The Real Cost of a Poorly Built Home (And Why High-Performance Is Worth the Investment)

How Mod+Co Builds Modern Custom Homes That Are Healthier, Smarter, and Built to Last

Why “High-Performance” Is No Longer Optional

For decades, new homes in East Texas were built to “code minimum”, which is the lowest level of quality and performance legally allowed. Unfortunately, that’s still the standard for many builders today.

At Mod+Co Design Build, we believe that modern living shouldn’t stop at beautiful finishes and square footage. A truly exceptional home is one that performs, delivering measurable advantages in comfort, durability, energy efficiency, air quality, and long-term peace of mind.

In this blog post we break down what goes into a high-performance home, using advanced building science and referencing industry leaders like Matt Risinger, Joe Lstiburek, and the Building Science Corporation. This is more than marketing, it’s engineering for a better life.

1. The Building Envelope: It Starts at the Core

Definition: The building envelope is the physical separator between the interior and exterior environments - the roof, walls, windows, foundation, and insulation layers that control air, water, vapor, and heat.

Technical Details:

• 4 Control Layers:

  • Water: Drainage planes, rain screens, and flashing

  • Air: Fully sealed with ZIP sheathing or fluid-applied barriers

  • Vapor: Smart vapor retarders (Class II or III) for East Texas humidity

  • Thermal: Continuous exterior insulation to eliminate thermal bridging

“If you don’t control air, you don’t control moisture. And if you don’t control moisture, you don’t control durability.” – Joe Lstiburek

What We Do:

• Install continuous air barriers and seal all penetrations with AeroBarrier or Siga tapes

• Blower door test at rough-in and final stage, targeting < 2.0 ACH50 (air changes per hour)

• Apply liquid-applied waterproofing to window bucks and rough openings for robust moisture control

2. Advanced Framing + Continuous Insulation = Big Energy Gains

Code-built homes lose energy at every stud — we address that with smarter framing and exterior insulation.

Mod+Co Methodology:

• Advanced framing (2x6 studs at 24” OC when possible) to reduce thermal bridging

• R-6 to R-10 exterior insulation (ZIP-R or Rockwool Comfortboard)

• Slab-edge insulation (R-10) to reduce perimeter energy loss when budget allows, often ignored by other builders

• Infrared thermography validation after insulation to catch any thermal gaps

3. Mechanical Systems: Precision-Engineered Comfort

High-performance HVAC design is not guesswork, it’s a science-driven process requiring expert modeling, equipment selection, and commissioning.

What We Specify:

• Manual J/S/D load calculations for proper sizing

• Zoned HVAC systems using variable-speed air handlers and inverter-based heat pumps

• Whole-home dehumidifiers (Santa Fe/Aprilaire/Ultra-Aire) for year-round moisture control

• ERVs (Energy Recovery Ventilators) with dedicated ducting and MERV-13+ filters when possible

Why It Matters:

• Prevents over-cycling and short cycling

• Maintains 45–55% indoor relative humidity (ideal for comfort and mold prevention)

• Provides filtered, conditioned fresh air. No more stale rooms or humid interiors.

4. The Myth of “Breathing Homes” and the Science of Ventilation

Old homes “breathe”, but what that really means is uncontrolled air infiltration full of pollen, humidity, and mold spores. High-performance homes are airtight, so we ventilate with intent.

Our Ventilation Strategy:

• ERVs sized to ASHRAE 62.2 standards for whole-home ventilation

• Return duct integration with pressure sensors and variable flow dampers

• Dedicated exhaust fans in kitchens and baths with timer and humidity sensors

5. High-Performance Windows: Not All Glass Is Equal

Windows are often the weakest link in a building envelope, but they don’t have to be.

Our Specifications:

• Fiberglass or thermally broken aluminum frames

• Dual or triple-pane glass with Low-E coatings and Argon gas fill

• U-Factor ≤ 0.28 and SHGC ≤ 0.25 for optimal performance in East Texas

We position and shade glazing to reduce solar heat gain, prevent glare, and balance natural light with performance.

6. Water Management: Because Water Always Wins

In East Texas, humidity + wind-driven rain = risk. We follow Matt Risinger’s playbook: “Build tight. Build dry. Build to last.”

Our Moisture Defense Approach:

• Rain screen behind siding (3/8" ventilated drainage plane)

• Fluid-applied waterproofing around windows and doors

• Capillary breaks at base of walls and foundations

• Properly sloped sills with pan flashing and weep paths

7. Healthier Homes, Verified by Science

High-performance means better air quality, cleaner breathing, and reduced exposure to toxins, a major upgrade for families.

We Use:

• Low/Zero-VOC paints and adhesives

• Formaldehyde-free cabinetry

• MERV-11 to MERV-16 filtration

• ERVs with carbon and HEPA filter options for sensitive households

Bonus: Advanced radon mitigation systems pre-installed beneath slab-on-grade foundations (optional add-on for health-conscious clients).

8. Data-Backed Performance Testing (This Is What You’re Paying For)

Final Performance Metrics You’ll See:

• ACH50 rating with before-and-after blower door tests

• Duct leakage measured in CFM per 100 ft²

• ERV flow balancing reports

• Thermal imaging validation

• Utility usage modeling vs. standard code-built homes

9. Why This Investment Pays Off (And How We Make It Easy)

Long-Term Value:

• 30–50% reduced energy bills

• Fewer maintenance and durability issues

• Higher resale value due to performance documentation

• Healthier indoor air = fewer respiratory issues

We Offer:

• Transparent pricing for performance upgrades

• Detailed project modeling so clients can see the impact of better insulation, windows, and HVAC before we build

• Lifetime consulting to help you operate your home efficiently

10. Real High-Performance. Not Just Talk.

At Mod+Co, we don’t just throw around the term “energy-efficient” to sound good. We build high-performance homes with technical precision, rigorous documentation, and obsessive attention to detail.

Want to See What That Looks Like?

• Schedule a private walkthrough of one of our recent projects

• Request our Performance Specification Package
  

Conclusion: Modern Homes That Live Better

The best homes don’t just look amazing, they live better. They’re quieter, cleaner, more comfortable, smarter, and designed to endure.

If you’re ready to build a modern, custom, high-performance home in East Texas, one that performs as beautifully as it looks, we’d love to talk.

Ready to Build a Healthier, Smarter Home?

Contact Mod+Co Design Build
📍 Based in Tyler, TX and proudly building across East Texas