The steady increase in home construction has fueled growth in flooring, painting, and tiling industries. As the demand for skilled tradespeople grows, innovation becomes essential to bridge the gap and enhance efficiency. This year’s standout tools offer streamlined processes, quicker completion times, and greater value for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Covering everything from painting tools and tiling equipment to drywall sanders and more, the 2025 lineup of award-winning wall and flooring products introduces practical solutions to common challenges. These groundbreaking tools help users achieve greater productivity and simplify routine tasks in home improvement projects.
Winner – Accessories
Werner LevelSafe™ Pro PK100
What they said:
The Werner LevelSafe™ Pro is designed to quickly and easily control and level Werner extension ladders when working on uneven surfaces. This innovative accessory smoothly and automatically adjusts up to 8.5 inches, while the patented Micro-Adjust Technology allows for effortless calibration without lifting the ladder – delivering precise leveling for safe and stable climbing.
Designed with trade professionals in mind, the Werner LevelSafe Pro enhances user safety and efficiency by enabling easy, tool-free adjustments on uneven ground. When the ladder is positioned on soft or sloped surfaces, the precision Micro-Adjust system allows users to make fine modifications without repositioning the ladder. The technology features 90-degree rotating handles for easy operation, along with an integrated bubble level for quick alignment.
The new product addresses a longstanding challenge within the industry, eliminating the need for manual ladder repositioning to achieve a level setup. Too often, professionals rely on risky workarounds like hand-leveling dirt or using jobsite scrap. The Werner LevelSafe Pro provides a safer, more precise way to level a ladder, while empowering professionals to work confidently on any surface. The LevelSafe Pro is available factory-installed on select models and sizes. Werner also offers a retrofit accessory kit (PK100) compatible with fiberglass and aluminum Werner extension ladders. The LevelSafe Pro can be installed up to 50% faster than other ladder leveling accessories. Its straightforward, no-cut installation makes setup simple and efficient.
What we say:
Rarely do I find that my ladder is sitting atop a perfectly level surface. The Werner LevelSafe Pro features a patented Micro-Adjust Technology that lets users calibrate ladder height adjustments up to 8.5 inches without repositioning the ladder. Unlike other accessories that require manual adjustments, the LevelSafe Pro features 90-degree flip-out handles and an integrated bubble level for quick alignment. You can also get it as either a factory-installed option or a retrofit kit for your existing ladders. If you work at height, this should be your next purchase.
Price: $229
For more information, click here.
Winner – Exterior Coatings
Daich Coatings TracSafe Anti-Slip Color Kit
What they said:
Transforming ugly, slippery surfaces around the home or a commercial space into beautiful and safe areas is now easier with the new TracSafe® Anti-Slip Color Kit. The all-inclusive kit includes two gallons of TracSafe® Anti-Slip Color Coat in a choice of five colors, plus one gallon of clear TracSafe® Anti-Slip Sealer and two application rollers. Ideal for enhancing walkways, pool decks, patios, garages, and basement floors, along with other drab surfaces, TracSafe can help make slippery spaces safer and more attractive.
Each kit contains enough product to cover up to 200 square feet and retails for $149.99. The odorless, fast-drying aspect of the TracSafe products makes this an effortless DIY project for anyone, homeowners and contractors alike. The TracSafe products roll on easily to quickly update an ugly, old surface. TracSafe Anti-Slip Color Coat has a light stone speckle to it that sparkles in the sunshine.
Color options include Graphite, Shell Grey, Cream, Clay Brick, and Terracotta. The clear coat of TracSafe Anti-Slip Sealer protects the coating from dirt, water, and chemicals and adds another level of slip resistance to the floor. Both TracSafe products have been tested and achieved ratings up to twice the industry-recommended safety standard. The product’s aggressive anti-slip performance with all-weather durability is ideal for both residential and commercial settings.
What we say:
The TracSafe Anti-Slip Color Kit from Daich Coatings combines an anti-slip color coat and concrete sealer in one convenient product. As far as innovation goes, this approach simplifies the DIY process for homeowners and opens possibilities for contractors. We like that it simultaneously addresses both safety and aesthetics. It uses a fast-drying, odorless formula and comes in five colors. TracSafe might be the easiest upgrade anyone can make to their walkway, patio, or pool decks.
Price: $150
For more information, click here.
Winner – Ladders
Little Giant Adjustable Fortress Ladder
What they said:
The Adjustable Fortress™ is a smarter, safer, more adaptable work platform built for today’s demanding job sites. Designed to eliminate common frustrations with traditional step ladders and static platforms, this ladder redefines safety and convenience in a single, rugged package.
What sets the Adjustable Fortress™ apart is its 360-degree fall protection. It has a fully enclosed platform with wraparound rails, toe-kick protection, and an auto-closing gate that meets OSHA tie-off standards. Unlike conventional ladders that require a harness for fall protection, this design keeps workers safe without restricting their movement. They get complete freedom to focus on the task with no harness and no compromise.
Workers throughout the industry need different working heights for multiple tasks. The patented Rapid Locks let workers adjust platform height in seconds, replacing the need to haul multiple ladders to the jobsite. This single ladder covers more ground. This saves time, reduces transport needs, and boosts productivity. Engineered with the realities of maintenance, facilities, and technical work in mind, the Adjustable Fortress™ features a wide, deep platform that reduces foot fatigue over long work sessions. It’s built for comfort and stability, especially when the user is fully geared up.
Its all-terrain outriggers expand the base up to 3 times for unmatched tip-resistance across uneven or unpredictable surfaces. Whether the user is working on grated floors, pavement, or gravel, this ladder stays planted. It gives users the confidence to move freely and safely at height. Additional innovations like the Ground Cue® system alert the user when they’ve reached the bottom step. This innovation reduces missteps and rolled ankles. Tip & Glide™ wheels and the Locking Wheel Lift Kit make transport a breeze: roll it fully loaded, lock it in place, and get to work without wasting time or energy.
Storage and setup are just as seamless. With a one-motion fold and compact, flat storage profile, the Adjustable Fortress™ saves space and setup time. A built-in tool tray and closeable storage container keep gear secure and ready at all times, while the Hi-Viz Green fiberglass enhances visibility and helps protect against electrical hazards.
What we say:
The wraparound rails and auto-closing gate on the Little Giant Adjustable Fortress deliver a new type of intuitive fall protection. It also eliminates the need for harnesses, letting workers perform tasks with less restrictions. Patented Rapid Locks let you make quick height adjustments, and the ladder itself is incredibly compact for its rating. Additional innovations like the Ground Cue system that alerts you when you’re on the last step are just icing on this tiered cake.
Price: $1,021
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Paint & Primer
Dutch Boy® Paints Dura Fighter™ Interior Paint + Primer
What they said:
Specially formulated for professional-grade durability, Dura Fighter™ Paint + Primer offers performance you can trust for tough, lasting protection. This hardworking paint is designed for DIYers seeking value without compromising on results and pros looking for reliable coverage on jobs that demand a lasting finish.
Dura Fighter™ Paint + Primer features include remarkable hide and a smooth, professional-looking finish at an affordable price; a durable, scrubbable formula that resists most stains and offers good washability; a mildew-resistant coating ideal for high-moisture areas; and GREENGUARD® Gold Certified for low-chemical emissions and backed by a lifetime limited warranty.
What we say:
Dutch Boy Paints continues to innovate, and the Dura Fighter Paint + Primer promises remarkable hide and smooth finish to provide a professional look at an affordable price. It’s a durable paint that cleans easily while resisting stains. This should give it excellent longevity. Additionally, its mildew-resistant coating is perfect for high-moisture areas. It’s also Greenguard Gold Certified for low chemical emissions.
Price: $28 (gallon)
For more information, click here.
Winner – Sprayers & Rollers
Wagner SprayTech 2461319 PowerFlow EZ Roller
What they said:
Introduced in February 2025, Wagner’s PowerFlow™ EZ Roller® stands out in the painting tools industry by reimagining the roller experience with a strong focus on efficiency, user comfort, and sustainability. Unlike traditional rollers that require constant dipping into a tray, the PowerFlow EZ Roller has an integrated pump system and a 16-foot hose that delivers paint directly from the paint can to the roller. This eliminates the need for trays, reduces mess, and significantly speeds up the painting process, providing more coverage in less time with fewer interruptions.
The PowerFlow EZ Roller prioritizes user comfort. By eliminating the need to bend down and reload from a tray, and offering a wall-to-wall experience without interruption, it reduces strain on the back, knees, and arms. The optional extension handle allows users to reach high walls and ceilings without ladders, enhancing safety and convenience. The reusable roller system is designed for long-term use across multiple projects. Homeowners only need to replace the roller heads, making it an eco-friendly investment that minimizes waste. Over time, users save both money and materials, reducing trips to the store and reliance on single-use, one-and-done tools.
The PowerFlow EZ Roller is designed for painting large rooms, multiple rooms, and ceilings. Powered by an electric motor, the roller draws paint directly from a one-gallon or five-gallon paint container. The Auto-Feed Control on the roller handle provides on-demand, continuous paint flow for fast, even, drip-free coverage. Lightweight and portable, it is designed for use with latex and oil-based coatings. Wagner’s innovative Click-Attach™ Arm mounts the power roller to a paint container securely, which also makes moving from room to room easier. Cleanup is easy; simply flush the roller and the handle with water or solvent.
What we say:
Wagner once again innovated with its PowerFlow EZ Roller to simplify the DIY painting experience. With an integrated pump system and 16-foot hose, you get continuous paint delivery straight from either 1-gallon cans or 5-gallon buckets. It efficiently feeds paint on demand through a tube directly to the roller. This minimizes weight while speeding up the painting process since you never have to return the roller to a tray. It’s also extremely portable. Whether deploying the system or cleaning up, you can carry everything in a single trip. With its pushbutton Auto-Feed control, the PowerFlow EZ Roller lets you keep painting until you’re done!
Price: $70
For more information, click here.
Winner – Underlayment
Grip-Rite MORE™ Backer Board & Underlayment
What they said:
Grip-Rite MORE™ is an industry-first magnesium oxysulfate tile backer board and sound-compliant underlayment that replaces traditional cement-based systems with a silica-free, lighter, and more efficient alternative — delivering the jobsite safety, installation speed, and performance today’s pros need.
MORE contains zero crystalline silica — eliminating a major jobsite health risk. It’s also free of VOCs and other harmful additives. It scores cleanly with a utility knife, reducing respiratory exposure and cleanup time. It also generates 60% less CO₂ emissions during production than Portland cement and supports green building goals — without adding significant costs.
MORE installs like other backer boards and underlayments — no retraining required. It’s built for direct install over OSB/plywood with no need for gypsum cement or sound mats, helping pros reduce install time, project costs, and drying delays. Weighing up to 28% less than cement board, MORE is easier to carry, cut, and install — especially on upper-floor jobs. Solo installers and crews alike benefit from less fatigue and faster movement on the job. Despite its lighter weight, MORE is built tough. Its core delivers high load resistance and dimensional stability without the brittleness of cement-based boards. It resists cracking, impact, and flaking under stress — ideal for high-traffic and high-humidity environments.
MORE resists moisture absorption, mold, and pests — extending life and reliability. It’s ideal for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms and delivers consistent performance across all U.S. climate zones. UL L528 approved for 1-hour fire-rated assemblies and independently tested to meet STC and IIC sound ratings — without the need for additional acoustic treatments or sound mats— MORE speeds up code compliance in multifamily and commercial projects while streamlining material stacks.
What we say:
Grip-Rite MORE is a lightweight silica-free magnesium oxysulfate tile backer board and underlayment. It also generates 60% less CO₂ during production. You can cut and snap it with a standard utility knife and straight edge. It then installs right over OSB or plywood. MORE’s engineered strength ensures high load resistance and durability, resisting cracking and moisture. This makes it ideal for high-traffic and also wet areas like kitchen backsplashes and showers.
Price: $25
For more information, click here.