Product Picks: April 2022

Simpson Strong-Tie has introduced a selection of knee brace connectors to its Outdoor Accents Avant Collection decorative hardware line. Available in two sizes to accommodate both 4x and 6x lumber, the Outdoor Accents APVKB knee brace connectors are fabricated from ZMAX galvanized steel with a black powder coat for corrosion protection against the elements. Both sizes are installed with the 3-1/2″ structural wood screw and STN22 hex-head washer, designed for ease in adding decorative flair to diagonal supports and other applications where knee brace connections are preferred or required. The knee brace connectors feature screw holes to help take the guesswork out of screw placement. strongtie.com/outdooraccents

White Paper: Achieving Growth During a Labor Shortage

Westlake Royal Building Products has added a Board & Batten siding profile to its award winning Cedar Renditions by Royal aluminum siding line. Cedar Renditions Board & Batten siding has a unique woodgrain look that can be used as an accent to enhance any exterior facade. The Board & Batten profile also complements Cedar Renditions lap siding, together with trim and accessories. In addition to offering a modern look, Cedar Renditions benefits include seamless overlapping, easy installation, 100% recyclable, moisture-proof and virtually maintenance free, and a PVDF topcoat. The product is protected by a 25-year prorated limited warranty. westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com

ODL has expanded its Blink Blinds + Glass line with a new, 7/8″ version. Featuring durable blinds sandwiched between two panes of glass, Blink 7/8 Custom provides a slim option for light and privacy control to patio doors up to 18 square feet and windows up to 12 square feet with a 7/8″ IG pocket. The design is engineered to eliminate light gaps, shadows, and sunlight glare with the unique benefit of minimal maintenance and enhanced safety for children and pets, as the enclosed blinds lack dangling cords, never need to be dusted, and will not bend or tangle like exposed blinds. The new Blink 7/8 Custom blinds are now available for dual-operator applications greater than 48″ tall, including patio doors. Blinds in 7/8-widths for single-operator applications less than 48″ tall, including windows, are also available. blinkblinds.com

MoistureShield, a division of Oldcastle APG, a CRH company, has unveiled its latest composite innovation, MoistureShield Cladding. Designed to resemble rich, natural hardwoods without the extra upkeep, MoistureShield Cladding is said to offer a durable, low maintenance finish while adding an elegant aesthetic to any exterior. Featuring MoistureShield’s proprietary Solid Core manufacturing process, the new cladding is engineered to be protected against moisture absorption, warping, rotting, and damage from insects on all four sides, which the manufacturer says ensures the resilient, color enriched composite cladding will withstand the elements, providing a natural aesthetic that doesn’t require staining or painting. MoistureShield also offers the only cladding-approved deck board rated for use in the ground, on the ground, or under water, the company says. moistureshield.com

The new LP SmartSide Outside Corners, offered in both primed and ExpertFinish, are engineered to create a sleek, polished corner look and eliminate the need to build corners during construction, which contributes to jobsite efficiency. This latest pre-finished accessory is available in cedar texture for a deep cedargrain aesthetic, and is pre-primed for exceptional paint adhesion. Additionally, LP SmartSide Outside Corner Trim is designed seamlessly to resist water intrusion or seam separation while serving a variety of design needs. It is available pre-primed or pre-finished with a curated color collection to choose from. lpcorp.com

SPAX deck joist and beam tape is designed to extend the life of wooden decks. Placed directly on the top of joists and beams, it acts as a moisture barrier. Stock is available in two widths: 1-5/8″ (4.13 cm) joist tape for joists and 3-1/4″ (8.26 cm) beam tape for all double joists and beams. SPAX deck joist and beam tape is engineered to be strong, durable, and flexible with UV resistant facer. The tape’s ridged polyethylene surface is slip resistant. It is designed to be simple to install and can apply to horizontal and vertical surfaces including all joists, double joists, beams, stair stringers, stair treads, ledger board and other surfaces. Backed by a 10-year limited warranty. SPAX deck joist and beam tape is packaged in individual 75′ rolls and in master cut-case cartons of 16 rolls for joist tape and 8 rolls for beam tape packs ready for retail shelves. spax.us

Curri is an all-in-one logistics platform developed to help LBM dealers move materials fast, reliably, and professionally. Curri created an easy-to-use interface on its last mile logistics software, which allows users to pick their priority delivery option depending on how quickly they need the service to arrive to pick up the payload. Curri’s software features: automatic dispatch management, pinpoint feature for jobsites without an address, live tracking, delivery ETAs, photo of materials at the pick-up and drop off locations, recipient name capture, live chat delivery history, delivery reports. curri.com

TurboClip Universal Hidden Deck fasteners are designed to work with all major composite deck board manufacturers, decreasing installation time and increasing builder profits. Users can just insert, drive, and snap to complete deck installation while working with a stick of 16 preloaded hidden deck clips. turboclipusa.com

PowerPro Concrete Screw Anchors from Hillman Group are engineered to cut threads into concrete, brick, and block. The patented design anchors are available in three colors and are recommended for interior and exterior projects. They can be used with a standard ANSI drill bit and, according to the manufacturer, offer 25% greater pullout values versus the competition, as well as 50% greater corrosion protection. hillmangroup.com

The new Deliverance Powered Safety Hammer is available through MAZE Nails. The air tool is designed to eliminate the need for skilled nail pounding as a solution to the construction industry’s labor shortage. Developed as an advantage over traditional pneumatic nailers, the Powered Safety Hammer can fire hundreds of different types of economical, bulk nails so that the contractor is not limited to whatever nails are in his pneumatic tool. The Powered Safety Hammer weighs just 5 lbs., yet is designed to drive long nails and spikes with ease. Each product comes in its own blow-molded case, along with accessories for both driving and extracting nails. mazenails.com

KEEN Utility’s new Birmingham is a work shoe features a breathable engineered mesh upper, designed to keep the feet cool and supported when conditions heat up. Product highlights include a lightweight, compression-resisting KEEN.ReGEN midsole engineered to return 50% more energy than standard EVA foam and a KonnectFit heel-capture system provides a secure, locked-in feel. Additionally, a 100% non-metallic construction is designed to allow for easy passage for workers who may be required to go through metal detectors on the job. Features include asymmetrical carbon fiber toes that, according to the manufacturer, are 15% lighter than steel while offering a more unobtrusive fit as well as oil and slip-resistant, non-marking rubber outsole. The Birmingham will be available in two different colorways for men. keenfootwear.com

Milwaukee Tool’s M18 tire inflator is said to be the fastest of its kind on the market, and can top off 33″ light truck tires in under a minute. Equipped with TRUEFILL Technology to provide speed and accuracy, the inflator includes an auto pressure check feature, and an automatic shut-off feature. The inflator has the versatility to save up to four PSI memory presets. When the professional consistently fill tires to the same PSI, they do not have to take the time to set the PSI target with each application. Optimized for passenger, light truck, and other medium-duty tires. milwaukeetool.com

ProVia’s FineLine weld technology uses a proprietary welding process to join vinyl window corners. ProVia’s FineLine weld technology is engineered to enhance the aesthetics of the corner without a secondary cleaning and finishing process, resulting in a neat, seamless appearance and enhanced fit and finish to Endure windows and patio doors. On woodgrain options, the FineLine weld is designed to produce a delicate, smooth line and achieve a picture-frame quality finish reminiscent of handcrafted woodworking. White, beige, and sandstone color frames and sashes can achieve a clean and subtle line, devoid of any welding slag or bulge that can mar the appearance of the sash, according to the manufacturer. ProVia uses an on-site lab to test products for air leakage, water penetration resistance, and structural integrity to ensure a premium quality window or patio door that meets or exceeds ASTM and AAMA A440 standards. provia.com

The XTREME 12V MAX Brushless Oscillating Tool (DCS353) is developed to deliver the versatility and ease for multiple work settings. The tool is designed to be compact and performance-packed with a brushless motor that delivers up to 18,000 OPM with a 3.2 degree oscillation angle. For enhanced visibility, the tool is equipped with an LED while its variable speed trigger offers professional-grade control. This XTREME 12V MAX Brushless Oscillating Tool is available this spring as a bare tool or kitted with a 12V MAX 3.0 Ah battery, two blades, a charger, and a kit bag. dewalt.com

Envision Outdoor Living Products is expanding its fastener lineup with the addition of the Pro Plug Hidden Fastening System for its Ridge Premium composite decking collection. Fluted deck boards, common among composite manufacturers, are not widely available for use with Starborn’s Pro Plug system; Envision worked directly with Starborn to develop modifications that will accommodate Ridge Premium’s fluted deck boards. The Pro Plug System for Ridge Premium includes the three components of the original Pro Plug: epoxy coated carbon steel screws or stainless steel screws; a patented PVC/Composite tool that attaches to a standard drill/driver to drive screws to the correct depth without overdriving or stripping the screw; and plugs made with Envision’s decking material for a perfect match to the deck boards. envisionoutdoorliving.com

Owens Corning Thermafiber RainBarrier Dark Mineral Wool

Owens Corning is expanding its Thermafiber RainBarrier continuous insulation portfolio with the introduction of Thermafiber RainBarrier Dark. Equipped with a fiberglass dark veil facing material that is adhesively applied and manufactured to maintain its integrity post installation, Thermafiber RainBarrier Dark is designed to help builders achieve both aesthetic and performance objectives. In installations where continuous insulation may be visible, Thermafiber RainBarrier Dark is engineered to blend into the background, supporting performance without interrupting the design ethos. The adhesively applied facing is engineered to avoid the cracking that can occur with more rigid materials. owenscorning.com/rainbarrier

Armadillo’s composite decking is designed to offer the elegance and warmth of natural hardwood in a range of colors and finishes. According to the manufacturer, Armadillo is a low-maintenance,high-performance, long-lasting deck. Armadillo composite decking is wrapped on all four sides with a polyethylene protective shell developed to create a natural wood grain finish and protect against fading, weathering, stains, mold, and mildew. armadillodeck.com

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