When homeowners choose to remodel, they don't take their design ideas off-shore. Home renovations are neighborhood projects managed by local businesses that employ friends and neighbors right in the same communities.
At REMODELING, we love these American small businesses, the jobs they bring, and the award-winning work they do. We also want to bring plenty of attention to the same important role U.S.-based manufacturers bring to these great projects. Last year, we told you about 20 products made right here in the U.S. of A., and this year we're continuing the trend. Take a look at these 17 American-made products to give your next project a patriotic spin.
Stone Alterna-tive
Designed and printed in Pennsylvania with stone quarried and manufactured in Illinois, The Armstrong Flooring's Alterna product line is an engineered stone flooring collection. Like natural materials, Alterna is stylish and durable, but a comfortable surface makes the tiles warmer to the touch, kinder to the feet, and easier to care for than other stone flooring. Alterna is durable enough to handle kids, pets, and heavy traffic, and comes in a variety of patterns. Whispered Essence (shown) is a concrete-infused collection blending soft gray tones with irridescents. Other options recall wood, marble, and porcelain. The tiles are FloorScore certified for low-VOC emissions. armstrong.com
Smooth Rolling Shower
Addressing demand for custom style at an affordable price point, Rolaire is among Basco Shower Doors' newest semi-custom adjustable shower doors. The Rolaire ROLA-935 adjustable-width, fixed-panel sliding door combines sophisticated aesthetics and smooth rolling functionality. Available in two popular size openings, the design offers a contemporary look at a value pricepoint. Additional features include a bold 20-inch industrial-style handle, raised header design with durable stainless steel rollers, and brushed stainless steel or polished chrome finish options. bascoshowerdoors.com
Add a Custom Touch
Designers Series showers and shower pans from Idaho-based Best Bath Systems offer combine the benefits of an easy-to-install, waterproof shower with design elements other pre-formed shower panels can't offer. The showers feature custom-molded recesses on the side and/or back walls for easy addition of inlaid tile accents. Similarly, Designer Series shower pans can accommodate tile from 3/8- to 1/2-inch thick to allow design aesthetics to flow from wall to floor. Because the tile recesses are molded into the walls and pans, there's no worry about leaks. Both showers and pans are available in white, biscuit, bone, almond, and linen. Pans also feature linear trench drains for a clean, modern design. bestbath.com
Blizzard in the South
Caesarstone began production in its first U.S. manufacturing facility in May of this year. The new plant outside of Savannah, Ga., is currently producing a limited number of colors, including Blizzard. The crisp, cool white is part of the Classico collection and can serve as a neutral backdrop for any kitchen design you can dream up. Use Caesarstone as a countertop, waterfall island (shown), backsplash, or shower wall. The Georgia facility will increase the number of colors produced over the coming months. caesarstone.com
Symphony in Gray
Builders and remodelers interested in an affordable upgrade to wire shelving will be interested in ClosetMaid's new SuiteSymphony offering. Available in a sophisticated natural gray finish, SuiteSymphony is available in 16- and 25-inch towers that designers can combine to create customized closets. Optional accessories include drawers, door fronts, shoe shelving, and expandable hang rods. closetmaid.com
On Lok Down
All of FastenMaster's LOK products are made in the America. New among them is the FlatLOK multi-purpose structural wood-to-wood fastener designed as an alternative to using nails and through-bolts when attaching multi-ply LVL, dimensional beams, and girder trusses. FlatLOK requires no pre-drilling, and the flat head sits flush, making drywall and trim installation easier. Approved for single-sided installation, the FlatLOK wood screw features a Torx ttap drive system that maximizes bit fit, reducing the potential for stripping. A free Torx ttap bit is included in every box of the fasteners. The bit's stability button allows for maximum penetration into the fastener, and a wobble-free drive. Approved for ACQ-treated lumber. fastenmaster.com
Brew Your Own
GE has upgraded the popular hot water feature on its Café Series French Door refrigerator by adding a Keurig K-Cup single-cup brewer. The snap-on module helps free up counter space by eliminating large brewers and coffee makers, and is dishwasher safe. The Café Series with Keurig will be available later in 2015. geappliances.com
Trick Your Truck
The Pickup Pack custom-built work truck bed organizing system from Highway Products offers quick and easy access to contents, as well as locked security and maximum storage space for tools and cargo in pickup beds. Pickup Pack includes two full-length lockable low side boxes, a flat or domed center hitch, Headache Rack, and removable ladder rack. When closed, the hatch locks the tailgate, making the bed area secure and weather-resistant. Other features include 4,000-pound capacity, Roller Coaster cargo tray. Highway Products uses marine-grade aluminum and offers a lifetime warranty. 800toolbox.com
Waste? Not.
Recent independent testing has rated all models of Mansfield Plumbing's QuantumOne toilets with the MaP Premium designation. The six toilets in the pressure-assist high-efficiency toilet (HET) product line meet or exceed MaP requirements of being WaterSense certified, using 1.1 gallons of water per flush (GPF) or less, and moving at least 600 grams of solid waste per flush. QuantumOne toilets are available with round or elongated fronts in a range of heights including ADA sizes. The maker says four toilets in the product line move as much as 1,000 grams of waste per flush. mansfieldplumbing.com
Masonite
VistaGrande flush-glazed smooth fiberglass patio and entry doors from Masonite feature a clean, contemporary look with 18% larger more glass to allow more light into a space. When light is desired without forgoing privacy, three textured glass selections are available, along with other design options, including sidelites, simulated divided lites, integrated miniblinds, and more. Constructed from fiberglass, VistaGrande doors are available in 6-8 and 8-0 heights and a range of widths, and are designed to coordinate with the maker's Heritage doors for a complementary aesthetic throughout the house. masonite.com
Classy Tile
The UrbanPosh collection from Ragno USA offers the textural look of a classic linen suit with the durability of glazed porcelain. The collection uses 3D digital printing technology to capture the natural textural imperfections of handcrafted fabric. Available in 12-by-24-inch planks, 3-by-24-inch single bullnose, 2-by-2-inch mosaics, and mesh-mounted 12-by-12-inch modules. Four natural tones are available: white, beige, gray, and charcoal. The collection meets DCOF standards for indoor and outdoor areas, and comprises 21% pre-consumer recycled content. ragnousa.com
Steel on the Side
Available in five architectural profiles, Rollex's Seneca Variegated Steel Siding gives the appearance of cedar boards with a semi-transparent stain. Double 4-inch, double 5-inch, double 5-inch Dutch lap, and single 8-inch profiles are available, as well as a 12-inch vertical board-and-batten application. Featuring a 28-gauge, hot-dipped galvanized steel core, Seneca is finished with a Kynar topcoat that helps prevent scratching and denting from impacts like hail. The low-maintenance material is also a smart choice for fire hazard areas. A limited lifetime non-prorated warranty includes 30-year chalk and fade coverage and 50-year hail protection. The siding is guaranteed not to crack, split, blister, peel, or flake. Seneca comes in 12-foot panels, and seamless siding coil is available in matching colors for on-site fabrication of siding and trim. rollex.com
Nail It
A full 80% of Senco fasteners are manufactured in the U.S., including ProHead nails. The offset full round-head nail is a 34-degree paper taped, collated nail with an improved head design for framing and sheathing. The head is twice as robust as competitive products, the maker says, and helps prevent head-cracking for a more secure and lasting connection. Ideal applications include framing, sheathing, truss building, sub-floor, decking, and fencing. senco.com
Drywall Designs
The new Reveal 90-Degree Corner Bead from Trim-Tex lets designers add modern detailing with crisp, clean corners. The profile incorporates a 90-degree outside corner reveal and can be used with 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch drywall, creating the look of layered drywall without the added work. As both a finishing piece and a design element, the Reveal Corner Bead gives new design life to soffits and other structural elements. Pricing will vary by region, and samples are available. trim-tex.com
Designer Doors
Craftsmen at Wayne Dalton's Mt. Hope, Ohio facility often work with architects or designers to create unique and high-quality wood garage doors to match a home's structure and style. Wood doors feature quality stain-grade or paint-grade woods, including hemlock, cedar, and mahogany, or custom selections including Douglas fir, Spanish cedar, and knotty cedar. A variety of window designs, glass options, and hardware selections are available to complete the designs. Choose from several facing options or design your own. wayne-dalton.com
Saginaw in Sable
The Saginaw collection of Wolf's Classic Cabinets product line features a new dark sable color for the kitchen. The deep brown tone was added in response to design trends and dealer recommendations. Wolf Classic Cabinets are made in the United States from hand-selected American maple, and feature full 1/2-inch side and back plywood panels, 3/4-inch plywood shelves, 3/4-inch solid wood corner blocks, and dovetail drawer construction. Dark sable is available for next-truck delivery, along with other Classic Cabinets selections. wolfhomeproducts.com
Stay Dry All Summer
Zip-Up UnderDeck now offers a hurricane wind-tested finishing option for the underside of raised decks and exterior soffits. Made from lightweight PVC components, Zip-Up UnderDeck meets every Florida standard for static and cyclic load tests of hurricane-strength winds, and carries a Class A fire rating. The components are engineered to fit together easily, creating a water-tight barrier that channels water away through a gutter system. An optional hurricane rail supports the main rail when the system is installed on exterior soffits or over covered outdoor spaces. The system's panels unzip for quick access for cleaning and easy access to items that may have been dropped from above. zipupceilings.com
