Anyone who’s built a home or considered building a home has likely heard the term “builder grade” materials. But when there are so many details to consider, a potential home builder may not look as deeply into understanding what these materials are and how they can affect your home down the road.
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To many, the term “builder grade” implies something with enough quality that a builder would use it. The name is a bit misleading since builders are technically using them but by no means arebuilder grade materials the crème de la crème. In most cases, builder grade materials are just of average quality and are pre-built and mass-produced.
Grading
In the construction industry, the quality hierarchy for materials is as follows:
Ultimate Custom Grade
I
Custom Grade
I
Quality Grade
I
Builder Grade
Buyer Beware
While builder grade products vary from contractor to contractor, it’s important to understand the consequences of opting for builder grade products, which are often only short-term solutions.
Builder Grade Windows
Windows can dramatically affect the look and beauty of your home by adding light and providing a feeling of spaciousness. Choosing quality windows in your home can reduce heating and cooling 
costs because your furnace and air conditioner have to work less to heat or cool outside air that’s getting into your house. Builder grade windows meet the bare minimum requirements and may not be multi-chambered for insulation purposes, allowing for drafts. Mass production also means that builder windows are less likely to come in odd sizes. In the event that you fill an odd sized window hole with a builder grade window, you may end up with gaps that will allow outside air to escape into your home.
Builder Grade Entry Doors
Like quality windows, a well-made entry door will protect your home from nature’s elements. Opt for a high quality door that is insulated rather than a hollow one that provides less protection and can be easily damaged.
Builder Grade Gutters
All gutters are created equal right? WRONG! Cheaply made gutters are susceptible to clogs which can cause water to spill over your gutter and pool on the ground below. This can result in damage to
your shrubs; lead to surface erosion; and seep into your foundation causing cracks and basement flooding.
Water can also spill behind the gutter causing damage to the wood of your soffit and fascia.
If you have add-on toppers, helmets or hoods that are attached to your roof and hang over your gutters, they are usually held in place by screws and nails hammered into your roof. Putting holes in your roof can cause leaks and may void your roof warrantees.
Don’t underestimate the danger of clogs attracting pests. Some critters are attracted to the acorns and seeds that can collect in your gutters. Insects, mold and bacteria can grow in standing water.
Shameless plug: Opt for LeafGuard Gutters, the only system to earn the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. They keep leaves and debris out of your gutters preventing water damage from clogs and you will never have to get on a ladder again. They come with a LIFETIME guarantee, unlike any other gutter system on the market.
Builder Grade Vinyl Siding
Oftentimes, builder grade vinyl siding is less thick and dependable than higher grades. Lower quality siding can fall victim to nature’s elements, cracking & fading with sun exposure and denting
easier during storms. A major expense of any siding job is the actual installation, so do yourself a favor and opt for a higher grade product which will last longer.
Builder Grade Roofing
It’s important to not lower your standards with a builder grade material because while it make seem sensible at the time, you’ll likely end up with the cost of replacing a malfunctioning roof sooner
than you would like. Companies such as GAF (North America’s largest manufacturer of residential and commercial roofing materials) offer warranties that last up to 50 years. It’s worth noting that these warranties cover both labor and materials and are non-prorated. This makes it one of the best warranties in the industry.
Our Two Cents
We feel it’s important to be respectful of your budget when building a home; however that does not mean you should have to settle for subpar materials. Talk to your contractor about the materials they’re using and the warranties that come with them to avoid any ugly “surprises” a few years down the road because the last thing you want to be doing in five years is replacing all of the windows in your home.
Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate today. Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects.