ebuild Blog

Aquatic. Designed to appeal to a broader range of users with hydrotherapy and accessible bathing needs, the Ava Bath includes a range of unique features. Rather than a swing-open door typical of most accessible bathtubs, Ava’s automated door runs the full length of the tub, and raises and lowers completely for unprecedented ease of access. The roomy design functions like a traditional soaking tub, allowing for more complete immersion than a traditional bath with a bench, and a patent-pending quick-drain feature empties the 70-gallon tub in 30 seconds or less. Four Ava bath models include soaker, whirlpool, air bath and air/whirlpool designs in a 60-inch-wide tub, suitable for remodeling. www.aquaticbath.com. –Lauren Hunter

Eldorado Stone. Designed to make it easy to create and install outdoor stone features, Eldorado Outdoor comprises glass-fiber reinforced concrete building blocks that assemble on site in a variety of configurations for outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, seating walls, and more; the cabinet units are scratch-coated for no-prep installation of the company’s stone or brick profiles. The lightweight units do not require additional concrete footings and can be installed directly over existing solid flooring surfaces.
Cut-outs for grills, sinks, and other elements can be done on site. According to the firm, the product reduces installation time for an L-shaped island from 64 hours to eight hours. www.eldoradostone.com. –Katy Tomasulo

Generac. The company’s new CorePower system offers the convenience of an automatic standby generator and transfer switch at an affordable, $1,799 price point. The 7-kW model can power a range of household needs during an outage, which it responds to automatically. The unit features an all-weather composite enclosure; three of its four sides slide off for easy servicing. It runs on natural gas or propane. www.generac.com. –K.T.

Clopay. The garage door manufacturer will now offer fiberglass and steel entry doors. Numerous decorative window styles with matching sidelites, transoms, and leaded garage door windows are available. The entry doors are factory finished and pre-hung for easy installation. The fiberglass products include a polyurethane foam core for added insulation and strength, along with tempered, triple-glazed insulated glass. Steel offerings are insulated with polyurethane.  Select doors qualify for the energy tax credit. www.clopay.com. –Victoria Markovitz

LifeTime Lumber. Made with fly ash recovered from power plants mixed with polyurethane, LifeTime Lumber decking is fire- and mold-resistant, impervious to termites and dry rot, and will not split or fade, according to the firm. The decking cuts and fastens like wood, and features a redwood-based wood-grain. The 2×6 deck boards have a joist span rating of 24 inches. Six colors are offered. www.lifetimelumber.com. –K.T.

TimberTech. Available in cedar or gray colors, ReliaBoard decking offers homeowners an alternative to wood decking that features the durability and low maintenance of composite at a lower price point. The boards feature a flat-grain surface and a square edge, and are available in 12-, 16-, or 20-foot lengths. The maker is offering a 25-year limited, one-time transferable warranty. www.timbertech.com. –L.H.

Behr. Ideal for drywall installers, Premium Select High Build Primer & Sealer is designed to help professionals save time, money, and materials during the drywall-finishing process. The high-viscosity primer goes on thick to fill and hide minor imperfections before applying color topcoat. The high-build properties minimize imperfections such as paper fuzz, minor sanding grooves, nicks, and pinholes, and ensures topcoats present a smooth and consistent sheen. Available through special order only. www.behrpro.com. –L.H.

Simpson Strong-Tie. The LSCZ connector provides a concealed connection between the stair stringer and the carrying header or rim joist, replacing additional framing and toe-nailing. The product is suitable for solid or notch stringers, the firm says, and is field-slopeable to all common stair stringer pitches. A ZMax coating provides corrosion protection. www.strong-tie.com. –K.T.

Verve Living Systems. The firm has added thermostat control to its wireless system of lighting and fan controls. The product’s self-powering, battery-free switches can be programmed at home by the homeowner for control of individual or groupings of lights and fans. By combining radio frequency with energy-harvesting technology, Verve eliminates the need for wiring between light fixtures and light switches, saving installers time and money. www.vervelivingsystems.com. –V.M.

Danfoss. Reflect electric floor heating installs under laminate and engineered wood without the need for grout or another substrate during installation. A Styrofoam backing gives the product an additional R-value. www.danfoss.com. –V.M.

Kohler. The company has introduced a new line of automatic standby home generators that focus on design as well as the performance of the products. Including in the launch are three new sizes–10-kW, 13.5-kW and 20-kW–that will replace existing residential models of similar kilowatt output. These new offerings, the company says, offer faster response time, quieter power, and a new composite shell that is corrosion-proof even in harsh elements such as salty coastal areas. It comes in the company’s cashmere color. www.kohler.com. –Nigel F. Maynard

Senco. This nailer looks like slightly like a weapon from a J.J. Abrams sci-fi flick, but we guarantee you it is not. The company has combined the flexibility of a cordless nailer with the power of a pneumatic to produce the Fusion15- and 18-gauge finish nailer line. It eliminates the drawbacks associated with traditional gas- and battery-powered nailers, including fuel cell replacement costs, tool weight, and ramp-up times. Fusion uses an 18-volt lithium-ion phosphate battery that can reach an 80 percent charge in 15 minutes and Reflex Shot technology for added power and to provide up to 500 drives between charges. www.senco.com. –N.M.