Artisan Lap fiber-cement siding has deep shadow lines for the lo… Artisan Lap fiber-cement siding has deep shadow lines for the look of cedar and is manufactured with what its maker calls DuraTech technology for structural integriy. Designed for the luxury market, the product measures 5/8 inches thick and has tongue-and-groove end joints for a tight fit. Boards measure 12 feet long and come in three widths. James Hardie Building Products. 888-800-7864. www.artisanluxury.com
JetStream is a virtually invisible wireless lighting-control sys… JetStream is a virtually invisible wireless lighting-control system that is fully expandable and can be integrated with other automation products such as entertainment and security equipment. The 'out-of-the-box' system allows keypads to broadcast directly to each other without a master controller. JetStream dimmers and keypads replace existing light switches. CentraLite Systems. 877-466-5483. www.centralite.com
When a sliding pocket door is not suitable, 2610F wall-mount sli… When a sliding pocket door is not suitable, 2610F wall-mount sliding door hardware off ers another option. The hardware is surface-mounted outside the wall and is ideal for those applications when a swinging door or a pocket door isn-t feasible. No close fi tting is required, and the hardware can be readily adapted for particular installations. L. E. Johnson Products. 800-837-5664. www.johnsonhardware.com
The manufacturer says the Phoenix Solar water heater is the firs… The manufacturer says the Phoenix Solar water heater is the first of its kind to combine domestic hot-water storage with a 97 percent efficient, gas-fired backup in one unit. In addition, it provides space heating and domestic hot water in a single package. Side tappings in the jacket permit auxiliary connections to a hydro-air system for space heating. The unit incorporates a dedicated solar heat exchanger for transferring heat from solar panels to the water. Heat Transfer Products. 800-323-9651. www.htproducts.com
Need stainless steel cabinets for your grill? These cabinets can… Need stainless steel cabinets for your grill? These cabinets can be designed to meet almost any specifications, the company says. Doors come in standard appliance-grade stainless or in such offerings as fingerprint-resistant stainless steel or eight designer textures such as linen, leather grain, and diamonds. They also come in designer black, bronze, blue, and nontarnish copper. Lasertron. 954-846-8600. www.lasertrondirect.com.
Allure extruded moldings are designed to complement the manufact… Allure extruded moldings are designed to complement the manufacturer's existing line of products. Made from a polyvinyl chloride material, the products can be cut and installed just like wood and will match the company's other trim boards perfectly. The collection features nine types of standard moldings and four specialized versions. KOMA Trim Products. 800-330-2239. www.komatrimboards.com.
The StorageMaster chest has been overhauled to off er contractor… The StorageMaster chest has been overhauled to off er contractors more security at the jobsite. It now comes with a three-point latch with a Watchman IV lock system for extra security from pry bars, a Power Pass electrical pass-thru, and reinforced 7-gauge steel lock box and hinges. Knaack. 800-456-7865. www.knaack.com.
Two well-known manufacturers have joined forces to introduce Qui… Two well-known manufacturers have joined forces to introduce QuietRock Dens-Armor Plus 528, a paperless soundproof wallboard that combines the moisture- and mold-resistance of paperless DensArmor Plus with the noise reduction of QuietRock. A single layer of the panel on a single wood stud wall reduces noise by 75 percent, the companies claim. Georgia-Pacific. 800-254-5347. www.gp.com. Quiet Solution. 800-797-8159. www.quietsolution.com.
This new line of fiberglass entry doors has built-in mini-blinds… This new line of fiberglass entry doors has built-in mini-blinds to create privacy and sun shade. Sealed between tempered glass, the mini-blinds can be tilted or they may be raised completely up or down. A flush-glazed design means door panels and window frames will fi t into a modern clean look. Doors come in paintable smooth skin or an oak grain finish. Plastpro. 800-779-0561. www.plastproinc.com.
The company says its decorative metal stampings and embossed tri… The company says its decorative metal stampings and embossed trims have applications that are limited only by your imagination. Ideal for interior accents and lighting, the pieces are manufactured in copper, steel, aluminum, and brass. The Pine Bough Banding is shown here, but seven other trim designs are available. Frank Morrow. 800-556-7688. www.frankmorrow.com.
Magnet lock technology-a one-touch automatic lock-now comes stan… Magnet lock technology-a one-touch automatic lock-now comes standard on all of the company's premium vinyl slider and single-hung windows. MAG-Lock allows homeowners to use one fi nger or the side of a hand to operate and lock the windows. The magnet is fully concealed in the window profi le and will maintain its holding force even after 36,000 openings and closings, the company notes. Jeld-Wen. 800-877-9482. www.jeld-wen.com.
SmartKey cylinder technology allows builders to re-key a lock wi… SmartKey cylinder technology allows builders to re-key a lock without the expense or hassle of replacing it. Using a simple tool, the locks can be re-keyed in 30 seconds or less in three steps, the company claims. A certified ANSI grade 1 product, Smart-Key is found on the manufacturer's Signature Series. Kwikset by Black Decker. 800-327-5625. www.kwikset.com.
Fiberon Sanctuary cellular PVC decking features an acrylonitrile… Fiberon Sanctuary cellular PVC decking features an acrylonitrile styrene acrylate finish that the manufacturer says is a proven technology in the automotive industry. The result, the company says, is decking with good color retention and durability, and a resistance to mold, mildew, and stains. It's also lighter than traditional composite products. Fiber Composites. 704-463-7120. www.fifiberondecking.com.
The Masonry Wall Buck Insert is ideal for builders doing poured … The Masonry Wall Buck Insert is ideal for builders doing poured walls in a flood zone. Made of high-strength PVC, each wall buck easily accepts the company's SmartVENT foundation fl ood vent. Available in sizes to accommodate standard wall thicknesses, the fully assembled units come ready to install with wood bracing and a protective fi lm providing support and protection when the wall is poured. Smart VENT. 877-441-8368. www.smartvent.com.
Because wallmounted televisions are ubiquitous these days, the m… Because wallmounted televisions are ubiquitous these days, the manufacturer created the TV Box, a recessed, two-gang electrical unit that provides space for plugs. Measuring 13 inches wide, the non-metallic box mounts between studs and will accept two low-voltage devices or a low-voltage device and a power receptacle. The trim plate is paintable. Arlington Industries. 800-233-4717. www.aififittings.com.
Marked by sweeping curves, the Deco collection of decorative cab… Marked by sweeping curves, the Deco collection of decorative cabinet hardware recalls the industrial designs of the Roaring Twenties but should fit nicely in a modern or a traditional home. Available in a satin nickel fi nish, the products include cabinet knobs and a cup pull. Hickory Hardware. 877-556-2918. www.hickoryhardware.com.
This central vacuum system is the smartest on the market, its ma… This central vacuum system is the smartest on the market, its manufacturer says. Serenity IQS has an intuitive electronic system that displays real-time information telling homeowners how efficiently it's performing, when to check the dirt level in the collection receptacle, and when it needs servicing. It delivers 640 air watts of cleaning power and has an antimicrobial agent infused into the collection bucket. Beam Industries. 800-369-2326. www.beam.com.
Reproduced from classic weatherboard designs, this siding featur… Reproduced from classic weatherboard designs, this siding features a wide clapboard face highlighted by a distinctive bead at the base of the panel. Milled from solid PVC, the siding features a historically correct 7/16-inch profile in a 6 1/2-inch exposure. It replicates natural cedar but resists insects and moisture, and will not rot, warp, or decay. NuCedar Mills. 866-393-8883. www.nucedar.com.
Formulated with MoistureGuard technology, Resilience exterior pa… Formulated with MoistureGuard technology, Resilience exterior paint cures in about half the time of most conventional exterior paints. It can also be applied during the dewy days of spring and fall without concern that its adhesion will be compromised, the maker says. Sherwin-Williams. 800-524-5979. www.sherwin-williams.com.
Shear Brace provides the strength and support necessary to resis… Shear Brace provides the strength and support necessary to resist high winds, hurricanes, and earthquakes, the manufacturer says. Used in areas of the home where high lateral loads must be resisted, the product is made of TimberStrand LSL and is designed to accommodate large loads and remain stiff. iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. 888-453-8358. www.iLevel.com.
The Tankless Heating System combines a tankless hot water heater… The Tankless Heating System combines a tankless hot water heater with a hydronic air handler to deliver both hot water and space heating. A custom-designed pump maintains constant fl ow during operation, while a priority system temporarily shuts down the air handler during periods of high hot-water demand, preventing the unit from blowing cold air. A programmable thermostat and other accessories are available. Rinnai. 800-621-9419. www.foreverhotwater.com.
In pursuing his first LEED-certified home, some kitchen choices were obvious for designer Phil Kean. Those included 100 percent recycled drywall, Energy Star appliances, an electric induction cooktop, and rapidly renewable bamboo flooring and siding.
But Kean and company also took other inventive measures to keep it green. They specified custom cabinetry made from low-formaldehyde plywood with low-VOC stains, and they had it made locally to eliminate excess emissions from shipping. “Green was our top priority; it governed every choice we made,” Kean says.
The result is a space that feels modern and natural at the same time. Dark-stained cabinets provide high contrast against white countertops and stainless steel. But the effect is then softened with natural honey-blonde bamboo flooring, which extends onto the island, giving the island the appearance of “growing out of the floor,” Kean says. Green never looked so good.
Entrant/Builder/Designer: Phil Kean Designs, Winter Park, Fla.; Interior designer: CRT Studio, Winter Park
