New Ideas

Ladder has five position options

Werner has added the multiposition LEANSAFE® X5 ladder to its line of LEANSAFE ladders. Offered in fiberglass and aluminum, the ladder features a one-handed lock adjustment for seamless transitions through five positions: step ladder, stairway ladder, leaning ladder, twin ladder and extension ladder. The LEANSAFE X5 ladder is 6 feet tall and has a maximum reach height of 14 feet. The ladder also features a fully functional leaning top with a magnetic tool bin and nonmarring rubber feet said to protect work surfaces. The twin ladder position allows one user on each side of the ladder simultaneously. The fiberglass ladder can support 375 pounds, and the aluminum ladder can support 300 pounds.

Underlayment has anti-glare coating

Boral Roofing LLC has introduced Sol-R-Skin BLUE Roof Underlayment. Designed for use under most steep-slope roofing materials, the thermal insulating underlayment reportedly can be applied in any climate and at any temperature. Sol-R-Skin BLUE Roof Underlayment is ultraviolet-resistant and has a blue anti-glare coating. The underlayment combines a radiant barrier aluminum surface that reflects heat with an emissivity rating of 0.03 and a fiberglass mat said to provide a second layer of heat resistance. Offered in lightweight 54-inch by 100-foot rolls, the underlayment can be nailed into place, and an adhesive strip at the headlap offers wind-uplift resistance. Sol-R-Skin BLUE Roof Underlayment’s cool blue coating reduces glare, making installation safer than shiny aluminum radiant barrier roofing products. The underlayment’s durable aluminum surface reportedly helps prevent leaks at fasteners and won’t degrade over time. Each 45-pound roll of Sol-R-Skin BLUE Roof Underlayment offers 450 square feet of product with a ⅜-inch nominal thickness.

Knife blade resists bending

KNIPEX Tools has made available CutiX, a universal snap knife with a stabilization bar designed to prevent the blade from bending. The CutiX’s extendable stabilization bar can be engaged or retracted based on application and reportedly allows a user to apply more pressure directly on the blade. Made with a lightweight magnesium housing, the CutiX also features a hardened steel pin to secure the blade, nonslip gripping surfaces and two sliders—one for the blade and one for the stabilization bar. Suitable for all 18-millimeter snap off blades, the CutiX comes with two blades that have seven cutting points stored in the handle, and blades can be replaced with a push of a button. A built-in tether attachment point can be used with the KNIPEX Tethered Tools System.

Welding machine has quality-control features

Leister Technologies has introduced its UNIROOF 700 automatic roof welding machine designed to weld thermoplastic membranes on low- and steep-slope roof systems (up to 30 degrees). The machine features Leister Quality System technology that gives a user control of welding parameters such as speed, temperature and air volume. The technology also documents the welding process and creates an auto-generated data report available via the myLeister app. The UNIROOF 700 also features Monitored Welding Assistant—an electronic assistant that issues a warning sound when actual welding parameters deviate from the set welding parameters. This feature allows a user to take immediate corrective action to maintain quality welding.

Solar module skirt is lightweight

S-5! had made available its PVKONCEAL™ module skirt for use with the S-5! PVKIT® Direct-Attach™ solar solution for metal roof systems. Paired with the PVKIT, PVKONCEAL conceals the edges of a solar array for a clean look and reportedly protects mechanical and electrical components underneath the array. The module skirt also helps minimize the intrusion of small animals, debris and unwanted objects. PVKONCEAL is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum with prefinished black polyvinylidene fluoride said to last the life of a metal roof system. The versatile lightweight solution can be used in two orientations to cover module frames 30-46 millimeters thick.

Smoke vent is energy efficient

The BILCO® Company has made available an energy-efficient thermally broken smoke vent. The smoke vent’s frame and cover are designed to minimize heat transfer and resist condensation. To enhance energy efficiency, the smoke vent is designed with an element of low conductivity integrated between interior and exterior surfaces of the cover and frame, reducing temperature transfer. The thermally broken components also dampen vibration for improved acoustic performance against outside noise. Three inches of polyisocyanurate insulation with an R-value of more than 20 in the cover and curb are said to improve energy performance, and a special cover gasket minimizes air leakage.