Top 100 Products of 2016: Exteriors

To see more top 100 products in other categories, click here.

Housewrap

Henry Co.’s Blueskin VP100 is a fully adhered peel-and-stick water-resistant membrane that works to eliminate air and moisture gaps around nails and other fasteners and creates improved insulation performance due to its sealing technology. This helps increase efficiency and reduce energy costs. The membrane also helps protect against mold by limiting moisture ingress into the building. Ideal for wood-frame construction, Blueskin VP100 is available in 100-foot lengths with widths of 4, 6, 9, 12, and 48 inches. 

Flashing Tape

Huber Engineered Woods offers an acrylic, butyl-based flashing that stretches in three dimensions. ZIP System Stretch Tape easily stretches to fit curves and corners so users can flash a sill with a single piece. Made from the same acrylic as standard ZIP System tape, it forms a strong adhesive bond at a wide range of temperatures, even with a damp substrate. 

Window & Door Sealant

ICP Adhesives and Sealants (formerly Fomo Products) has launched Handi-Foam Window & Door One-Component Polyurethane Foam Sealant (OCF), a closed-cell, low-pressure sealant to replace its Handi-Seal Window & Door OCF. The new formulation is the same gray color but offers more yield per container, better low-temperature performance, and longer shelf life. Also new is the Handi-Foam Window & Door West OCF sealant, designed for performance in high temperatures as well as low humidity. 

Spray Foam Insulation

Icynene foam spray for insulation addresses energy and retrofit needs while also helping with air sealing. ProSeal Eco is a 100 percent water-blown medium-density closed-cell spray foam insulation that contains no synthetic blowing agents. 

Smart Lock

Kwikset’s Bluetooth-enabled Kevo deadbolt, introduced in 2013, effectively turns your smartphone into an electronic key, allowing the smart lock to recognize and quickly respond to the touch of a finger. Released in 2015, Kevo Plus adds greater flexibility and customization, providing enhanced service and remote locking and unlocking from a smartphone. The technology uses multiple levels of encryption to increase digital security. 

Next-Gen Window

With an innovative keeperless hardware system, multi-point locking system, lockable vent mode, and other improvements, the Marvin Windows and Doors next-generation ultimate double-hung window combines state-of-the-art technology with legendary craftsmanship. Available in a variety of sizes. 

Interior/Exterior Caulk

Created for interior and exterior windows, doors, and siding, Quad Max caulk is matched to leading siding and window manufacturers’ color palettes. OSI claims that its caulk offers maximum durability and application performance for use in any condition—from 0°F to 140°F—and is ideal for wet-surface application. The caulk won’t shrink or bubble, is UV resistant, cures in 24 hours, is paintable one hour after application, and has a 24-month shelf life. 

Spray Foam Insulation

RHH Foam Systems manufactures low-pressure polyurethane spray-foam insulation systems that are portable and disposable: Versi-Foam two-component polyurethane spray foam insulation kits and Versi-Tite Window & Door single-component polyurethane foam sealants. Spray foam kits can be used for a variety of purposes, including insulation, air sealing, sound dampening, condensation control, caulking, and void fill. 

Polyurethane Adhesive

Sika’s extreme grab adhesive, SikaBond Ultimate Grab, is a one-component moisture-cure instant-grab polyurethane adhesive used to bond a variety of interior and exterior construction materials including bricks, glass, metal, concrete, wood, and ceramics. Ideal for vertical applications, the adhesive eliminates the need for nails and screws. Packaged in a 10.1-ounce cartridge. 

Framing System

Supplied in kits, the Simpliframe interlocking framing system consists of modular, interlocking plastic parts that can be easily assembled into a variety of configurations and used to frame a soffit, wrap a column, or support and enclose plumbing pipes or HVAC ducts. It’s cleaner and quicker than dimensional lumber and leaves a smaller profile. 

Roof Riser Hardware

The SkyLift is an alternative method for attaching patio roof framing to an existing roof. The hardware consists of a riser tube welded to a mounting bracket that is fastened to the top plate of the main house framing. After flashing the riser with a standard pipe boot, the saddle slips over the top and is bolted into position to accept the patio roof framing. The unique design chimney effect providing resistance to rain and inclement weather and removes irritants such as barbecue smoke. 

Cedar-Look Siding

Prefinished Grayne plain-sawn shingles from Tapco are made from an engineered composite but are designed to offer the look of real cedar shakes and shingles from every angle. The prefinished materials imitate natural cedar with graining, depth, and shadows. Grayne shingles are moisture-proof and maintenance-free. 

Doors and Glass

The full line of Therma-Tru entry door systems and decorative glass offers increased energy efficiency, lasting performance, and greater curb appeal and security. Decorative glass options feature all-glass bevels for premium quality, tempered low-E panels for added safety, and numerous colors, textures, and shapes to provide varying levels of privacy. 

PVC Pavilions

Homeowners adding outdoor seating or kitchens with fans and TVs can use Walpole Outdoors’ cellular PVC outdoor pavilions to provide low-maintenance structures that offer full shade and coverage from inclement weather. The material mimics natural wood, yet it won’t rot, warp, or split.