Advantages of McLaughlin Construction Management

The following is a list of upgrades and superior products that are included in our base allowances and specifications as “standard options” in any McLaughlin Home… features that are not typically included in other builders’ packages.

• Piling Under All Foundations: Guarantees a foundation that will not crack or settle.
• Smart Vents:
  • World’s FIRST and ONLY ICC Certified Automatic Foundation Flood Vents with Stainless Steel.
• Lumber: 
  • 2” x 8” walls on all block work. Assures a stronger system and smooth transition. 
  • All framing to be kiln or surface dried: eliminates squeaks, shrinkage and nail pops. 
  • All flooring and wall sheathing to be fir plywood, not particle board.
• High Velocity Wind Construction:
  • Our buildings are structurally connected from the foundation through to the roof ridge, a combination of rebar from piling to the top of block, galvanized strapping from top of block between floors and roof rafter system.
  • In addition to all of this, we band every floor system with ½” exterior fir plywood.
• Roofing: Our Standard is a 50 year Elk dimensional shingle – the heaviest in the industry; suited for 110 mph winds.
• Siding:
  • Our standard is either D-4 monogram or Carolina Beaded with an allowance for Cedar Impressions as accents on the building. 
  • 30lb felt as a moisture barrier is standard (double the normal thickness)
  • Trim Lineal and Crown on all windows and doors
  • X-Board, a ¾” solid vinyl dimensional board which will last forever is installed:
    • As a water table at the top of block level on all deck fascias and headers.
    • Covering all roof fascias and rakes which eliminates aluminum blow-offs and corrosion.
    • All overhangs and porch ceilings are finished with beaded vinyl porch soffit
• Windows and Patio Doors:
  • Anderson basic allowance, 400 series (high performance) with prefinished interiors if desired.
• Interior Trim Packages:
  • All window casings are oversized 3 ½” and all baseboard is over-sized 5 ¼”.
  • Interior rail systems are professional mill grade oak rails and newels with pool cue style balusters. Most systems are over the newel gooseneck systems.
  • Interior Stairs: Pine box stairs or oak tread with poplar risers and horses. We use open mitered oak stair treads where possible.
  • Interior doors: solid core doors everywhere for sound and endurance. Lever locksets and hardware in customers’ choice of finish.
  • Garage doors: Premium insulated PVC vinyl with electric operator.
• Electrical:
  • Underground service,
  • Decora style switches and receptacles.
  • Recessed lighting throughout kitchen, hallways and accented areas.
  • Living room and all bedrooms are wired for cable, telephone and ceilings fans.
• Plumbing:
  • Gas service to all appliances.
  • Upgraded fixture allowances.
• Heating and Air Conditioning Minimums:
  • Two complete systems per unit, 92% efficiency gas furnace, 13 seer efficiency AC units.
  • Insulated galvanized ductwork.
• Deck work: Procell 100% PVC vinyl with no wood additives.
  • Fastened with “Trapease” corrosion proof screws.
  • Deck posts covered with columns or vinyl sleeves.
  • All deck fascias and headers wrapped with X-Board vinyl board.
  • Railings are  vinyl, T-rails or rectangular,
  • Underside of fiberglass deck finished with vinyl beaded porch soffit. 

These are our benchmark minimums - the starting point. Of course, your home can be totally custom specified so that you can truly have the home of your dreams!