Summer's Top Shelf Products

1 of 9

Kohler The Cimarron toilet is offered with or without the familiar trip lever, offering a sleek touchless option for residential use. Unlike a beam-based sensor, the Kohler Touchless flush projects an electromagnetic field to detect the user and initiate the flush. The firm says this technology is accurate and reliable. The sensor runs on four AA alkaline batteries which last six to 12 months, depending on use.

Pfister Pfister’s collaboration with GE followed the success of the appliance company’s popular matte gray finish, Slate. Pfister’s approach is a bold brushed metal finish that carries Slate into faucets and fixtures throughout the home. As an accent to transitional design schemes, Pfister says the gray finish in the Pasadena collection will complement the most popular bathroom styles for 2014.

Sub-Zero The Sub-Zero 42-inch French door model has the largest capacity of any French door model of the same size, says the firm. For freshness and maximum energy efficiency, the company has improved the magnetic door seal to ensure that no matter which door is opened, the door quickly seals shut. This model has six adjustable door-width glass shelves that provide maximum storage flexibility.

Organized Living Storage upgrades from the freedomRail collection are designed with ease of installation and customization in mind. FreedomRail can be staged in advance and installed in several areas of the home within hours, ensuring minimal interference with other trades. The components, made from low-emitting materials, can be adjusted without tools and can support up to 150 pounds per square foot.

H-P Products In 2013, 18 percent of new homes included central vacuum systems, a 64 percent increase since 2007. For large homes up to 12,000 square feet, H-P Products offers Element 2300, featuring a powerful new engine with 707 max air watts of power and 136 CFM of airflow to pick up debris. H-P says the filter will never need replacing and the dirt canister needs to be emptied only three or four times a year.

MP Global Products Perfectly Warm radiant heat film provides a gentle heat specifically designed for floating engineered wood, laminate floors, and some floating tile floors. The lightweight system meets warranty requirements of many floating floors and supplies gradual supplemental warmth from low wattage resistance heating of ultra-thin, flexible radiant heat film that uses just 6 watts per square foot.

MusselBound For small jobs and accent tiles, MusselBound adhesive tile mat offers a convenient option with 15 times more shear and peel strength than competitive products, according to the company. To install, apply the sheets to the wall, peel off the facing layer, and place the tile. MusselBound is a plain white mat, so it won’t affect the look of glass tile, and any grout can be used with the material.

August The low-profile August smart lock installs on door’s in… August The low-profile August smart lock installs on door’s interior side and unlocks with metal keys or automatically on approach using Bluetooth technology linked with a smartphone. An EverLock feature automatically locks the door behind you. The unit uses four AA batteries and does not require an Internet connection. Log records and access controls may be viewed from your smartphone or computer.

Kohler The Cimarron toilet is offered with or without the famili… Kohler The Cimarron toilet is offered with or without the familiar trip lever, offering a sleek touchless option for residential use. Unlike a beam-based sensor, the Kohler Touchless flush projects an electromagnetic field to detect the user and initiate the flush. The firm says this technology is accurate and reliable. The sensor runs on four AA alkaline batteries which last six to 12 months, depending on use.

Pfister Pfister’s collaboration with GE followed the success o… Pfister Pfister’s collaboration with GE followed the success of the appliance company’s popular matte gray finish, Slate. Pfister’s approach is a bold brushed metal finish that carries Slate into faucets and fixtures throughout the home. As an accent to transitional design schemes, Pfister says the gray finish in the Pasadena collection will complement the most popular bathroom styles for 2014.

Mark Gillepsie

Sub-Zero The Sub-Zero 42-inch French door model has the l… Sub-Zero The Sub-Zero 42-inch French door model has the largest capacity of any French door model of the same size, says the firm. For freshness and maximum energy efficiency, the company has improved the magnetic door seal to ensure that no matter which door is opened, the door quickly seals shut. This model has six adjustable door-width glass shelves that provide maximum storage flexibility.

Organized Living Storage upgrades from the freedomRail col… Organized Living Storage upgrades from the freedomRail collection are designed with ease of installation and customization in mind. FreedomRail can be staged in advance and installed in several areas of the home within hours, ensuring minimal interference with other trades. The components, made from low-emitting materials, can be adjusted without tools and can support up to 150 pounds per square foot.

H-P Products In 2013, 18 percent of new homes included cen… H-P Products In 2013, 18 percent of new homes included central vacuum systems, a 64 percent increase since 2007. For large homes up to 12,000 square feet, H-P Products offers Element 2300, featuring a powerful new engine with 707 max air watts of power and 136 CFM of airflow to pick up debris. H-P says the filter will never need replacing and the dirt canister needs to be emptied only three or four times a year.

Zola Windows The ZNC (Zola No Compromise) window fe… Zola Windows The ZNC (Zola No Compromise) window features a slim profile design with concealed hinges, rail mounted rainscreen cladding, and powder coated aluminum exterior for longevity. ZNC is the first window on the market available with R-15 quad glazing, says the company. Suitable for all ultra high-performance buildings, ZNC Fixed Windows can be as large as 8 feet wide and 10 feet high.

MP Global Products Perfectly Warm radiant heat film provi… MP Global Products Perfectly Warm radiant heat film provides a gentle heat specifically designed for floating engineered wood, laminate floors, and some floating tile floors. The lightweight system meets warranty requirements of many floating floors and supplies gradual supplemental warmth from low wattage resistance heating of ultra-thin, flexible radiant heat film that uses just 6 watts per square foot.

MusselBound For small jobs and accent tiles, MusselBound a… MusselBound For small jobs and accent tiles, MusselBound adhesive tile mat offers a convenient option with 15 times more shear and peel strength than competitive products, according to the company. To install, apply the sheets to the wall, peel off the facing layer, and place the tile. MusselBound is a plain white mat, so it won’t affect the look of glass tile, and any grout can be used with the material.

These nine picks are sleek, ranging from exceptional examples of transitional design to the latest in high-efficiency technology. From Zola’s ZNC (Zola No Compromise) window to Pfister’s continuation of GE’s slate gray finish throughout the home, these are the new and noteworthy products you need to know about.

Do you have a new, favorite building product? Share in the comments.

Summer’s Top Shelf Products

About the Author

Sandra Malm

More from Builder Magazine

From the Cart to the Jobsite: LP Expands Product Offerings on Amazon

Product Pick of the Week: Ply Gem’s Black Vinyl Collection

Product Pick of the Week: Brizo’s Frank Lloyd Wright–Inspired Faucets

Upcoming Events

Denver Dealmakers

Accelerate Summit

Tampa Dealmakers