Top Structural Products for 2020

The products selected for Building Design+Construction’s annual 75 Top Products report are determined by you, our readers. These products appeared in the pages of the magazine over the past 12 months that readers wanted to learn more about. The products were selected based on the number of reader service inquiries. BD+C editors selected a few of our favorites as well (marked “Editors' Picks”). 

GRS TAPER-LOC glass railing system (Editors' PICK)

Designed for ¹/2- to ³/4-inch monolithic tempered glass, the GRS TAPER-LOC glass railing system is the first and only ICC-approved base shoe system on the market, says the maker. The dry glaze system self-centers and plumbs the glass, all from the floor side of the railing, reducing installation time by up to 50%. Glass panels can be removed, adjusted, or replaced with ease. Designed for interior and exterior applications. Available in eight finishes.

C.R. LAURENCE

DriftReady Stairs

Designed with patent-pending connectors that keep stairs stable at rest, yet flexible when a building moves, DriftReady Stairs accommodate seismic movement and interstory drift during seismic events. Full-scale shake table testing by the University of Nevada, Reno, showed that the stair system surpassed industry-standard interstory drift levels of 2.5%, reaching drift levels of up to 4.0%. The stairs also reduce the transfer of damaging force back into a structure during building movement.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIALTIES

SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Translucent Grout (EDITORS' PICK)

This patented, stain-proof, high-performance epoxy grout offers a unique opaque color that diffuses light and adds vibrancy to designs. Spectralock Pro Premium Translucent Grout is crack-resistant, durable, and cleanable to the original color. It features a non-sag formula for grout joints from ¹/16 to ¹/2 inch, and offers 80 minutes working time at 70 F. Suitable for installations at wide temperature ranges. 

LATICRETE

Thin-slab composite floor systems

New Millennium offers three proven solutions for optimizing multi-story, multifamily construction projects with thin-slab, long-span composite floor systems. The three approaches—composite joists and deck, Deep-Dek Composite, and Versa-Dek Composite—can achieve clear spans of up to 60 feet uninterrupted by support columns. The systems also address the many factors that go into designing a high-performance and efficient structural system for multi-story, multifamily construction, including total floor depth, loads, overall aesthetics, and fire, vibration, and acoustic ratings.

NEW MILLENNIUM 

FOAMULAR NGX Insulation (EDITORS' PICK)

Owens Corning’s Foamular NGX (next generation extruded) insulation is produced with a proprietary blowing agent that exceeds most regulatory standards without sacrificing product performance. The formulation eliminates use of the hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent HFC-134a and reduces the product’s global warming potential (GWP) by 90%. It offers R-5 per inch, handles loads up to 100 psi, and has low water absorption potential. Foamular NGX is the only XPS with a limited lifetime warranty that guarantees a minimum 90% of R-value for the life of the product.

OWENS CORNING

Cavityrock Black Insulation Board (EDITORS PICK)

Rockwool’s Cavityrock Black is a dual-density insulation board designed to mask the insulation layer with a bonded fleece facing to create a crisp, dark aesthetic in open-joint façades. It eliminates the need for a separate masking layer that can add extra time, materials, and cost to an installation. The fleece material has been designed for exposure to the elements (weather, heat, UV), while maintaining the thermal performance, fire resistance,
and moisture control of Rockwool stone wool insulation. 

ROCKWOOL

Yield-Link moment connection (EDITORS' PICK)

Simpson Strong-Tie’s Yield-Link moment connection is designed to simplify and streamline structural steel connections made in the field, without compromising structural strength. The connection requires no field welding,
resulting in reduced onsite labor costs, licensing fees, and construction time. By eliminating field welding, Yield-Link also removes the need for field weld inspections. Fewer fabricated steel elements and field connections are required with Yield-Link, says the maker. 

SIMPSON STRONG-TIE

Sheetrock Brand EcoSmart Panels (EDITORS' PICK)

USG’s Sheetrock Brand EcoSmart Panels feature a noncombustible gypsum core that is encased in 100%-recycled face and back papers that form a high strength-to-weight ratio composite design. The panels meet Architecture 2030 Challenge for Products in three areas: up to 25% less global warming potential (GWP), up to 25% less water used in the manufacturing process, and up to 20% reduction in transportation fuel energy. Contains 100% USDA certified biobased content and up to 94.6% recycled content. 

USG

Terrace floating stair system

Viewrail’s Terrace floating stair system has no visible means of support as it rises from one floor to the next. Terrace treads are connected to the riser with no nosing and no exposed metal. The staircase is pre-cut and pre-drilled so there is no need for onsite welding and drilling. The box treads come in Hard Maple, Red Oak, Wheat Oak, White Oak, Walnut, American Cherry, and Hickory. Terrace railing options include clear glass, cables, and rods.

VIEWRAIL

Steel Frame Magnetic Door Kit 3070 (EDITORS' PICK)

This self-closing magnetic door fits standard 3x7-foot commercial steel frame doors to maintain a better dust seal during reconstruction and renovation projects. Magnetic strips snap the door panel directly onto the steel frame of the doorway. The strong self-closing magnets allow workers hands-free access to their jobsite while maintaining the dust seal. The ZipWall Steel Frame Magnetic Door Kit 3070 features a flame-retardant door panel and a
clear plastic window. 

ZIPWALL