2020 Product Guide: Exteriors

With the unpredictability of natural disasters today, siding, roofing, decking, and other exterior product manufacturers remain focused on developing durable products that will protect homes from water, wind, and potentially fire intrusion. But when the conditions flip and the sun decides to shine, homeowners are increasingly utilizing exterior living spaces—complete with outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and electronics—and craving aesthetically pleasing products that can mirror the interior design styles present inside their homes.

Trex

Trex has teamed up with Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens to offer a new selection of outdoor cabinetry and coordinating components in its Trex Outdoor Kitchens collection. The lineup includes seven distinctive door styles, made up of Danver’s top-five sellers and two designs exclusive to Trex, and 14 powder-coat colors and wood grain-inspired finishes. Its semi-custom components increase in three-inch increments—from 9 inches to 48 inches—to fit most outdoor appliances, and are made from 100% 304- or 316-grade stainless steel. trex-outdoorkitchens.com

Feeney

Feeney has introduced a pair of awning kits that can be used to provide weather protection for entryways. The frames are made from powder-coated aluminum, while the canopies are polycarbonate. The canopies are engineered to withstand snow and wind loads of 35 psf, are Class 4 impact rated, and have built-in rain gutters to direct runoff. The awnings are available in two styles: Icon (a contemporary look) and Era (a traditional design). The frames come in 14 standard colors, along with custom colors, while customers have a choice of clear, textured, or gray-tint polycarbonate panels. feeneyinc.com

Nova USA Wood Products

Nova USA Wood Products developed its ExoClad Rainscreen QuickClips to accommodate natural swelling and shrinking of wood siding, regardless of the amount of moisture. Made from marine-grade extruded aluminum and fastened with #10 pan-head screws, the QuickClips work with hardwood siding, such as batu, ipe, and cumaru, as well as softwoods like cedar, redwood, and Douglas fir. Clips also provide a ¾-inch stand-off from the structure and can be screwed right into the studs over housewrap. novausawood.com

Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams recently launched its Emerald Rain Refresh Exterior Acrylic Latex, an ultra-durable exterior coating with the company’s self-cleaning technology. The coating is formulated to wash dirt away upon contact with rain or water for a clean, fresh look with minimal maintenance, according to the manufacturer. The new coating offers UV and weather protection and can be tinted in VinylSafe paint colors. sherwin-williams.com

LP Building Solutions

LP Building Solutions has made its first move into the fencing market with the launch of LP Elements Performance engineered wood fencing. The fencing comes in 6-inch-by-6-foot picket posts, with a dog-ear design that is made and tested to resist hail, wind, and humid temperatures. The wood does not bend, warp, or twist, according to the manufacturer, and a proprietary zinc borate-based process provides additional resistance against termites. It is available in cedar and redwood varieties, and does not require re-staining over time. lpcorp.com

Schluter Systems

Designed specifically for thick porcelain tiles rated for exterior use, the Schluter Troba-­Level paver support system, or pedestal, supports tiles above the substrate with no bonding required. Because the tiles are not bonded in place, the system allows for natural drainage, ventilation, and easy access to utilities or systems beneath the patio floor. The system is available with several accessories to allow an installer to create a level patio with flush seams and corners. schluter.com

James Hardie

The Artisan Shingle siding profile, the latest addition to James Hardie’s Aspyre Collection of fiber-cement siding panels, emulates the width, pattern, and color of cedar shingle siding. The panels measure ⅝-inch thick and are available primed for paint or in James Hardie’s ColorPlus Technology blends. Like all Aspyre products, the Artisan Shingle profile is engineered for particular climates and is made to resist the specific conditions of the climate zone it will be sold in. jameshardie.com

GAF

GAF’s newest series of Timberline shingles, Timberline HDZ, incorporates the manufacturer’s LayerLock technology to mechanically fuse the shingles’ common bonds. The shingles create a dual-phase, shingle-to-shingle seal when used with GAF’s DuraGrip sealant, as well as an asphalt-to-asphalt monolithic bond. In addition, the new StrikeZone nailing area is up to 600% larger than the nailing area of Timberline HD shingles, providing better nailing accuracy and faster nail fastening during installation, according to the manufacturer. gaf.com

Cultured Stone

Cultured Stone has launched a panelized version of its Drystack Ledgestone profile in three color options: Rubicon, Melrose, and High Plains. Rubicon presents a strikingly contemporary blend of deep grays and carbon-inspired tones. Melrose incorporates a sophisticated assortment of light-gray hues, and High Plains showcases an earthy color with tan undertones. The panels provide the same textural variations present in the nonpanelized profile, but the panelized system makes installation easier and faster, according to the manufacturer. culturedstone.com

Hide-A-Vent

The newly patented Hide-A-Vent was designed to blend into a home’s siding to camouflage exterior vents. Its customizable cover can be installed to any section of siding, including clapboard, shingles, and vinyl. The models come in two sizes: Model A disguises dryer vents and bathroom ceiling fans with a 4-inch round opening, and Model B fits microwave hoods and most residential kitchen hoods with a 3.25-inch-by-10.25-inch rectangular opening. hideavent.com

Kingsley Park

Kingsley Park has introduced a new series of three mailbox posts—Atherton, Larchmount, and Highland—designed to match existing home styles. Each mailbox post is constructed from durable resin with stainless steel plate reinforcement, neither of which will ever fade, rust, or tarnish, according to the manufacturer. All designs include a universal mailbox mount, which accommodates mailboxes of various sizes, including T1 to T4. A built-in newspaper box is located under the mount. kingsleypark.com

IKO

IKO has released GoldSeam, a multipurpose roof tape that can be used in a variety of deck-protection applications, including as a seam tape for the roof deck; a sealant for critical roof joints, such as small gaps around the eave and fascia; and around roof structures, such as skylights, chimneys, plumbing vents, and ventilation caps. The product was designed to prevent ice and water infiltration, as well as rodent and insect infestation, and is ideally suited to seal the joints of OSB or plywood roof deck panels when used in conjunction with an IKO underlayment. iko.com

DryFlekt

DryFlekt Kick-Out Diverters were designed to divert roofline water away from walls, preventing water intrusion at roof-to-wall intersections. The product is manufactured from a recyclable, UV-resistant Thermoplastic PolyOlefin designed for extreme weather conditions. They will not rust, corrode, or conduct electricity, and the flexible, seamless construction reportedly resists shattering in cold temperatures, making them able to withstand ice damming. The diverters come in six standard colors and are sold in left-and right-hand configurations. dryflekt.com

Monarch Technologies

Monarch Technologies has launched MonaDeck, a new line of earth-friendly composite decking. The planks are manufactured using a proprietary bio-based resin system to bind recycled FSC-certified wood fiber and bamboo fiber in a sustainable, wood-simulating composite that has a hardness rating that rivals ipe, the company says. The decking resembles century-old wood, is produced in 12-inch widths, and is Class-A fire-rated. monarchtechnologiesllc.com