure down to 8 feet below grade, says the maker. The
spray-on polymer-modified asphalt emulsion is covered with a
fiberglass board that insulates the basement wall and protects
the coating during backfilling. The product costs about $1.25
to $1.50 per square foot installed. Tremco,
800/876-5624,
tuffndri.com.
Glue and Fill. Fill nail holes and gaps in
plastic trim and even glue pieces together with ITW
Devcon’s TrimBonder adhesive filler. It’s UV-stable
and waterproof, and can be painted or left its original white
color. As an adhesive, it can be used on a variety of wood,
plastic, metal, and masonry materials. It’s sold in a
nail-hole filler kit with two 50-ml cartridges and four
applicator tips for about $45, or in larger tubes or pails for
larger plastic-trim fabrication jobs. ITW
Devcon, 800/933-8266,
trimbonder.com.
Plastic
Furring. Plastic furring strips are impervious to rot,
corrosion, insect infestation, and mold growth — making
them an attractive option for basement walls and other
moisture-prone areas. Superior Polymer’s EcoStud furring
is made from 100 percent recycled plastic resin; the company
says it provides a better thermal break than steel studs and
works well with all types of insulation. A dozen 8-footers
costs $60 to $65. Superior Polymer,
877/586-5543,
superiorpolymer.com.
Flood
Protection. Like other foundation flood vents —
which are a code requirement in some coastal areas —
Smart Vent’s stainless steel Dual Function vent helps
prevent damage from storm surges. But it also provides air
ventilation; it has spring-activated louvers that open
automatically at a preset temperature. According to the
manufacturer, its floating mechanism makes it less likely than
fixed vents to become clogged with debris. Airtight insulated
models are also available, as are models for garage doors. The
Dual Function vent costs $200. Smart Vent,
877/441-8368,
smartvent.com.