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Mad About Metal
 Click here for Metal Roofing Magazine editor Jim Austin's daily blog covering the metal roofing industry.
Metal Detector
 Click here for Rural Builder account manager Kyler Pope's blog covering the metal components industry.
Tech Talk
Click here for Rural Builder tech columnist Oliver Witte's report on the latest technological advances available to rural builders.
Tool Talk
Click here for Rural Builder tool columnist Don Geary's update on the latest and greatest tools available to the rural construction market.
Our Favorite Rural Builders
Click here for a list of Rural Builder editors' favorite town and country contractors.
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Rural Builder's Top 10 Products of 2006
Rural Builder editors receive a mountain of mail and email each day, and most of it goes directly into our circular file — the trash can. But every so often we receive a new product release or catalog that really catches our eye, and when published in the magazine it catches our readers’ eyes, too. We can tell which products are most popular by the reader responses they receive, a figure tabulated by the number of times readers circle their number on the reader service cards bound into each issue.
What follows are the 10 products that drew the highest number of reader responses from 2006, and one more chance to circle that reader service card and receive more information, in case you missed out the first time.
H&L Industries
The Wisconsin company, using its patented insulated half-log technology, offers an engineered butt-and-pass insulated corner system in its product line. Comparable to all H&L Half-Logs, the advantages of the new corners over solid logs include an overall 30 percent price savings and 80 percent less product weight. The Half-Log is an engineered wood product that combines pre-finished siding, insulation, and sheathing into one application step. The product line includes four sizes: 10, 12, 14, and 16 inches in diameter.
Timber Treatment Technology
TimberSIL is an environmentally-friendly, non-toxic lumber treatment that not only replaces the copper, chromium, and arsenic-based preservatives that were used in the past, but it also compares to them in the areas of leaching, corrosion, and toxicity.  While straight borates are known as a safe alternative for wood preservation, the manufacturer says its barrier protection does not leave a residue and its characteristics are not limited.
The TimberSIL formulation and barrier process locks in its wood protection benefits by using a micro-manufacturing technique that forms a protective barrier of amorphous glass, penetrating and protecting the wood. This eliminates leaching problems associated with borates and other preservatives, while at the same time creating a whole new set of benefits. Across the board — retention life, safety, protection of the wood, breadth of applications, and more — TimberSIL’s features and benefits rival ACQ, CA, and straight borates.
Providence Enterprises
Producers of the company’s fiber panels say the product can save builders as much as 25 percent in materials and 50 percent in construction time compared to conventional construction. Load bearing insulating fiber concrete fiberboards replace traditional wood frame construction and sheet rock or cement blocks for exterior and interior walls in home building and light construction. The company says the fiber walls are termite-proof, fire and mold resistant, can withstand 120 mph-plus wind forces, and possess soundproofing and insulating properties. The fiberboards are available in 2x8 panels and can be drilled, cut, nailed into, and adhered to like traditional wood.
ATAS International
The Pennsylvania company offers a wide variety of metal cladding products, including: vertical panels, such as the Dutch Seam, Field-Lok, and PC Snap-On profiles; metal shingles — Advanta is a simulated dimensional shingle, CastleTop is a diamond-shaped flat metal tile, and PermaShake panels simulate the look of wood-grained shingles; the InSpire solar wall system provides heat during daylight hours to keep livestock comfortable, and can be used for crop drying.
Celotex
The FlameSpec Safety Board Wall System includes the SoundStop interior sound-deadening board, SturdyBrace structural exterior sheeting, and Premium Sheathing insulating external fiberboard.  The fiberboard products are rated ASTM E-84, Class A for surface burning characteristics. FlameSpec Safety Board panels weigh approximately 60 percent less than gypsum products, cut with a knife, and are installer friendly. Manufacturer Knight-Celotex says professional carpenters will prefer the product’s clean surface compared to that of fiberglass surfaces. SturdyBrace Flame Spec meets national codes for structural integrity, serves as an effective moisture barrier, offers R-value of 1.2 — nearly triple Type X exterior gypsum products — is price stable, and reduces outside-in noise issues. FlameSpec Premium Sheathing offers these benefits but is not rated as a structural sheathing.
Trimax Building Products
The Illinois company designs and manufactures plastic lumber products for a variety of residential, commercial, and municipal applications. Made from patented processes utilizing 100 percent recycled HDPE, Trimax is an environmentally friendly alternative to wood products.
Open Energy
Solar Save roofing tiles are a photovoltaic residential and commercial roofing solution. The tiles are designed to blend seamlessly with the colors and edge profiles of most commonly used cement tiles.  Unlike competitive products, Solar Save roofing tiles can be walked on, are available in colors, and can be installed safely by professional roofing contractors. The integrated product can be used with in-house electrical support equipment, and carries a single-source warranty for the complete system. It has a snow load capacity of more than 200 pounds per square foot, and a wind load rating of 125 mph. The tiles are designed to be easy to install.
Tyco
Rapid Response is the industry’s first branded sprinkler system designed specifically for homes. More than 90 percent of home fires are controlled or extinguished by the operation of just one sprinkler. With the Rapid Response system, fire and water damage are reduced by 95 percent, and homeowner insurance rates can be reduced by as much as 15 percent. Tyco says the sprinklers are affordable, typically 1 to 1.5 percent the cost of new home construction. Sprinklers come in a wide range of colors that will fit any home décor or design.
SteelMaster
The new SteelMaster Carport can withstand wind loads of 150 mph and handle snow loads up to 55 psf. Utilizing patented arched roof technology, each structure is custom designed to manage the harshest environments.
TF System
The TF System is a vertical ICF designed for both above and below grade use in residential and commercial construction. Components are manufactured from high-density expanded polystyrene and recycled PVC or galvanized steel. The system requires minimal bracing on the outside corners only — no 2x4s nailed to footings, no uprights every 4 to 8 feet, no walers, and no ladder bracing at the top. The system has only one splice cut per wall, with no cutting through wires, metal, or plastic. The vertically-oriented design allows builders to erect walls up to 12 feet high without the use of scaffolding. It provides access to the inside wall cavity.
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Rural Builder's Top 10 Products of 2005
Alcoa Home Exteriors
Leaf Relief guarantees quality leaf and debris protection for all roof types. Available in 100 percent aluminum in two styles, Leaf Relief utilizes patented Aluma-Perf protection technology. The product’s perforated holes keep water flowing and efficiently keeps out leaves, seeds, and small debris, including pine needles.
ConDecco
With more and more zoning commissions coming down hard on rural building aesthetics, wainscoting can be crucial. ConDecco gives builders a stone wainscoting option, with decorative stone products made of lightweight synthetic materials. The products weigh less than 1 pound per square foot, and have more than 30 years of weathered performance. The products’ polyurethane close cell properties make them resistant to harsh weather, solvents, pests, and fungi. Real stone colors are blended with specially formulated polymers and baked on to achieve maximum color adhesion. ConDecco says the products provide higher impact resistance than most other siding products and will resist cracking better than real stone and cast stone products.
Uni-Solar
Uni-Solar photovoltaic laminates have the ability to conform to different metal roof shapes and slopes. The company says its peel and apply laminates are easier to install than traditional PV systems. The laminates’ flexibility allows conformity to most shapes and becomes an integral part of the structure, instead of an additional load. Glass-free construction offers a level of safety that exceeds glass-based PV products. According to three independent studies, the Uni-Solar system provides more real energy than crystalline panels of the same power rating.
Bonded Logic
UltraTouch natural cotton fiber insulation is made from high quality natural fibers containing inherent qualities that provide for extremely effective sound absorption and maximum thermal performance. UltraTouch, which does not itch and is easy to work with, contains 85 percent post-industrial recycled natural fibers, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to use a high quality sustainable building material. It consists almost entirely of natural denim and cotton fibers.
Simpson Strong-Tie
The allure of post and beam goes far beyond function. Beams, posts, and the substantial metal connectors that join them define the soul of a structure. As design elements, they may appear traditional or contemporary, but never trendy or transitory. Until now, connectors for exposed beams and heavy timbers had to be custom designed, engineered, fabricated, and finished — an expensive, time-consuming process. The Architectural Products Group by Simpson Strong-Tie offers a wide range of prefinished connectors. Each product combines load-rated structural performance with aesthetically pleasing design.
BioBased Systems
BioBased Insulation is a soybean oil-based polyurethane foam insulation that expands to 100 times its original size. This expansion allows it to conform to any shape, filling even the tiniest crevice. The product creates an insulated seamless windproof barrier that eliminates air infiltration. It reduces outside noises and dust, and protects homes from unwanted pests. As its name might indicate, the product also has earth-friendly benefits. In addition to reducing energy consumption by 30 to 50 percent, it uses U.S.-grown soybeans, an annually renewable resource, and it does not contain harmful agents such as CFCs, HCFCs, VOCs, or formaldehyde.
Performance Engineering Group
Warmboard Radiant Subfloor, distributed by Performance Engineering Group, combines a structural subfloor and a thermodynamically sophisticated radiant panel into an elegantly simple system. It begins with a stiff, strong, 1-1/8-inch thick, 4x8-foot sheet of tongue and groove, weather-resistant plywood. A modular pattern of channels is cut into the top surface. A thick sheet of aluminum is stamped to match the channel pattern and is permanently bonded to each panel. The product’s manufacturer boasts that aluminum conducts heat 240 times better than conventional concrete and 490 times better than gypsum-based concretes, meaning 12-inch on center tubing in Warmboard outperforms 4-inch on center slab systems.
Insulation Solutions
Unlike conventional insulation, Insul-Tarp is said to reflect up to 97 percent of radiant heat transfer back into inhabited building areas. The product from Insulation Solutions can take less than one-fourth the time of conventional insulation to install. While rigid insulation requires the subsoil surface to be lowered and leveled, no special preparations are needed to accommodate Insul-Tarp. The lightweight product comes in four roll sizes: 6x25, 6x50, 12x25, and 12x50 — it can be carried and installed by one person. Its low perm rate allows it to act as a vapor barrier, so it is also effective at preventing radon gas infiltration.
Concrete Pier Systems
The Concrete Pier System is a new alternative to placing treated wood columns in the ground. Because all columns are poured on grade, the builder can construct walls on the ground and simply set them in place, saving on labor. All exposed parts are painted to ensure the system remains aesthetically pleasing. The reinforced piers will pass most building codes requiring concrete foundations.
Berger Building Products
The AccuVent is a soffit insulation baffle that is built to last. The product installs easily with six staples, providing one-step, labor-saving installation, and tolerates staples much better than a typical foam product. No folding of cardboard or secondary stuffing of fiberglass insulation is necessary.
It is a non-porous 100 percent recycled PVC that does not allow air penetration into fibrous or blown insulation. Its unique design allows insulation to cover the entire outer wall of the house. AccuVent allows 25.3 square inches of airflow, provides a versatile fit, and is perforated for adjusted roof truss spacing. The flame retardant product is self extinguishing in less than 5 seconds.
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Rural Builder's Top 10 Products of 2004
Gruen-Wald Engineered Laminates
In February, readers were enamored with the innovative products offered by Gruen-Wald Engineered Laminates. The company’s Classic Columns are full glulam columns with structural finger joints. Gruen-Wald also manufactures Heavy Timber Framing Systems, Ultra-Deck Support Systems, and Kleer Span Headers. The company markets glulam post-frame columns with treated base and clear upper, in 2x4, 2x5, 2x8, and 2x10 sizes. Headers are rated at 3,400 Fb and 1.9E.
Palram Americas
Also in February, Palram Americas grabbed the attention of readers with its polycarbonate panels, particularly Sunsky, a skylight/sidelight panel that matches with most metal panel profiles.
Marco Industries
Retro-Ease by Marco Industries drew large reader response in March from those looking to install metal roofing over asphalt shingles. Easily applied over existing composition roofs, Retro-Ease foam strips mount directly on to shingles for installation of any metal roof profile. Retro-Ease eliminates tear-off and is comparable in cost to 1x4-inch wood.
DBI/Sala
DBI/Sala’s safety products for the construction industry grabbed your attention during May. Among DBI/Sala’s newer products are the ExoFit harness, designed for comfort and performance; the WrapBox Shock Absorbing Lanyard, with 5,000-pound capacity from any angle; and the Ultra-Lok Self Retracting Lifeline. Protecta’s Compliance in a Can is an all-in-one fall protection system with a harness, lanyard, and 50-pound rope lifeline.
Wellcraft
Wellcraft introduced its 5600 Series Modular egress window well system to readers in May, attracting a lot of interest. The system allows more light into basement areas and can be built to any height. An average installation takes four lightweight sections. Each section complies with IRC 2000 egress requirements. The maintenance-free system is constructed with weather-resistant, high-density polyethylene to stand up to freeze and thaw conditions, and will never rust, rot, or decay.
MFM Building Products
Readers generated a buzz about Peel & Seal from MFM Building Products in July. Peel & Seal is the simple solution for low-slope weatherproofing challenges of roofing additions, sunrooms, dormers, and mobile homes. Simply cut to length with a utility knife, peel off the backing paper, and press into place. The patented, multi-layered membranes will seal out elements even at problem areas like edges, seams, and vents.
Postsaver
The Postsaver excited plenty of readers in July. Postsaver is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly barrier for preserving inground wood, and is a viable alternative to conventional preservatives for below-ground post applications. The vulnerable area of the post is shrink-wrapped with a heavy duty polyethylene boot coated on the inside with bitumen. The heat-shrinking process drives the bitumen into the wood to provide a secondary moisture-resistant layer, while the outer layer provides a tough physical barrier.
Supra Floors
Subflor Advance from Supra Floors appeared as a new product in July. Subflor Advance creates a warm, dry basement floor with easy-to-install panels. It’s a floating floor specially designed for use over concrete slabs. Individual panels measure 2x2 feet and are 7/8 inches high, or less than half the height of the traditional wood subfloor. The product is assembled tongue-and-groove to lock out cold and dampness.
Homasote
Homasote garnered a significant number of reader responses with its 440 SoundBarrier vertical exterior sheathing in Rural Building Innovations in September. It is a special-density structural board made from 100 percent environmental Homasote cellulose fiber, a homogeneous composition. The 440 SoundBarrier is mold and mildew resistant, time-tested, price stable, and has combined shear value, nail pull, and permeance properties better than its competitors.
Una-Clad
Una-Clad presented its Una-Clad Flat Lock Panel Series of square, rectangular, and diamond interlocking tiles in our Rural Building Innovations section in October. The tiles can be installed vertically or horizontally, and used to clad roofs and/or walls. In contrast to plates or shingles with a similar look, the flat-lock tiles have hemmed edges which interlock between tiles to form simple joints. The series is available in many substrates, including copper, zinc, stainless steel, aluminum, and others.
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Rural Builder's Top 10 Products of 2003
Moderra Concrete Siding
Nowadays, rural builders are looking for any advantage they can get when dealing with zoning boards that endeavor to keep post-frame and metal frame buildings out of downtown areas and industrial parks. Moderra’s concrete siding, featured at the Nashville Frame Building Expo (February RB), can help buildings stay away from the boxy, tin can look without adding expensive masonry subcontracting costs. Moderra is mortarless, features a split-face texture, and is installed for about $5 per square foot.
Homework Design
Preserving and protecting structural members below grade is always a concern in the post-frame industry, especially those who visited the Expo. One solution is Plasti-Sleeve, a polyethylene sleeve that encapsulates the lower portion of post-frame columns and isolates them from the effects of ground and concrete contact. It can help eliminate column uplift in heavy soils and freeze/thaw conditions, and is versatile, usable in side and end wall columns, stub columns for sliding doors, and floor supports.
Perma-Column
While Homework Design’s product aims to protect wood below grade, Perma-Column replaces it altogether. Unveiled in the October issue, Perma-Column consists of a precast concrete component which rests below grade, an uplift anchor, and a U Bracket, which holds a wood column above grade. The U Bracket and concrete columns are sized to accommodate three- and four-ply 2x6 columns and three- and four-ply 2x8 columns.
Dynamic Fastener
Dynamic offers a wide variety of products, and it’s no surprise that its new 116-page catalog received heavy interest in our July issue. The catalog covers the company’s screws and anchors, flashings, sealants, insulation tapes, safety equipment, and tools. Also gathering attention was Dyna-Coat’s Drop-Stop Sealer, designed for application to metal roofs and problem areas such as gutters and expansion joints. It has 1,600 psi tensile strength and 600 percent elongation capabilities.
International Cellulose
In March, we discussed the relative merits of reflective insulation, but it was a blown-in product that caught readers’ eyes. Celbar is a natural alternative to fiberglass insulation, a blend of cellulose fibers treated with adhesive and fire resistant chemicals. The product is sprayed into a studwall, creating a monolithic seal around electrical outlets, switches, boxes, and pipes. It achieves an R-30 value in only 8.3 inches, and is classified as a green product by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Central States Mfg.
Defying conventional wisdom, self storage buildings remain a hot building sector, as we pointed out in September. Central States, a well-known panel manufacturer, took the opportunity to unveil its new self storage division, Central Storage Works. The standard building package comes with a complete set of erection drawings, 26-gauge wall panels in a variety of colors, 26-gauge Galvalume roof panels, red oxide steel frames, 8-foot, 6-inch eave heights, and 1/2:12 roof slopes.
New Concept Louvers
No matter how nice a building looks, if it’s not ventilated properly, chances are the owner will run into problems down the road. That’s why louvers and cupolas aren’t just for show. New Concept’s custom cupolas, featured in the May RB, are wrapped with PVC-coated aluminum and copper, and never require painting. They arrive in three pieces pre-cut to fit any roof pitch, and can be ordered in stock sizes or to custom specifications.
Stud Claw
Truss Float-R Brackets eliminate drywall ceiling cracks caused by framing movement in heavily insulated buildings. The framer simply nails steel brackets to the partition plate and to the truss through a plastic slider. Walls remain plumb and rigid, but the partition will never lift off the floor with truss movement or foundation settlement.
Mule-Hide
There are plenty of old metal roofs dotting the rural landscape that could use a touch-up, and Mule-Hide offered a solution in our July issue. The company’s coating stretches as the substrate moves and then returns to its original shape without deformation. The product has an initial solar reflectance value of up to 86 percent, and three-year aged values up to 72 percent.
Roll Right
A self storage facility is only as good as its doors and walls, which are often the only defense against would-be thieves. Roll Right sells hallway and divider walls, interior steel swing doors, mullions, header panels, double stack lockers, record racks, and wine storage lockers.
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Rural Builder's Top 10 Products of 2002
Radiant Floor Company
Our March issue highlighting radiant heating systems generated more reader responses than any other. The company garnering the most responses was Radiant Floor Company, which sells underfloor heating systems, designed for do-it-yourselfers. It offers a full range of radiant heating products: tubing, fittings, heat distribution fins, plate forming tools, reflective material, manifolds, an open system package, a closed system package, zone manifolds for closed/heat exchanger systems, and cast iron pumps for closed/heat exchanger systems.
Premier Building Systems
In December, RB explored the continuing surge in the use of structural insulated panels as an attractive option for energy-efficient building packages. Several companies received a higher-than-average number of reader responses, none as many as Premier Building Systems. Premier has packages for all types of projects, including panels in 4 to 12 in. thicknesses and up to 8x24 ft. Insul-Beam II is a header which fits 2x4, 2x6, and 2x8 wall widths. Insul-Lam is a nailbase which can be applied to roof decks.
Luxwood Corporation
At last year’s Frame Building Expo in San Antonio, a handful of contractors told us that a primary purpose in attending the show was to find a software package for cost and materials estimating, building design, and accounting. If they hadn’t been able to come, they could have simply read through our February profile of building software, where Luxwood’s 20-20 Post-Frame Design package drew the most responses. With the software, a simple four-sided post-frame building with multiple doors and windows can be designed in less than four minutes, including drawings, parts lists, and pricing.
Waterloov Gutter Products
In March, we announced that Waterloov had started up a new high-speed production line which made these louvered gutters more accessible. The product, which has two rows of interspersed louvers, is recommended for high-debris areas. They can be installed on existing or new gutters, and on all types of roofing, on any angle of pitch. It is available in 18 custom colors, in widths of 7-1/2, 9, 11-3/4, and 15 inches.
Hankuk Enterprises
From high-tech gizmos to ingeniusly simple gadgets, new tools are a perennial favorite with readers. This year’s low-tech favorite was the Prime Hammer, which drives nails into concrete. After inserting a concrete nail into the cylinder of the piston head, hit the piston head with another hammer. This drives the nail directly into the concrete, straight and accurately. The piston helps direct 80 percent of the force directly into the tool.
TAMKO Building Products
AstonWood shingles mimic a wood look, StoneCrest shingles have the look of smooth, uniform slate, StoneCrest slate replicates the random finish of natural slate, and StoneCrest Copper and StoneCoat have looks that fit their names.
Ruffin Building Systems
We covered all facets of pre-engineered metal building systems in May, and companies like Butler and Heritage were among the most popular. But Ruffin led the responses. The company’s buildings do not require certified erectors to erect its buildings, which include commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential. The company also sells mini-storage buildings.
Kelly Klosure Systems
Sometimes all a builder needs is a small building that’s quick to erect. In October, readers expressed an interest in Kelly’s Small-Span buildings, which the company says assembles up to 400 percent faster than conventional methods. They have clear span widths as narrow as 6 ft. or as wide as 24 ft., and can range from 6 to 99 ft. long and 8 to 14 ft. high.
Boral Material Technologies
Our readers also showed interest in concrete innovations. The Boral SPQ is a strength accelerating high range water reducing admixture, developed to provide maximum water reduction, improve workability, and increase early strength. The result is highly cohesive flowing concrete.
Accurate Truss Brace
Truss placement and bracing are always a challenge, and readers showed great interest in the Accurate Truss Brace. In July, we wrote about this tool used for setting wood trusses quickly and accurately. The metal braces hold the trusses on 24-in. centers; a nail dropped in the hole of the brace prevents accidental removal. Using the product, a three-man crew can set up 60 trusses per hour.
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