Build Across America

Build Across America | Episode 5 - FORTIFIED Building on the Texas Coast

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We don’t have to look too far to figure out “Where in America is Matt Risinger?” in this episode of Build Across America. Matt journeys from ATX to Rockport, TX to visit builder Jason Harmon of CDK Coastal Homes. Jason offers an in-depth tour of a high-performance coastal home in Rockport, emphasizing durability, moisture control, and hurricane resilience. He shares hard-lessons learned from failed construction projects, including a 10-year-old house already rotting due to improper window and moisture detailing. They talk about the differences between open- and closed-cell spray foam and where to use each—particularly under cold floors—to protect against condensation and structural damage, as well as quality control strategies like blower door testing and simple but effective tips for verifying insulation depth.

Rockport is no stranger to hurricanes—this home is engineered for hurricane resistance, including flood protection, moisture control, an elevated foundation, stainless steel hardware, and robust air sealing. CDK builds to FORTIFIED standards, which means they build to a higher standard to strengthen their homes against specific types of severe weather, in this case, hurricanes.

Additional thoughtful features include built-in conduits under the driveway, storm window hardware hidden behind aesthetic caps, and integrated dehumidifiers on both floors. Attention is also given to proper HVAC setup, temporary climate control during construction, and building science best practices to ensure long-term durability in a harsh coastal environment.

Resources:

• https://cdkcoastalhomes.com/

• https://fortifiedhome.org/solutions/

• https://www.bldr.com/

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