Top building products for September 2024

Building Design+Construction editors bring you the top building products for the month of September. Collected across a variety of building sectors, these products provide advanced lighting technology, fire protection, and façade elevation.

From Roof Hugger's sub-framing system to the Bendheim Titanium Glass Lunar Collection, here are 15 products being used in the industry today.

September 2024 Top 15 Building Products

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Crystal W50i window wall system

by Crystal Window & Door Systems

Replicating the appearance of a curtain wall, the Crystal W50i is a feature- and option-rich window wall system suitable for all types of buildings. The aluminum unitized pre-glazed system can span slab-to-slab openings up to 10 feet in height, and its framing features minimal 2 ¼-inch sightlines and a 5-inch frame depth. With the aim of facilitating fast, secure jobsite assembly of multiple units, the window wall system includes a snap-in connection system that significantly reduces caulking requirements. Double and triple pane insulated glass plus a variety of low-E coatings and argon gas filling can be specified.

RSQ direct drive rooftop fan

by Greenheck

Available in 12 direct drive sizes and supply or exhaust configurations, the RSQ direct drive rooftop fan incorporates mixed flow wheel technology to improve airflow and efficiency, reduce sound, and enable a smaller footprint. AMCA licensed for FEI, Air, and Sound Performance, the rooftop fan suits ducted or unducted building supply or exhaust at low to medium pressure. Large access doors and the hinged fabra hood design enable quick access and weather resistance. A range of accessories and Vari-Green motors up to 10 hp are offered to suit project needs.

Roof Hugger sub-framing system

by Roof Hugger

Roof Hugger notched sub-purlins — Town of Fishkill Recreation Building, Fishkill, N.Y. Photo courtesy Roof Hugger

When recurring roof leaks at a busy town recreation center demanded action, the Town of Fishkill opted, instead of removing and installing a completely new roof, for a Roof Hugger sub-framing system. The Model T Hugger system with tall “stand-off” clips and thermal spacers installed directly over the center’s original trapezoidal standing seam metal roof by utilizing sub-purlins that fit over the seams of the pre-existing metal panels, attach to the old roof and into the original structural framing system. In addition to allowing the center to continue operating without interruption to activities, this replacement provides a weathertight, wind-resistant system that should serve the community for decades.

Lyto micro-shade glass technology

by Guardian Glass and Privacy Glass Solutions

At the touch of a button, Lyto technology delivers complete blackout for windows, doors, privacy glazing, skylights, and entry doors. Because the shade is embedded between the glass and deploys using electrostatic forces, there are no mechanical parts that can fail nor does it need to be hard-wired into a main power supply; instead, the technology can be battery powered or upgraded with PV-solar power recharging. In most configurations, the deployed shade blocks over 95% of the sun’s energy. Designed and developed by Guardian Glass, the company has licensed its technology to Privacy Glass Solutions, who will produce and commercialize the product in the U.S. by the end of 2024.

Solatube M74 DS SkyVault Series

by Solatube

Solatube lights — Scripps Ocean-Atmosphere Research Simulator Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif. Photo courtesy Solatube

When scientists at the SOARS Lab were awarded a grant to build a first-of-its-kind ocean simulator, the team realized they needed to be able to control the sunlight entering the laboratory to replicate the conditions of real oceans while also complementing the building’s uniquely curved roof. After utilizing the Solatube Design Calculator in collaboration with the scientists, the project’s architecture team selected the Solatube M74 DS SkyVault Series with Daylight Dimmers to ensure control over the amount of natural daylight. A custom curb integrates the Solatube TDDs into the building’s roof curvature with a specially sourced cross-hatched embossed copper fleece roof to match historic materials and strategic positioning to maintain compliance with California Coastal Commission regulations.

ANKIT fastener for thermal bridging

by Knight Wall Systems

Essentially a high-performance screw and thermal isolation tube, the ANKIT fastener can be used in conjunction with the company’s CI and HCI systems to further aid in overcoming the challenges of thermal bridging and wind-driven rain. While the case-hardened and tempered screw component ensures long-term durability, the wedge tip feature of the polycarbonate isolation tube is designed to clean puncture through water-resistive barriers for increased performance. Available with a thread point ideal for wood studs, concrete and CMU applications or a light-duty drill point to fasten to steel studs.

PPG Steelguard 951 epoxy intumescent fire protection coating

by PPG

PPG Steelguard 951 coating — Photo courtesy PPG

After a successful launch in Europe and the Middle East, the PPG Steelguard 951 epoxy intumescent fire protection coating is now available in North and Latin America. Providing the commercial infrastructure sector—especially advanced manufacturing facilities—with up to four hours of fire protection, the coating expands from a thin, lightweight film into a thick, insulating foam, allowing more time for evacuation and minimizing damage. It is tested in accordance with all recognized national and international fire and corrosion standards.

Updated colors for PAC-CLAD architectural metal cladding systems

by Petersen, a Carlisle Company

Petersen has updated its color guide to feature newly stocked colors and gauge availability for its PAC-CLAD architectural metal cladding systems, coil and flat sheets. Committed to providing a diverse selection of colors, the redesigned color guide highlights seven color additions and two color renames. An availability grid on the back features a list of stocked steel and aluminum gauges for every color. Four colors and standard finishes that are not shown in a specific gauge can still be ordered but with extended lead times and minimum quantity requirements.

Updated SensoWash u integrated shower toilet

by Duravit

Aiming to provide a modern wellness experience at a more accessible price point, the SensoWash u integrated shower toilet has an updated design that moves select features to the top of the fixture for easy access during servicing or maintenance. Emphasizing optimal efficiency and performance, the shower toilet automatically shifts into intelligent energy saving mode when not used for 24 hours, while Rimless Technology rinses the entire surface of the bowl using the least amount of water possible after each use. Updated spray wand design ensures personalized hygienic cleansing.

Titanium Glass Lunar Collection

by Bendheim

Lunar Collection of glass — Photo courtesy Bendheim

An expansion of the Titanium architectural etched glass line, the Lunar Collection delivers a mix of subdued to dazzling 3D designs that play with light in unique ways to create distinctive glass surfaces for walls and ceilings. Durable, maintenance-friendly and with a fingerprint-resistant surface, the line of architectural glass can enhance a wide array of interior spaces by gently reflecting and diffusing daylight. The patterns can be customized and scaled to project requirements, and the collection installs quickly with the company’s Z-Kiss and Turnkey Systems.

ALUCOBOND PLUS at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

by 3A Composites

Many may recognize the University of Texas at Austin for its “Hook ‘em Horns” chant and hand sign, so the school sought to incorporate the Longhorn logo directly into the seating bowl of its Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with the help of ALUCOBOND PLUS. The Longhorn-shaped seating balcony in the stadium’s south end zone incorporates metal panels in a custom UT Burnt Orange and Pure White panels, and each panel is tapered so ensuring lines were perfectly straight became a critical part of the installation. Further evoking the state’s Longhorn cattle industry within the stadium, the new towers are clad with ALUCOBOND PLUS in the Rusted Metal finish for a suede-like appearance.

IntelliWrap PR self-adhering roofing underlayment

by IMETCO

IntelliWrap PR permeable, self-adhering roofing underlayment provides a water- and air-tight vapor-permeable barrier for a variety of steep slope (2:12 or more) roofing systems, though it can also be used with lower slope roofs. Meeting ASTM E2178 air-barrier resistance, the underlayment is formulated to withstand temperatures as high as 250 F. Requiring no special tools to install, the underlayment bonds fully without the use of primers and offers a slip-resistant, UV-stable surface to facilitate a safe installation.

Therml=Block architectural aluminum entrance system

by Tubelite

The Therml=Block architectural aluminum entrance system—along with the Standard and Monumental entrance systems—has been upgraded and expanded to achieve high thermal performance that meets today’s Model Energy Codes. Using a “poured over strut” thermal separation construction, Therm=Block doors can achieve a 0.50 U-value based on glazing with a center-of-glass 0.24 BTU/ft2-hr-F value. Allowing for dual finishing options and different colors on the interior and exterior, the entrance system is available up to 10 feet tall.

Sloan's BABAA-compliant commercial restroom products

by Sloan

Because infrastructure projects receiving federal assistance must meet the Build America Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements, Sloan announces a wide range of its commercial restroom products are now in compliance to support the initiative. All the company’s showerheads, wall-mounted hand dryers, stainless steel sinks and flushometers are BABAA-compliant as well as a wide selection of flushometer/fixture combinations and sinks. The company also offers a lineup of Buy America Act (BAA)-registered products.

DesignStackz Ceiling System

by Armstrong World Industries

Providing the opportunity to create playful 90-degree geometric patterns, the DesignStackz Ceiling System achieves the look of a complex and sophisticated ceiling design while engineered for ease of installation. The system consists of left- or right-orientation L-shaped tegular mineral fiber ceiling panels, Suprafine 9/16-inch suspension system and multi-directional 90-degree brackets with the option to add JLC Tech T-BAR STAX lights into the modular system. Part of the Armstrong Sustain portfolio, the panels consist of up to 75% recycled content and deliver 0.70 NRC and 37 CAC for a high level combination of sound absorption and sound blocking, respectively.