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.
