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Print ArticleThe process of bringing new information to you includes monitoring those items that you, our readers, have inquired about. In doing this we are better equipped to understand your needs and interests, making sure that the information you receive is not only innovative and beneficial, but relevant to your business. For the second year in a row, we have decided to share that information with another Top 25 Products feature. The featured list is based on reader responses, and so has been chosen by you. Here is that list in alphabetical order for your convenience. We hope this information gives you an opportunity to review the year's most asked about supplier offerings and catch up on anything you may have missed.
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80/20 expanded its 20-, 30- and 45-mm T-slotted profile series offerings by adding two
new profiles to each series. These new profiles are available in 4- or 6-meter stock lengths,
or cut to desired length, with standard clear anodized finishes. |
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ACS International Inc. got you talking with the introduction of its GraniteFX, a line of
textured caulk-sealants which utilizes patented Poly Chips granules and neutral cure silicon.
The caulk-sealant was specifically designed to match several national brands of solid surface
and cultured granite surfaces. It can be used to seal out water between surfaces such as
shower/tub surrounds and backsplashes, and reportedly offers 350 percent elongation with
no product shrinkage. |
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AHPLUS flexible hose, available through Air Handling
Systems, wrapped up the
attention of readers with its durable design and reinforced construction. The flexible hose
features improved puncture, moisture and tear resistance. It withstands ozone, chemical,
weather, UV and aqueous, oil or hydrocarbon-rich environments. Its royal blue color enhances
visibility in small shop and industrial settings. It has a temperature range of -60 to 275
F (intermittent 325 F); is constructed of thermoplastic rubber with coated polyester fabric
reinforced with a wire helix; and is available in standard lengths of 25 ft. with a
size range of 3 to 8 in. |
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Many of our readers were curious about AquaOne Technologies' Fish-n-Flush, a clear
two-piece toilet tank that replaces traditional tanks and contains a fully functioning aquarium.
It fits most toilets, operates as a conventional interior tank and is manufactured from clear
PETG to ensure a strong and durable reservoir. The 2.2-gal. aquarium piece will accept fresh
water as well as saltwater and can be easily removed for cleaning without obstructing the
toilet from working. Fish-n-Flush comes with gravel, two plastic 9-in. plants, a dual-filter
system, LED lighting, a built-in feeder, fill valve, overflow tube, flapper, suction pump
and two screws. |
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The stylish good looks of Artisan's new stainless steel farmhouse sink were popular
with readers. Made from a heavy, 16-gauge, premium stainless steel, the sink is reportedly
highly resistant to stains and corrosion. The underside of the sink is fully coated and padded
with extra rubber to help deaden sound and maintain water temperature. The sink is designed
to fit into a 36-in. cabinet and is suitable for a design-oriented kitchen. |
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Bosch expanded its Colt palm
router line with 10 new accessories, including a fixed base for those who need additional
bases; a fence-style edge guide for edge forming and slot cutting with nonpiloted bits; a
roller guide for edge trimming with nonpiloted bits; and an offset base with quick-clamp
system to rout near vertical surfaces. Bosch has also added an installer's kit to its
router line. The new Bosch PR20EVSNK Colt Palm Router Installer's Kit incorporates
the PR20EVS router motor, fixed base, edge guide, roller guide, offset base, tilt base, underscribe
attachment and carrying case. |
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Chemical Concepts' No-Drill Adjustable Dishwasher Mount made the list again this
year. It permits easy installation of dishwashers to solid surface, quartz and natural stone
surfaces without precise placement of the fastener. Using bonding techniques, this dishwasher
mount eliminates the need to drill and the possibility of waste from damaging or cracking
the countertop, and from misalignment. |
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Cheng Concrete Exchange offered readers a series of concrete
countertop products such as
formula mix, slurry, sealer, wax and polish, as well as training programs this year. |
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Domain Industries introduced its new Sierra Line of acrylic sinks. The sinks are stain-resistant
and withstand extreme temperatures of up to 300 F. The seamless, nonporous construction ensures
bacteria resistance and durability against daily use. The line meets practical and aesthetic
needs with a full five-year limited warranty and versatile colors. |
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DuPont StoneTech Professional introduced two new sealers: Bulletproof and Heavy
Duty.
They are waterproof sealers that have been reformulated for improved performance and easier
application. They are water-based, contain low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
and are compliant with recently enacted VOC regulations in Arizona, California, Delaware,
Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia. |
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FESTOOL Rotex dual mode sanders, including the 5-in. Rotex RO 125 and 6-in. Rotex RO 150
FEQ, put dual-mode, triple-function performance into one lightweight package. The sanders
can accomplish coarse sanding and grinding in rotary orbital mode, fine sanding in random
orbital mode and polishing with a polishing pad in rotary orbital mode. The sanders feature
tool-less pad change, integrated dust extraction, variable speed, double-sealed gear housing
and sealed bearings in an ergonomic design. |
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Formica Corp. added the Bronze Vanity Bowl to its Formica Solid Surfacing Collection.
The bowl has a sleek, seamless design that conceals where the top ends and the sink begins.
Paired with the new Mineral Mica or Burnished Artifacts solid surfacing patterns, the Bronze
Vanity Bowl is a unique combination of real metal and solid surface polymers that provides
an authentic metal aesthetic with all the benefits of a solid surface. |
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Gemstone brought to you its "Designer Vanity
Top Program," which allows fabricators
and other dealers to order custom vanity tops. The tops are available up to 97 in. long in
31 different colors with matching or contrasting bowls. Single bowl, double bowls, offset
bowls, multiple faucet hole configurations, side splashes and six different edge styles are
all available. |
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Guhdo USA released a new diamond saw blade, available for use on vertical and horizontal
saws. According to the company, the quality of finish allows seaming directly off the saw
without additional sanding. |
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The RT wheel from Hickory Hardware's Faultless Caster was designed for use with
Faultless 400, 800 and 1400 standard and stainless steel caster series. The wheel is resistant
to water, chemical absorption and steam cleaning. It is suitable for tool storage, warehousing
and other applications that require durability and easy mobility under heavy loads. The wheel's
waffle design of reinforced thermoplastic materials can withstand load capacities of 600
to 1,400 lbs. and allows for standard operating temperatures ranging from -20 to 480 F. |
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NIDA-CORE offered up structural composite sandwich core materials, including thermoplastic
honeycomb with dimensional thermal stability; processability and resiliency; end-grain balsa
core; polyurethane foam sheet and slab; and cored sandwich panels. The company's plastic
structured honeycomb is a suitable backer for cultured marble, stone veneer and solid surface. |
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Nuheat offered its floor warming system, able to warm tile and stone floors. The product
is available in a prepackaged bath kit that includes one floor warming mat, a seven-day programmable
thermostat, one fault indicator and an installation manual and CD-ROM. The product comes
with a 25-year warranty in tile applications. It is available in more than 60 standard sizes.
Custom mats are available to fit a room's curves and angles. The product draws 12 watts
per sq. ft. and must be installed on a dedicated circuit. The product is Energy Star qualified
when used with the company's |
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Outwater Plastics Industries offered its Adjustable
Economy Table Legs, designed to be
a cost-effective way to build tables or desks. The product is available in 6-, 16- and 28-in.
heights in black, chrome and matte nickel finishes. It comes in a set of four legs with predrilled
aluminum mounting plates and incorporated +2-in. adjustable leveler inserts for custom-tailored
heights. |
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Rachiele LLC returned this year wth its hand-made
wrought iron countertop supports in
several sizes, finishes and styles. They reportedly offer quick shipping and high profit
margins for their dealers. Products can be viewed on the company's Web site. They also
manufacture copper countertops, sinks and more. |
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Stone Care International offered its Stone Polish, which reportedly protects the colors
of natural stone without altering the crystalline structure and helps prevent dulling, glass
rings and shower-wall streaks. It is nonacidic, safe for kitchen use and works quickly. |
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Superior Stone Products launched it Quartz Surface
Enhancer this year, a specialized fluoropolymer
system that reportedly provides luminosity and penetrating stain protection for quartz surfaces,
and creates a uniform color throughout the stone. It is clear, easy to use and is available
in a 22-oz. spray bottle and quart sizes. In some states it is available in 1- and 5-gal.
sizes. |
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Swanstone provided the Palladio above-counter wash
basin, named after the famed Italian
Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio. It has a gently curved bowl and faucets can be mounted
three ways: on the fixture, on the counter or from the wall. It is made of Swanstone solid
surface and is available in 33 solid and aggregate colors. The company also offered several
3-D patterned solid surface decorative panels, making a total of six panels available from
the company for such things as tub and shower walls. Available in a 36- by 96-in. size, the
panels can be glued over existing wall surfaces. |
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Top Notch Products was noticed for its full line of custom-designed Corian
kitchen and bath accessories. Decorative products include soap dishes and shelves, towel bars, towel
rings, shower caddies, cabinet knobs and pulls, electrical plate covers and more. The products
are durable and easy to clean. |
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The Vance Industries Inc. Undermounter was designed to hold undermount sinks securely
in place. Extruded aluminum rails, strong cabinet anchor brackets, sink placement adjustment
bolts, interconnect joiner brackets and offset overflow drain brackets all work together
for a secure undermount system. For oval or odd-shaped sinks, the joiner brackets combine
rail sets to fully surround the sink. These mounting systems are fully adjustable and can
be installed or removed even after the countertop is set, making them suitable for remodeling. |
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Vance Industries Inc. introduced its Vanseal sink
clamp, designed to securely hold an
undermounted sink in place while mounting hardware is added and adhesives/sealants set. The
clamp set comes with an aluminum I-beam, threaded ¼-in. steel rod and two spin clamps
(2½ and
5 in.). The total adjustment design allows minor tweaks in tension for a professional position
and fit. |
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Warmly Yours offered its Bathroom Spa Package, comprised of its bathroom floor warming
systems and line of premium towel warmers. Lightweight and easy to connect with no visible
wires, the towel warmers are manufactured from high-carbon steel with electrostatic coatings
for long-lasting quality, and are heated by an embedded double grounded electric cable. All
Warmly Yours Home Comfort products are backed by a 24/7 installation support service and
lifetime technical assistance plan. |
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Beijing Baijuzhongqi Building Materials Co. Ltd. offered its 100
percent acrylic solid surface this year. The company was a participator in formulating
the professional criterion of solid surface and reportedly owns the most advanced automatic
digital control production line of 100 percent acrylic solid surface in China. Its solid
surface has passed the NSF-51 certification and the company is now a member of ISSFA. |
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DiamondTech introduced DiamondTech Glass Tiles, a modern
collection of richly colored tiles. The strong shades are reflective of those found in nature
and come in four series: Stained Glass, Mosaic, Platinum and Dimensions. |
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Brilliant solid surface is reportedly the first solid surface brand in
China, and the company
(Dongguan Shihuan Building Materials Ltd. - EnviroWorld) has grown over
the past decade based on the success of the solid surface material. Readers showed their
interest in the company's
solid surface material, which is offered in acrylic, polyester and polyester-acrylic blends.
Backed by a 10-year limited warranty, the material comes in more than 120 colors and 50 sink
styles. |
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The new color offerings from DuPont Surfaces this year
caught the eye of our readers and includes 13 new colors of Corian and 11 new colors of Zodiaq
- Okite Collection. The 2007 color palette incorporated organic tonal veins and particles
designed to recreate a sense of movement. Inspired by nature, the earthy textures elicit
a sense of balance. Corian solid surfaces are nonporous, low-maintenance materials that provide
style, design flexibility and high-performance benefits. |
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HanStone has expanded its existing line of 21 colors and patterns by adding
seven new
designer hues this year. Colors such as Maple Canyon and Odyssey are inspired
by nature, while others like Tiffany Grey and Passion Rouge appeal to contemporary, eclectic
tastes. HanStone combines the aesthetic qualities of natural stone with a durable, nonporous
finish that provides resistance to heat, stains and bacteria. |
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The new product line from Hope International Enterprises
Ltd. combined the beauty of both
glass and stone this year. The product is a translucent, ethereal color and is carefully
made and quality guaranteed. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors. It also eliminates
light pollution and is a smooth surface. The mixture of glass and stone reportedly creates
a sensation never felt before. |
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Royal Stone Industries offered five ready-to-install cast, one-piece solid
surface vanity tops in its JJ Brewster VaniTops designer series. Included
are the Brighton, which has the look of ripples on a beach; the Monarch, which is a double
sink with a single drain; the Monet, which is an artist's palette; and the Tulip, an
open flower. The Super Oval's
clean streamlined shape adds elegance to any bathroom. They are available in 48 standard
colors with optional integral coved backsplash and end splashes. |
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Our readers were pleased when Rynone Manufacturing Co. announced the expansion
of its in-stock selection of natural stone vanity tops to 20 sizes in seven
colors this year. |
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Terrazzo & Marble Supply Companies (T&M) piqued reader curiosity
with its unique
stone products. The appeal, rarity and beauty of gems are available with these collections.
The exclusive new collection is available in 3-cm slabs. |
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Totally Bamboo offered a totally different approach to surfacing for
readers with its bamboo
planks ready to be fabricated into kitchen counters or islands. The countertops
are offered in four different grain patterns: Caramelized Flat Grain, Caramelized Vertical
Grain and an exclusive Caramelized and Natural Parquet End Grain. Both the flat grain and
vertical grain are available in 1½- and 2-in. thick, 30- by 96-in. planks; the parquet
is only available in 60-in. lengths. The company also offers a variety of inlaid or solid
bamboo backsplashes, as well as a patent-pending edge trim that makes a 1½-in. counter
or island look up to 3 in. thick. |
