What Makes a DeShano Home So Energy Efficient?
Hover over the icons in each image below to learn more about Energy Savings, Popular Upgrades, Healthy Choices, and Green Building practices.
OSB Technology
We use Oriented Strand Board (OSB) for sheathing on gables, walls, and roofs. OSB is more cost-effective and stronger than plywood. For subfloors, LP TopNotch 350 Series is standard. This product is superior to standard OSB in that it is less susceptible to water damage while homes are under construction and exposed to the elements.
Foam Filled Exterior and Garage Doors.
Built with a polyurethane foam core that offers up to four times the insulating R-Value of wood, Therma-Tru fiberglass doors insulate against cold and heat for exceptional energy efficiency. Plus, a fiberglass door will not rust or dent like a steel one will. Foam-filled steel overhead garage doors are also more energy-efficient, help to seal out sound, and keep a more consistent temperature even in unheated spaces.
Blower Door Testing
Blower door testing, as required by code, confirms the home is properly sealed, and allows the builder to set proper air infiltration amounts for healthy living conditions.
R-60 Ceiling Insulation
Insulation upgrade to increase attic insulation energy efficiency by 25% over code. The ceiling is the best place to add insulation as the top of the home is where most heat loss occurs.
2x6 Exterior Wall Construction
Modern 2x6 framing comes standard on every home and creates a stronger, quieter and more efficient wall structure.
R-26 Exterior Wall Insulation
5.5" of stabilized cellulose insulation is blown into each stud cavity, while R-5 DOW foam sheathing is applied to the exterior in place of traditional OSB sheathing. Steel wind bracing is installed at each corner for racking load. The finished wall assembly has a total R-value of R-26, which exceeds code requirements by 37%.
One Inch Closed-Cell Foam Rim Joist Insulation
Foam sprayed at the rim joist seals the rim to reduce air and moisture from penetrating the crawl space or basement area and, of course, adds insulation value.
R-50 Blown Stabilized Cellulose Insulation
Stabilized insulation is less susceptible to drifting and settling. The incorporated "tackifier" prevents settling, and added fire-retardants give the product superior flame resistance. Ruler strips are tacked to trusses to confirm insulation depth.
Insulated Foundation Walls
Foam applied over block or poured foundation walls on the interior comes standard in our home construction. Permanent wood foundations include fiberglass insulation between cavities. Great Lakes Superior Wall foundations include DOW foam as part of the pre-cast wall.
Green Build
Healthy Choice
Popular Upgrades
Energy Efficiency
OSB Technology
We use Oriented Strand Board (OSB) for sheathing on gables, walls, and roofs. OSB is more cost-effective and stronger than plywood. For subfloors, LP TopNotch 350 Series is standard. This product is superior to standard OSB in that it is less susceptible to water damage while homes are under construction and exposed to the elements.
Foam Filled Exterior and Garage Doors.
Built with a polyurethane foam core that offers up to four times the insulating R-Value of wood, Therma-Tru fiberglass doors insulate against cold and heat for exceptional energy efficiency. Plus, a fiberglass door will not rust or dent like a steel one will. Foam-filled steel overhead garage doors are also more energy-efficient, help to seal out sound, and keep a more consistent temperature even in unheated spaces.
Blower Door Testing
Blower door testing, as required by code, confirms the home is properly sealed, and allows the builder to set proper air infiltration amounts for healthy living conditions.
R-60 Ceiling Insulation
Insulation upgrade to increase attic insulation energy efficiency by 25% over code. The ceiling is the best place to add insulation as the top of the home is where most heat loss occurs.
2x6 Exterior Wall Construction
Modern 2x6 framing comes standard on every home and creates a stronger, quieter and more efficient wall structure.
R-26 Exterior Wall Insulation
5.5" of stabilized cellulose insulation is blown into each stud cavity, while R-5 DOW foam sheathing is applied to the exterior in place of traditional OSB sheathing. Steel wind bracing is installed at each corner for racking load. The finished wall assembly has a total R-value of R-26, which exceeds code requirements by 37%.
One Inch Closed-Cell Foam Rim Joist Insulation
Foam sprayed at the rim joist seals the rim to reduce air and moisture from penetrating the crawl space or basement area and, of course, adds insulation value.
R-50 Blown Stabilized Cellulose Insulation
Stabilized insulation is less susceptible to drifting and settling. The incorporated "tackifier" prevents settling, and added fire-retardants give the product superior flame resistance. Ruler strips are tacked to trusses to confirm insulation depth.
Insulated Foundation Walls
Foam applied over block or poured foundation walls on the interior comes standard in our home construction. Permanent wood foundations include fiberglass insulation between cavities. Great Lakes Superior Wall foundations include DOW foam as part of the pre-cast wall.
Zero VOC Paint
Zero VOC's means less off-gassing and healthier air for you and your family.
Low Water Use Plumbing Fixtures
WaterSense® Labeled plumbing fixtures come standard and save 20% more water than is required by code.
COREtec Flooring
One of our most popular upgrades is the plank-style product we call COREtec. Stop by our showroom to check it out!
Solid Surface Countertops
We offer many natural products such as granite, quartz, as well as various man-made products. Upgrading your counters is a great way to increase the value and appeal of your home.
Central Air Conditioning
Offered as an upgrade, a high efficiency air conditioning system will keep your family more comfortable during those hot summer months.
Low-E Argon Filled Windows
Windows with advanced coatings and construction help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. Argon gas between panes offers many advantages and is standard in every window we install. Alliance Windgate Vinyl windows are standard. (Other choices also available)
Caulking At Stud Joints
Caulking is added to the joint between the double top plates and where the bottom plate meets the floor. Also, double studs around windows and doors are all caulked to restrict air infiltration.
Cellulose Insulation From Recycled Materials
85% of Applegate cellulose insulation is made from recycled materials. The amount of cellulose insulation in the average-sized home is equivalent to 39 trees. That's a lot of trees saved!
Low-MERV Furnace Filter
An upgraded 4" furnace filter keeps the air cleaner and filters out more particles than a standard 1" filter.
Hardwood Flooring
Available in pre-finished or post-finished, authentic hardwood flooring is sure to impress.
Wood Ceilings
Wood ceilings are available in several different wood species, and many different stain colors.
96% High Efficiency Furnace
Standard on every home is a high-efficiency furnace for either propane or natural gas applications.
LED and CFL Lighting
Code requires that at least 75% of all lighting installed in a new home contain high-efficiency lamps.
Delta Breeze Smart-Sense Bath Fan
Standard in every home, Delta Breeze bath fans automatically sense moisture conditions to properly control humidity in each bathroom.
Low Water Use Toilet
Our standard lavatory uses only 1.3 gallons per flush to save water.
On-Demand Hot Water Heater
On-demand or instant water heaters only heat water when it is needed. This saves on energy, since unlike with a traditional water heater, water isn't continually being heated even when it is not needed.
Ceramic Tile Flooring
Many options available to choose from. Ceramic tile is one of the longest lasting options available.
High Efficiency Water Heater
A 40-gallon gas power vent water heater comes standard with your DeShano home.
We Care About Energy Efficiency.
A DeShano home is significantly more energy efficient than a standard home. You can have all the features you desire in your new home, plus lower utility bills. DeShano Companies, Inc. is required to build to state codes. Going above and beyond the codes to make a home more energy efficient is our way of looking out for our customers. The energy-efficiency features listed above are "standard". DeShano Companies, Inc. does not charge "extra" for these features — after all, we are trying to save you money!
So, whether it's your first home, your next home, your vacation home, or your dream home, consider the difference in a DeShano home. You'll be glad you did!
Even More Energy Savings.
Twelve-Inch Energy Heel Truss Systems
This style of truss comes standard on all of our homes, and provides room for more insulation at the outside wall, above the top plate. More insulation means reduced ice build up on roofs and less heat loss.
Wall Plate and Switch Plate Cover Gasket
Before one of our licensed electricians installs the cover on any outlets and light switches located on an exterior wall, they install a thin foam gasket. This prevents any drafts from entering your home that may have found their way into the junction box behind the wall.
Pella Window Tape
By installing this product around the entire perimeter of the window, it seals out air and moisture so that drafts and blowing rain cannot make their way indoors.
Spray Foam around Windows and Doors
The perimeter of every window and exterior door is sealed with spray foam insulation to further prevent air and moisture from entering your home.