HARD CORE: Arboreal panels place a wood surface veneer over a light-gauge, recycled aluminum core. The core allows panels to be custom-manufactured in large sizes and precision-curved at the factory—plus they’re lighter weight than wood panels. They can also be perforated in any acoustical pattern, in effect making high-performance wood acoustical panels practical for the first time.
For more information, call Ceilings Plus at 323-724-8166 or visit www.ceilingsplus.com. BRACE YOURSELF: Multifamily buildings in seismic and wind zones often require interior shear walls to resist racking, and Sure Board has a higher shear value than plywood or OSB. The product consists of 22-gauge sheet metal laminated onto 1/8-inch-thick MDF. It’s thin enough to be placed beneath standard drywall without being noticed and is available for wood or steel framing.
For more information, call Cemco at 800-775-2362 or visit www.sureboard.com. KEEP YOUR COOL: Manufactured with plywood backed by aluminum foil, Plytanium Thermostat Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing reflects up to 97 percent of the sun’s radiant heat. The company says radiant barriers can reduce cooling bills by as much as 20 percent, depending on building design, insulation levels, ventilation, thermostat setting, and geographic location.
For more information, call Georgia Pacific at 800-472-8453 or visit www.gp.com/build. MARKED IMPROVEMENT: By using the preprinted cutting and nailing lines on the face of the GRID, construction crews can nail faster and saw a straight or angle cut without measuring and snapping chalk lines. A simple-to-use guide for new laborers, the GRID improves workers’ efficiency and accuracy. It’s available in OSB and plywood, in a variety of thicknesses and grades.
For more information, call Martco Limited Partnership at 800-299-5174 or visit www.martco.com. BETTER NEIGHBORS: Made of 97 percent recycled or recovered wood or sugarcane fibers, SoundStop provides an affordable, earth-friendly solution where sound deadening is a priority. SoundStop panels are installed directly on the framing, then covered with a layer of drywall. They can achieve an STC rating of 42 or better (which means that loud speech in the next room becomes a murmur) at about one-third the cost of other products, the company says.
For more information, call Knight-Celotex at 800-375-0289 or visit www.knightcelotex.com.
Hot Product of the Month
DINNER’S READY: The Sharp Insight Pro Microwave Drawer puts food where it’s easy to check or stir. It slides open with a touch of the control panel and is especially helpful for seniors or disabled residents who use a microwave as their primary cooking appliance. It comes as a stand-alone or as a range package, which also includes a standard oven, and is available in black, white, or stainless steel finishes. At 30 inches wide, it can be installed in lieu of a standard base cabinet. The stand-alone unit