Painting and tiling might come later in the building process, but innovation in these areas is key. Recent innovation and technological advancements are yielding some truly impressive tools and accessories. This year’s PTIA 2021 Painting and Tiling Awards highlight products that reduce time on the job and increase work efficiency. While few products appear in this category compared to some of the others, they contribute immensely to the overall innovation in these trades.
Winner – Painting Accessories
Shur-Line Lumi-Tech LED Pole Light
What they said:
The Shur-Line Lumi-Tech LED Pole Light fits easily onto a painter’s tools and pole and increases painting visibility providing better results. It features eight LED lights (280 lumens) for 7 hours of run time designed to make sure that painters have the visibility needed for their painting projects.
The new pole light also features male & female universal threads for easy attachment to most extension poles and frames as well as other threaded applicators, making it a convenient multi-purpose tool. Built with performance and durability in mind, the LED light is surrounded by impact-resistant bumpers.
With a suggested retail price of $9.99, the Lumi-Tech LED Pole Light provides consumers with an affordable multi-purpose tool that mitigates the common frustration of not having enough light when needed for various painting projects. The Lumi-Tech LED Pole Light requires four AAA batteries (not included).
What we say:
You don’t always have ideal light when you’re painting and Shur-Line’s Lumi-Tech LED Pole Light is an illuminating solution. Featuring eight lights in a ring, your roller threads onto the center and an extension pole can thread onto the base. Its capable of producing 280 lumens for 7 hours and runs just $9.99.
Price: $9.99
For more information, click here.
Winner – Drywall Sanders
Hilti Orbital Drywall Sander DWS 225
What they said:
With superior ergonomics, class-leading dust control, and a user-friendly design, Hilti’s new DWS 225 orbital drywall sander is the ideal tool for level 5 finishes on drywall and for removing paints, adhesives, coatings, and residue. The DWS 225 is a lightweight, long-neck sander with an ergonomic design, better balance, and nearly 180° flexibility, giving you the comfortable control, you need when sanding walls, ceilings, and into corners. When paired with Hilti’s mesh net sanding discs, experience virtually dust-free sanding which will help prolong the life of the tool, reduce dust exposure, and minimize cleanup.
What we say:
When you’re ready to take drywall sanding to the next level—like Level 5 smoothness—take a look at Hilti’s DWS 225 Orbital Drywall Sander. It has a variable speed of 4000 –8000 OPM to leave a smooth finish. Its long-neck design and pivoting head cover the entire wall, including corners. At 7.7 pounds, it’s lighter than other professional drywall sanders. Hilti also keeps the dust down to almost nothing when you combine the sander with their mesh sanding disks and excellent dust extractors. It’s a well-designed system that takes into account each aspect of the drywall sanding process.
Price: From $1299
For more information, click here.
Winner – Cordless Drywall Sanders
DEWALT 20V MAX Brushless Cordless Drywall Sander DCE800
What they said:
The DCE800 is the first cordless drywall sander in the DEWALT line and has a feature set optimized for usage in demanding applications. A telescoping shaft and fully articulating head allow for easy access to a variety of surfaces, including confined spaces and difficult-to-reach areas on walls and ceilings. The sander is also designed with a head-mounted brushless motor, which maintains constant speed under load while eliminating flex shaft and brush failures. It is the first DEWALT tool to be fully integrated with Wireless Tool ControlTM. This allows the unit to wirelessly activate and deactivate a compatible dust extractor (DCV585) without the need for a separate fob.
What we say:
DeWalt’s cordless drywall sander has the features we look for with a brushless motor to extend runtime, a secure hose connection, and variable speed selection. What sets it apart is Wireless Tool Control. When you pair the sander with a compatible dust extractor, the tool tells the vac when to kick on and off, even though there’s no cord connecting them. There’s less unnecessary noise and you don’t have to make trips back and forth to your vac to shut it off.
Price: $439 (DCE800B; Bare)
$619 (DCE800P2; 2x 5Ah Kit)
For more information, click here.
Winner – Cordless Paint Sprayers
Graco Inc. 390 PC Cordless Airless Sprayer
What they said:
Introducing the first and only cordless high-performance stationary paint sprayer. Designed to deliver all the performance of a corded 390 PC airless sprayer along with the freedom from power cords, electrical outlets or generators. Experience the power and freedom to spray every job faster.
What we say:
Cordless paint sprayers have been around for a while, but none of them are close to Graco’s 390 PC Cordless Airless Sprayer. Built on the foundation of their 390 PC electric sprayer, it boasts the same exact specification, except for the fact that it runs on a DeWalt FlexVolt battery. With two batteries in the kit, Graco expects you can work continuously by cycling packs and fully replace your corded electric sprayer with a more convenient cordless solution.
Price: $2500 kit
For more information, click here.
Winner – Tile Saws
DEWALT 10 IN. High Capacity Wet Tile Saw With Stand D36000S
What they said:
The 10 in. High Capacity Wet Tile Saw provides the professional tile installer a 37 in. rip cut capacity, 8-1/2 in. crosscut capacity, and 1/32 in. over 30 in. accuracy. The rip cut capacity in combination with 18 in. cutting clearance (left of the blade) allows the user to rip 36 in. x 36 in. tile in half. The crosscut capacity is ideal for 6 in. sill cutting and up to 8 in. x 48 in. plank cutting at a 30% offset.
Perform rip cuts up to 41 in. with plunge. The 28-7/8 in. width from column to cart edge allows you to pass through standard 30 in. door frames. When the water tray system is installed, 18 in. x 36 in. and 24 in. x 24 in. tiles are fully contained within the coverage area, limiting mess when working indoors. The stand allows you to set up a workspace on site, and at only 91 lbs., the tile saw is made for portability to and from the jobsite
What we say:
With large form tile becoming more popular, DeWalt’s 10-inch High-Capacity Wet Tile Saw is high on our list. Starting with a plunge, it’s capable of making rip cuts up to 41” and 37” without the plunge. With 18” of space to the left of the blade, you can rip 36” x 36” tile in half! Despite the capacity, accuracy is still a big deal. Using a properly dressed blade, you can expect the saw to hold ±1/32” over a 30” cut. When you have large tile to cut, DeWalt helps you save time and money with a saw specifically designed to handle it.
Price: $1,199.00
For more information, click here.
Winner – Paints, Primers, & Coatings
Daich Coatings Terrazzo Decorative Granite Resurfacer
What they said:
Real stone coatings have never looked this good. Daich Coatings has revitalized its Terrazzo line of stone coatings for concrete, masonry, linoleum, vinyl and tile surfaces. The new formula offers a heavier stone filling for higher durability. The decorative granite resurfacer comes in six pre-mixed colors, including Silverado, Pearl Grey, Moonscape, Café, Glacier and Tangiers.
Indoor/Outdoor SurfaceSelf-priming Terrazzo can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings. While ideal for a basement or garage floor, the product also does extremely well when subjected to the elements. That’s why all-weather Terrazzo can be applied to walkways, porches, pool decks and patios. Tested for water, salt, chemical, impact and abrasion resistance, Terrazzo is long-lasting in any environment. The real stone coating also resists hot tire pick up, plus mold and mildew. Terrazzo is U/V brittle resistant and beautifully handles freeze and thaw conditions.
Made with real stone, a gallon of Terrazzo covers up to 60 square feet of surface space. Two coats are recommended (a few hours apart) for a beautiful granite finish.
TracSafe Anti-Slip Sealer is applied by rolling down two coats of the product a few hours apart using a 3/8” paint roller. Light foot traffic can be resumed in four to six hours (or when fully dry), with normal foot traffic allowed the following day after a 24-hour cure period. TracSafe’s anti-slip coating technology lays down a uniform foot traction surface that exhibits effective slip resistance properties in both wet and dry conditions, with bare feet and various common pedestrian and work footwear. TracSafe is a low VOC pre-mixed formula that features fast dry-time and easy water clean-up. Once applied, TracSafe provides all-season exterior durability and reliable long-term slip-resistance indoors and out.
What we say:
Terrazzo was already a solid product as a roll-on decorative resurfacer and now there’s an improved formula. They’ve switched to a finer grade of stone that results in higher durability. It’s a suitable coating for both interior and exterior spaces and has an all-weather rating that can withstand UV, salts, and chemicals in less-than-ideal settings and handles freeze/thaw cycles well. It’s naturally mold and mildew resistant. If you’re going for a granite look for your space, roll on over and pick up Terrazzo Decorative Granite Resurfacer from Daich Coatings.
Price: $54.95
For more information, click here.
Winner – Caulk/Sealants
DAP AMP Advanced Modified Polymer Sealants
What they said:
Professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike will be amped to try DAP’s new advanced hybrid sealants that outperform silicone, providing maximum performance for every project. Combining the best attributes from traditional silicone and polyurethane technologies, the AMP family of sealants from DAP feature superior weatherability and durability. They can be used in extreme temperatures and prevent mold and mildew growth, rivaling any other high-performance product in the market today.
AMP advanced hybrid sealants offer a wide variety of project and application solutions. Developed for both exterior applications – such as windows, doors, siding, trim, gutter, flashing and concrete – and interior applications like kitchen and bath projects, the new AMP line delivers a 100% weatherproof and waterproof seal. It can be applied on wet and damp surfaces, offers extreme temperature use of 0°F to 140°F, features fast and efficient 30-minute paint and rain/water ready times, and is backed by a lifetime mold and mildew resistance guarantee.
Over time, exposure to various weather and climate conditions, including extreme heat and cold, can break down exterior sealants. AMP is formulated with advanced hybrid technology for superior durability and powerful UV protection against color fading, discoloration and damage from harsh weather. What’s more, AMP meets ASTM C920 specifications, providing long-lasting flexibility to endure expansion and contraction caused by sun, heat, cold, wind and rain. It provides a strong adhesion to a wide variety of building materials, including fiber cement, vinyl, aluminum, wood, stucco, brick, masonry and more.
Silicone sealants are known to be hazy, instead of transparent in both wet and cured states. AMP’s crystal clear hybrid formula offers superior clarity over traditional clear silicones, with no haze during or after application. AMP is engineered to have improved color stability and is easy to gun out for less fatigue and tools smoothly for a professional finish. It’s also low in odor and VOC compliant.
What we say:
Combining the characteristics of silicone and PU sealants, DAP AMP sealants offer impressive performance and versatility. They’re mold and mildew resistant, can be painted in 30 minutes, resist rain in 30 minutes, can be applied to wet surfaces, and handle temperature ranges from 0° –140° F. Plus, UV won’t break it down the way other sealants do. With general-purpose and specialty concrete and gutter/flashing sealants to choose from, AMP might just be DAP’s best sealant ever.
Price: $9.98
For more information, click here.