New Ideas

Tool increases productivity

Simpson Strong-Tie Co. Inc. has made available its Precision Placement Quik Drive® System, which features an automatic-feed screw-fastening tool that is intended to drive fasteners into standing-seam metal roofing clips' pre-existing holes. The fastening tool is said to be lightweight and easy to use and reportedly reduces installation times.

The fastening tool's attachment is said to work with most screw guns and two types of Quik Drive fasteners. The Precision Placement Quik Drive System also includes a full line of pancake-head self-drilling and self-piercing fasteners for use with standing-seam metal roof systems and low-profile pancake fasteners for use with snap-and-seam profile metal panels.

Web site: www.strongtie.com
Telephone: (800) 999-5099

Underlayment is reflective

Kirsch Building Products LLC has introduced its Sharkskin Ultra Radiant™ Barrier roof underlayment, which is said to reflect 97 percent of the sun's radiant energy.

Sharkskin Ultra Radiant Barrier features a low-emissive layer of 99.9 percent pure aluminum and reportedly lowers attic temperatures and reduces energy costs. The underlayment meets California Title 24 energy code requirements and is said to be durable and resist moisture.

Web site: www.sharkskin.us
Telephone: (805) 750-0084

Coating prevents falling ice

SNOWGRIP has introduced SNOWGRIP,® a two-part monolithic snow-retention coating for use on metal roof systems. SNOWGRIP is designed to prevent snow packs from sliding off roof systems.

The coating consists of a liquid rubber membrane base coat that reportedly bonds to metal roof surfaces and a top coat composed of protruding abrasive granules. According to the company, snow and ice conform to SNOWGRIP's textured surface to create a bond; gravity brings the melted water into contact with the surface; and the water flows through natural air spaces, which are said to form between the insulating snow layer and protruding granules. Melted water then is said to flow off the roof system without refreezing.

Web site: www.snowgripit.com
Telephone: (906) 774-7000

Underlayments are versatile

Drexel Metals Corp.'s Underlayment Division has introduced its 2008 product line, which features RoofTopGuard II,® RoofAquaGuard HT and ProTek Guard.™

RoofTopGuard II is a synthetic underlayment that is said to be hurricane-proof. It weighs 48 pounds per 10-square roll, is skid-resistant and reportedly resists mold.

RoofAquaGuard HT is a self-adhering underlayment designed for metal and tile roof systems. The underlayment reportedly can be installed in temperatures as low as 40 F, withstand temperatures as high as 280 F and be left exposed to ultraviolet light for up to 180 days.

ProTek Guard underlayment weighs 33 pounds per 10-square roll and features a topside walking surface that is said to withstand severe abrasion.

Web site: www.drexmet.com
Telephone: (888) 321-9630, ext. 111

Roof system is self-contained

The Garland® Co. Inc. has made available its StressPly® self-adhering roof system, which reportedly is self-contained and does not require open-flame torches, hot kettles or cold-applied solvents for installation.

StressPly is said to be odorless and provide tensile strength and tear strength. The roof system can be applied over combustible substrates and reportedly is environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Web site: www.garlandco.com
Telephone: (800) 321-9336

Photovoltaic system produces energy

CENTRIA Services Group and United Solar Ovonic LLC have introduced the EnergyPeak™ system, a building-integrated photovoltaic system for standing-seam metal roofing applications. The EnergyPeak system is powered by UNI-SOLAR® thin-film solar laminates, which can be adhered to flat-pan areas between seams in new or existing standing-seam applications and reportedly require no additional hardware or structural support.

The EnergyPeak system includes calculator software for determining return-on-investment data. The software is said to produce a personalized report outlining an application's expected power production, and the report can be submitted to a database of all federal and state financial incentives for alternative energy systems to check for applicable rebates, tax credits or renewable energy credits.

Web site: www.energypeak.com
Telephone: (412) 299-8101

Springs support loads

Firestone Industrial Products Co. LLC has introduced its Ride-Rite™ kit, which features Ride-Rite air helper springs for 2008 Toyota® Tundra® two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive pickup trucks.

Ride-Rite air helper springs, which are installed between a truck's frame and axle, reportedly compensate for varying road conditions and load capacities. A pair of Ride-Rite air helper springs reportedly can provide up to 5,000 pounds of load-leveling capacity. The springs are said to maintain trucks' braking effectiveness, level off-center loads, reduce tire wear and increase vehicle stability.

Web site: www.ride-rite.com
Telephone: (800) 888-0650

Guide offers business tips

FMI Corp. has released the third edition of its Strategic Planning for Contractors: The Guide to Superior Management Performance.

The guide provides information about applying strategy and strategic thinking to managing a construction organization and offers examples of strategic planning models, real case summaries and a Sample Situation Analysis Checklist.

Web site: www.fminet.com
Telephone: (919) 787-8400

Eyewear is comfortable

Gateway Safety Inc. has introduced its Luminary™ protective eyewear, which reportedly is lightweight and comfortable.

Luminary protective eyewear features a one-piece polycarbonate lens with an integrated browguard and wraparound design. The eyewear also features elastic temples, which are said to relieve pressure behind workers' ears and provide a comfortable fit for any face size. The eyewear is available in nine models and various colors.

Web site: www.gatewaysafety.com
Telephone: (800) 822-5347

Tools hold tarps

Grabbit Tool Co. has introduced its Grabbits™ line of tarp holders, which are said to attach tarps to structures, fasten tarps together and replace grommets that have been torn out of tarps.

Grabbits are available in three sizes—the 20-inch-long Long Grabbit, 6-inch-long EZ Grabbit and 1 1/2-inch-long Mini Grabbit. Grabbits reportedly can be used with any pliable fabric, hold multiple layers of tarp and be mounted to roof­lines to provide roof coverage.

Web site: www.grabbittool.com
Telephone: (877) 981-5262

Underlayments resist elements

Cosella-Dörken Products Inc. has added roof underlayments to its DELTA® product line, including DELTA-MAXX TITAN, DELTA-FOXX, DELTA-VENT S and DELTA-ROOF.

DELTA MAXX TITAN features a self-adhering border and silver titanium coating that is said to reflect up to 50 percent of radiant energy. It is said to be watertight and features a bottom layer that reportedly absorbs excess moisture.

DELTA-FOXX and DELTA-VENT S are multilayered underlayments for use with fully insulated steep-slope roof systems. Their outer surfaces are said to be impermeable to wind and rain.

DELTA-ROOF features four layers of top protection that reportedly resist extreme weather conditions.

Web site: www.cosella-dorken.com
Telephone: (888) 4 DELTA 4 (433-5824)

System tests earplugs

Howard Leight, a division of Sperian Hearing Protection LLC, has introduced VeriPRO,™ a system that measures unmodified earplugs' attenuation.

VeriPRO includes a software program and an audiometrically optimized headset and is said to determine the effectiveness of an employee's earplug fit over a range of frequencies. VeriPRO reportedly can be used to test any earplug.

Web site: www.howardleightveripro.com
Telephone: (877) VERIPRO (837-4776)

Tool estimates project cost

WinEstimator Inc. has released its Modelogix project cost modeling tool, which is integrated with WinEstimator's estimating tools and accepts data from other data project management solutions and estimating tools.

Modelogix is built using Microsoft® SQL Server and is said to allow users to quickly locate past projects and access cost data from a central historic cost database.

Web site: www.winest.com
Telephone: (800) 950-2374