1) FOUNDATION
Design Tech Homes constructs only foundations that are engineered to meet the soil conditions and topography of your property. An independent licensed engineer reviews all of our foundation plans and certifies the type of foundation and design for your specific home on your specific lot.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Because your foundation will be one of the most important elements in your new home, we know you will appreciate our attention to this quality standard. We will not build a home on any lot until a geotechnical engineer has tested the soil on your lot and a licensed structural engineer has designed your foundation based on these tests.

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2) FRAME
We design all of our homes using AutoCAD®. We also go the extra step and have each home inspected at frame and certified by an independent, licensed engineer. Additionally, Design Tech Homes uses high quality materials to construct the framework of your home. In both interior and exterior construction, we use 16” centers on walls. We also use finger jointed studs for vertical framing up to 10’, as applicable. Finger-jointed studs are a better grade of lumber than standard stud lumber. This material, combined with our construction methods, results in straighter and stronger walls.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
While many homebuilders may have an engineer review their standard home frame plans, few go the extra step of obtaining an engineer’s stamp on every home built. An engineer’s certification on each plan signifies that our plans meet or exceed construction standards, and that your home will be structurally sound. Second only to a strong foundation, we feel that the strength of your frame is the most important factor in your home’s structural quality.

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3) ENGINEERED FLOORING SYSTEM
The engineered flooring system specified by Design Tech Homes features an efficient “I” shape and is manufactured to resist swelling and shrinking. This design, which entails nailing, screwing and gluing of critical floor joist wood components, enables the flooring system to carry large loads over long spans without sagging or loosening their connection to the plywood and floor finish. Because the joists are manufactured to resist the effects of temperature and moisture, they will not change shape - eliminating a major source of squeaky floors.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Many homebuilders cut costs by using 2x10 or 2x12 lumber instead of engineered flooring systems. While using this material may save money, lumber on Texas construction sites is exposed to many environmental factors and may warp, curl or bow. Using engineered flooring systems eliminates this potential problem.

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4) 30-YEAR RATED SHINGLES
Design Tech Homes uses shingles that are considered one of the best products in the industry. The 30-Year Rated shingles are laminated so they look superior, last longer and have more visual depth than ordinary shingles. To additionally ensure quality and durability, we nail our shingles.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Unlike many other homebuilders who staple shingles to save money and time, our construction method of nailing shingles provides greater strength and allows the shingles to withstand higher winds. This installation, combined with the 30-Year Rated product, will complement your home’s exterior. Shingle selection is one of the best ways to improve the visual appeal and market value of your home. After all, up to 40% of your home’s exterior may show as roofing - so your choice of a shingle is no small detail. The shingles are designed to stand up to the elements, year after year. Because they have earned UL wind resistant and Class “A” fire ratings, they offer excellent protection against wind and fire damage.

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5) STRUCTURAL SHEATHING
Design Tech Homes uses structural sheathing on the entire exterior frame of every home.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Design Tech Homes does not wrap our homes with Styrofoam. While using Styrofoam is common with many other homebuilders, it does not offer structural support. Also, while some homebuilders may use structural sheathing on corners for bracing, they typically do not wrap their entire homes. The studs are only part of making the frame of your home strong – sheathing provides additional strength.

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6) TYVEK® HOME WRAP®
As additional protection against moisture and air infiltration, Design Tech Homes applies Tyvek® over the exterior sheathing. Tyvek is a revolutionary product that is manufactured by DuPont. It has many uses, including the material used in hazardous materials suits and the white material used by most shipping companies (like FedEx®) for packaging.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Tyvek is not used by most production homebuilders, and not all custom homebuilders offer it to their customers. This product aids in reducing energy bills and helps maintain air quality by allowing the home to breathe, thus providing a way for water vapor to escape through natural evaporation, but will not allow water in a liquid state to penetrate.

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7) FIBER-CEMENT SIDING
Design Tech Homes uses fiber-cement products on the exterior of our homes. Plus we offer several selections from which to choose. The installation method on the corners, window frames and doors also creates smaller caulk lines, resulting in less maintenance and better energy efficiency.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
While other homebuilders may offer fiber-cement siding, we go further by providing this product in all of the home’s exterior areas whenever possible. Fiber-cement exterior siding is a durable, attractive alternative to traditional wood composite, cedar, vinyl, brick or stucco sidings. With the look and warmth of natural wood, fiber-cement siding resists damage from extended exposure to humidity, rain, salt air and termites. It is non-combustible (with a Class “A” fire rating). This superior product, along with the construction methods used by Design Tech Homes will provide you with a beautiful home that requires less maintenance over time.

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8) ELECTRICAL
Design Tech Homes uses all copper wiring, including copper conductors in your circuit breaker panel and in branch circuit wiring (e.g., to outlets, switches, lighting and fixtures). We offer 200 amp electrical service as standard. Further, all electrical service is wired in accordance with the current National Electric Code.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
A common practice in the homebuilding industry is to provide 150 amp service; Design Tech Homes will provide you with a minimum of 200 amp service in your home. Because retrofitting each room of your home at a later date can be expensive and time-consuming, we feel it is best to anticipate your future needs by providing expansion capacity from the beginning. For example, when adding additional amenities to a home, such as a pool or workshop, you will need to build additional service. In most cases, our 200 amp service will allow you to add a future amenity without the additional expense of other lines, another breaker box, permits and an electrician. This, coupled with the quality of copper wiring, will offer added lasting value over the life of your new home.

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9) SHEETROCK
All Design Tech Homes are constructed using nails and screws for sheetrock installation.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Most homebuilders use only nails to install sheetrock. Design Tech Homes also uses screws to provide greater strength, requiring less maintenance and lessening the chance that sheetrock cracks and nail pops will develop when the home settles.

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10) SAFETY & SECURITY
We pre-wire for a full home security system including 2 keypads, motion detectors and glass breakage detectors. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are all hardwired with battery back-up.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Your home will be designed and built to provide you with a peace of mind to extend long into the future. We feel our job would not be complete without addressing the safety and security of you and your family. Other homebuilders may offer the pre-wired security system to you as an upgrade option, but at Design Tech Homes this feature is standard.

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11) BUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE SPECTRUM SERIES VINYL WINDOW
We install Builders FirstSource Spectrum Series vinyl windows with double pane insulated “Low E2” glass. These windows have a tilt sash feature for easy cleaning and a beautiful beveled frame for great curb appeal. This window is available in white and taupe.

The Design Tech Homes Difference
Design Tech Homes recognizes that energy performance is very important to you. Therefore, we offer some of the finest Low E2 windows on the market which exceed the local energy code requirements. Builders FirstSource is a national distributor which manufactures the Spectrum Series vinyl windows in their Houston plant according to stringent AAMA, NFRC and ENERGY STAR® standards. ENERGY STAR® guidelines for windows assess the solar heat gain coefficient, the amount of heat primarily from ultra violet rays that the windows allow in the home and the U-factor, the speed at which the heat enters the home. When comparing our windows with those used by other homebuilders, take note of our outstanding performance ratings: U-factor 0.36; Solar Heat Gain Coefficient 0.32; Visible Transmittance 0.51; and Air Leakage 0.01.

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