The ballots have been cast, the votes have been tallied, and the winners have been chosen in Building Products' 2007 Most Valuable Products awards competition.
Many of this year's 32 "honorees" are products that make a builder's life easier -- saws, for example, nail guns and the like. After all, the single criteria of the competition is that the product must add value to the pros, meaning, says the trade magazine, does it cut installation time, trim labor costs or boost profits?
But the judges also were looking for items that add curb appeal or provide a "wow" factor that model home visitors remember days or weeks after their tour and, hopefully, bring them back for another look -- or possibly even cinch the deal.
Better yet, though, you don't have to be a buyer to get these All Star products. Anyone can have them.
Here's a quick look at nine MVPs most likely to be embraced by owners considering a remodel as well as buyers looking for a new manse:
Steamed, Not Stirred: Upscale kitchens are a huge selling point. So KitchenAid has come out with a "steam assist" range that automatically drips the right amount of moisture into the oven compartment. No more basting, misting and water baths, the manufacturer says. Available in double and single models, and in combination with a microwave. Cost: $2,699 to $4,199.
Walk Right In: Too old or frail to climb over the side and into a fancy whirlpool tub? You can still enjoy the therapeutic value of jetted hot water pulsating against those aching muscles with a walk-in model from Safety Tubs. The acrylic tub in white or beige not only features a water-tight door but also a molded chair and color-matched grab bar. A personal, hand-help shower head is optional. Cost: $6,900 to $9,800.
Hold On Tight: A SecureMount anchor by Moen is another product with the senior set in mind. It allows the installation of grab bars without the need to secure them to studs hidden behind the walls -- and often not in the right place, either. According to Moen, the D-shaped anchors require only simple drilling to install, work with walls as little as 1/8th inch thick and can be used with marble, tile, drywall, fiberglass and tub surrounds. Cost: $36 per pair.
Water Saver (Or Not): The four showerhead styles in Alson's new Fluidics line feature a dual setting so bathers have a choice of a water-saving 1.6 gallon per minute shower or the standard 2.5 gallon per minute. Chrome or satin nickel finishes. Cost: $80 and up.
Don't Fence Me In: Post anchors by Oz-Post eliminate the back-breaking chore of digging fence and desk-post holes. The metal adapters are hammered into the ground, and can go through asphalt, hard-pack clay and frozen or rocky ground, the maker says. Cost: $12.75 per pair.
Snap, Crackle, Pop: Right in, that is. Sterling Plumbing's Accord tile bath-shower requires no caulking. Instead, the company says, the four-piece unit's two end walls interlock with the back wall. The pieces simply click into place. Made of light-weight, yet durable material that can be carried and installed by a single person. Molded walls include recessed corner shelves. Cost: $504.
No More Wobbles: Here's one product you will fall for, but not from. Werner Ladder's Extension models feature leg levels that make working on uneven terrain a cinch. Each leg has an extension that can be adjusted in increments of 3/8ths of an inch, up to 8 3/4 inches. A steel locking pin holds the extensions firmly in place. Cost: $179 to $249.
Double Duty: Broan-NuTone's Ultra Silent humidity-sensing exhaust fan does more than remove foul air. The unit also is designed to detect a rapid increase in moisture at the ceiling and turn on automatically to remove it. The unit turns off by itself, too, and the company says the owner can set the fan to run for from five to 60 minutes after the mold-breeding humidity is exhausted. Cost: $312.
Playing Dress-Up: Tired of a dull, drab bath and shower? Dress it up with a header and column system from Decco Bath & Shower Works. The system mounts easily around the tub and adds storage, the company says. Fixtures are concealed, as are 10 shelves to organize shower and bath clutter. No drilling or tile cutting is necessary for installation. Cost: $300.
