Simpson Strong-Tie’s BVLZ brick veneer ledger Simpson Strong-Tie has released the BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector kit, a code-compliant, tested solution for attaching decks to wood-framed homes that have a brick or masonry veneer exterior covering. While brick veneer is an exterior covering used on buildings in many parts of the country, it lacks the load-bearing properties of structural masonry and cannot support the weight of exterior structures like decks. By connecting a wood ledger to the framing through the brick veneer, the BVLZ is designed to enable decks to be safely attached to the home without the need to remove or replace large sections of the veneer. The BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector kit includes a steel ledger connector plate, a compression strut, two 14″ Strong-Drive SDWH Timber-Hex HDG tension screws and six Strong-Drive SD Connector shear screws. The BVLZ is designed so tension screws pass through the mortar into the structural framing, allowing the compression strut to transfer forces from the ledger plate to the rim joist without bearing on the brick veneer. Fabricated from 12-gauge steel, the BVLZ connector also features a ZMAX galvanized coating. www.strongtie.com/bvlz
STINGER CN100B Cap Nailer National Nail has introduced the newly- enhanced STINGER CN100B Cap Nailer with a design that is said to improve performance with an updated cap magazine for added durability. Weighing in at 4.9 lbs., STINGER’s CN100B is designed for near-effortless loading, upgraded tool life, and utilizes full, 1″ collated plastic caps; it is capable of firing 200 caps/200 nails before reloading. The Electro Galvanized ring shank nails are 1″ X .083″ full round head. The STINGER CN100B also includes an installed belt hook, trigger with bumpfire and sequential modes, and carrying case. www.stingerworld.com
Alside’s new Explorer Collection Alside, a manufacturer of vinyl windows, patio doors, and siding, has launched seven new siding, soffit, trim and accessory colors as part of the Explorer Collection. The new colors include grays, blue, red, green, and browns. The Explorer Collection is available in full or in part on the following lines: Prodigy, Charter Oak, Odyssey Plus, Coventry, Conquest, Board & Batten and Williamsport. Alside Explorer Collection comes with a lifetime limited warranty. www.alside.com
Noon collection from Mirage Porcelain Veneers Oldcastle has debuted a new color/ texture of Mirage Porcelain Veneers called Noon, which the company says combines the rustic look of distressed wood and the elegance of clean lines with contemporary advancements. Mirage’s Noon Porcelain Veneers are offered in four colors: Daylight, Ember, Honey, and Charcoal. Mirage Porcelain Veneers, including the Noon collection, allow the designer to specify products from a moderate color pattern variation to a substantial color variation. Mirage Porcelain Veneers are designed with an ultra-low water absorption rate to create a highly impenetrable surface. This allows the veneers to fend off surface mold, moss, dirt and other types of stains found in exterior environments, the company says. The product does not require any treatments (sealers) and is designed to not be affected by effloresce or discoloration. The units are 4″ wide by 18″ long and with a thickness ranging from .30″ to .60″. At less than 9 lbs. per square foot, they are offered as an option for vertical wall coverings for both interior and exterior applications. www.echelonmasonry.com
CertainTeed Apollo II solar roofing system The Apollo II solar roofing system from CertainTeed is a low-profile solar roofing system that can be installed with either a new or existing asphalt shingle roof. According to CertainTeed, the Apollo II system offers clean energy without the bulky look of racks and panels. 14 high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells provide a power rating of 63 watts per solar shingle, and there’s no need to find rafters or flash penetrations in the roofing system for installation; the solar shingles are installed directly into the roof sheathing using standard deck screws. Fastening points are then covered by subsequent solar shingles, the same way that asphalt shingles are installed. www.certainteed.com
Haute two-tone mouldings from Ornamental Mouldings & Millwork Ornamental Mouldings & Millwork has introduced a new line, Haute 2-in-1 Mouldings. Two-tone crown, baseboard and chair railing mouldings are available with an accent insert of either a gold rope or silver pyramid removable wood piece. The all whitewood mouldings come primed and ready to paint. To install the Haute 2-in-1 Moulding, start by removing the gold or silver insert that comes with the moulding. Users paint the primed moulding profile in whatever color desired. Once the moulding is dry, it can be installed. Finally, a construction adhesive is used to fasten the prefinished trim insert into the moulding cavity. The two-toned mouldings are designed to be added as a ceiling accent in a bedroom, a custom wall design in a dining room, or an attention-grabbing baseboard in a living room. www.ornamental.com
UltraPro wood screw from Grabber Grabber’s UltraPro wood screws feature a proprietary Grabber LOX recess, providing UltraPro screws with eight points of contact with the drill bit (star recess has only six). LOX recess precision fit is designed to not only help prevent cam- outs, but keep a user from fumbling with wobbling screws, enabling one-handed driving in tight spaces. The QuickGrab type 17 point helps the UltraPro fastener start immediately into wood with no pre-drilling. Then, the lower UltraCut threads clean out wood material. The manufacturer says this reduces the pressure needed to keep the screw engaged and complete the drive faster and more cleanly. The Scavenger II head features a spiral underhead design that is said to self- countersink. The UltraPro wood screw can also be placed as close as 3/8″ from an edge without the wood splitting, Grabber says, resulting in a flat, professional- looking finish. www.grabberpro.com/ultrapro
Long Ranch panel design from Safe-Way Door Safe-Way Door, celebrating its 60th year, announced the launch of a new Long Ranch panel design to its Deluxe Series of doors. The product was rolled out to Safe-Way’s dealer network to offer their customers a 24 gauge steel ranch panel with a wood- like design. Deluxe Series doors are available in both insulated or non-insulated vinyl backed, in 7 colors and 23 window options. Available with flush or raised panels, the garage doors feature wood grain embossing. Insulated and non-insulated models along with window options are available. The new Long Ranch model is available for immediate shipment. www.safewaydoor.com/door/deluxe
New Bosch Bulldog Rotary Hammer The GBH18V-26D 18V EC Brushless Bulldog Rotary Hammer from Bosch features a CORE18V battery, which combines corded-like performance with next-generation Lithium-ion 21700 cell technology. The Bosch GBH18V-26D rotary hammer weighs 5.8 lbs. (tool only, not including battery) and delivers 1.9 ft.-lbs. of impact energy (EPTA). In addition to providing horizontal power transmission for optimized overhead, horizontal and downward drilling applications, the rotary hammer offers a soft-grip handle. The Bosch cordless Bulldog rotary hammer is compatible with Bosch PRO+GUARD dust solutions, options that provide end-to-end dust collection that helps users move toward OSHA silica dust compliance. The GBH18V-26D is compatible with an optional GDE18V-26D 18V cordless dust-extraction unit, which offers a self-contained HEPA dust solution. www.boschtools.com
Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Match The new portable matching tool from Sherwin-Williams was developed to connect to an app that allows quick and confident color matching. The new device connects to Sherwin-Williams free ColorSnap Match app via Bluetooth and is said to make it nearly effortless to scan any surface or fabric to find corresponding Sherwin- Williams colors. The device enables users to scan colors from any item or texture, including paint, textiles, carpet, tile, apparel, and more. The ColorSnap Match paint- scanning device is available in Sherwin-Williams stores nationwide for $69.99, and the ColorSnap Match app is available for both iOS and Android devices. www.colorsnap.com
TYPAR Drainable Wrap The latest addition to the TYPAR Weather Protection System, TYPAR Drainable Wrap features a layer of multi-directional polypropylene fibers designed to divert bulk water from exterior wall cavities, creating a highly-efficient drainage gap that the company says sheds more bulk water than traditional house wraps. TYPAR Drainable Wrap comes with a lifetime limited warranty and meets code requirements for drainage efficiency. www.typar.com
Micro Star LED Light Bar from Atlantis Rail Atlantis Rail has expanded its line of Micro Star LED lights to include an LED light bar. The product is designed to fit neatly under a flat handrail and is compatible with Atlantis Rail’s railing systems, including the Spectrum and NOVA II cable railing systems. The Micro Star LED Light Bar features a flexible LED light strip of natural white LED lights set into a powder-coated aluminum channel with a clear plastic lens. The light bar is available in lengths of 18″, 30″, and 42″ and with channel color options of black, bronze, metallic silver and white. Each kit comes with the lens, LED strip, aluminum channel and fasteners. Male/female screw connectors are designed to make installation quick and easy. The LED light bar is compatible with Atlantis Rail’s Micro Star wiring harnesses and transformers. www.atlantisrail.com
Milwaukee PACKOUT Cooler Sized to accommodate ice, frozen water bottles, and/or cooling packs, the PACKOUT Cooler features a leak-proof liner and 2X the insulation of other coolers on the market to keep these items cold for 24 hours, the company says. The cooler is constructed with all-metal hardware and an impact-resistant base that locks into place on Milwaukee’s PACKOUT System. The cooler is designed with multiple pockets to hold personal items and medical supplies, separate from the main compartment, including a tech pocket on the front that is ideal for tablets, cell phones, timesheets, and more. Within the cooler, a dry storage compartment (or sandwich pocket) is designed to be an ideal location for food that needs to remain cool yet dry. www.milwaukeetool.com
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