Choosing the right building materials and products is one of the most consequential decisions a home builder makes. Every product specified affects not just construction cost and schedule, but long-term homeowner satisfaction, maintenance requirements, and the overall reputation of the building company. For builders like Carol Delonis of New Urban Communities in South Florida, product selection is a deliberate process guided by experience, customer feedback, and a commitment to quality that extends well beyond code minimums. Her approach offers valuable lessons for anyone involved in designing and building high-quality homes where performance and longevity are non-negotiable.
The Builder’s Philosophy on Material Selection
Carol Delonis founded New Urban Communities with a clear philosophy: build homes that are structurally honest and materially excellent. This means no shortcuts, no compromises on products that affect the long-term health of the house, and a willingness to invest in premium systems that pay dividends over decades of occupancy.
In her own words, Delonis emphasizes that customers notice quality. Whether it is the flush of a toilet, the solid feel of a composite floor system, or the peace of mind that comes from proper waterproofing, every product tells a story about the builder behind the home. For Delonis, a product earns its place in her homes through proven performance, not marketing claims.
Her approach can be distilled into several key principles that guide material specification across all her projects:
- Verify product claims with real-world testing — A product must perform in Florida’s harsh climate before it earns a place in the specification book.
- Prioritize structural integrity — The bones of the house matter more than surface finishes, and any compromise there is a compromise to the homeowner.
- Embrace sustainable options when they meet performance standards — Green products must also be great products, not just well-marketed ones.
- Consider the total cost of ownership — A cheaper product that fails in five years costs more than a premium product that lasts thirty.
- Listen to customer feedback — When homeowners consistently praise or miss a product after moving in, that is the strongest signal of all.
These principles inform every product decision, from the toilet in the powder room to the roof overhead. The following sections examine five specific product categories where Delonis has made deliberate, quality-driven choices.
Premium Bathroom Fixtures and Envelope Waterproofing
Bathrooms are among the most intensely used spaces in any home and also the most vulnerable to moisture damage. Delonis addresses both concerns with two carefully selected product categories: high-performance fixtures and reliable waterproofing sealants.
Toto Washlet: The Toilet That Builds Loyalty
When Delonis talks about toilets, she speaks with conviction. Toto Washlets are the only toilets specified in New Urban Communities homes, and for good reason. The Toto Washlet C100 transforms an ordinary toilet into a warm-water personal cleansing system, effectively converting the bathroom into a home spa experience.
Delonis notes that customers initially appreciate the style and grace of Toto toilets, but it is the performance that wins lasting loyalty. Toto’s flushing technology is widely regarded as the best in the industry, and Delonis has heard from customers who moved to different homes only to comment on how much they miss their Toto toilets. That kind of product loyalty is rare in homebuilding, and it speaks directly to the quality of the product.
The Washlet C100 offers several features that justify its premium position:
- Warm-water cleansing with adjustable temperature and pressure
- Heated seat for year-round comfort
- Gentle, aerated spray for thorough cleaning
- Self-cleaning wand that retracts after each use
- Easy installation on most two-piece toilets
Vulkem Sealant: Non-Negotiable Waterproofing
Water intrusion is one of the most common and costly problems in residential construction. Delonis takes a zero-tolerance approach to this risk. All window and painting contracts for New Urban Communities require the use of Vulkem 116 Weatherproofing Sealant by Tremco, with no exceptions.
Vulkem 116 is a one-part, moisture-curing polyurethane sealant designed for both exterior and interior use. It is durable enough for precast concrete, masonry, and window frame perimeters, yet flexible enough to accommodate normal movement in construction joints. It also withstands continual immersion in water, a critical property for Florida’s humid climate and frequent rain events.
Delonis explains that once Vulkem is properly applied, the window is not going to leak, and the company does not have to go back and recaulk after closing. This reliability eliminates costly callbacks and protects homeowners from hidden water damage that can lead to mold, rot, and structural deterioration. For builders looking to enhance their quality standards, a reliable waterproofing that includes proven sealants is essential.
Structural Floor Systems for Multi-Story Construction
New Urban Communities builds many three-story townhouses to create spacious yet dense neighborhoods. The structural system that makes this possible is the Hambro D500 composite floor system, a choice that Delonis insists upon for every multi-story project.
The Hambro D500 Composite Floor System
The Hambro D500 system combines composite steel joists with poured concrete to create reinforced T-beams that run in one direction, with an integrated continuous slab in the opposite direction. This creates a monolithic floor structure that is both stronger and more rigid than traditional wood-framed floors.
Key advantages of the Hambro system include:
- Longer clear spans without intermediate support columns, allowing more flexible interior layouts
- Superior fire resistance compared to wood joist systems
- Excellent sound attenuation between floors, improving occupant privacy
- Reduced floor vibration for a more solid, premium feel
- Compatibility with concrete block construction for a unified structural system
The Integrity of Full CBX Construction
Delonis draws a sharp distinction between her approach and that of many Florida builders who use concrete block construction only on the first floor and frame upper floors with wood. She considers this practice dishonest to customers. If a home is marketed as concrete block construction, it should be built that way throughout.
This commitment to structural integrity sets New Urban Communities apart. The combination of full CBX construction with Hambro composite floor systems creates homes that are exceptionally durable, energy-efficient, and resistant to the wind and moisture challenges that define Florida’s building environment. This approach aligns closely with broader trends toward high-density home building that prioritizes quality construction in every unit.
Floor System Comparison
The following table compares the key attributes of the Hambro composite system against conventional wood-framed floor construction:
| Attribute | Hambro D500 Composite | Conventional Wood Framing |
|---|---|---|
| Span capability | Up to 40 feet | 12–16 feet |
| Fire rating | 2+ hours (concrete encased) | 30–60 minutes |
| Sound transmission | STC 55+ (excellent) | STC 40–50 (moderate) |
| Floor vibration | Minimal | Moderate to noticeable |
| Moisture resistance | Excellent | Susceptible to rot |
| Installation cost | Higher initial investment | Lower upfront cost |
| Lifecycle cost | Lower (longer lifespan, fewer repairs) | Higher (maintenance, potential replacement) |
For builders evaluating their structural options, the Hambro system represents a significant upfront investment that pays off over the long term through reduced callbacks, higher homeowner satisfaction, and a stronger reputation for quality construction.
Sustainable Flooring and High-Performance Roofing
Delonis has selected two products that excel in appearance and performance.
Mohawk Bamboo Flooring: Beauty and Sustainability
Although carpet and tile are included as standard features, New Urban Communities offers Mohawk bamboo flooring as a premium upgrade. Specifically, the Pacific Bamboo style from Mohawk’s American Heritage collection has become one of the most popular options among homebuyers.
Bamboo flooring offers a rare combination of attributes that appeal to both builders and homeowners:
- Exceptional hardness — Bamboo is as hard as oak, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.
- Rapid renewability — Bamboo regenerates in only five years, compared to decades for traditional hardwoods.
- Distinctive grain — Pacific Bamboo features a unique visual character that sets it apart from conventional wood flooring.
- Strong warranty protection — Mohawk backs the product with a 25-year finish warranty plus lifetime structural and moisture warranties.
- Environmental credentials — As more consumers seek greener products, bamboo flooring offers a compelling eco-friendly choice without sacrificing quality.
Delonis works with a flooring distributor who shares her values regarding environmentally responsible materials. This partnership ensures that the bamboo flooring option is not just a marketing checkbox but a genuinely superior product that homeowners appreciate for years after move-in.
Galvalume Roofing: Longevity and Energy Efficiency
For roofing, Delonis specifies Galvalume sheet steel, a product from BIEC International that combines 55 percent aluminum, 43.4 percent zinc, and 1.6 percent silicon coating on a steel substrate. This coating system delivers corrosion resistance that can outlast galvanized sheet by up to nine times.
Galvalume offers several compelling benefits for Florida homes:
- Exceptional longevity — Galvalume roofs can last 40 to 60 years with minimal maintenance.
- Heat reflectivity — The bare steel surface reflects sunlight and reduces cooling costs, a significant advantage in South Florida’s hot climate.
- Industrial aesthetic — The clean, modern look of bare Galvalume appeals to many homeowners seeking contemporary design.
- Full recyclability — At end of life, Galvalume is 100 percent recyclable, closing the material loop.
- Wind resistance — Steel roofing performs exceptionally well under high wind loads, an essential quality in hurricane-prone regions.
Delonis notes that builders and homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to build more sustainably. Steel roofing is a meaningful step in that direction. Combined with Galvalume’s heat reflectivity — which can reduce cooling costs by 10 to 25 percent in warm climates — the product delivers both environmental and economic benefits. Builders interested in improving home energy performance should also consider complementary strategies such as stone wool insulation for better thermal envelope performance alongside reflective roofing.
Lessons for Builders: Building a Quality Reputation Through Product Choice
Product selection is not just a procurement exercise — it is a strategic business decision that shapes a builder’s reputation and long-term success. Every product placed in a home is a statement about the builder’s values and commitment to quality.
Builders seeking to emulate this approach should consider the following actionable steps:
- Audit your current product specifications — Review every product category and ask whether each item truly serves the homeowner’s long-term interests.
- Solicit homeowner feedback systematically — The products that generate the most positive comments (and the most complaints) provide clear direction for future specifications.
- Invest in products that eliminate callbacks — Premium waterproofing, reliable fixtures, and durable structural systems reduce the most expensive cost in homebuilding: the cost of coming back to fix a problem.
- Embrace sustainable products that also perform — Homebuyers increasingly value environmental responsibility, but only when it comes with uncompromised quality.
- Build a network of trusted supplier partners — Distributors and manufacturers who share your quality values become invaluable resources for product innovation and support.
The homes that Delonis builds stand as proof that thoughtful product selection is one of the most powerful tools a builder has for differentiating their brand, reducing long-term costs, and creating homes that customers truly love to live in.