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.com
Remain 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.com
Snap-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
