HOME IMPROVEMENT TRENDS FOR 2021

In finer times, construction and remodeling trends were on full display at major conventions like the International Builders’ Show, but the global pandemic has brought trade

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TRENDS HOME IMPROVEMENT shows to a halt. Since you can’t travel to see the latest cutting-edge products and technologies, we bring the news to you with this early look at what’s available for 2021.

COMPOSITE DECKS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN EVER

Deckorators Trailhead low-maintenance decking is an entry-level composite offering remarkable value and an industryleading 25-year structural, 25-year stain-and-fade, and 25-year removal-and-replacement limited warranty. With an expected average retail price in the low $2-per-lineal-foot range, Trailhead decking offers affordability, easy maintenance and a rugged appearance. Trailhead comes in Ridgeline (gray), Pathway (brown) and Canyon (red-brown) — three lightly streaked colors with natural, flat-grain embossing. The 7/8-inch-by-5.5-inch Trailhead boards are available in 12-,16- and 20-ft. solid and grooved-edge profiles. The boards are made with a shallow scalloped profile with four lobes. Competitive advantages include a highly compressed core, a durable, scratch-resistant polyethylene cap on three sides through the grooved edge, a 16-inch-on-center joist span, and compatibility with the Deckorators Pro Plug fastening system. Unique to Deckorators, the 25-year removal-and-replacement warranty covers the labor costs to remove and replace the product if it fails due to a manufacturing issue. Visit www.Deckorators.com/2021

TOUCHLESS TOILETS

In light of the pandemic, the new Kohler touchless toilets are sure to grow in demand. With an integrated touchless flush sensor located in the flush lever of the toilet, users can flush without spreading germs by simply placing a hand in front of the lever. The toilet offers additional flush functionality via a trip lever for the manual flush option, and it features Konnect Bluetooth app integration to customize the sensitivity and colors of the sensor and sensor light. The touchless technology is available on Kohler’s most popular models–San Souci, Tresham, Reach and Corbelle–which span design styles and price points. With no need to touch or grip a lever, touchless technology in the bathroom is easy to use for people of all abilities.

Visit www.kohler.com

NEW NAME, NEW FLOORS

In April 2020, Lumber Liquidators changed its name to LL Flooring, and the company continues to offer an enormous range of products across a wide array of categories. For the solid hardwood lover, the new Thames Tavern Oak Distressed Solid Hardwood Flooring (3/4 in. x 5 in.) by Bellawood comes factory-finished with LL’s most durable premium aluminum oxide-fortified coating and is backed by a 100year warranty. Want the look of aged maple in a waterproof vinyl flooring product? The Pyrenees Maple Rigid Vinyl Plank Flooring combines a clicktogether rigid core with a pre-attached underlayment pad for extra comfort and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty. Do you love real wood but want a flooring with easy click-together installation? Then, check out the AquaSeal water-resistant Engineered Walnut Hardwood Flooring, which stands up to unexpected spills and splashes with its special core technology and is backed by a 50-year warranty. Find many

new flooring options at www.llflooring.com

FINGERPRINT ENTRY WITHOUT WI-FI

Using the state-of-the-art fingerprint sensor technology, the BenjiLock By Hampton Fingerprint Door Lock brings security to your fingertips by integrating a biometric sensor that quickly scans a fingerprint with Hampton’s highly secure deadbolt design. The Fingerprint Door Lock can be opened three ways: by using its fingerprint sensor, by entering owner-programmed numeric codes on a secure digital keypad, and by traditional metal key. It was specifically designed to operate without the need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and provides homes, apartments and vacation rentals with a turnkey solution that is not dependent on network availability or external power for access. Named a CES 2020 Innovation Award Product, the BenjiLock By Hampton Fingerprint Door Lock stores 10 fingerprints and 25 user codes, with setup done directly on the deadbolt after installation (no software or Wi-Fi needed.

Visit www.buyhampton.com

TRACK LIGHTING THE EASY WAY

The Pro Track 6 Light Bronze S-Wave LED Track Light Kit is a line-voltage fixture that installs in a ceiling junction box like a regular ceiling fixture. Clean, cool and contemporary, this “S" shaped bar track light kit provides an instant upgrade, comes in a crisp bronze finish and features six lights, each of which is fully adjustable. You can also change the hang height by adjusting the dual downrods. Measuring 54-1/4-in. wide by 24 in. deep, the S-Wave Track Light comes with six 6-watt GU10 base replaceable LED bulbs. Total light output is comparable to a 300-watt incandescent.

Visit www.lampsplus.com

AIR-CLEANING CEILING FANS

UV light has been a scientifically proven disinfectant for over 70 years. The Haiku ceiling fan from Big Ass Fans now offers a seamlessly integrated UV-C fixture to deliver healthier, more comfortable conditions with stylish decor. By incorporating CDC-endorsed UVGI (UV-C) technology, the Haiku fans are able to move pathogens through an upper-room disinfection zone, continuously and safely providing clean air where it’s needed most— to the people below. Fans with UV-C technology have an integrated light that glows to let you know that it’s disinfecting the air. The Haiku fans are available in a variety of finish options, controls, and diameter options of 52, 60, and 84 inches.

Visit www.bigassfans.com

MOBILE DUST COLLECTION

Oneida Air Systems’ new Supercell Mobile Dust Collector is the first and only system on the market with high enough levels of static pressure and CFM to accommodate the widest range of woodworking tools, from handheld sanders, table saws and miter saws to jointers, planers and even CNC routers. It can handle essentially every tool in the shop with a dust port of 1 to 5 inches. Since its launch last July, the Supercell quickly became the best-selling motorized collector in Oneida Air’s history. The patent-pending Supercell is a cyclonic dust collector with a 97.8 static pressure rating—over 10 times higher suction power than standard dust collectors. Powered by three fan motors working in sync, the Supercell creates an intense vacuum that moves the dust-laden air at a relentless pace, overcoming resistance through up to 100 feet of 4-in. diameter hose and ductwork. The onboard HEPA-certified filter easily pulses clean without the need for disassembly, maximizing run time and performance while minimizing the operator’s dust exposure. The Supercell was previously only available as a wall-mounted unit, but now, at 28.5" wide, 30" deep, and 61" tall, with 10" diameter rear wheels and 3" diameter side locking front casters, the compact, portable design of the Supercell Mobile allows it to travel virtually anywhere. Made in the USA, the Supercell Mobile is sold with a steel, powder-coated mobility cart, 14-gal. mobile drop-down dust bin with fill level indicator, wireless remote, blast gate, bag retainer system, five liner bags, and 25 feet of 4" diameter vacuum pressure rated hose.

Visit www.oneida-air.com

TINY TOOLS WITH MAJOR MUSCLE

The new 18V sub-compact cordless tools from Metabo HPT deliver precise power in the smallest of spaces. The KC18DDX 2-piece Combo Kit includes the 18V Sub-Compact CordlessDrill (DS18DDX), 18V Sub-Compact Impact Driver (WH18DDX), two 1.5Ah lithium-ion batteries, charger and carrying bag. The 18V Sub-Compact Drill delivers best-in-class power with 485-in.-lbs of turning torque. At only 6.2-in. and weighing only 1.9 lbs, this sub-compact drill is 25 percent shorter and 20 percent lighter than its predecessor. The easy-to-use 1/2-in. keyless chuck ensures a strong grip and allows for quick bit replacements. Choose from 20 clutch settings, plus a drill mode setting. The variable speed trigger and a powerful brushless motor can achieve a maximum no-load speed of 0-1,700 RPM. The WH18DDX18V Sub-Compact Impact Driver is lightweight and delivers best-in-class speeds with 25 percent more impacts per minute. At only 5.3 inches long and 1.8 lbs., this sub-compact I-driver has a brushless motor that produces up to 1,240 in.-lbs. of torque, 3,200 max RPM and 4,000 max BPM—ideal for sinking screws and tightening or loosening bolts in hard-to-reach spaces. Visit www.metabohpt.com

BLADES BUILT FOR EVERY JOB

Diablo is the first manufacturer to offer a full line of carbide and bi-metal reciprocating blades designed specifically for different applications. The company’s ninth and newest category of carbide blades is the Steel Demon 12 teeth- per-inch (TPI) thin metal conduit reciprocating blades. The new thin metal blades deliver controlled cuts and the ability to meet tight tolerances. Featuring a custom blended high- performance carbide formulation, this new blade extends the cutting life up to 50 times longer than standard bi-metal blades, making it the most efficient cutting solution in thin metal conduit and tubing applications. The blade’s optimized 12 TPI tooth geometry produces clean cuts that require virtually no rework. Plus, the one-inch oversized blade body provides stability and rigidity for straighter cuts with less vibration.

Visit www.CutsTheChatter.com

SCUFF-RESISTANT FLAT PAINT

Paints with a flat sheen are notorious for showing scuff marks more easily than paints with a gloss finish. Behr Ultra Scuff Defense Stain-Blocking Paint & Primer is formulated to set a new standard for flat paint durability. The new formula promises a rich flat finish that is truly durable enough for high-traffic areas. Don't settle or compromise between the flat look you desire and a higher level of durability you require. Ultra Scuff Defense is ideal for busy high-traffic areas, family rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and ceilings, and you can buy it in-store exclusively at The Home Depot.

KITCHEN CABINET COOKWARE ORGANIZERS

Are you sick of spelunking into your corner cabinet to retrieve a missing dish? Rev-A-Shelf's 53PSP Solid Bottom Blind Corner Optimizer maximizes space in blind corner cabinets while allowing the user full accessibility to the entire unit. The unit is easy to assemble and installs for either left or right-handed applications. This blind corner optimizer fits most 45- and 48in. door/drawer or full-height blind corner cabinets and features solid bottom shelves, soft-close ball-bearing slides and heavy-duty materials making it functional, reliable and stylish. It mounts to the cabinet floor and is rated for 100 lb. capacity. Visit www.rev-a-shelf.com

FIRST-EVER CERAMIC CLADDING

Terraçade, the first-ever ceramic façade cladding system, is now available from Glen-Gery Corporation. The Terraçade system includes ceramic tiles in a broad range of colors and finishes, as well as a wide array of accessories and system components to make installation quick and easy. This ceramic system provides fire resistance, low-maintenance upkeep, and design versatility to meet diverse architectural and design styles. Prefinished and colorfast, the Terraçade tiles are engineered to not fade or change color to maintain vibrancy. The tiles are made from natural clay material for outstanding durability, maximum strength and impact resistance. The façade system can easily withstand all forms of extreme weather, from

intense UV and heat to heavy storms and freezing temperatures. Terraçade tiles naturally assist with airflow and energy reduction and have a completely maintenance-free finish.

Visit www.glengery.com H