It’s a brave new world—one in which paper has taken a back seat to pixels and mega-pixels. New technology has resulted in mobile applications that can do everything under the sun, and building products manufacturers have joined the party.
Today, there is little need to walk around the jobsite with code books. And there’s no need for catalogs when you meet with buyers and clients. Manufacturers are delivering apps that bring everything to the palm of your hand, making work easier and more convenient for contractors, and helpful for clients, too.
The following apps can be accessed by using a variety of mobile devices (Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry, depending on the platform used by the manufacturer) and can offer a raft of features ranging from design visualization and installation how-tos to building regulations. So take a look at our collection. Chances are if you have a problem, there’s an app for it.
Paint
Benjamin Moore (Apple, Android)
The Color Capture app allows users to snap a picture of a color anywhere and find its match from Benjamin Moore’s more than 3,300 paint hues. You can also save your pictures and their coordinating colors to a favorites folder. Download this App.
Sherwin-Williams (Apple, Android, Blackberry)
See a color you like and want to use it in your home? The ColorSnap app can help. It allows you to use your smartphone to capture a color that inspires you and match it to one of the company’s 1,500 paint colors. You can search, browse, adjust, save, and even share colors. Download this App.
PPG Pittsburgh Paints (Apple, Android)
The Voice of Color app allows interior designers to browse over 1,800 paint colors, quickly order 8 x 12 color swatches, photograph and match any paint color, and create and save color projects. It ties directly into the company’s Voice of Color program, an integrated design system that offers tools and materials to help users get information about color. Download this App.
Home Automation
Eaton Corp. (Apple)
Eaton’s PowerEdge mobile application provides real-time access to the company’s catalogs, videos, and training documents. Users may search for the maker’s electrical products and learn about, share, and organize information on its electrical power management solutions. Download this App.
Honeywell International (Apple, Android)
With the tap of a finger, the Total Connect 2.0 remote services app lets home buyers control their security system and receive text messages and email alerts. Users may also view live video, event-driven video clips, and pictures. Download this App.
Crestron (Apple)
Mobile Pro G uses 3G or Wi-Fi communication to keep users connected in the home, office, and on the road. You may view room and device status, select movies and music, and adjust volume, climate, lighting, and security. It talks directly to the home control system without third-party software or external servers. Download this App.
Tiles
Dal-Tile Corp. (Apple)
Inspiration Gallery is an app that offers room scenes designed to inspire creative tile installations. It offers a categorized gallery of rooms and products, room scene product information, favorite photo storage and organization, and slideshow views of selected images. Download this App.
Kitchen & Bath
BLANCO (Apple, Android)
The Silgranit II Color app allows users to coordinate the manufacturer’s Silgranit II sinks with various countertop stones. Users can pair the sinks with different countertops and evaluate the combination. You can also add your own countertop selections to the app by capturing images using your device’s camera. Favorite combinations can be added to a list and emailed to others. Download this App.
Panels
USG Corp. (Apple)
USG Solutions is for users who need complete answers for all their home improvement needs, including project how-tos, and a materials estimator for ceilings, interior panels and tiles, and flooring. It also includes the company’s product catalog with details on more than a dozen USG products. Download this App.
CertainTeed (Apple, Android, Blackberry)
Claiming to be the first building products manufacturer to release a mobile app, CertainTeed says its QR Reader simplifies product information gathering for architects, contractors, distributors, and consumers. It instantly scans and reads barcodes that allow users to view websites, videos, and technical documentation. Download this App.
APA/Engineered Wood Association (Apple)
Do your engineered-wood products conform to codes and standards? A quick check of the Product Reports app will tell you. The app provides quick links to APA documents that discuss whether engineered-wood products are up to par. Download this App.
Windows & Doors
Marvin Integrity Windows and Doors (Apple)
The window manufacturer’s Built to Perform app provides information on its Ultrex fiberglass windows and doors. Users will find reference materials such as product catalogs, presentations, case studies, videos, and a photo gallery for inspiration. Download this App.
YKK AP America (Apple)
Designed for architects, general contractors, and other design professionals, the Architectural Product Master app provides information on high-performance fenestration systems for use in commercial buildings and assists in the design and installation phases of a project. The myThermal Assistant tool calculates the energy-saving performance metrics of YKK AP products with project specific glass packages and sizes. Download this App.
Velux (Apple)
Skylight Planner allows you to visualize what your house will look like outfitted with a traditional or tubular skylight. Users may preview different sizes and configurations by positioning skylights in an image loaded from your camera gallery. You can then share the image with anyone. Download this App.
Marvin Window & Doors (Apple)
The Window Shopping app helps you plan basic designs for windows and doors. After taking a photo of an interior or exterior space, a user may choose from nearly 50 resizable photos of Marvin windows and doors, arrange them in the photo, and save or send the photo to share with a local Marvin dealer. Download this App.
HVAC
Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating (Apple)
If you’re not sure what a Mitsubishi Electric ductless comfort system will look like in your house, the meView app will let you see what you’ll get before you buy. The app allows you to take a picture of your room and then “place” one of the company’s indoor units in the room. You can reposition within the picture and scale the unit to be larger or smaller. Download this App.
A. O. Smith (Apple)
Warranty Check puts water heater warranty information in the palm of plumbers’ and contractors’ hands, allowing them to check if an A. O. Smith water heater is in warranty and when the warranty expires. Users may also view product details such as model number, series number, and date of manufacture. Download this App.
Lennox International (Apple)
Lennox Mobile gives HVAC contractors and builders complete access to the manufacturer’s residential HVAC products and dealers. It shows homeowners how to take control of their home energy costs, and it allows you or your buyers to calculate how much a Lennox heating or cooling system can save your energy costs. You can even search products or watch videos. Download this App.
Safety
Noble Canary (Apple)
The OSHA Audit app allows builders to complete a full safety audit on their iPhone. Contractors can take their phones to the jobsite and create a new guided audit—taking photos, adding notes—and email a copy of the full audit report to the agency when they’re done. The app offers complete coverage of the 29 CFR 1910 standard published by OSHA. Download this App.
Millwork
White River Hardwoods (Apple)
Elaboration is a comprehensive, 250-page product binder for the specification of hardwood moldings and architectural woodcarvings. The catalog features over 2,250 products that are organized into 13 tabbed sections, making it easy to find detailed product information. Download this App.
Cabinets
Masco Cabinetry (Apple)
The KraftMyStyle app from KraftMaid Cabinets allows home buyers to create their own style boards and design spaces. Buyers simply snap a photo, add it to the company’s library of images and KraftMaid products, then share the boards with the company’s local dealers. Download this App.
