Simpson Strong-Tie has introduced two new, longer lengths to its line of L-shaped rigid connector angle (RCA) utility clips for cold-formed steel construction. The product line extension introduces 9″ and 11″ clips to the existing lineup of 3″, 5″, and 7″ clips. RCA utility clips from Simpson Strong-Tie are available in 12-gauge, 14-gauge, and 16-gauge and feature a G90 galvanized coating designed for enhanced protection against corrosion. RCA utility clips are engineered to be easy to install, with pre-punched holes for quick and accurate fastener attachment, and can be used for a wide variety of cold-formed steel applications, including miscellaneous header/sill connections to jamb studs, jamb stud reinforcement at track, u-channel bridging, stud-blocking, bypass curtain-wall framing, and joist connections. strongtie.com/rca
The new black soffit from Royal is designed to create a distinctive accent when used in porch ceilings, eaves, and overhangs. Exterior Portfolio and Royal soffits shield roof rafters and ventilate attics, protecting homes from pests, while claiming virtually no maintenance or additional painting. The new black color soffits in the designer, traditional, and builder profiles are available in low gloss woodgrain, brush, and matte finishes. All soffit products are backed by a limited warranty and can be purchased through select distributors across the U.S. and Canada. royalbuildingproducts.com/products/soffits
New Deckorators ALX Contemporary pre-assembled aluminum railing features welded panels designed to maximize rigidity and strength. Made of heavy-gauge aluminum, the panels are said to save time on baluster installation and they come in four powder-coated colors: Textured Black, Textured White, Weathered Brown, and Bronze; Brushed Titanium is also available in pre-assembled anodized aluminum panels. ALX Contemporary railing features a rectangle top rail profile with square balusters. It comes in 36″ and 42″ heights and 6′ and 8′ on-center lengths when installed between 2-1/2″ posts. The 2-1/2″ post kits feature one-piece post trim and a leveling plate. Pre-assembled adjustable stair rail panels are also available. ALX Contemporary railing is backed by a lifetime limited warranty on manufacturing defects and powder coating, a 25-year removal-and-replacement warranty, and a 10-year saltwater applications warranty. deckorators.com/alx
IKO’s EdgeSeal, a double-sided, self-sealing adhesive starter roll is designed to bond shingles to the roof deck at the roof’s most vulnerable area—its perimeter. IKO’s EdgeSeal is designed to serve as an upgrade option for contractors, providing a higher-quality installation as well as the critical protection required to keep a roof secure during extreme weather events. Compatible with all IKO shingle lines, IKO EdgeSeal is a membrane designed for roof perimeter sealing and to be installed at both the eave and rake edges. A double-sided, self-adhering starter roll, IKO EdgeSeal’s adhesive formulation bonds to both the drip edge and/or underlayment below and the first course of the laminate asphalt/ fiberglass shingle above. iko.com
Alside has launched ASCEND Composite Cladding System, available in 20 fade-resistant colors. The system is designed to be virtually maintenance-free, and is backed by a lifetime limited warranty. The system is said to enable quicker and easier installation than that of fiber cement, engineered wood, and other composite panels as it is installed in fewer steps that do not require specialized equipment. The ASCEND Composite Cladding System features patented (GP)2 Technology which provides a class A fire rating for both flame spread and smoke, strong wind load performance, as well as impact and R-2 thermal resistance. The system requires no sealing, touching up, joint flashing or caulking. Multiple trim, window, and accessory options are available. ascendcompositecladding.com
Fiberon’s new Promenade PVC decking features enhanced streaking, premium embossing and a next-generation surface coating designed for superior weather resistance. Both grooved-and-square-edge options feature four-sided capping with streaking on the unembossed underside. A slip-resistant texture is designed to make the decking ideal for waterside applications. Promenade PVC decking is covered by a lifetime limited performance warranty and a 50-year stain and fade warranty. fiberondecking.com
American Ground Screw, Inc. says its product is the first to be certified under the International Code Council’s (ICC) acceptance criteria for screw foundation systems (AC443). American Ground Screw has been developed as a DIY ground anchoring system; the product holds posts concrete-free. With ICC certification, builders in the U.S. will be able to use the product to build foundations with a fraction of the labor, expense and environmental impact, the company says. The U-Model is 100% loadable immediately after installation, and securely holds 4×4 posts with five lag bolts, which are included. Made with hot-dipped galvanized steel to guarantee structural integrity. americangroundscrew.com
DAP has expanded its line of Power Point caulks and sealants, specifically formulated for the professional painting contractor, to include a line of high-performance acrylic urethane sealants called Power Point 300. Power Point 300 is designed to provide maximum flexibility and strong multi-material adhesion for a long-lasting, durable seal that won’t crack. It is available in a full line of 14 colors, designed to match today’s trim and siding colors. Power Point 300 is said to provide a 100% waterproof and weatherproof seal, two-hour paint ready time, easy and smooth application, low odor and water clean-up. It’s also backed by a lifetime guarantee. Power Point 300 is available in a color line that includes white, clear, off white, almond, tan, limestone, woodtone, bronze, aluminum gray, stone, redwood, redwood tan, pine green, and black. dap.com
Feeney has introduced the Quick-Connect Termination Post and 45 Degree Base Plate Cover, the newest additions to the brand’s DesignRail aluminum railing system. The Quick-Connect Termination Post for DesignRail features Feeney’s patented automatic-locking Quick-Connect fittings, which are pre-loaded into a strip that is embedded within the post and secured via a lock ring at each fitting for a low-profile aesthetic. Available for all standard DesignRail configurations with CableRail infill, the termination post comes in 36″, 38″, and 42″ heights and is compatible with Base Mount, Stanchion Mount, and Fascia Mount applications. It can be used with or without a bottom rail, and stair and newel post configurations are available. Additionally, the post will accommodate any tensioner fitting on the other end, including Feeney’s Conceal Tensioner. The post can function as a “center” post for two sets of cables on long runs of up to 140 feet (70 feet max, each side). The 45 Degree Base Plate Cover for DesignRail is a two-piece, fastener-free cover that conceals the lag screw heads and post base plate. The cover is powder-coated to match DesignRail colors, along with custom hues. feeneyinc.com
Introduced at this year’s International Builders Show, and now distributed by Cardinal Building Products, Cascadia is a stainless steel bar rail system designed to install with minimal field modification. Cascadia was developed to give builders a stainless railing product at a price closer to that of an aluminum railing system. According to the manufacturer, Cascadia is the only ICC ES-approved stainless steel bar rail system (Report #4148), making it available for acceptance by the vast majority of building departments. Cascadia features components made of A316 marine-grade stainless steel with the flexibility to accommodate a wide variety of top rail materials. agsstainless.com
FootingPad is a post foundation used in deck, post-frame and other post-in-ground structures. It is made in the U.S. of a composite material combining polypropylene and fiberglass. FootingPad has added a 20” diameter version to join four other sizes (10″, 12″, 16″ and 24″). This newest footing supports up to 6,545 lbs. per post. The International Code Council – Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) has recently certified the new 20″ as compliant to IRC and IBC code requirements. It completes a line of composite footings with load capacities for almost all applications of over 9,300 lbs. Additionally, FootingPad has developed an online footing size calculator that guides users to choose the best size FootingPad for their project. The calculator allows the user to enter data for their deck or post frame projects with output that offers the appropriate footing size. footingpad.com
CertainTeed’s next generation of Cedar Impressions siding features double 7″ 3G Straight Edge Perfection Shingles and Cedar Impressions accent panels now offered in new colors and shapes. The 3G profile is engineered to provide superior aesthetics, simplified installation and enhanced performance. New features include slanted, tapered gaps with deeper shadow, high-definition texture, and an offset corner to replicate a woven appearance. The new double course panel is designed to provide more coverage and require fewer fasteners than single course siding. Meaning, installers can easily comply with social distancing measures because fewer people are needed per job, the manufacturer says. Cedar Impressions Double 7″ 3G Straight Edge Perfection Shingles are made in the U.S., are available nationwide and come with a lifetime limited product warranty. certainteed.com
Flatwrap HP is designed to be a high performance housewrap for use in non-absorptive cladding applications or in conjunction with a rainscreen for other applications. The product is said to offer superior durability via a trilaminate polypropylene substrate. The trilaminate design protects the water hold out layer from damage during install. Flatwrap HP can be installed as an air barrier and is also breathable with an ideal perm rating between 10 and 20 perms per building science research, the manufacturer says. The product can be exposed for 120 days before cladding install and offers a gray, low-glare surface for easier install. Available in 3′, 5′, and 9′ sizes, Flatwrap HP offers a 10-year standard product warranty and a 15-year system warranty when used with one of the HydroFlash products from Benjamin Obdyke’s flashing line. benjaminobdyke.com
Chelsea Building Products has expanded its color palette for all products within the Everlast advanced composite siding system. The new colors are available in both traditional lap siding and board and batten profiles, in addition to Everlast Premium Color-Matched Trim. The expanded 15-color palette now includes Blue Spruce, Saddle Wood, Storm Grey, and Natural White. Everlast siding consists of a thick and solid composite substrate called C CORE, which is made from a composition of inorganic minerals and polymer resins. The substrate is then fused molecularly to a color-tinted acrylic capstock and embossed with an authentic cedar grain finish, designed to produce durable, natural-looking siding. Everlast siding also features warranty protection against excessive color change, peeling, flaking, cracking, rusting, blistering, and corroding. everlastsiding.com
The new Trex RainEscape Soffit Light is a directional LED downlight that installs into the ceiling below a deck drainage system on an elevated deck. Compatible with the Trex Outdoor Lighting collection and the Trex LightHub system, the product is said to be energy efficient and easy-to-install. The lights are designed for use with decks outfitted with the Trex RainEscape deck drainage system to complete the look of an under-deck ceiling and living space. Available in bronze, black, and white finishes, the new Trex RainEscape Soffit Lights are designed to use 75% less energy than standard can lights. Developed specifically for outdoor use, the components are resistant to water and salt air. The Trex RainEscape Soffit Light is backed by a limited 5-year warranty on the LED light and a 10-year warranty on the powder coating. trexrainescape.com
DEWALT’s POWER DETECT Technology is included exclusively on four new 20V MAX XR Brushless Tools. These include a 7-1/4″. Circular Saw, Reciprocating Saw, 5″ Angle Grinder, and Hammer Drill. Newly developed electronics in tools with POWER DETECT Technology can identify the battery the tool is paired with and adjust power output accordingly. This is designed for commercial contractor applications where premium power, performance, runtime, and productivity are required. The new tools also feature upgraded motors and components compared to their predecessors, and durable housings. This combined with battery pack identification included in POWER DETECT Technology, is said to provide premium capability for the professional user and continue the expansion of the cordless jobsite. dewalt.com
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