2017 Top 100 Products: Structural, Insulation, Housewrap

To see products in the other 2017 Top 100 categories, click here. Click images to enlarge.

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Spray Foam Insulation / CertainTeed

CertaSpray X Open Cell Spray Foam can be installed in attics and crawlspaces without the need for an ignition barrier or additional intumescent coating. Because the product complies with AC377 Appendix X requirements and can be used in both spaces in one step and left exposed, contractors can benefit from a quicker install time and lower labor costs. The spray foam cures to a distinctive mocha color, which building inspectors can quickly identify. CSX meets ICC-ES code requirements for thermal and moisture protection, can save as much as 20 percent on heating and cooling costs, according to the manufacturer, and can contribute to credits for an Energy Star home. 

Weather Barrier / Huber Engineered Woods

Zip System sheathing and tape is a structural roof and wall system with an integrated water-resistant and air barrier that streamlines the weatherization of a building to a two-step process. Just install the panels and seal the seams with Zip System Flashing Tape or Zip System Stretch Tape to easily fit over sills, curves, and corners with a single strip. Both tapes are made with an advanced acrylic adhesive and can be applied by hand, pulled up, and reapplied.

Weatherization Systems / DuPont

The Tyvek brand includes weatherization products such as wall and roofing underlayment, flashing tapes, and accessories like wrap caps, sealant, window and door foam, and spray adhesive. DuPont invented the building wrap category more than 30 years ago, and Tyvek HomeWrap is the original housewrap made from fine, high-density plastic fibers that are fused together to form a strong, uniform web that resists bulk water and air penetration while allowing moisture vapor to pass through. Tyvek Building Envelope systems also reduce the risk of condensation damage, wood rot, and mold growth. 

Subfloor Panels / Huber Engineered Woods 

The strong, stiff AdvanTech subfloor panels from Huber Engineered Woods are made of high-density engineered wood, with moisture-resistant resins embedded throughout. Fastener holding power keeps floors flat and quiet, and the precisely milled and durable tongue-and-groove panel profile allows for easy installation. Panels measure 4 by 8 feet and do not need to be sanded. 

Air And Water Barrier / Georgia-Pacific

The ForceField air-and-water barrier system from Georgia-Pacific consists of structural engineered wood sheathing panels laminated with an air and water barrier. The seams between installed panels are taped with ForceField seam tape, which has serrated edges and is easy to tear by hand, to create a code-compliant, integrated building envelope that eliminates the need for housewrap. ForceField keeps out water and prevents air infiltration but is permeable, allowing water vapor to escape. Sheathing is available in 4-by-8-, 4-by-9-, and 4-by-10-foot panels. 

Insulation / Dow Corning

The HPI-1000 Building Insulation Blanket from Dow offers significantly improved thermal resistance compared with conventional insulation products, and its thin profile, flexibility, and compression resistance allow for thermal protection in hard-to-insulate spaces. It can be easily cut, will conform to complex shapes and tight curvatures, and will adhere without difficulty to building products. HPI-1000 is an ideal solution for sealing tough connection points in building envelopes, such as where glazing systems meet cavity walls, below-grade systems meet above-grade systems, and where parapets meet roofs. Building Insulation Blanket is also fire-resistant, hydrophobic, and does not settle over time.

Building Enclosure System / BASF

The HP+ Building Enclosure Systems is a wall enclosure system that enables builders to use 25 percent less lumber than a structure built using conventional construction methods, and it eliminates the need for plywood or OSB sheathing. The system combines BASF products to create a single integrated wall system that delivers exceptional control of heat, air, and moisture and boosts structural integrity. The system includes: Neopor, a graphite-enhanced rigid thermal foam insulation that mitigates the risk of moisture inside wall cavities; Walltite HP+, a closed-cell, spray-applied polyurethane insulation; and Enershield, an air- and water-resistant coating that creates seamless protection for above-grade wall substrates. MaxFlash is liquid flashing membrane for rough openings and can also be used to prepare sheathing joints for subsequent application of BASF air/water barrier membranes or with water-resistive gypsum sheathing. 

Roof Insulation Panels / GAF

ThermaCal Nail Base Roof Insulation panels from GAF’s Cornell division are factory-assembled products with a top surface of sheathing, GAF EnergyGuard Polyiso insulation, and built-in ventilation space that can reduce heat in the living space and exhaust excess moisture before it condenses in the deck or roofing system. The panels have tongue-and-groove edges for a tight fit and are designed for use on structural wood or steel sloped roof deck. ThermaCal also is ideal for cathedral ceilings, glue-laminated timber, post-and-beam structures, and conditioned attic spaces.

Moisture Management / Kingspan

Kingspan’s moisture-management products are offered through its GreenGuard family of products, which includes extruded polystyrene insulation board, air barrier building wraps, drainage mats, and flashing. GreenGuard products help reduce energy consumption, and some items, such as GreenGuard insulation board and building wraps, contain recycled content. 

Spray Foam Insulation / Icynene

Icynene’s Classic Max spray foam insulation is an open-cell, low-VOC foam that is GreenGuard Gold certified. Its low emissions level allows for reentry and reoccupancy two hours after installation—with active ventilation. It is also an ignition-barrier–free product that the manufacturer says can smother an attic fire in less than a minute. The Classic Plus spray foam is ideal for architects and builders looking to meet or exceed higher R-value requirements in the latest regional and national building codes. The high R-value open-cell spray foam achieves R-22 in 2x6 wall assemblies. 

Engineered Wood Products / Boise Cascade

Boise Cascade manufactures Versa-Lam and Versa-Stud laminated veneer and I-joist brands BCI Joists and AllJoists. Its engineered wood products come in uniform depths and thicknesses and are stronger than dimensional lumber. Consequently, framers can use longer spans and fewer pieces, which can yield time savings during cutting, fitting, and nailing and result in less material waste. Boise Cascade offers a lifetime warranty and problem-solving field support.

Spray Foam Insulation / Icynene

Icynene manufactures a range of foam insulation products guaranteed to perform for the life of the building. Classic is an open-cell spray foam that is ideal for residential interior applications. The Classic Max and ProSeal spray foams are low-VOC and allow for reentry one hour after application and reoccupancy after two hours of active ventilation. Classic Max Select is a one-and-done foam that eliminates the requirement of an ignition barrier in unvented attics. Classic Plus is a high R-value open-cell spray foam that achieves R-22 in 2x6 wall assemblies. ProSeal Eco is a 100 percent water-blown closed-cell spray foam and a greener alternative to chemically based closed-cell spray foams. ProSeal LE offers the ability to achieve an initial 5-inch thickness in one pass, and MD-C-200 is a closed-cell spray foam that is ideal in zones that are prone to flooding and hurricanes. 

Subfloor Screws / Simpson Strong-Tie

With lateral shear, withdrawal, and pull-through values that exceed those of 10d common nails, the holding power of Strong-Drive WSNTL Subfloor screws from Simpson Strong-Tie reduces gaps between joist and subfloor that cause floor squeaks, eliminating the need for costly callbacks. WSNTL screws are ideal for subfloor, sheathing, sill plate, and stair tread applications using Simpson Strong-Tie’s Quik Drive auto-feed screw driving system. The screws remove the need for gluing in diaphragm applications and have the added advantage of being easy to back out, allowing future access to floor cavities.

Drywall / CertainTeed

CertainTeed is a provider of wall-to-wall drywall solutions with products such as: AirRenew, which improves indoor air quality by permanently removing formaldehyde from the air; SilentFX QuickCut Noise-Reducing Drywall, which reduces sound transmission between rooms by up to 90 percent; M2Tech Moisture & Mold Resistant Drywall, which protects baths, kitchens, and other residential spaces from high humidity and moisture; and Habito, a high-impact-resistant ½-inch drywall with holding strength that allows anchor-free mounting.

Fire-Resistant Wallboard / Georgia-Pacific Gypsum

ToughRock Fireguard 45 Gypsum Board is a ½-inch wallboard with enhanced fire resistance properties that earn a UL-classified 45-minute fire rating. These wallboards weigh less than traditional 5/8-inch and other ½-inch fire-rated wallboards, the company says. ToughRock is noncombustible and made with a dimensionally stable gypsum core specially formulated to increase the strength and resistance to the passage of heat. The core is sandwiched between face layers made of 100 percent recycled paper. In addition to its fire-resistant qualities, ToughRock also lowers sound transmission between rooms. 

Framing Materials / Norbord Industries

MC Norbord is a manufacturer of wood-based panels used for roof and wall sheathing, subfloors, and stairs. Roofing products include Solarbord, a radiant barrier structural sheathing, and Trubord, 4-by-8-foot square-edge panels that are ideal as roof and wall sheathing for single-family and multifamily homes, as well as light-commercial construction. The wall products portfolio has TallWall, which reduces air leakage by up to 60 percent; Windstorm, for meeting high-wind codes; and Quakezone, sheathing that can be ordered in pre-trimmed lengths. TruFlor PointSix subfloors’ edges stay flush even when exposed to weather, and Pinnacle is tongue-and-groove subflooring with a no-sand guarantee. 

Termite Control / Nisus

Bora-Care can be directly applied to wood, concrete, and foundation penetrations during the dried-in phase of construction in a single spray application for long-term control of termite and other wood-destroying insects and fungi. Bora-Care from Nisus can be applied in any weather and eliminates the process of pumping gallons of pest-control chemicals into the soil around a building site. The product can earn builders points for LEED, National Green Building Standard, EarthCraft, and other green building certifications.

Laminated Strand Lumber / Weyerhaeuser

TimberStrand LSL from Weyerhaeuser is free of knots and resists twisting, shrinking, and bowing after installation. It is available in framing lumber, sill plate, framing for tall walls, beams, rim plates, headers, and floor joists. The laminated strand lumber is straight no matter the length and is ideal for applications that require long spans and stability. The manufacturing process uses a technology that takes small-diameter trees that are not strong or straight enough on their own and produces high-performing engineered lumber. 

Weatherization System / Kimberly-Clark

Made in the U.S., Kimberly-Clark’s weatherization system includes housewrap, flashing tape, and seam tape. Block-It House Wrap is a drainage wrap that prevents moisture penetration and channels water away from the building assembly and onto the ground while providing a breathable barrier. Block-It is made with UV inhibitors that provide protection from ultraviolet light for up to six months. It resists tears, abrasions, and punctures and does not snag on nails or equipment. The housewrap also is GreenGuard Gold certified. 

Spray Foam Insulation / BASF

BASF spray polyurethane foam (SPF) products use zero ozone-depleting blowing agents and emit no volatile organic compounds. Their insulating air-sealing properties prevent outdoor allergens and pollutants from entering the home, providing improved indoor air quality. Closed-cell SPF, such as Spraytite, provide R-value moisture resistance and air-barrier properties in one product. Walltite delivers near-zero air permeability and superior insulation performance. Elastospray is a closed-cell SPF for roofing systems, and Enertite is an open-cell SPF that provides improved energy efficiency, comfort, and sound control.

Subfloor Adhesive / Huber Engineered Woods

When used with AdvanTech subfloor panels, the polyurethane bond of AdvanTech Subfloor Adhesive from Huber Engineered Woods deadens squeaks. The panels and adhesive, a panel-to-joist assembly, stay flat and stiff. The foam-to-gel adhesive is applied with a gun applicator and can be used on frozen or wet wood. It applies quickly and easily, with a 20-minute open time. One 24-ounce can yields 400 linear feet. 

Wood Shearwall / Simpson Strong-Tie

Strong-Wall SB is a prefabricated wood shearwall designed to provide greater lateral-force resistance performance compared with conventional wood shearwalls, according to Simpson Strong-Tie. It gives installers the flexibility to field-trim for customized heights and rake walls. The shear walls are suitable for such applications on concrete foundations as standard and balloon framing up to 20 feet, garage portal systems, and two-story stacked. The product fastens to headers with drill zones and has a chase to accommodate wiring.

Lath With Rainscreen / Boral

The draining and drying components of a wall system are unified into a single product from Boral: Drain-N-Dry integrates chemical- and corrosion-resistant fiberglass lath, a 10mm rainscreen, and a secondary water-resistant barrier into a 150-square-foot easy-to-cut roll. The roll is light, easy to move around, and can be installed from scaffolding. A fastener band every 6 inches ensures solid connection to the structure and easy visual inspection.

Weather Barrier / Sto

StoGuard is a fluid-applied air-and-moisture barrier system that forms a seamless membrane on exterior walls. The liquid membrane can be applied by roller or airless sprayer, providing for simpler and quicker installation compared with building wraps that require lapping, taping, and cutting. StoGuard can be used on virtually any substrate and under most types of cladding. Sto Emerald Coat can be left exposed to weather for up to six months.

Construction Resource / DuPont

The website weatherization.tyvek.com is a resource for building envelope installation and design best practices. The DuPont Building Knowledge Center features information for construction pros about evolving building and energy codes, sustainable building practices, and materials and techniques for air, water, and thermal management. Content includes videos, product-guide specifications, data sheets, building science bulletins, and white papers. 

Spray Foam Insulation / Icynene

Icynene’s spray foam insulation solutions added Opteon 1100 foam-blowing agent from Chemours Co., to meet the insulation manufacturer’s need for nonflammable product with lower global-warming impact. The fluorochemical enables Icynene to support customers trying to comply with upcoming regulatory-driven conversions by using spray foam with no ozone depletion and low global warming potential. According to Chemours, using Opteon 1100 in a 2,400-square-foot home can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60,000 kilograms compared with conventional high global-warming potential foam-blowing agents.