S T A N D A R D S P E C S
While we offer standard specifications for different types of construction, as a custom home builder, all materials are 100% customizable to suit your wants and needs. Through our wonderful trade partners and their product representatives, we can offer hundreds of material choices for all price points. From siding and roofing materials, to interior finishes and fixtures. Everything is up to you.
In the meantime, we have to start somewhere. See below for our standard specifications for our two most common construction types. These standard specs allow us to accurately estimate pricing per square foot based on these repeatable specs.
Curious if we can use a lesser common construction style? A obscure material you’d like in your new home?
We can handle that! Give us a call to see if we’re the right fit for your project.
F O U N D A T I O N S
Our foundation types vary, based on the type of home we’re building. Poured full height or frost wall with slabs are common. Along with ICF foundations of varying thicknesses or Superior Precast foundations for a finish-ready basement.
Walk-out basements of numerous types are always available, site conditions permitting. Our standard basements remain unfinished, apart for where required by code (ceilings w/ I-Joists, etc.).
5-1/2” sill seal
2×6 Pressure Treated Sill Plate w/ 1/2” galvanized J-Bolt Anchors
Engineered Wood Product Dropped Girders (sized per plan) w/ Lally Columns over post pads
F L O O R D E C K S
Our floor decks go above and beyond code. A “code-compliant” floor can often still be bouncy and uncomfortable at longer spans. We calculate all joist spans and load deflections to be within our approved range to make for a comfortable floor. Upgrades to I-Joists are common for larger open areas based on span.
To accommodate very large spans, engineered floor trusses can be utilized to provide clear spans.
In-Deck or Dropped Beams per calculations
2×10 or 2×12 SPF #2 or Better Joists, 16” O.C. (dependent on span)
Upgrades to I-Joists or Floor Trusses common or per span
3/4” T&G Huber AdvanTech Subfloor sheathing w/ adhesive
Upgrade to AdvanTech X-Factor sheathing is a great addition
W A L L S
Light-frame wall differ around the country. In this area, we use 2×6 exterior walls to provide additional thickness for insulation. Along with several other additional items that are now required for walls to be current energy codes, like additional exterior insulation.
2×4 interior partitions are most common, while 2×6 interior partitions are used for plumbing walls, and load bearing.
8’-1 1/8” tall walls
9’- 1/8” tall walls are a common upgrade.
2×6 exterior walls, 16” O.C (House & Garage)
2×4 interior partitions, 16” O.C. (2×6 where required for plumbing and load bearing)
2×10 headers (# of plys vary)
Single bottom plates (pressure treated if over concrete)
Double top plates
California corners
2×6 drywall nailers provided at wall intersections
7/16” OSB Exterior sheathing
7/16” ZIP System Sheathing is a common upgrade
Tyvek Weather Resistant Barrier
R-21 Fiberglass Insulation Batts
Closed cell spray foam is a common upgrade
1” rigid foam exterior insulation
CertainTeed Monogram Vinyl Siding
LP SmartSide Clapboard or Board & Batten or a different product is a common upgrade
R O O F S
Just like walls, roofs can differ greatly from one home to the next. Within the last 40 years, trusses have been the go-to for production builders. Faster construction, longer spans. We utilize both trussed roofs and raftered roofs where it makes sense. Our standard pricing includes trusses.
Roof coverings also differ greatly, and with new products being developed all the time, we could see even more variety in roofs across the country.
Standard trusses 24” O.C.
Scissor trusses for cathedral ceilings are a common upgrade
5/8” OSB Sheathing w/ H-Clips
5/8” ZIP System Sheathing is a common upgrade
GAF Synthetic roof underlayment, ice and water shield, metal drip edge, aluminum fascia, vinyl soffit
GAF Timberline HDZ Architectural shingles
Standing seam metal roofing is a common upgrade
R-49 of blown-in cellulose insulation
Closed cell spray foam is a common upgrade
F E N E S T R A T I O N
Windows and doors are a very important part of your new home. But the quality and prices of window varies widely. We picked a great window for a great price to fit in our standard packages.
Harvey New Construction Vinyl Windows, white
Black exterior or painted interiors or adding grids is a common upgrade
ThermaTru Smooth-Star Exterior Doors
Many options available for upgrade
Overhead Door Company Thermacore series 190, model 5740, R-13 insulated garage doors
Many options available for upgrade
I N T E R I O R T R I M
While very part of our homes is customizable, interior trim is one of the most custom and personal to each client. Our standard trim package is what we consider the most in-style options at the moment.
FJP Primed 2-1/4” colonial style casing
FJP Primed 3-1/4” colonial style baseboard
Wood 2-Panel Primed swing doors
While this is the default, there are many options that are within the same price. There are also many options available as an upgrade
Copper Creek Locksets
Upgrades available
Closet Shelving 1×12 laminated white MDF shelf with metal rod
Linen and pantry closets, (4) rows of 1×12 laminated white MDF
Upgrades available, along with downgrades to wire shelving
Site Built stairs w/ 1” clear pine treads and 3/4” clear pine risers
Stair Railings - Oak Handrail w/ primed balusters (options available)
Our standard kitchen package has 30” tall wall cabinets for 8’ ceilings and 36” tall wall cabinets for 9’ ceilings. More heights are available.
We offer several lines of cabinetry to fit your styles. Our standard package is based on a linear footage number, and will greatly vary based on your cabinet choices. View our kitchen and bath page for more information.
Ready to get started on your light frame construction?
F O U N D A T I O N S
Post frame construction, or as most people know them as Pole Barns or Barndominiums, area different type of construction method and in lots of cases, needs different materials and processes to work. The foundations are variable, but there’s right and wrong choices.
8”x48” poured concrete frost wall with exterior rigid foam insulation
Pier construction is also possible, but is not as energy efficient and may not be approved by your financial institution or local code enforcement
F L O O R S
Most commonly, floors in post frame construction are concrete, but there can be some variations, including crawl space with floor decks.
4” Poured concrete floors over crushed stone
2” of rigid foam insulation continuous beneath slab
In-floor heat is a very popular addition with “barndos”
W A L L S
Post-frame walls are generally the same. The posts provide the structural path to the foundation for all load bearing. What varies is the application, spacing, and fastening of the trusses.
2×4 interior partitions are most common, while 2×6 interior partitions are used for plumbing walls, and load bearing.
3-ply 2×8 Laminated posts
LVL Truss Headers, sized per layout
2×4 exterior girts, 24” O.C.
2×4 interior girts, 16” O.C.
2×4 interior partitions
2×6 interior partitions for plumbing and load bearing walls
7/16” OSB Exterior sheathing
7/16” ZIP System Sheathing is a common upgrade
Tyvek Weather Resistant Barrier
2×8 window bucks
4” R-26 Closed Cell Spray Foam
Alpine 26 ga. metal panels & trim products
Vinyl siding or other products available at lesser cost
26 Ga. Metal board and batten is a common upgrade for Barndos
R O O F S
The advent of long span trusses make Post Frame buildings work. We only utilize trussed roofs for Post Frame construction.
Commonly, post frame building utilize metal roofs, but other products are available.
Standard trusses 24” O.C.
Scissor trusses for cathedral ceilings are a common upgrade
5/8” OSB Sheathing w/ H-Clips
5/8” ZIP System Sheathing is a common upgrade
2×4 Purlins 24” O.C.
Only for PBR non-standing seam roofs
Benjamin Obdyke VaporDry SA underlayment
Alpine metal 26 Ga. Standing seam metal and trim components
PBR metal also available
R-49 closed cell spray foam
F E N E S T R A T I O N
Windows and doors are a very important part of your new home. But the quality and prices of window varies widely. We picked a great window for a great price to fit in our standard packages.
Harvey New Construction Vinyl Windows, white
Black exterior or painted interiors or adding grids is a common upgrade
ThermaTru Smooth-Star Exterior Doors
Many options available for upgrade
Overhead Door Company Thermacore series 190, model 5740, R-13 insulated garage doors
Many options available for upgrade
I N T E R I O R T R I M
While very part of our homes is customizable, interior trim is one of the most custom and personal to each client. Our standard trim package is what we consider the most in-style options at the moment.
FJP Primed 2-1/4” colonial style casing
FJP Primed 3-1/4” colonial style baseboard
Wood 2-Panel Primed swing doors
While this is the default, there are many options that are within the same price. There are also many options available as an upgrade
Copper Creek Locksets
Upgrades available
Closet Shelving 1×12 laminated white MDF shelf with metal rod
Linen and pantry closets, (4) rows of 1×12 laminated white MDF
Upgrades available, along with downgrades to wire shelving
Site Built stairs w/ 1” clear pine treads and 3/4” clear pine risers
Stair Railings - Oak Handrail w/ primed balusters (options available)
Our standard kitchen package has 30” tall wall cabinets for 8’ ceilings and 36” tall wall cabinets for 9’ ceilings. More heights are available.
We offer several lines of cabinetry to fit your styles. Our standard package is based on a linear footage number, and will greatly vary based on your cabinet choices. View our kitchen and bath page for more information.