15-ton vibrating rollers are used to compact the virgin soil and first lift prior to placing the footer. This ensures maximum compaction for construction. Proper compaction is essential to the soundness of your home. This is commercial quality for a residential application. We are very serious about the quality of your new home. You can't underestimate the importance of this first step. Well begun is half done!

Southern & Traditional homes uses two-story footers throughout your home. Including one-story homes, lanais, front porches and under your garage doors. Our footers are 10" x 20" with 3 - #5 rebar and are poured with nothing less than 3000 psi concrete. Other builders call this overkill. We call it redundant process to insure minimal cracking now and in the future!

Stem wall construction is the only foundation technique we will ever employ as a top quality, custom home builder. Monolithic slab construction is simply an inferior way to build homes. It is employed simply as a cost and time saving measure at the expense of the homeowner. Stem wall construction is stronger, more aesthetically pleasing by adding height to the home, and it enables proper drainage.

Wire mesh concrete reinforcement is still used, at substantial cost, even after most builders have replaced it with far less expensive fiber mesh. Fiber mesh is a cost saving measure which leaves the concrete unsupported after cracking. Concrete additives are used in place of water to aid in placement of concrete in hot weather. The less water in the concrete the fewer cracks.

Horizontal steel reinforcement is placed between every other row of block to prevent stair step cracks in the block. This again is a commercial application for residential construction and not required by the county. This step, combined with the previous steps, creates one of the strongest shell structures available in Hillsborough County.

Drylock waterproof system is placed around the windows to prevent water from wicking in behind the drywall in the event of caulk or stucco cracks at the window sill guarding against water intrusion which in turn prevents mold.

Storage units are placed on the property to protect materials from the elements and additionally they provide protection from theft. Southern & Traditional Custom Homes also provides electronic security to protect your home during construction.

Dow Blue Board STYROFOAM™ Brand Scoreboard Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation is used in place of the minimum standard foil paper. The foam insulation protects much better and lasts long after the paper and foil have deteriorated. It also is an additional layer of protection against water intrusion, keeping moisture from the drywall.

Huber's Zip Roofing System is used exclusively for our roof sheathing. The sheathing is guaranteed waterproof for 30 years and serves as a secondary layer of protection against water intrusion. Additionally, our roof sheathing isn't damaged by rains during the construction process. Ordinary sheathing becomes delaminated and swells after just one rain event.

Tile underlayment is installed under all tile areas to prevent future cracks. We have never had a warranty call for cracked tiles! This floor is a remodeling project which required floating, covering an expansion joint, and new plumbing cuts in the floor. The underlayment on the right will prevent future tile cracks.