For homeowners stuck in their homes during the coronavirus pandemic, the outdoors have become an escape. Functional and aesthetically pleasing exterior products are in high demand, in addition to exterior products that can provide resistance to increasingly common weather events. Manufacturers are meeting demand with durable, resilient siding, roofing, and trim products in an array of design styles. The pandemic also heightened concerns about the health of homes, placing an emphasis on structural products that strike a balance between proper sealing and insulation and healthy levels of ventilation. The latest products include modular air sealing systems and high-performance subfloor and adhesives.
AZEK Exteriors
Azek Siding, made from a state-of-the-art proprietary engineered polymer, is designed to deliver the texture of cedar shingles with the performance and low-maintenance benefits of rot-proof PVC building materials. Leveraging the company’s PaintPro Technology, the siding—available in shingles and board and batten styles—offers a rapid dry time, superior paint adhesion, and a long-lasting finish without the need for frequent maintenance, according to the manufacturer. The siding requires no need to seal cut edges and scrapes for water protection. The moisture-resistant product has a Class A Flame Spread Index to help protect the aesthetic and value of a home over its lifetime. azekexteriors.com

Trex
Trex
The all-aluminum Trex Pergola Shadow features distinctive architectural shade panels in a variety of patterns and varying degrees of openness. Trex Pergola Shadow kits are completed using Trex’s proprietary powder coat finishing process. The pergolas, available in myriad colors, come with detailed instructions for easy installation, and the product is virtually upkeep-free, according to the manufacturer. Offered in 16 standard sizes, Trex Pergola Shadow can be customized with lighting, curtains, heaters, or fans to match any outdoor design. trexpergola.com

AeroSeal
AeroSeal
The modular design of the AeroBarrier Connect air-sealing system makes setup, sealing, and cleanup more efficient, says the company. Each smart nozzle station has its own sealant and water reservoirs, decreasing the number of hoses needed and allowing for integrated flushing to clean the entire system quickly. Each nozzle also has temperature and humidity sensors to customize sealant delivery to each room and ensure less sealant waste and faster air sealing. The system monitors the sealing process in real time, allowing airtightness to be dialed in to a project’s exact requirements. aeroseal.com

Tando
Tando
The TandoShake Cape Cod Perfection collection has added the color Char to its lineup, which features the look of charred, burnt, or blackened wood. Cape Cod Perfection Char shake offers 5-inch exposure with crisp edges and an authentic aesthetic, according to Tando. The line is impervious to moisture and ideal for ground contact and roofline applications. The cladding is suited for fast and easy one-person installation due to its lightweight design, claims the manufacturer. The collection has also received a notice of approval from Miami-Dade County for high-wind and high-impact resistance, and meets all severe weather rigorous testing criteria. tandobp.com

CertainTeed
CertainTeed
DryRoof SA is a lightweight underlayment product that prevents water intrusion via watertight seals around fasteners and roof penetration points. Designed for use with asphalt shingles, the self-adhering underlayment features a split-release backing, allowing for speedy and secure installations, according to the manufacturer. DryRoof SA is engineered for use as a wind-driven rain guard along eves, roof penetrations, and valleys. The product is UV-exposure resistant for six months and has a slip-resistant sand surface to reduce the risk of falls. certainteed.com

Palram
Palram
Palight PVC Trimboard from Palram is a reversible trim with one smooth side and one woodgrain side, both of which feature EverClean Protective Film to shield the product against dust, dirt, and abrasion. The trimboard offers an advanced core structure for superior milling, routing, turning, bending, and other fabrication techniques. According to Palram, the product expands almost one-quarter less than competing trimboards, and the paint lasts four to five times longer than it does on traditional wood trim. The trimboard is available in a variety of board and sheet thicknesses, corners, post wraps, window surrounds, bead board, pre-made profiles, and decorative moldings. palram.com

Barricade Building Products
Barricade Building Products
Barricade Thermo-Brace is a three-in-one sheathing product that offers stable raw material pricing, ease of use, and less weight on the jobsite to promote faster installation and reduced labor costs. Thermo-Brace is recognized by the International Residential Code to have a higher shear value level than OSB testing standards, according to the manufacturer. The water-resistant sheathing comes in the standard 4-foot-by-8-foot sheet size, in addition to a 48 3/4 inch width for overlapping sheets, which eliminates the need for housewrap. Thermo-Brace is also available in custom lengths up to 12 feet to reduce waste and trim time. barricadebp.com

Simpson Strong-Tie
Simpson Strong-Tie
The Strong-Drive SD Connector SS Screw is a Type 316 stainless steel fastener designed and approved for use with the manufacturer’s stainless steel connectors to provide protection against severely corrosive environments. Made from Type 316 stainless steel, the SD Connector SS screws have a ¼-inch hex-washer head with a large-diameter integrated washer to provide load-bearing area. The screw installs with a cordless drill in conditions where using a hammer is inconvenient. The screws are code compliant with the International Code Council. strongtie.com

LP Building Solutions
LP Building Solutions
The LP Legacy Premium Sub-Floor Adhesive is a 100% solvent-free, gun-applied, fast-curing PU collapsible foam adhesive for interior and exterior use. According to the manufacturer, one 29-ounce can provides 12 times the coverage of a typical tube of conventional subfloor adhesive, providing builders time- and cost-saving benefits. The VOC-compliant adhesive protects against squeaks by expanding to create a tight seal in small gaps between panels and supports. The adhesive can be applied to wet, dry, or frozen lumber and strongly adheres to OSB, treated lumber, masonry, decking, concrete, metals, and plywood, according to LP. lpcorp.com

ProVia
ProVia
ProVia’s metal roofing product line combines the luxury and beauty of slate or cedar shakes with the durability of a galvanized, highly engineered steel roof system. The metal roofing panels are 10% thicker than the industry average while weighing up to three times less than asphalt shingles. The metal roofing system is designed for a high standard of performance under extreme weather conditions and meets or exceeds ASTM and UL industry standards for resistance to corrosion, wind-driven rain, impact, and wind uplift up to 180 mph. provia.com

Huber Engineered Woods
Huber Engineered Woods
Huber Engineered Woods’ AdvanTech X-Factor subflooring features a fade-resistant, water-shedding surface on a high-performance engineered wood panel. The product offers a built-in protective top layer to guard against flaking, delamination, or discoloration from exposure to daily jobsite stress, according to the manufacturer. The subfloor features Huber’s Squeak-Free Guarantee, and the top layer is marker-friendly to assist with easy jobsite communication during installation. huberwood.com

Benjamin Obdyke
Benjamin Obdyke
HydroGap SA, a self-adhered drainable weather-resistive barrier, features a 100% continuous acrylic adhesive that provides sealing around cladding fasteners to help maintain the integrity of the air barrier. The product is UV resistant and offers a perm rating of 12, making it suitable for all climates. Benjamin Obdyke’s HydroGap SA increases the housewrap’s tear resistance and diminishes the chance for ballooning and blowoff, says the company. It has a reinforcing scrim that helps it hold tight during application. benjaminobdyke.com

Royal Building Products
Royal Building Products
Royal Building Products has added 6-inch soffit to its Cedar Renditions line of modern aluminum accent siding. The soffit is perforated for ventilation and designed to keep moisture out of the home, according to the manufacturer. The 6-inch soffit is available in premium, multitonal woodgrain and traditional woodgrain colors and was designed to be used with the existing 6-inch Cedar Renditions siding profile. The product line, which features durable and thicker gauge aluminum, is low maintenance, flame resistant, and 100% recyclable. royalbuildingproducts.com