Product of the Month

September 2006

Sustainable surfacing is the future of fiberboard
While the manufacturers of Maplex Surfacing material hope their new product will be a model of green manufacturing, they do not need to make any hyperbolic claims. Made from 100 percent unbleached softwood fibers from sustainably managed forests, Maplex is produced using only water, heat, and pressure. By eliminating binders, formaldehyde, and petroleum-based products, Maplex is both nontoxic and biodegradable. Two types are available: Maplex C, a medium-density, highly flexible version that can be rolled and formed; and Maplex P, a stronger, high-density version with good dimensional stability (twice the bending and tensile strength of birch plywood). Both can be punched, drilled, laminated, stained, or coated, and are suitable for most interior applications. EHV-Weidmann Industries, St. Johnsbury, Vt. www.maplexmaterial.com

[Reader Service: September 2006 #200]

August 2006

Recycled wall covering breathes and sticks on its own
The 180 Walls collection, developed by Milliken, is a group of 100 percent recycled polyester contract wall coverings that, in place of paste or water, use a pressure-sensitive adhesive to enable them to be installed with little downtime and carefully removed later without damage to walls (a premium Sheetrock surface is recommended). 180 Walls exhibits antimicrobial and stain-repelling features—air and moisture can pass back and forth through the “breathable” surface, an advantage over Type II vinyls. The Class A fire-rated product meets Greenguard certification requirements and contributes to LEED credits. In addition to Milliken’s 10 patterns, five fresher patterns are now available exclusively through Designtex. Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, S.C. www.milliken.com
[Reader Service: August 2006 # 200 ]
Designtex, New York City. www.designtex.com
[Reader Service: August 2006 #201]

July 2006

LED lightband puts a faucet in the spotlight
Designer Michael Lammel’s concept for KWC’s Eve faucet emerged from a childhood memory of his grandmother washing vegetables from the garden. “She had thick glasses and couldn’t see very well, and my sisters and I always had to search for dirt in our salad,” recalls Lammel. Bringing illumination to the sink area, Eve integrates energy-saving LEDs into a transparent plastic ring within a pullout faucet that unexpectedly emerges from a slender swivel spout. Pushing a concealed button illuminates the lightband, which turns off automatically after 45 minutes. Later this year, a brighter version of the light is planned, along with colored lighting to indicate temperature. Eve is UL-listed and available in three sizes (with or without the lightband) in a chrome or stainless-steel finish. KWC America, Norcross, Ga. www.kwcamerica.com

[Reader Service: July 2006 #200]