I Can’t Believe It’s Not Old. Though it appears to have been pried loose from an old barn, Heritage Timber is newly harvested FSC-certified European white oak that’s been distressed and “weathered” by hand. The T&G planks come in various widths and thicknesses and are suitable for use on floors, walls, or ceilings. They’re sold in five different patinas, all precoated with a hard-wax oil finish. Prices start at $12 per square foot. DuChateau Floors, 888/382-4283, duchateaufloors.com.
Green Bricks. Bricks and pavers from CalStar Products are made using 40 percent post-industrial recycled material (mainly fly ash), with no Portland cement and without kiln-firing, says the maker. The company says its manufacturing process consumes 50 percent to 85 percent less energy than traditional brickmaking and emits 85 percent less CO2. The products meet or exceed all industry standards and come in eight colors. For bricks, prices run from $350 to $700 per thousand, depending on size, color, and finish. Pavers cost $1.50 to $2.75 per square foot. CalStar Products, 877/700-9501, calstarproducts.com
Elegant and Efficient. Moen’s Weymouth lavatory and tub faucets combine traditional styling with modern efficiency. Design highlights include two-handle sink faucets with porcelain inlays, single-handle faucets with side-mounted levers, and oversized spouts. All fixtures are equipped with flow-optimized 1.5-gpm aerators. Matching shower trims and bath accessories like towel bars and paper holders are available. Faucets start at about $400, accessories at $60. Moen, 800/289-6636, moen.com
Compact Air Exchanger. Kubix heat- and energy-recovery ventilators are designed for condominiums and small homes. Each of the five available models can serve a living space of approximately 1,000 square feet. The units measure 16 inches on each side and feature ultra-quiet blowers, so they can be installed in a closet, the manufacturer says. Prices start at $740. Venmar Ventilation, 800/567-3855, venmar.ca
Water Saver. According to American Standard, the H2Options Toilet is the first dual-flush toilet that uses siphonic flushing action (instead of a typical washdown) to scour the bowl with push and pull motions. The fixture has a two-button actuator on top of the tank that lets users choose between a 1-gallon or 1.6-gallon flush. Prices range from $330 to $600 depending on height and bowl shape. American Standard, 800/442-1902, americanstandard.com
Better Than Sandbags. For a house that’s susceptible to flooding, the Flood Barrier Shield could spell the difference between cleanup and reconstruction. It features a removable aluminum panel that slides into pre-mounted channel brackets and seals with neoprene gaskets. The brackets can mount on the outside of the door or inside of the frame. Each unit is made to order, so custom sizes are not a problem. Costs run about $50 per square foot. Zero International, 800/635-5335, floodbarrierfordoors.com
Permeable Pavers. Belgard Environmental driveway pavers dramatically reduce rainwater runoff, says the manufacturer. Spacer bars separate adjoining stones so that joints can be filled with pervious aggregate. The concrete pavers are sold in three styles and last for 50 years, the company says. Material prices start at $2 per square foot. Oldcastle Architectural Product Group, 877/235-4273, belgard.biz
Creative Hardwood. Customers who want a distinctive hardwood floor might be interested in Earthly Elements. This engineered product comes in a range of colors (two species of wood — oak and hickory — and eight earth tones) and three sizes (12-inch squares, 12-by-24-inch rectangles, and 6-inch-wide planks), all of which can be combined in various layouts. Prices run from $8 to $10 per square foot. Mannington Mills, 800/356-6787, mannington.com
Rejuvenated Whirlpools. Aquatic has redesigned its entire line of Hydrotherapy Tubs, adding adjustable jets to deliver a more consistent massage and tweaking the plumbing to minimize water retention in the pipes. Nine models — from builder grade to high-end luxury — are available. Prices start at $1,300. Aquatic, 800/945-2726, aquaticbath.com
