Exterior and Interior Building Materials

Yakisugi is a traditional heat-treated wood that has been used in Japan for hundreds of years. Sugi wood is treated by burning the outside board faces to produce a low maintenance cladding product, resistant to UV, rot, fire and insects. Nakamoto Forestry supplies Yakisugi, “shou sugi ban,” siding to the American market in three finishes: Suyaki, charred; Gendi, brushed; and Pika- Pika, wire brushed. The lumber is oil finished in Portland, OR. $5–$13 per square foot, nakamotoforestry.com.

The AGS cable rail system lends a contemporary vibe to decks and stairways (inside and out), with minimal view obstruction. The Rainier model is made of marine- grade stainless and is sold with a choice of round, elliptical or flat top rails, shown here with a custom ipe handrail. $135 per foot, agsstainless.com.

Artisan Shingle, from the Aspyre Collection by James Hardie, captures the natural look of cedar shingles while still delivering the performance of a fiber cement product. Available in nine shingle widths, the detailed woodgrain pattern mimics the real thing. Available factory- primed or in the brand’s ColorPlus technology colors. Price upon request, jameshardie.com

The minimalist design of C.H.I.’s Sterling garage door is realized in steel and glass. Shown here in charcoal with tinted Infinity glass, the door can be ordered in 36 Kynar colors. Price upon request, available through Bob & Ray Overhead Door Co., bobandrays.com, chiohd.com.

Kova found a hole in the hardware market and devised a fashionable solution with its Pocket Door Privacy Lock. The sleek pull and locking system is substantial in weight with an easy-to-access lock mechanism. Available in matte black, brushed nickel and polished chrome. Price upon request, kovaproducts.com.

A stylish and sustainable door by Kolbe blends rustic character with modern design. Constructed of reclaimed barn wood, the outswing door is trimmed with onyx extruded aluminum, direct set sidelites and an upper transom. $33,000, available through Ridgefield Supply Company, Ridgefield, ridgefieldsupply.com, kolbewindows.com.

Luxurious leather is showing up in unexpected places, like floors and walls. Edelman Leather’s porcelain-backed leather tiles meld the beauty of leather with the practicality of porcelain. The large-scale tiles are durable and wear with the natural patina of leather. Available in eight textures and 11 shades, shown here in Damask Mahogany. Price upon request, D&D, edelmanleather.com.

Marvin’s design lab developed Skycove, a fully constructed, pop-out structure that expands a home’s interior space and draws more natural light indoors. Pre-engineered, the window features glass on top and all sides for panoramic views. marvin.com.

German glass producer Arnold Glas developed Ornilux bird protection glass with a patterned UV reflective coating visible to birds but transparent to the human eye. Not a film, the glazing treatment is applied to new glass and provides a bird-friendly solution for homes with expansive windows. Price upon request, available through architects and contractors, ornilux.com.

The stone veneer of Cultured Stone’s Pro-Fit Modera Ledgestone lends a contemporary profile to walls with dramatic surface variations and tactile dimensionality. Available in a monochromatic color palette of Carbon, Intaglio and Vellum, shown here. $6–$8 per square foot, available through O&G Industries, Stamford, ogind.com, culturedstone.com.

Elevators are being specified into home plans, and Residential Elevator offers customizable options to create a focal point or to integrate the mechanism into the décor of a home. Advanced technology for residential applications include touch screen operating panels and state-of-the-art security and safety features. Price upon request, available through Elevator Service Company, Torrington, elevatorserviceco.com, residentialelevators.com.

As a stand-alone or wall-mounted wood- burning fireplace, the Eva 992 by French manufacturer JC Bordelet is a game changer. Shown here in Brute, spun stainless steel, the model is also offered in standard finishes of black, chocolate, taupe and anthracite gray, or can be customized through the RAL color chart. $20,000, available in the U.S. through Igne Ferro, NYC, igneferrousa.com, bordelet.com.

Connect your outdoor areas—pool, deck or patio—to the inside of your home with Andersen’s pass- through window. The flush sill creates a seamless transition. The window gets high marks for convenience, ventilation and light. Price upon request, available through Ring’s End, Darien, andersenwindows.com.