Products We Trust & Use

    These are the exact products our team uses on NYC buildings every day. We only recommend what we've tested ourselves.

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    Sealants & Caulks

    When we're sealing joints on a facade or around windows, these are the products we reach for every time.

    Sikaflex-1a Polyurethane Sealant
    Our Top Pick

    SIKA

    Sikaflex-1a Polyurethane Sealant

    $12-18

    We use this on almost every facade job. When joints expand and contract with temperature changes, most sealants crack. This one moves with the building. If you only buy one sealant, make it this one.

    Best for: Facade joints, window perimeters, parapet repairs

    Polyurethane elastomeric10.1 oz cartridge+/- 25% joint movementSelf-leveling formulaASTM C920 compliant
    Sikaflex Construction Sealant

    SIKA

    Sikaflex Construction Sealant

    $10-16

    When you need to seal around window frames or wall penetrations and the client wants to paint over it, this is what we use. It stays flexible, bonds to everything, and takes paint well after curing.

    Best for: Window frames, wall penetrations, general repairs

    Non-sag formulaPaintableUV resistant10.1 oz cartridgeInterior/exterior use
    Sikaflex Concrete Fix

    SIKA

    Sikaflex Concrete Fix

    $12-18

    For cracks in concrete sidewalks, stoops, and facade surfaces, we apply this directly with a caulk gun. It fills and seals in one pass without dripping on vertical surfaces. Saves time on small repairs.

    Best for: Concrete cracks, sidewalks, stoops

    PolyurethaneNon-sagTextured finishWeather resistantCaulk-gun application

    Waterproofing

    Water is the number one enemy of NYC buildings. These are the membranes, sealers, and coatings we specify and install to keep it out.

    LastiSeal Brick & Masonry Sealer
    Our Top Pick

    LastiSeal

    LastiSeal Brick & Masonry Sealer

    $60-90/gal

    If your brick facade is absorbing water and you want to stop it without changing how it looks, this is what we recommend. It penetrates deep into the masonry and repels water for up to 15 years. We've used it on buildings where the owner didn't want any visible coating.

    Best for: Brick facades, concrete walls, preventive maintenance

    Penetrating formula15-year warrantyNo color changeBreathableCovers 150-250 sq ft/gal
    MasonryDefender Penetrating Sealer

    MasonryDefender

    MasonryDefender Penetrating Sealer

    $50-80/gal

    We recommend this for concrete facades, retaining walls, and driveways that need water protection without a visible film. It bonds at the molecular level so there's no peeling or flaking over time.

    Best for: Concrete facades, driveways, retaining walls

    Silane/siloxane formulaWater-basedVOC compliantNo sheen250-400 sq ft/gal

    GCP Applied Technologies

    Our Top Pick

    GCP Applied Technologies

    Perm-A-Barrier VPS 30

    $150-250/roll

    This is our standard spec on every facade project where brick or parapets are being replaced. It goes behind the new masonry as an air and water barrier. Important: never use Bituthene on above-grade facade work. Perm-A-Barrier is what should be specified.

    Best for: Facade waterproofing, brick replacement, parapet rebuilds

    Self-adheringVapor permeable40 mil thicknessASTM E2178 compliantNYC facade standard

    SIKA

    SIKA

    Sikalastic 123

    $180-280/5gal

    When we need to waterproof a roof, balcony, or plaza deck, we spec Sikalastic 123. It goes on as a liquid and cures into a seamless membrane with no seams to fail. Good for areas with foot traffic where traditional membranes get damaged.

    Best for: Roof waterproofing, balcony decks, plaza decks

    Single-componentSeamless membraneCrack-bridgingUV resistantFoot-traffic rated

    GCP Applied Technologies

    GCP Applied Technologies

    Bituthene 3000

    $120-200/roll

    This is strictly for below-grade and underground waterproofing. Foundation walls, elevator pits, below-grade slabs. We see contractors mistakenly using Bituthene on facades. Don't. It's not vapor permeable enough for above-grade work. Use Perm-A-Barrier VPS 30 for facades instead.

    Best for: Foundation walls, elevator pits, below-grade waterproofing

    Self-adhering60 mil thicknessBelow-grade onlyRubberized asphaltASTM D1970 compliant
    Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant

    Liquid Rubber

    Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant

    $80-130/5gal

    For basement water issues and foundation leaks, we recommend this as a DIY-friendly option. Building owners can brush or roll it directly onto foundation walls. It stays flexible after curing so it won't crack when the foundation shifts.

    Best for: Basements, foundations, below-grade walls

    Liquid-applied membraneFlexible when curedVOC-freeBrush/roll application50 sq ft/gal at 20 mil

    Roof & Concrete Repair

    When a roof is leaking or concrete is cracking, these are the products we use for fast, reliable repairs.

    Henry

    Our Top Pick

    Henry

    Henry 208 Wet Patch Roof Cement

    $12-40

    When a building super calls us about a roof leak during a rainstorm, this is what we tell them to grab. You can apply it in wet conditions right over the leak. We keep this on hand for every roof job because emergencies happen.

    Best for: Emergency leak repair, flashings, skylights

    SBS rubber modifiedApply wet or dryUV resistantAvailable 11 oz to 5 galAsphalt-based
    Quikrete Concrete Repair

    Quikrete

    Quikrete Concrete Repair

    $8-15

    For small cracks in stoops, sidewalks, and exterior concrete, this gets the job done without mixing anything. We recommend it to building owners who want to fix minor cracks before they become DOB violations.

    Best for: Small cracks, stoops, exterior concrete

    Acrylic latex10 oz tubeCaulk-gun applicationPaintableSets in 24 hours

    Masonry & Pointing

    Repointing is the most common facade repair in NYC. These are the mortars, rods, and cleaners we use on every pointing job.

    SPEC MIX Type N Mortar
    Our Top Pick

    SPEC MIX

    SPEC MIX Type N Mortar

    $8-12/80lb bag

    When we spec mortar for repointing, it's Type N SPEC MIX. The pre-blended formula means every batch comes out the same color and strength. On a 20-story facade where you need consistency across thousands of joints, that matters.

    Best for: Brick repointing, facade restoration, masonry joints

    Type N (750 PSI)Pre-blendedASTM C270 compliant80 lb bagConsistent color match

    Quikrete

    Quikrete

    Quikrete Mason Mix Type S

    $7-11/80lb bag

    We use Type S when the wall is load-bearing or below grade and needs higher compressive strength. If your engineer specs Type S instead of Type N, this is a reliable option that's easy to find at any supply house.

    Best for: Structural masonry, load-bearing walls, below-grade

    Type S (1800 PSI)Pre-blendedASTM C270 compliant80 lb bagHigh bond strength

    SIKA

    SIKA

    Sika MonoTop 612 Repair Mortar

    $25-40/50lb bag

    When we need to patch spalled concrete on a facade or overhead soffit, this is what we use. It stays in place on vertical and overhead surfaces without sagging. One component, so no mixing ratios to worry about on site.

    Best for: Concrete spall repair, facade patching, overhead repairs

    Polymer-modifiedNon-sag1/4" to 2" thicknessASTM C928 compliantFiber reinforced

    Various

    Our Top Pick

    Various

    Closed-Cell Backer Rod

    $8-20/100ft

    Before applying any sealant to a joint, we always install backer rod first. It controls the depth of the sealant and creates the right geometry so the seal lasts. Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes we see on failed caulk jobs.

    Best for: Joint preparation before caulking, expansion joints, control joints

    Closed-cell polyethyleneSizes: 1/4" to 1"100 ft rollsNon-absorbentCompatible with all sealants

    PROSOCO

    PROSOCO

    Prosoco Sure Klean Custom Masonry Cleaner

    $40-60/gal

    After repointing, mortar smears and efflorescence can make a facade look worse than before. We use this to clean up after every pointing job. It removes stains without damaging the brick or stone underneath.

    Best for: Post-repointing cleanup, efflorescence removal, brick cleaning

    Acid-based cleanerSafe for most masonry1 gal covers 50-100 sq ftDilutableASTM C1248 compliant

    Safety Equipment

    You can't step on a NYC construction site without these. Required by OSHA and DOB for every inspection and jobsite visit.

    3M

    Our Top Pick

    3M

    3M DBI-SALA Delta Full Body Harness

    $80-200

    Every time we do a close-up facade inspection or any work above 6 feet, this harness goes on. OSHA requires it, and we've trusted this model on hundreds of drops. Worth the investment for anyone doing regular roof or facade work.

    Best for: Facade inspections, roof work, FISP compliance

    OSHA 1926.502 compliantBack D-ringPass-thru buckle legs310 lb capacityUniversal size available

    MSA

    MSA

    MSA V-Gard Hard Hat

    $15-35

    The standard hard hat we wear on every site visit. If you're a building owner walking your own jobsite, you need one of these. DOB will shut down a site if anyone is on it without head protection.

    Best for: Site visits, inspections, construction

    ANSI/ISEA Z89.1Type I, Class EHigh-density polyethyleneUV inhibitorFas-Trac III suspension

    Need Help Choosing?

    Not sure which product is right for your building? Our engineers can assess your situation and recommend the best solution.

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