Cambria

The Desert Collection of surfaces from Cambria reflects, according to the company, a consumer trend toward using a variety of colors on different surfaces. The Cherrybrook (shown), Fieldstone, Hazelford and Oakhampton are among the offerings — all of which feature natural quartz color and pattern variations.

For more information, visit Cambria

United Window and Door

The 5500 Brickmould window from United Window and Door doubles as a J-channel, eliminating the need for additional siding termination. The windows have a fully welded master frame, sashes and an integrated nail fin for durability and ease of installation. Three-quarter-inch insulated glass with the company's Intercept Spacer prevents seal failures and helps the windows meet or exceed Energy Star guidelines.

For more information, visit United Window and Door

Everpure

With differentiation in mind, the Everpure Exubera Carbonated Water system delivers either chilled regular water or sparkling carbonated water with the touch of a lever. The unit is installed under the sink and uses replaceable CO₂ cartridges. It can deliver 6.6 gallons of carbonated water per hour and the unit features a water port to plumb to coffee and ice makers.

For more information, visit Everpure

Aquatic

The Motif series from Aquatic is a departure from traditional tubs but eschews the antiseptic, ultra-modern look of other manufacturers. The tub features a curved edge for neck support and multiple massage jets. Five to seven new tubs will be introduced across the company's product lines by 2008.

For more information, visit Aquatic

Easy-Arch

Easy-Arch pre-formed metal framing arches reduce time and labor spent on forming arches in the field. According to the company, trade professionals can install 12 to 18 Easy-Arch arches in the time it takes to build one manually. The arches are delivered ready to install in standard sizes for 2 by 4, 2 by 6 and adjustable applications.

For more information, visit Easy-Arch

Symmons

Previously available for the bathroom and originally designed for world-class hotels, the Elements line is the latest collection of pull-out kitchen faucets from Symmons. The offerings include five new styles: Andora, Fiano, Forza, Moscato and Vella. The faucets are available in polished chrome, Radiance satin or Radiance polished brass finishes.

For more information, visit Symmons

Husky

Weighing in at a slim 10 ounces is Husky's 5-in-1 Professional's Drywall Tool. Designed to provide users with the five hand tools used most frequently when installing sheet rock or drywall, the tool measures only six inches from end to end and is constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum.

For more information, visit Husky

The Kerfkore Co.

Foamkore is a lightweight panel that features a polystyrene foam core and thin face materials with a proprietary moisture-resistant glue. The panels, made by The Kerfkore Co., can accept a variety of edging options, including edge capture, edge insert, outer edge band, edgebanding and corner post. Sizes run 4 by 8 with thicknesses ranging from ¾ to 3 inches.

For more information, visit The Kerfkore Co.

Myson

Pre-planning and installation can be a headache when it comes to HVAC renovations. Myson's T6 IVC Center-Connection Radiator is a dual-panel, double convector radiator that offers the advantages of a 2-inch central connection as well as the standard four corner connection to save remodelers time. The T6 IVC replaces baseboard up to 29 feet and delivers up to 16,036 BTUs per hour. It carries a five-year warranty.

For more information, visit Myson

York

It's all about giving homeowners options, and York's Hybrid Comfort System aims to do just that. An electric heat pump provides warmth during mild winter weather, while a gas furnace provides supplemental heat during colder days. The company says the system can contribute to big savings on utility bills, and the units may also help homeowners qualify for utility and tax incentives.

For more information, visit York

Construction Solutions

With fire safety in mind, the DBX1000M metal dryer box from Construction Solutions minimizes fire hazards by providing a recessed area in the wall for the dryer vent hose, thereby reducing the possibility of kinks in the hose, which largely contributes to fires caused by lint build-up. It also allows the gas line connection to be made within the cavity, and the box can be rotated in any direction to accommodate both upward or downward venting.

For more information, visit Construction Solutions

Rinnai

Recently certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the C98 series (also known as the 3237 series) from Rinnai is now available in both indoor and external versions. The R98i-ASME and R98e-ASME are for residential use where ASME certification is required. The units have 9.8 gallon-per-minute output at a 35-degree temperature rise.

For more information, visit Rinnai

Owens Corning

Nothing is worse than noisy ducts in the middle of the night. Owens Corning's QuietR ducts offer, according to the company, 75 percent more energy efficiency than plain sheet metal ducts. Air leaks are reduced eightfold, resulting in less sound transmission through the house, and, most importantly for some, the pops and creaks found in normal sheet metal ducts are greatly reduced.

For more information, visit Owens Corning

Coleman Heating & Air Conditioning

The Comforteer TCGD series of air conditioners with MicroChannel coil technology from Coleman Heating & Air Conditioning are made in eight 13+ SEER models. The smallest unit only measures 24 inches high by 23½ inches wide by 23½ deep and weighs only 96 pounds. The units use R-22 refrigerant and feature a standard limited warranty (five years on parts and five years on the compressor).

For FREE information, visit Coleman

Best of both worlds

It can be difficult to separate yourself from the pack selling exterior remodeling.

That's why Rembrandt Remodeling has always focused on offering products that are different from the competition, says President James B. Bishop.

"We sell fiberglass windows when the competition is selling vinyl; we have the Owens Corning basement system instead of drywall," he says.

The latest differentiator for the Marietta, Ga., company is EnergyClad, a siding system Rembrandt developed using James Hardie fiber cement.

"The idea was to offer a maintenance-free siding that had all the properties of HardiePlank," he says. "People want a siding that doesn't look like vinyl but is still something they don't have to take care of."

The system features eWrap thermal barrier behind the siding, which blocks up to 97 percent of radiant heat in both directions. The HardiePlank itself is coated with CoolWall, an acrylic coating from Textured Coatings of America. All together, the system has a lifetime warranty and reduces energy costs by up to 20 percent, Bishop says.

The company has been selling the new system for less than a year, but Rembrandt's siding business has doubled since last year, representing a little less than half of it's $8 million annual volume.

"Everybody who sees it wants it on their home," Bishop says. "The only problem we have is the high price tag, which is discouraging some people."

Bishop estimates that homeowners could buy James Hardie siding from someone else for about half of what he sells the system. The price difference stems from not only the improvements he makes during installation, but also the fact that much of Rembrandt's competition is pick-up truck contractors without the type of overhead an established company has to worry about.

For more information on Rembrandt's EnergyClad system, visit www.energyclad.com.

Sto Corp.

Cement board stucco by Sto Corp. now includes three system options: the StoQuik Silver System I for weather-protected walls and ceilings; the NExT for all-weather exposures and the NExT-Ventilated, which provides a drainage cavity. According to the company, all three systems require very little maintenance and provide impact and weather resistance.

For more information, visit Sto Corp.

Temple-Inland

Adding to its line of engineered wood siding, Temple-Inland's CypressShake lap siding combines a cypress texture with the installation simplicity of lap siding. Tagged a "hybrid product" by the company, it can be applied in horizontal courses like lap siding while featuring vertical texture like panel siding. CypressShake is available in 12-inch thickness and in one-foot wide laps and 16-foot lengths.

For more information, visit Temple-Inland

Eldorado Stone

Inspired by a customized blend developed by the company for a California community, the Cypress Ridge profile from Eldorado Stone features a combination of irregular stone shapes, multiple rustic-influenced colors and varying depths. Colors include moss-like Orchard, warm-hued Summerhouse and the warm/cold stone colors of Countryside.

For more information, visit Eldorado Stone

Alcoa

Available in 5-, 6½-, 7- and 9½-inch profiles to accent gable areas or even cover an entire home, the Cedar Discovery molded shingles from Alcoa resemble the look of hand-tooled, half-round cedar shingles. According to the company, the shingles require little maintenance and carry a warranty from the manufacturer.

For more information, visit Alcoa

Atlantis Plastics

Half-round and shingle options from Atlantis Plastics include the Cedarway. Designed with the look and feel of natural split cedar, the line comes in eight of the most popular exterior shades in two distinctive profiles. Matching accessories for maximum design flexibility are available. According to Atlantis, the product won't crack, warp, rot or split.

For more information, visit Atlantis Plastics

Buechel Stone Corp.

Veneers and manufactured stone have stolen the headlines, but the Chilton Woodlake Blend from Buechel Stone Corp. is a natural building and cladding stone that features a combination of irregular- and rectangular-shaped pieces. Colors include gray, blue, brown, lavender and mauve. The company's stone offerings are quarried and distributed nationally.

For more information, visit Buechel Stone Corp.

Alside

The Prodigy Next Generation Insulated Siding from Alside is a one-piece insulated siding system with precision-contoured insulation bonds secured to the siding panel to create an integrated system. The product's overall thickness provides an R-value of 5.0. It features a patent-pending interlocking panel design for a secure fit with no insulation gap.

For more information, visit Alside

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