By BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine Staff
The construction product Web sites that were deemed contractors’ favorites go well beyond providing builders and remodelers with basic specs and installation details. They supply the extras that can help you tackle problems and let you know which product you need before you head off to the lumberyard.
Of all the sites reviewed in this category, the Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore sites were standouts. They not only provide detailed information about each of their product lines, they also help you figure out just how much primer and paint you'll need to cover any project and answer frequently asked coatings questions. And they’re very well organized too.
Favorite Construction Product Sites
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Benjamin Moore Y Y Y N N 3 3 3 2 3 Very informative site; well organized; great specs and installation info; helpful paint chooser and calculator; color preview lets you map out different color combos; only sells non-paint items online. DuPont Tyvek N N Y N N 2 3 3 3 N Can search by alphabetical index, application, or product family; includes detailed installation instructions with photos and names of contacts in your area; takes several clicks to get into site. GE Sealants Y Y Y N N 2 3 3 3 2 Well organized; nifty toolbar on every page; installation info in helpful reference library; store locator only lists store names, not locations or phone numbers. Georgia-Pacific N Y N N N 3 3 3 2 3 Well organized; easy to navigate; detailed specs, although some better than others; useful toolbar on each page. Johns Manville N Y N N N 3 2 3 2 3 Extensive specs; very detailed diagrams and installation instructions, but only for certain products; some info cumbersome to scroll through. Olympic N N N N N 2 2 3 2 3 Nifty color selector quickly takes you through thousands of color choices; no toll-free number; confusing home page. Sherwin-Williams Y Y Y N N 3 3 2 3 3 Well organized; thorough specs; very informative FAQ section; extensive section for pros; installation info a bit tricky to find. As compared with the other favorite sites. 1=below average; 2=average; 3=above average; N=no; Y=yes Click for more Favorite 50 sites. [This article is a reprint from BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine, November/December 2001 issue.] | ||||||||||
