It’s not surprising that during the last year, safety has been on the minds of our readers. Safety and security have drawn the focus and attention of everyone during the pandemic. As a consequence of that emphasis, many of this year’s winners of the Readers’ Choice Awards are specifically designed for safety or have safety attributes.
That includes the top product in the 2021 Readers’ Choice awards—the Omerga EH Safety Boot from Milwaukee-based Xena Workwear Inc.
In fact, seven products of the 26 selected this year, were tools. It was all about how to get the work done.
The other products selected were incredibly varied and showed no clear pattern of preference. Ranging from insulated metal panels and perforated screens to curtainwalls and louvers, the products identified by our readers touch on every facet of the metal construction industry and show the breadth of the industry’s building product needs.
For a product to be considered for the Readers’ Choice Awards, it must have been featured in our editorial coverage between the September 2020 and August 2021 issues of Metal Construction News. We tracked the leads generated by each product from our readers and ranked them according to the number of leads.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Metal Construction News Readers’ Choice Awards.
1. Xena Workwear Inc.
Omerga EH Safety Boots
September 2020
Xena Workwear’s Omega EH Safety Boots for women are impact and compression resistant. They are rated I/75 and C/75, and protect wearers’ toes from an impact to 75 foot-pounds and compressive loads to 2,500 pounds. The ASTM-certified, OSHA-compliant, Electrical Hazard (EH)-certified boots are produced with full-grain leather. They have wide, steel toe caps, ankle padding, antimicrobial insoles and air-flow lining.
2. Feeney Inc.
Aluminum Stationary Awnings
November 2020
Feeney Inc. offers aluminum stationary awnings with polycarbonate panels in clear, textured or gray tint. Two styles are available: Icon, a streamlined design with clean lines and curves, and Era, an ornate, classical design. Built-in rain gutters at the front edge directs runoff to the sides. Frames are powder-coated and there are optional extension kits.
3. CENTRIA
TotalClad MW Insulated Metal Panels
October 2020
CENTRIA offers its TotalClad MW (mineral wool) insulated metal panels (IMPs) in three exterior face profiles including two new ones: Heavy Embossed and Striated. The third profile is Micro Planked. The fire-resistant wall panels’ mineral wool core is bonded to exterior and interior metal skins. Four-, 6-, 7- and 8-inch-thick IMPs have one-, two- and three-hour fire ratings.
4. Wayne Dalton
Model 523RX Security Shutter
March 2021
Wayne Dalton Corp.’s Model 523RX Security Shutter is a UL-325-listed door and operator system for securing exterior access to residential properties. The door system is installed with driveway access from the street or entrance to residential properties in high traffic areas. It is available in perforated or fenestrated patterns, allowing for 22% or 24% open area.
5. Móz Designs Inc.
Curved and Flat Metal and Acrylic Room Dividers
November 2020
Móz Designs offers curved and flat metal and acrylic room dividers. They are mounted by posts, cable or in frames. Aluminum dividers can be laser cut or perforated; acrylic dividers come in clear or frosted. The dividers can be installed floor to ceiling, to pony walls or enclose existing openings.
6. Pinta Acoustic Inc.
SQUARELINE Metal Ceiling Tiles
November 2020
Pinta offers its SQUARELINE metal ceiling tiles in three standard expanded metal, diamond mesh patterns, with or without an acoustic backer. SQUARELINE panels fit within standard suspended grid systems. Dramatic back lighting and shadow effects are possible. Metal finishes are offered in power-coated chrome, white, black and custom colors.
7. CRL-US Aluminum
4500 SG Series Structural Silicone Glazed Curtainwall
November 2020
CRL-U.S. Aluminum’s 4500 SG series structural silicone glazed curtainwall is a 1-inch glazing system for low- to mid-rise buildings. It is thermally broken, and a pocket reducer is available for 1/4-inch glazing. The exterior glazed curtainwall has a captured glazed vertical mullion and no pressure bar. It features an integral UNIflash System that sweeps infiltrated water to the exterior.
8. Telling Industries LLC
Metal Framing and Studs with Ruler Markings
November 2020
To simplify custom field cutting and wall layouts, Telling Industries added etched and embossed ruler markings to its metal framing stud and track. True-Rule markings are at 1/4-, 1/2- and 1-inch increments. Two feet of etched ruler marking is standard. Optionally, studs can be etched their complete length.
9. Lorin Industries
Perforated, Anodized Aluminum Pattern 202
September 2020
Lorin’s perforated, anodized aluminum Pattern 202 has 3/8-inch squares and 1/2-inch centers. Its open area is 56%. The perforated metal comes in sheets and coils with a maximum width of 48 inches. Numerous standard and custom colors are available.
10. Werner Co.
High-heat Harnesses
September 2020
Werner’s high heat harnesses are for mechanical, electrical and welding contractors working at height who encounter weld spatter and high heat. They have relief handles that allow users to manipulate themselves into chair in the air positions to protect against suspension trauma in post-fall situations. Harnesses are made of Kevlar webbing with a char resistance to 700 degrees.
11. GKD Metal Fabrics
Bronze Collection Metal Fabric
September 2020
GKD offers all of its metal fabric in the Bronze collection. The Bronze collection can be clear coated to retain a bronze tone or left unfinished so a patina will develop. GKD also offers five new metal fabric weaves: Choptank weave, Ellipse 52 aluminum weave, Helix 36 aluminum weave, Ripple weave and Tigris TC-3 weave.
12. Polyglass USA Inc.
Polystick P Roof Underlayment
September 2020
Polyglass USA’s Polystick P is a high-temperature, self-adhered, waterproofing roof underlayment. It is for metal roofs and other high-temperature applications. Polystick P resists temperatures to 250 F. It is made from elastomeric modified asphalt and has a high tensile strength top surface with a skid-resistant pattern.
13. Metl-Span
BW Universal System and BW Stretch System Back-up Wall Systems
February 2021
Metl-Span offers two backup wall systems: BW Universal System and BW Stretch System. They provide air, water, thermal and vapor protection in an all-in-one barrier component. The BW Universal System is horizontally installed with exterior rainscreen systems and spans to 24 inches on-center. The BW Stretch System is vertically installed with exterior rainscreen systems and spans to 6 feet on-center.
14. ATAS International LLC
Woodland Series of Panel Colors
January 2021
ATAS International offers the Woodland Series of panel colors, four wood grain patterns: Birch, Cedar, Driftwood and Walnut. The 70% PVDF coatings are available in 0.032-inch-thick aluminum, and used for ceilings, soffits and wall cladding for building interiors and exteriors.
15. RHEINZINK American Inc.
Rainwater Drainage Downspouts
January 2021
RHEINZINK offers precision-welded, round or box-shaped, rainwater drainage downspouts in either RHEINZINK prePATINA blue-gray or graphite-gray architectural grade zinc. Downspouts are available in standard 4-inch widths for box-shaped downpipes and in 3 1/8-inch and 4-inch and diameters for round pipes.
16. Werner Co.
LEANSAFE X3 Ladder
March 2021
Werner Co.’s aluminum LEANSAFE X3 is a multipurpose ladder for residential contractors, painters and facilities maintenance personnel. It has three different setups: step ladder, straight ladder and leaning ladder. Ergonomic one-handed levers and the ladder top allow for seamless position changes without the need for additional adjustments or buttons.
17. Project Frog Inc.
Kit-of-Parts System
March 2021
Project Frog offers a componentized metal building Kit-of-Parts system that enables design and deployment of buildings in short timeframes. All components are designed, fabricated and delivered using Project Frog’s industrialized construction (IC) process, which focuses on a design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) approach for off-site fabrication and on-site installation. The system’s light-gauge steel wall panels are flexible and easy to assemble, while still having a high level of fabrication accuracy. The metal components are durable, require a low amount of maintenance and produce minimal waste during construction.
18. MALCO Tools
SBC Line of Impact-Grade Chuck Drivers
November 2020
Malco Products’ SBC’s line of impact-grade chuck drivers for driving screws are machined for positive, fail-proof engagement of fastener heads. The magnetic chuck drivers have high-torque steel construction, and a design that absorbs and dissipates impact driver-induced stress at peak loads.
19. Dynamic Fastener
Swivel Metal Roof Anchor
September 2020
Dynamic Fastener’s Swivel Metal Roof Anchor is used with lifelines, rope/cable grabs or retractors. It has a 360-degree swivel and allows 180-degree movement of a D-ring, which keeps the connection point in line with workspace. The roof anchor fits in valleys of light R-panels and captures purlins below.
20. Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blades
September 2020
Milwaukee Tool offers Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blades from 5 3/8 inches to 14 inches. They have a hand-tensioned, hardened alloy steel body and carbide-tipped teeth with alternate top bevel grind to shear through metal, leaving burr-free and cool-to-touch cuts.
21. Wallner Expac Inc.
Perfex Decorative Pattern Expanded Metal Sheets
September 2020
Wallner Expac’s Perfex Decorative Pattern expanded metal sheets have openings ranging to 0.35 inches. The expanded metal is fabricated from steel, aluminum and other metals. Specifications are adjustable including strand width and pitch, and open area percentage. Sheets can be flattened, painted or powder coated. Applications include ceilings, walls, vent mesh, diffuser grilles and screens.
22. Kingspan Insulated Panels Inc.
Kingseam Insulated Metal Panels
October 2020
Kingspan’s Kingseam insulated metal panels (IMPs) are standing seam roof panels. They come in thicknesses from 3 1/2 inches to 6 inches, providing R-values to R-46. The 40-inch-wide IMPs have a standard exterior finish of smooth 26-gauge, G-90 galvanized steel with PVDF and SMP exterior coatings. Colors include Colonial Red, Imperial White, Natural Green, Royal Blue, Sandstone and Surrey Beige.
23. Pure + FreeForm LLC
Specular Line of Metal Finishes
October 2020
Pure + FreeForm’s Specular line of metal finishes are textured and reflect light in a variety of ways. The finishes have AGC Chemicals Americas Inc.’s FEVE Lumiflon resin and resist UV degradation, corrosion, chemical exposure, color fading, chalking and diminished gloss. There are 12 finishes available for single-skin aluminum panel systems or flat sheets. Colors include Brunello, Enox, Molten, Relic and Serra.
24. Airolite Co. LLC
6-Inch-Deep Stationary Drainable Blade Louver
January 2021
Airolite’s 6-inch-deep stationary drainable blade louver provides high-volume air flow and resistance to water penetration. The K6746HP incorporates drain gutters in its head member, and each horizontal blade to channel water to the jambs where it is further channeled through vertical downspouts and out at a sloped sill.
25. Metl-Span
EcoScreen Perforated Stainless Steel or Painted Aluminum Wall Panels
June 2021
Metl-Span added four EcoScreen perforated stainless steel or painted aluminum wall panels to the product line. EcoScreen BR5-36 panels and EcoScreen Style-Rib panels have 36-inch coverage and ribs spaced 7.2 inches on-center. EcoScreen Econolap 3/4-inch panels have pronounced corrugation and span capability. EcoScreen MR3-36 panels are 3 inches deep and have three evenly spaced ribs. All the panels are available with staggered or reversed perforation patterns.
26. Crystal Window & Door Systems
AC85 Acoustic Windows
July 2021
Crystal Window and Door Systems’ series AC85 acoustic windows reduce sound transmission from the exterior. The aluminum window has a dual sash and thermally broken, deep frame. It comes in casement, fixed or combinations of the two styles. The window’s 1 1/4-inch glazing pocket accepts double- or triple-insulated glass units.
