Meritage Takes New Product Challenges in Stride

The reNEWable Living Home adds new products that shift construction and inspection processes.

2 MIN READ

Conceptually, it’s easy to add new products. However, new products do pose challenges. A change in the office typically will directly influence the need for change in the field. In the case of the reNEWable Living Home, which is becoming a benchmark for improved sustainability and energy performance, the new products used for the project dramatically influenced installation.

Dave Lassiter, area construction manager for Meritage Homes, talks about how the revolutionary ideas on new building envelope performance for this home are altering the install timelines.

In the reNEWable Living Home, Meritage chose to use a new system called HercuWall, which is a panelized concrete composite wall building system that will improve the building envelope performance. Lassiter explains that during the framing inspection, inspectors tested how the roof system ties to the walls through embedded straps and the load path that goes down through the floor.

Throughout the process, Lassiter was able to experience the pros and cons of the new product and provide feedback to the products team. The advantage to the HercuWAll system is that the walls are straight and perfectly cut with square, plumb openings because it’s done in a factory environment. Plus, it was relatively simple to cut the track and attach the walls to the foundation.

However, the construction crew found it challenging to brace the walls before the concrete was poured in. The concrete is an important component considering that there is more concrete in the HercuWall than there is in a concrete block wall. On the HercuWall, there is a 3×3 concrete stud every 12” on-center at least, plus some additional filled cells next to windows and doors and in some sheer wall locations.

Another challenge for the construction team was a new insulated slab. The stem wall was pumped separately from the slab as a stand-alone. Then the slab was prepped and the elevation graded under the slab to install a 1-inch-thick insulation. The purpose of the insulation is to act as a thermal mass, kind of like a battery, to help with the energy absorption of the home.

Both the HercuWall and the insulated slab will save the future homeowner money on the power bill, along with provide a more comfortable living environment.

Lassiter says there are many more new products being used for the reNEWable Living Home project, including antimicrobial paint and drywall that absorbs VOCs.

See these and other features in person while touring the home in January 2018 in Orlando. Register now to tour the home.

About the Author

Jennifer Castenson

Jennifer Castenson serves as vice president of programming for Zonda Events.

Upcoming Events

  • Zonda’s Q4 Housing Market Forecast

    Webinar

    Register Now
  • Zonda’s Building Products Forecast Webinar

    Webinar

    Register Now
  • Future Place

    Irving, TX

    Register Now
All Events