The Top 100 is Pro Builder's annual recap of the building products readers wanted to know more about during the past year. From windows to water generators, these 100 products and building materials piqued reader interest for a range of reasons ... innovation, energy efficiency, time-savings, good looks, durability, and more.
This year’s Top 100 Products are grouped into 12 categories:
Click the headings below to jump to each category.
Kitchen + Bath
Products from Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens, Docking Drawer, Elias Woodwork, Kohler, LX Hausys, Moen, and Wellborn Cabinet
Appliances
Products from Bosch, Ferguson Showrooms, LG, InOvate, Signature Kitchen Suite, Thermador, Watergen, ands Whirlpool
Interiors
Products from California Closets, ClosetMaid, Glen Dimplex Americas, Halo, Kichler Lighting, and VintageView
Exteriors
Products from Daltile, DaVinci Roofscapes, Environmental StoneWorks, Fiberon, Iron Rock, Phantom Screens, ProVia, Royal Building Products, and Tamlyn
Windows + Doors
Products from Clopay Building Products, Endura Products, Jamsill, Jeld-Wen, LiftMaster, ProVia, Simpson Door, Therma-Tru, and Western Window Systems
Walls + Floors
Products from Country Wood Flooring, Cultured Stone, Thermory, and UFP-Edge
Structural + Building Envelope
Products from DuPont, Fi-Foil Co., Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, Huber Engineered Woods, LP Building Products, Simpson Strong-Tie, Typar, Viewrail, and West Fraser
Construction
Products from DeWalt, Festool, Ford Motor Co., Google, Kab, Nisus, Protective Products, and Trim-Tex
Design
Products from Chief Architect and SoftPlan
HVAC
Products from Aprilaire, Broan, LG, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, and Trane Technologies
Plumbing
Products from Omega Flex, SharkBite, Uponor, and Woodford Manufacturing
Mechanical + Electrical
Products from Eaton, Garaventa Lift, InOvate, LG Solar, Savaria, and Seiho
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFO: To get more information about a particular product in the Top 100, click one of the product links at the end of the product description, select July/August 2021 from the dropdown menu, and scroll down to select the products you want to learn more about, then click continue.
Kitchen + Bath
Quartz surfacing / LX Hausys
Viatera quartz surfaces from LX Hausys combine superior strength, low maintenance, and sustainability in nearly 50 styles, ranging from classic Calacatta marble to concrete look-alikes. Viatera is Greenguard and National Sanitation Foundation certified for its eco-friendly manufacturing process and use of
sustainable materials.
Cabinets / Wellborn Cabinet
Made in Alabama since 1961, Wellborn Cabinet products are the culmination of 60 years’ experience in high-quality craftsmanship. Wellborn offers six product lines, including custom options, with five different door styles, eight materials to choose from, and six door construction options.
Kitchen faucets / Kohler
Kohler’s Crue Collection of kitchen faucets marries clean aesthetics with ultimate performance. The faucet features a three-function pull-down spray with a sweep spray option and boost technology, and its high arch offers 360-degree rotation. Kohler says this allows for plenty of vertical clearance when filling tall vessels.
Outdoor cabinets / Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens
Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens' Elements line of outdoor kitchens is a collaboration with Daniel Germani Designs that features a minimalist look to complement contemporary-style homes. The modular cabinets are available in a range of solid colors (Clementine, shown), as well as wood grains and industrial-inspired finishes.
Bathroom vanities / Wellborn Cabinet
The Elegant Bath collection by Wellborn offers a selection of preconfigured vanity styles to simplify specifying a vanity. The collection includes small and large vanities, linen cabinets, matching mirrors, and other bathroom storage cabinets in modern, transitional, traditional, curved, furniture, corner, and classic styles.
Bathroom fixtures / Kohler
Kohler offers a range of fixtures and fittings for the bath, including toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, and faucets in a variety of styles and finishes, as well as the DTV+ showering system with Kohler Konnect for a personalized bathing experience.
Cabinet boxes / Elias Woodwork
The manufacturer’s AOS Elite cabinet boxes are custom made down to 1/16-inch tolerances with three-to-four-week lead times. Units are flat-packed for shipping and assembled on site with all of the drawers, doors, and accessories.
Faucet technology / Moen
Moen’s MotionSense wave technology turns the water on and off with a simple wave of the hand. The faucet’s hands-free operation minimizes the spread of dirt and germs to food and surfaces and enables more kitchen tasks to be completed faster and more safely.
In-drawer outlet / Docking Drawer
The company’s latest release charges and powers any type of device while its smaller frame fits easily into any cabinet. Docking Drawer’s in-drawer outlets come in a variety of sizes, finishes, outlet configurations, and price points.
Cabinets / Elias Woodwork
Elias Woodwork makes it easy to replace existing cabinets or reface existing cabinet boxes. The company offers custom boxes and color matching, doors, drawer fronts, inserts, and pullouts. Cabinets are available in wood, thermofoil, laminate, or acrylic in an array of styles.
Frameless cabinets / Wellborn Cabinet
Wellborn’s Aspire line of frameless cabinets offers clean lines, crisp edges, and modern European style in a range of door styles, including wood, laminate veneers, aluminum, and high-gloss or matte acrylic.
Appliances
Connected kitchen / Bosch
Bosch offers a full suite of connected kitchen appliances ranging from industrial-style ranges and range tops to refrigerators with QuickIcePro technology. Any Bosch appliance can be customized to meet specific design needs while receiving dedicated project support from the company.
Steam clothing care / LG
LG’s 24-inch Styler, a steam clothing care system, refreshes clothing between dry cleanings, reduces odors, and is safe to use on more than 15 fabrics, including wool, sequins, and linens. It can be controlled by a smartphone app and can work in as little as 20 minutes.
Dryer duct box / InOvate
The Dryerbox system by InOvate helps maximize space in the laundry by recessing transition-hose connections into the wall, allowing the dryer to be pushed farther back, which opens up more space while protecting the ducting.
Fresh water / Watergen
By creating up to 8 gallons of fresh drinking water from the surrounding air, the Watergen Home Drinking Water Generator eliminates the need for carbon-intensive supply chains and the environmentally harmful plastic waste created by bottled water. The unit requires only a standard household outlet—no plumbing or external water supply is needed.
Luxury kitchen appliances / Signature Kitchen Suite
The Signature Kitchen Suite portfolio of luxury, built-in appliances, offers a blend of innovation, precision, and purposeful design for today’s passionate Technicurean home chef. (Shown: 36-inch flex induction cooktop.)
Kitchen appliances / Thermador
Thermador appliances look good and work harder, the company says, with 56% more even flame distribution on ranges, 26% larger induction cooking surfaces, and fully connected features. Appliances come in a range of sizes and feature the latest technologies.
Appliance selection / Ferguson
There are more than 250 Ferguson showrooms across the country with appliances from dozens of sought-after manufacturers including Bosch, Thermador, and Whirlpool. Ferguson customer service specialists are ready to assist residential construction pros in specifying high-quality, high-design kitchen appliances for any project.
Appliance brands / Whirlpool
Integrating the latest technologies and cooking features, Whirlpool and its JennAir, Maytag, and KitchenAid brands aim to make finding beautiful, quality appliances easy for any client’s needs.
Interiors
Customized storage / California Closets
Through its trade program, California Closets works closely with builders and developers to deliver customized storage solutions. Project support includes project budgeting assistance, spec editing, and customized model and incentive programs. All storage products are designed, manufactured, and installed by the company, and trade partners receive preferred pricing.
Linear Electric Fireplace / Glen Dimplex Americas
Available in 50-, 60-, 74-, 88-, and 100-inch lengths, the IgniteXL Bold Linear Electric Fireplace series can be installed as a single-sided, right- or left-corner, or bay-style fireplace. The vent-free fireplace warms an area of up to 1,000 square feet and, in addition to the heat setting, has flame-only and air-circulation settings.
Recessed lighting / Halo
Halo’s wide range of lighting products includes this 3-inch, ultra-thin, adjustable LED gimbal with a remote driver/junction, which eliminates the need for a recessed housing, saving installation time.
Storage system / ClosetMaid
The MasterSuite series (shown in a Washed White finish) is ClosetMaid’s premium wood/laminate closet storage system, and offers a vast range of configurations of shelves, cabinets, drawers, and hang rods.
LED lighting / Kichler Lighting
The airy, contemporary Ciri pendant features delicate circles of LED lights in a classic cage-pendant style. Available in two sizes in a Matte Black (shown) or White finish.
Wine storage / VintageView
VintageView’s Wine Storage Systems label-forward wine racks include patented wine pegs that offer both secure storage and aesthetically pleasing design. (Shown: Vino Series Flex system in a Golden Bronze finish.)
Exteriors
Brick veneer / Iron Rock
Made from clay and shale, Royal Thin Brick unglazed brick veneer is suitable for exterior and interior installations on walls or floors. The 5/8-inch-thick bricks are tumbled for a distressed, worn appearance and come in 10 colors and five blends featuring bricks of different colors.
Composite shakes / DaVinci Roofscapes
DaVinci’s Select Shake composite roofing is designed to capture the look of real cedar shake and to make installation quicker. The impact- and fire-resistant shakes are 5/8-inch thick and come in 8- and 10-inch widths and eight colors. Tiles are 22-inches long.
Porcelain tile / Daltile
The look of hardwood planks goes outside with Saddle Brook XT, a slip-resistant porcelain tile that can be used for flooring, walls, and countertops. Because it is porcelain tile, Saddle Brook XT will not freeze, fade, or crack due to cold weather. Available in four colors.
Stone veneer / Environmental StoneWorks
Grezzo stone veneer from the manufacturer’s Modern collection provides a modern castle feel and design flexibility. Available in five sizes (3 inches by 8 or 14 inches, 5 inches by 14 or 22 inches, and 8 inches by 22 inches) and four colors. The manufacturer also offers installation services.
Composite siding / Royal Building Products
Celect Canvas cellular composite siding features interlocking joints that eliminate seams, keep moisture out, and adjust to natural expansion and contraction. Celect Canvas comes unpainted to be finished on the jobsite in a choice of thousands of colors. Offered in four wood-look styles: 5-inch clapboard, 7-inch clapboard, shake, and board and batten.
PVC decking / Fiberon
Fiberon’s Promenade PVC decking (shown in Shaded Cay) offers the aesthetic of high-end, handcrafted wood decking with the benefits of premium PVC. The company’s wood-alternative decking, railing, cladding, and fencing is available in a range of styles and price points, is free of toxic chemicals, and contains a minimum of 94% recycled content.
Exterior trim / Tamlyn
Tamlyn’s XtremeTrim line of extruded aluminum trim includes everything from two-piece, horizontal, vertical, and specialty profiles to inside and outside corners and flashing. A proprietary coating protects against harsh weather conditions and allows for paint adhesion.
Stone veneer / Environmental StoneWorks
Environmental StoneWorks’ Osceola Clean Brick, part of the company’s Prairie Stone line of stone veneers for interior and exterior applications, delivers a clean, modern look. Stone veneer offers a combination of strength, durability, and a realistic stone appearance, while reducing installation time and cost.
Stone veneer / ProVia
Deep shadow lines combine with authentic coloring to produce dramatic effects in ProVia’s manufactured stone veneer. The master molds are based on natural stones from different geographic regions, and the colors permeate the product rather than just the surface. In addition, the veneer exceeds certification standards for compressive strength.
Motorized screens / Phantom Screens
Phantom Screens’ motorized retractable screens can open up or fully enclose covered outdoor spaces at the touch of a button, via environmental sensors, or when integrated with a home automation hub. Screens fully recess out of sight and come in a variety of mesh styles and tints/colors, letting homeowners enjoy pest-free fresh air and effective solar shading, privacy, and temperature control.
Wood cladding / Thermory
Thermory’s Ignite thermally modified spruce cladding recreates the look of shou sugi ban, a Japanese method of preserving wood by charring, using a modern flame-free technique. A dragon scale and a brushed texture are available. Also for interior applications.
Windows + Doors
Multi-slide doors / Western Window Systems
The Series 7600 multi-slide door line is Western Window Systems’ strongest and most energy-efficient yet, the company says. The door’s low-E glass reduces energy use while providing strength and advanced impact performance, yet the door maintains a thin profile, making it ideal for contemporary applications. Customization options also are available.
Contemporary-style windows / Jeld-Wen
Jeld-Wen’s recently updated Siteline Collection meets the growing interest from homeowners for contemporary, clean styles. New introductions to the collection include square simulated divided lites that can be specified in 27 exterior colors and 13 interior finishes. Windows come with a 20-year limited warranty.
Garage doors / Clopay Building Products
The garage doors in Clopay’s Avante line are fitted with tempered glass panels, which admit natural light during the day and deliver a dramatic effect at night when the garage lights are on. The doors’ 2 1/8-inch-thick commercial-grade aluminum frames are designed for long-term resilience. Choose from 12 glazing options and several anodized or powder-coat finishes.
Window and door components / Endura Products
Endura says its door component solutions make installation easy, resulting in less labor and fewer pieces, reducing common failures. Endura products include: the VersaPan sloped sill pan, rot-proof FrameSaver frame solution, composite FusionFrame, and the Replaceable Deck Sill, which can be switched out without removing the door.
Sash detail / ProVia
FineLine Technology from ProVia is a new welding method that results in clean, picture-frame quality sashes, the company says, creating clean corners on windows and patio doors. FineLine is standard on all of ProVia’s laminated vinyl products, with the option to upgrade on White, Beige, and Sand-stone vinyl.
Fiberglass doors / Therma-Tru
The maker’s Smooth-Star fiberglass doors come with a flush-glazed design and internal blinds that create a seamless, integrated look. Therma-Tru
offers four sizes, eight glass design options, and eight door colors, ranging from Ruby Red to Onyx.
Sill pan flashing / Jamsill
Jamsill Guard’s sill pan flashing product tackles the common leak originator: the corner. Its one-piece molded corner blocks these leaks before they can seep down into the framing and subfloor, while a sloped weep area directs water outside. The company says its product will not corrode or deteriorate over time.
Entry doors / Therma-Tru
Classic Craft Series doors by Therma-Tru offer a full range of aesthetics, from minimalist to traditional. Features include: premium-grade hinges, weatherstripping, seven-shape corner seal pads, and more. The series includes pieces from the brand’s Artíssa, Founders, and Visionary collections. Each Classic Craft door comes with a 10-year limited, transferable finish warranty.
Garage door opener / LiftMaster
The LiftMaster Secure View 85503 garage door opener is Wi-Fi–enabled and offers robust lifting power, security features, and an integrated battery backup to operate the door during a power outage. Using the MyQ app, users can remotely control the entire system.
Oversize doors / Simpson Door
Available for both interior and exterior applications, the company’s Monster Doors can be custom made in heights of up to 12 feet and widths of up to 10 feet in any wood species and design. Doors can be mounted on barn tracks or contemporary pivot swing hardware.
Walls + Floors
Stone veneer / Cultured Stone
Cultured Stone’s manufactured stone veneer functions as a decorative wall covering for interior or exterior surfaces. Easier to cut and handle than natural stone, the veneer comes in 105 colors and 20 textures. No painting, coating, or sealing is needed, the company says.
Engineered vinyl flooring / Country Wood Flooring
The Oceanside Collection by Country Wood Flooring is a waterproof engineered vinyl that offers a realistic wood look, features Rigid Core Construction, and uses the glue-free Uniclic System.
Cladding and trim / UFP-Edge
The carefully burnt surface of UFP-Edge Charred Wood boards contrasts with a spruce wood grain, and is completely sealed with a clear, protective coating. Shiplap, project boards, and trim boards can be used to craft ceilings, accent walls, wainscoting, trimwork, and chair rails. Available in four standard and four special-order colors.
Thermally modified wood / Thermory
Thermory’s natural wood products are created from responsibly harvested white ash, Scotch pine, and spruce, which is then thermally modified using heat and steam to increase the wood’s durability and stability. Suitable for interiors and exteriors. (Shown: Ignite cladding.)
Structural + Building Envelope
Weather barrier system / Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
Georgia-Pacific’s ForceField Weather Barrier System consists of engineered wood sheathing panels and accessories that provide a continuous air and water-resistant barrier for the building envelope. Panels with DryGuard technology keep bulk water out, and high-performance seam and composite tapes protect seams and joints and easily wrap windows and rough openings.
Wall and roof panels / LP Building Products
LP’s WeatherLogic OSB panel combines cross-directional wood strands with waxes and resins for strength, then adds a water-resistant overlay to create a panel that provides air and water protection. Rated for wall and roof applications, the system eliminates the need for secondary housewrap or roof underlayment in most cases, LP claims.
Subflooring / Huber Engineered Woods
Huber’s AdvanTech subfloor assembly combines the strength and stiffness of high-density engineered wood with moisture-resistant resins and the bonding power of the brand’s polyurethane adhesive to keep floors flat and quiet. The product’s precision tongue-and-groove profile makes installation quick and easy, the company says.
Rigid foam insulation / DuPont
DuPont transitioned its traditional blue Styrofoam XPS insulation rigid foam board to gray with a formulation that reduces global warming potential and embodied carbons while delivering long-term thermal performance, moisture resistance, and durability for any structure that calls for exterior continuous insulation.
Fire-rated panels / LP Building Products
LP’s FlameBlock OSB panel is fire-rated sheathing that combines flame-spread and burn-through resistance to meet fire codes. Available in 4-foot nominal widths and in 8-, 9-, or 10-foot lengths. Thicknesses include 7/16, 15/32, and 19/32 inch.
Housewrap / Typar
Typar Drainable Wrap is a polypropylene sheeting that delivers tear strength, air holdout, and breathability, the company says, while its added drainage gap enables quicker drainage than most conventional housewraps, per ASTM E2273 testing. Drainable Wrap can be installed in any direction without affecting performance.
Subflooring / LP Building Products
LP Legacy Premium Subflooring achieves stiffness by coating the wood strands with water-resistant resins using Gorilla Glue technology. Each panel is packed with more strands, resin, and wax to resist moisture and edge swell, the company says. LP offers a No-Sand warranty and a lifetime limited warranty that lasts as long as the home.
Stair kit / Viewrail
The Stair Supplies Design Kit from Viewrail boasts it can deliver floating stairs more affordably than a local fabricator. The kit enables builders and homeowners to get started on a personalized quote for a floating stair system and includes stained wood samples, an aluminum railing sample, color sample chips, and more.
Builder solutions / Simpson Strong-Tie
The manufacturer of engineered structural connectors also provides software such as Construction Document Management for both 2D and 3D building information modeling and solutions for estimating, option management, and sales and marketing. Customer support includes licensed engineers available for phone inquiries and a network of training centers, workshops and jobsite support.
Reflective insulation / Fi-Foil Company
Fi-Foil’s reflective insulation with M-Shield is ideal for hot, humid climates and mixed climates because of its outer layer of perforated vapor-transmitting material. M-Shield works as an effective radiant insulation solution for mold- and mildew-sensitive projects because it doesn’t contain cellulose, which is a food source for mold. M-Shield is ideal for projects that specify paperless drywall.
Roof and wall panels / LP Building Products
LP’s Structural Solutions roof and wall panels resist moisture, combat flame spread, block radiant heat, and are stronger than traditional lumber and plywood. The portfolio includes WeatherLogic, Legacy, FlameBlock, and TechShield. All are designed to exceed code and withstand tough weather conditions during construction and for years to come.
Subflooring / West Fraser
Durastrand PointSix subflooring from West Fraser (formerly Norbord Industries) is a tongue-and-groove subfloor featuring a patented taper on the edges that can expand to become flush with the surface without ridging when exposed to rain or humidity. Durastrand carries a one-year no-sand guarantee and a 50-year limited warranty.
Structural insulated panels / Huber Engineered Woods
Zip System R-sheathing is a structural panel with built-in exterior insulation and integrated moisture, air, and thermal protection. The 4-foot-wide insulated panels are available in lengths of 8, 9, and 10 feet with insulation values ranging from R-3 to R-12.
Roof panels / LP Building Products
TechShield roofing panels features VaporVents Technology to prevent moisture buildup during and after construction, and a durable aluminum overlay that blocks up to 97% of radiant heat. The 4-by-8-foot panels are available in 7/16-, 15/32-, and 19/32- inch thicknesses and carry a 20-year transferable limited warranty.
Construction
Cordless power tools / Festool
Festool cordless power tools now include a 1.3-pound battery pack that’s 20% lighter and 50% more compact than a 5.2-amp standard battery without sacrificing performance, the company says. Its Li-HighPower cell technology provides 30% more endurance and power.
Reusable floor protection / Protective Products
Econo Runner offers reusable, economical, padded protection for just about any surface, according to Protective Products. The roll is reverse-wound for easy application, and features a nonporous top surface. When used with Protective Products’ Seam Tape, Econo Runner offers maximum protection against paint and liquid spills.
Termiticide / Nisus
Nisus claims Bora-Care Termiticide can replace soil treatments and save a day of cycle time if applied during the dried-in phase of construction. The termite pretreatment can be sprayed directly onto wood, concrete, and plumbing and will not corrode metal fasteners, fittings, or nails. Builders also can earn green-building certification credits.
Commercial vehicles / Ford Motor Co.
With more than 650 commercial vehicle centers nationwide, Ford dealers offer a complete line of Class 1 through Class 7 commercial vehicles. Using a proprietary Commercial Vehicle Tools, dealers can find the right vehicle for your needs by matching your requirements with payload, cargo volume, upfit, and other specs.
Simulator app / Google
Just for fun, the Construction Simulator 2 Lite app from Google is a mobile game in which you create your own construction company and take the wheel of 40-plus construction vehicles to load materials, pour concrete, and operate massive cranes on a choice of more than 60 jobsites.
Drywall corner bead / Trim-Tex
Trim-Tex’s Fast Edge Paper is a paper-covered corner bead that features a vinyl core with a sharp nose and no mud bump, significantly reducing mud use and installation time. The nose also acts as a hinge to accommodate framing variances. The laminated paper covering and Trim-Tex’s patented mud lock technology ensure a strong bond to the drywall, keeping the corner firmly in place without staples or adhesives.
Carpet protection / Protective Products
Designed specifically to protect synthetic carpet, Carpet Protection is a 3 mil thick, clear polyethylene film that resists puncturing and uses a low-tack adhesive coating to eliminate the need for staples, tacks, or tape to keep it in place.
Construction app / DeWalt
The DeWalt Mobile Pro app offers basic calculation and reference tools with optional add-ons for customization. The free version is equipped with a fully functional construction calculator, reference materials (including illustrations) to optimize the app, and nine add-on calculations, with access to hundreds more.
Virtual laser level / Kab
The VirLaser Level app uses your iPhone’s camera to determine whether an object or material application is level. The red axes on the screen always show the true horizontal or vertical level, as well as angles in precise degrees. For convenience of measurement, the intersection of axes can be moved around on the screen.
Design
Software / SoftPlan
With its release of SoftPlan 2022 home design software, the company integrates a number of upgrades to its 3D capabilities, including the ability to render even more realistic 3D images. This version also includes a graphic wall-definition interface, stepped rake wall creation, and Nest command for inserting reference drawings into floor plans.
Design software / Chief Architect
Advanced CAD and layout tools in Chief Architect home design software provide a workflow for generating detailed construction drawings and estimating construction costs using the built-in materials list. Features include 2D design, elevations, cross-sections, 3D design, 3D visualization, and construction drawing tools.
HVAC
Healthy air / Panasonic
The WhisperWarm DC ceiling-mount fan/heater delivers healthy air and instant warmth to chilly bathrooms. A powerful ECM motor with SmartFlow Technology ensures optimum airflow, while a 1,600-watt heating element provides warmth. Easy installation means jobs are completed faster without compromising fan performance or code requirements.
Affordable HVAC / Trane Technologies
Using Trane engineering, RunTru by Trane was created to provide heating and cooling systems that deliver performance and affordability to value-minded builders and homeowners, whether for small-budget replacement jobs or multi-family projects. RunTru equipment and parts are available through Trane sales offices, distributors, and supply stores.
Surface sanitizer / Broan
Fight bacteria, germs, and mold with the flip of a switch. Broan’s SurfaceShield Fan/Light combines Broan-NuTone’s 110 CFM Roomside series bathroom ventilation fan, which removes pollutants from the air, with Vyv’s antimicrobial light technology to prevent growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. Ideal for bathrooms, nurseries, and home gyms.
Air handler / LG HVAC
LG HVAC offers both ducted and duct-free options, including heat pumps and split systems. Featuring its LGRED (Reliable to Extreme Degrees) heating technology, LG’s Multi-Position Vertical Air Handling Unit is optimized for high efficiency even when outdoor temperatures are extreme, with Btu performance that rivals fossil fuel heat sources, the company says.
Zoned HVAC / Mitsubishi Electric
Each home is unique, and with Mitsubishi Electric’s Zoned Comfort Solutions builders can configure the HVAC system to meet specific occupant comfort needs in each space and control each zone’s set point and energy consumption, ensuring consistent temperatures regardless of the hour or season.
Healthy home system / Panasonic
Cosmos Healthy Home System intelligently monitors indoor air quality to manage humidity and indoor air toxins such as VOCs, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide. The system effectively integrates all of a home’s ventilation fans, including the range hood, into one complete system.
Ceiling cassettes / Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric’s EZ Fit ceiling cassettes deliver customized comfort in individual rooms and can be installed in new construction or retrofits. Ceiling-mounted options include EZ Fit recessed ceiling cassettes that fit between standard joists, four-way recessed ceiling cassettes, and ceiling-suspended units. A wide range of indoor unit styles is available and cassettes are fully serviceable by simply removing the face plate.
ERV / Panasonic
Panasonic’s Intelli-Balance ERV (energy recovery ventilator) gives homeowners more control over indoor air quality with its occupant-controllable Boost function, which increases airflow on demand when there are larger gatherings in the home that require more ventilation. With the flip of a switch, two motors with SmartFlow technology will start the Boost system to provide healthier indoor air.
High-performance heat pumps / Mitsubishi Electric
Unlike traditional heat pumps, which start to lose efficiency when temperatures drop below 40° F and require a backup system, Mitsubishi’s Hyper-Heating Inverter (H2i) heat pumps reliably heat homes even when temperatures drop as low as -13° F, without the need for supplemental heat sources. Available in ducted and ductless varieties.
Healthy indoor air / Aprilaire
Aprilaire’s Healthy Air System addresses all three components of indoor air quality: fresh air ventilation, air filtration, and humidity control. The system brings in fresh air from the outside, uses MERV 13-16 filters to remove particulate matter—including 96% of virus-size particles—and balances humidity.
Smart comfort / Mitsubishi Electric
The company’s Kumo Cloud mobile app offers enhanced control of everything from temperature to fan speed to custom schedules of Mitsubishi Electric HVAC systems. Paired with the Kumo Station equipment controller, homeowners also can automatically manage the operation of third-party furnaces, boilers, heaters, dehumidifiers, and ventilators.
Cleaner air / Trane Technologies
Leveraging building science, Healthier Homes Start Here from Trane is an innovative, whole-home approach to creating homes with a proper ventilation strategy and the right combination of equipment to ensure optimal air quality. Trane’s in-market experts help builders deliver this value to customers by designing the building envelope and mechanical systems simultaneously.
Plumbing
Radiant floor heating / Uponor
For more than 40 years, Uponor has been providing simple-to-install radiant floor heating solutions. Radiant heating circulates warm water through durable PEX pipe located under floors to provide even temperatures, energy efficiency, and improved indoor air quality. In addition, Uponor’s Construction Services provides design and technical assistance.
Anti-burst outdoor faucet / Woodford Manufacturing
The Woodford Model 19 freezeless residential faucet prevents burst pipes in the worst weather—even if a hose is attached. The Model 19 features a patented pressure-relief valve to prevent pressure buildup and burst tubes and is easily identified by an oval ergonomic handle.
Flexible pipe / Omega Flex
Omega Flex’s CounterStrike CSST flexible pipe product features a proprietary black jacket material to protect the stainless-steel pressure liner and other fuel gas systems with energy-dissipating properties in case the pipe becomes energized due to lightning. The product is easier to install than traditional piping, the manufacturer says, and doesn’t require additional bonding.
PEX fittings / SharkBite
SharkBite’s EvoPEX push-to-connect fittings and PEX pipes allow the entire water system to be plumbed without special tools. The EvoPEX system includes valves, supply stops, and other accessories, eliminating the need for soldering, crimping, or glue. A green indicator provides visual confirmation that the connection is secure.
Outdoor hot water / Woodford Manufacturing
Woodford’s freezeless Model 22 and the V 22 (vertical version) hot and cold faucets allow homeowners to have hot and cold water outside all year. Separate hot and cold inlets enable temperature control, while patented Pressure Relief Valves prevent the faucet tubes from bursting in freezing conditions, even with a hose attached.
Mechanical + Electrical
Home elevator / Garaventa Lift
The Elvoron Home Elevator from Garaventa Lift promises to make daily routines easier in multi-floor homes. Customizable with a variety of colors, finishes, and materials, the elevator features a three-speed sliding door and Uninterruptible Power Supply so the elevator cab can be electronically lowered in the event of a power outage.
Solar panels / LG Solar
LG Solar’s LG 330W High Efficiency LG NeON 2 solar panels with 60 cells are backed by a performance warranty that guarantees a minimum power output of 86% to 88.4% after 25 years. LG NeON 2 panels are designed to be both durable and efficient, with thinner wires that appear all black from a distance.
Surge protection / Eaton
The Complete Home Surge Protection system from Eaton includes the latest technology to keep homes safe and secure with reliable power. The whole-home system keeps valuable electronics and appliances safe from the damaging impact of a power surge without requiring individual surge protectors for each device.
Dryer vent / InOVate
DryerWallVent’s low-profile frame, recessed damper, and hidden fasteners create a simple, appealing exterior. Made from heavy-gauge, powder-coated galvanized steel, vents are corrosion-resistant, impervious to sun and heat, and meet or exceed code requirements.
Glass elevator / Savaria
No shaftway is necessary to include the Savaria Vuelift glass elevator in a home, providing floor plan flexibility. The powder-coated steel frame comes in Black, White, Silver, and custom colors with either low-iron silica glass or clear acrylic panels. Offered in several cab configurations.
Vents / Seiho
Seiho International offers a wide selection of diffusers, nozzles, grilles, registers, vent caps, and dryer vents, including aluminum SpotDiffusers, aluminum TurboNozzle diffusers, double deflection RoundRegisters, and aluminum/stainless steel VentLouvers, most of which can be powder coated in any color.
Smart home / Eaton
Eaton makes smart homes smarter with easy setup and seamless connection of Wi-Fi dimmers, switches, and receptacles using Alexa. Whole-home surge protection and AFCI and GFCI protection at both the outlet and circuit breakers enhance safety and reliability. Innovative motion sensors and USB receptacles add convenience.
Dryer vent / InOVate
DryerJack is a venting option engineered specifically to vent a dryer straight through the roof. The result is shorter duct runs, which improve drying efficiency and lessen lint buildup. DryerJack meets or exceeds all code requirements and delivers superior airflow efficiency, the company says.
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