The products selected for Building Design+Construction’s annual 101 Top Products report are determined by you, our readers. From security doors to metal ceilings, fabric ducts to rainscreen wall systems, linear drains to bacteria-killing LED lighting, these are the products that 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”).
The products are organized across eight categories: Building Envelope | Building Systems | Flooring | Glass and Glazing | Interior | Plumbing | Structural | Windows and Doors.
Enjoy!
SKYLIGHT AT AVENTURA MALL
Project: Aventura Mall, Aventura, Fla. Problem: The new wing expansion had to complement the rest of the 2.7 million-sf mall’s bright, modern design. Solution: A 347-foot-long, 96-foot-wide custom, vaulted skylight sits atop the new addition. The skylight was manufactured by Super Sky Products Enterprises; its aluminum framing was finished by Linetec in Pale Oak color. Nearly 11,000 sf of Viracon’s VNE1-63 clear, insulated, heat-strengthened glass with 40% dot frit silk-screening and low-e coating is incorporated into the skylight. The StormGuard-enhanced PVB interlayer also optimized performance for large-missile-impact hurricane resistance. On the team: JPRA Architects (architect of record), Carlos Zapata Studios (design architect), Plaza Construction Group (GC).
VIRACON
MECHO/5X MANUAL SHADE SYSTEM
The Mecho/5x manual shade system is designed to allow users to lift shades as large as 288 inches wide and 120 inches tall, with minimal effort, says the maker. The system can improve the design aesthetic of a building’s façade by allowing greater lengths of shading to be aligned. Large-format and multi-band shades can be controlled with a single interface. The company’s chain pull has been re-engineered for a greater angle of pull for increased versatility when there are furnishings, workspaces, or objects in front of a window.
MECHO
LACOBEL T AND MATELAC T BACK-PAINTED GLASS
EDITORS' PICK: Growing demand for color in building projects is inspiring product manufacturers to develop new and better color options. Lacobel T and Matelac T back-painted glass from AGC Glass offers 20 colors for a range of applications, from façades and spandrels, to wall coverings, tabletops, and interior partitions. The UV- and moisture-resistant glass withstands thermal shocks and has high resistance to impacts and scratches. Both glass products are Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified.
AGC GLASS
CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM at KU MEDICAL CENTER BUILDING
Project: The University of Kansas Medical Center Health Education Building, Kansas City, Kan. Problem: The project called for large expanses of glass that required the support of structural steel to achieve the glazed “lantern box” look. Solution: A custom developed veneer system based on Kawneer’s 1600 Wall System 1 Curtain Wall and 1600 Wall System 2 Curtain Wall was used. The system was attached to structural steel tubes to support the size and weight of the glass and also fit within the project’s budget. On the team: CO Architects and Helix Architecture + Design, JPI Glass (glazing contractor and installer).
KAWNEER
SUPERCLEAR 45-HS-LI
SAFTI FIRST’s latest product development, SuperClear 45-HS-LI, is an ultra-clear, economical fire rated glazing that meets all requirements for 45 minute doors, sidelites, transoms, and openings in large sizes (max. clear area of 3,880 square inches for openings, sidelites, and transoms; 3,288 square inches for doors). The non-wired, tint-free glazing uses low-iron glass to provide the highest visual clarity. It has an approximate visible light transmission of 90%, compared to 88% for premium filmed ceramic and 85% for premium laminated ceramic. The patent-pending system can be used in interior and exterior applications.
SAFTI FIRST
HARMONY DYNAMIC GLASS
SageGlass Harmony builds on the company’s dynamic glazing with in-pane tinting options by eliminating the defined lines between tinted and clear areas of the glass. This seamless design delivers natural in-pane tint transition from fully clear to fully tinted areas. The tint prevents unwanted daylight, heat gain, and glare without obstructing views.
SAGEGLASS
FIREFRAMES DESIGNER SERIES
This line of narrow-profile steel doors and frames offers fire ratings of 20 to 90 minutes, providing a sleek, modern alternative to traditional steel hollow metal frames. It offers glass sizes up to 6,272 square inches for 20 minute fire rated framing and 2,627 square inches for 90 minute fire rated framing. Full-lite doors are available in single leaf or double leaf design, with hardware options. Factory finish powder coating can match any color scheme. Brushed stainless steel finish is available. Installs like typical storefront systems.
TECHNICAL GLASS PRODUCTS
BIRD1ST UV STRIPE COATING
EDITORS' PICK: More than 300 million birds are killed in building collisions each year. Many of those impacts could be avoided with the use of bird-friendly exterior glazings like Guardian Glass’ Bird1st glass coatings line. The coatings work with laminated glass to break up the reflectivity and allow the glass to be more visible to birds. The vertical stripe coating is virtually invisible to the human eye. Bird1st coatings can be paired with Guardian SunGuard low-e coatings to meet demanding energy performance goals.
GUARDIAN GLASS
ACUITY LOW-IRON GLASS
EDITORS' PICK: This competitively priced upgrade to conventional clear glass eliminates the green cast that is inherent to clear glass, offering better clarity for vision glass applications and truer rendition of colored spandrel glass panels. Available with any product in the full line of Solarban solar control, low-e coatings. Standard production sizes: 96x130, 100x144, and 130x204 inches.
VITRO ARCHITECTURAL GLASS
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Building Envelope winners
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Building Systems winners
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Flooring winners
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Glass and Glazing winners
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Interior Building Product winners
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Plumbing Product winners
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Structural Product winners
See the 101 Top Products for 2019: Window and Door Product winners
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