Most wanted: the 100 products that readers wanted to know more about

Building Products, May-June, 2005 by Stephanie Herzfeld

Bathroom ventilation, standby generators, home automation products, and tankless water heaters don't have much in common; however, they share the distinction of being some of the building products that you want to know the most about.

Over 23 pages, you'll find the top 100 building products and materials that you asked for information about during the past year by mailing us reader service cards found at the back of each issue. The products come from the editorial pages of BUILDING PRODUCTS and its sister publications, BUILDER, CUSTOM HOME, and REMODELING, and they represent diverse items that might save you installation time, boost your productivity, or make your clients say, "Wow!"

Each Top 100 product is listed with a photo, a descriptive caption, and the manufacturer's Web site and phone number. If you didn't see these products the first time they appeared, now's your chance to check them out. We hope you'll find some unique items that you can incorporate into your next projects. Happy hunting!

1 Rheem. Pronto on-demand, tankless gas water heaters have no standing pilot lights and no storage tanks, eliminating the need to maintain a large supply of pre-heated water. A 4.2-gallon and a 7.4-gallon unit are available; both instantaneously deliver hot water whenever and wherever it's needed, says the maker. 800-432-8373. www. rheem.com. Circle 201.

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2 Rinnai. The Continuum tankless gas water heater delivers up to 8.5 gallons per minute and features a digital temperature control pad that can be located anywhere in the home. The system can be set to exact temperatures to deliver hot water to multiple sources at once while maintaining temperature consistency. It can be wall-mounted or recessed in exterior or interior locations. 866-746-6241. www.forever hotwater.com. Circle 202.

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3 Racor. The HeavyLift garage ceiling storage system consists of a 4-foot-by-8-foot 14-gauge steel platform that is raised and lowered with a 4-foot crank arm; the platform is suspended on vinyl-coated steel cables. The system has a 300-pound capacity to hold a variety of items including tools, patio furniture, landscaping items, and seasonal decorations. 800-783-7725. www.racorinc.com. Circle 203.

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4 Air Vent. The SolarCool roof-mounted solar-powered attic vent incurs no electrical costs; it runs during daylight hours to help keep attics ventilated, says the maker. It collects solar energy and converts it to electricity. Its dome is on a bracket that tilts and rotates for maximum sun exposure. 800-247-8368. www.airvent.com. Circle 204.

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5 Takagi. The Mobius T-M1 tankless gas water heater delivers a maximum flow rate of 9.6 gallons per minute. Output temperatures can be adjusted between 100 and 176 degrees F. It measures just 24 inches high by 18 inches wide and 9 inches deep. Its compact design allows it to be on an exterior or interior wall, or installed in a cabinet with proper venting. 888-882-5244. www.takagi. com. Circle 205.

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6 Controlled Energy Corp. With an average efficiency of 87 percent, the Bosch ProTankless GWH 635 ES gas water heater delivers up to 6.35 gallons per minute and can supply two major applications at once, the maker says. Its compact direct-vent, sealed-combustion design allows it to be mounted on a wall in a closet or other room. 800-495-1782. www.protankless.com. Circle 206.

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7 Owens Coming. The QuietZone Acoustyle coffered wood ceiling system offers integrated sound absorption with the style of custom millwork, claims the maker. Pre-finished coffered wood panels and trim pieces are incorporated into a standard metal T-rail grid mounted over a sound-absorbing material. Many other QuietZone products are available from the firm. 800-438-7465. www.owenscorning.com. Circle 207.

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8 Amarr. Inspired by the Biltmore Estate's architecture and history, six carriage house door styles are available in the Biltmore Estate For Your Home collection, says the maker. Each model features a Western red cedar overlay and a choice of materials for the base of the door. Decorative hardware is optional. 800-503-3667. www.amarr.com. Circle 208.

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9 OpenHouse. Total Access Port (TAP) wall plate products come pre-configured and pre-assembled to ensure a tight connection. They converge household technologies, including video, audio, computer, telephone, and home automation control signals. Numerous models are available and are ideal for new construction applications, says the maker. 800-999-5225. www.openhousesystems.com. Circle 209.

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10 Kohler. Automatic residential generator systems provide dependable protection during unexpected power outages, says the firm. Available with 8 1/2, to 100-kW output capabilities, the generators provide emergency power to support a home's electrical needs for days or even weeks. The generators are fueled by either natural gas or liquid propane. 800-544-2444. www.kohler.com. Circle 210.