Product Picks: April 2019

CertainTeed EverNew Railing BalustersThe new aluminum balusters from CertainTeed are now available for Kingston and Oxford EverNew vinyl railing systems. The dark balusters are designed to give a more dramatic look to deck or patio areas. The contemporary, 3/4″ round aluminum baluster infill option is available to accompany all six EverNew rail colors white, almond, clay, warm spice, rustic rose and black—in 3′ and 3.5′ tall, flat or stair applications and either 6′ or 8′ lengths. The rails are routed to accept the 3/4″ round baluster, and the bottom rails feature pre-installed foam tape to prevent rattling. The new baluster is offered in rail and baluster packs and gate kits. EverNew vinyl and composite railings can be installed with any decking material. Vinyl railings are backed by a lifetime limited warranty with 5-year SureStart parts and labor protection, and composite railings are backed by a 25-year limited warranty with 2-year SureStart parts and labor protection. www.certainteed.com

Westech Building Products Forest CollectionThe new variegated-fencing profile from Westech is designed to mimic the look of real-wood fencing. The new line of 100% vinyl fencing combines the durability and low maintenance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a unique coloring process, yielding a multi-dimensional finish. Each system is tested for wind load stability, weathering performance, structural performance and code compliance, the company says. The first two colors released are Rustic Birch and Driftwood. The Rustic Birch profile has an almond base with a deep brown grain, and Driftwood is an aged grey base with dark grain. www.westechbp.com

Quickscrews Exterior Decking & Fencing ScrewThe decking and fencing screws from Quickscrews feature a square drive, flat head with nibs, Quickcutter thread, Type 17 point, with Ultra Guard finish. The Ultra Guard finish has been developed to protect the screw against the ACQ chemical treatment. This preservative, which replaced CCA in pressure treated lumber for residential use, causes standard fastener coatings to rust rapidly, the company says. www.quickscrews.com

New Fiberon colorsFiberon has introduced three new multi-chromatic colors in its Good Life collection: Bungalow, Beach House, and Tuscan Villa. Fiberon's Good Life Multi-Chromatic Collection is designed to feature an authentic look of traditional stained decking with a strong composite core that won't splinter, crack, or decay. A three-sided cap layer is said to resist staining and fading. Made with 94% recycled content and no harmful chemicals, the product does not need sanding, staining, or refinishing. Available with a 25-year stain, fade, and performance warranty. www.fiberondecking.com

DuraLife Merrimack Railing SystemThe Merrimack Railing System from DuraLife is made of a non-wood PVC composite. Available in a bright white finish, the traditional classic railing design is intended to complement any home style. Merrimack features a contoured top rail, a hidden fastening rail connection system and an optional drink rail deck board adapter allowing contractors to easily match the top of the railing to any DuraLife decking color. Designed to be easy-to-install, the deck board adapter fits securely on top of the rail, creating a flat surface for deck board installation. Available in 6′, 8′, and 10′ rail kits (36″ and 42″ heights), and 6′, and 8′ stair rail kits, Merrimack also has matching post tops that can be ordered with or without LED lighting. www.duralifedecking.com

Phantom retractable screensPhantom Screens has introduced a retractable screen for multi-panel doors, sliding, stacking, and folding glass wall systems. The screens are designed to disappear out of sight when not in use. The screens feature customized stopping points along the track and an integrated quick-release thumb latch to provide easy in-and-out access. The screen system covers doorways and openings up to 24′ wide and 10′ high. Screens are available in a variety of mesh options for insect and solar protection. Threshold adaptors are designed to fit virtually any doorway. Available in five standard colors and wood finishes: Classic White, Rideau Brown, Mineral Bronze, Anodized Silver, and Phantom Black. Screens are professionally installed by factory-trained installers, and available with a limited lifetime warranty. www.phantomscreens.com

Seljax 3D Deck softwareSeljax is launching a new 3D Deck software this spring. The software allows for the creation of deck projects in 3D imagery. The software accommodates plans for decks that are attached to a house, free-standing, ground level, wrap-around, and multi-level. Users can customize designs including deck style, shape, patterns, skirting, railing pergola and other features and accessories. 3D visualization allows users to see their exact deck to scale, zoom in for detailed perspective, look under deck, fly over top of deck, and walk around the deck's surface. The software provides modifications to formulas and users can print working drawings and estimates. www.seljax.com

Bosch 18V Connected LED Area LightBosch has introduced the GLI18V-1200C 18V Connected LED Area Light with Bluetooth. The light offers users the ability to turn the light on and off remotely, dim the light to the desired brightness, put it on a timer and even check the battery—all from the free Bosch Toolbox App. Along with the area light's protective roll cage, the tool's IP64-rated cover is resistant to dust and water damage, the company says. Plus, it has five setup positions to find the ideal angle to effectively illuminate a large work area. The light produces 1,200 lumens and is designed to be compact enough to be a carry-along area light. It also has a fade-in function, allowing the light to slowly increase to full brightness to lessen the chances of temporary "flash blindness." The light works with the rechargeable Bosch 18V system. www.boschtools.com

Tintable wood stain from Sherwin Williams’ MinwaxThe new Minwax Performance Series tintable wood stain from Minwax can be tinted in a wide variety of colors. In addition to a new 48-color palette announced along with the tintable wood stain, the product is available in custom and stain-matched hues. It is designed to be recoated in two to six hours, compared with 18 to 24 hours for conventional stains. The thicker formula has been developed to provide a long-lasting finish and causes less dripping. The new Minwax tintable wood stain is also available in a lower VOC version. www.s-w.com/minwax-performance

Boral Building Products’ Virtual Remodeler ToolThis new online tool from Boral allows pros and consumers to visualize a completed house project with Boral siding, trim, and shutters across the full palette of available colors. To use the tool, homeowners or contractors can upload a photo of an existing home or select a similar house from an online gallery. Using the program's product interface, the user then selects from Boral's siding, trim, and shutter lines, including Versetta Stone, Kleer Lumber, TruExterior Siding & Trim, and Mid-America Siding Components; the image updates in real time, revealing how the exterior will appear with each product and color selection. Virtual Remodeler offers the ability to save multiple projects. For a fee, users can have their image professionally mapped by Boral, which will increase the accuracy of the rendering's appearance. And once a finished look is chosen, Virtual Remodeler will generate a product list for easy ordering through Boral dealers and distributors. www.boralbuildingproducts.com

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Next-Gen Fast Release Locking PliersIRWIN has launched its VISE-GRIP Next-Gen Fast Release Locking Pliers designed to provide more comfort and control than the brand's prior version of locking pliers. The hand span in the open position (the position most difficult to grab and operate a locking plier) is reduced by 20% in the latest model. The pliers are designed to be more comfortable to use because the end-user is not forced to open their hands wider than their natural span. The reduced hand span also allows one-handed operation, leaving the other hand free for the user to support themselves on a ladder or while working under a vehicle. Six new models available. www.irwin.com

dassoXTR's Epic Cognac linedassoXTR's new Epic Cognac color is lighter than the company's Classic Expresso color and is available in decking, siding, soffit, and panels for all types of exterior applications. Only two decking profiles are needed for exterior decking application, the company says. A single grooved G1 plank is used as starter and ending plank and the G2 for the deck itself. All dassoXTR's deck planks also include the company's exclusive tongue-and-grooved end matched system designed to attach the planks seamlessly together. www.dassoxtr.com

MiTek ProSeriesMiTek has unveiled new packaging for its ProSeries. The ProSeries includes: MiTek Bugle Head, MiTek Washer Head, and MiTek Hex Head structural wood screws designed for use in a variety of wood-to-wood and wood-to-metal applications. These screws are designed to be used in numerous framing applications in lieu of traditional lag screws where a hex head drive is desired. MiTek Washer Head structural wood screws (exterior finish) offer an alternative to traditional lag screws. The large, flat washer head offers a low profile (for less interference) after installation. These screws are ideal for deck ledger attachments and other wood-to-wood connections. Specifically designed for multi-ply EWP and dimensional wood connections, MiTek Washer Head structural wood screws (with a yellow zinc finish) allow for one-sided connections on 2-, 3-, and 4-ply beams and truss girders. And, MiTek Bugle Head screws are available in lengths from 2-1/2″ to 10″. These screws are designed to offer a high-strength alternative to traditional lag screws. www.mitek-us.com

24″ FootingPad from AG-COA new code-compliant product from AG-CO is designed to make deck and post frame construction easier. FootingPad is a composite footer that supports load-bearing posts used in decks and post-frame buildings. FootingPad has added a 24″ diameter version to join three other sizes (10″, 12″, and 16″). This newest footer supports over 9,300 lbs per post, and is designed to be used in large buildings and in areas with high snow loads. FootingPad has been certified as code compliant (ESR 2147) by the International Code Council – Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) for Type V construction under the IRC and IBC, making it acceptable in almost any jurisdiction. www.footingpad.com

Crescent Lufkin tape measuresCrescent Lufkin Shockforce and Shockforce Nite Eye tape measures feature a patent-pending two-sided blade design and 14′ of standout. The compact design features metal "roll bars" to protect the lock button against drop impact damage, while the simulated diamond-coated end hook is said to provide 50% more hook grasp to prevent surface slippage. The dual-sided print combined with enhanced print size are designed for superior legibility for quicker measuring. The Nite Eye offers the same features, but with a high visibility green-on-matte black blade designed to be seen in any light condition. Crescent Lufkin Shockforce tape measures are available in 16′, 25′, and 35′ options. www.crescenttool.com

Deck2wall SpacersDeck2wall Spacers are polypropylene spacers designed to be installed between a deck and house. This allows water and debris to flow between the ledger and the house, promotes circulation and drying, and helps prevent rot. The spacers are designed to be easy to install, rugged, durable and non-corrosive. They are available in two sizes and were tested with a variety of bolts, lags and structural wood screws, the company says. Other applications include shade structures, fence and rail posts, stairs, landings, and more. www.deck2wallspacer.com

Contempo Collection by L.J. Smith Stair SystemsL.J. Smith now offers the new Contempo Collection of iron balusters. The iron balusters come in multifunctional styles with straight lines and open spaces. Available in either a low sheen black or matte nickel finish, the iron balusters come in four different styles: straight line, rectangular vertical feature, oblong vertical feature and ladder design. The balusters can be installed with complementary newels and rails. Within the Contempo Collection, L.J. Smith also offers a Flat Bar Baluster style that is 1/2″ x 1-1/2″ and is often used with the 1/2″ x 1/2″ straight bar baluster. With this addition to the collection came complementary flat shoes. The Flat Bar Balusters can be paired with wood newels and metal newel caps to create unique looks. The flat bar balusters and flat shoes are available in low sheen black, matte nickel, oil rubbed copper and satin black finishes. The flat shoes also come in oil-rubbed bronze for the 1/2″ x 1/2″ straight bar baluster. www.ljsmith.com

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