Why Builder Personal Home Projects Reveal the Best Product Choices
When professional builders design and construct their own homes, every product decision carries real weight. These are individuals who work with building materials daily, understand the difference between marketing claims and actual performance, and have firsthand experience with what fails after five years and what lasts for decades. Their personal projects become learning laboratories where theory meets practice. This article examines the product selections made by five experienced builders: John Eilermann, Loel Fenwick, Bruce Olson, Stephen Gillis, and Steve Kendrick. Each built their own residences using a mix of established favorites and innovative new materials. For more context on how product decisions affect overall quality, see how smart product selection builds better homes.
The Builder as a Learning Laboratory
Building your own home removes the buffer between specification and consequence. When a builder selects a product for a client, the feedback loop is indirect: the client moves in and the builder moves on to the next project. But when building for themselves, these professionals live with every choice. A poorly placed electrical outlet, a finicky faucet, or an underperforming furnace becomes a daily reminder. This accountability drives them toward products that deliver genuine performance rather than those that simply look good on a spec sheet.
The Value of Tried-and-True Products
Across all five builders, several patterns emerge. Brand names like Kohler, Carrier, and Sherwin Williams appear repeatedly, as do material choices such as granite countertops, hardwood flooring, and dimensional shingle roofing. These products earned their place through years of field performance. However, each builder also introduced at least one innovative selection — concrete countertops, corrugated steel roofing, radiant floor heating — showing that even experienced professionals push for better solutions when the opportunity arises.
Structural and Envelope Selections
The building envelope — roof, walls, insulation, and foundation — represents the most consequential set of product decisions in any home. Once these materials are installed, they become difficult and expensive to replace. The five builders made deliberate choices across every layer of the envelope.
Roofing Approaches
Roofing selections varied significantly based on climate, aesthetics, and performance expectations. Stephen Gillis chose IKO Chateaux architectural shingles for their dimensional look and impact resistance. John Eilermann selected GAF Camelot, a premium laminate shingle line known for its deep shadow lines and algae resistance. Steve Kendrick and Loel Fenwick both broke from the asphalt shingle convention — Kendrick chose CertainTeed AR (Algae Resistant) shingles for their long-term warranty, while Fenwick and Bruce Olson opted for corrugated steel roofing from Ryerson Tull, a choice that offers extreme durability and a distinctive modern aesthetic. Steel roofing carries a higher upfront cost but can last 50 years or more with minimal maintenance.
Siding and Exterior Trim
Exterior cladding choices ranged from traditional cedar shingles to modern engineered products. Fenwick selected cedar shingles for their natural appearance and breathability. Stephen Gillis used R&R primed shingles, prioritizing a clean paint-ready surface. Kendrick went with Omega Stucco, a synthetic stucco system offering design flexibility and impact resistance. Olson chose Weyerhaeuser siding, a well-established engineered wood product. For exterior trim, Gillis selected Kleer PVC board, a cellular PVC product that resists moisture, insects, and rot without painting, while Kendrick used kiln-dried treated lumber for maximum dimensional stability. For more on upgrading exterior cladding, see selecting high-performance windows, doors, and decorative millwork.
Insulation and Housewrap Strategies
Every builder recognized the importance of a well-insulated and air-sealed envelope. Housewrap was a consistent priority — three of the five builders (Eilermann, Gillis, and Olson) selected Tyvek weatherization. Kendrick chose Fortify Jumbo Tex as his wrap. For fiberglass batt insulation, Owens Corning and CertainTeed R-19 batts appeared most frequently. In the foam insulation category, Eilermann used R-38 in his attic assembly, while Kendrick opted for Icynene spray foam in the rafters, a choice that provides both insulation and air sealing in one application. Olson added rigid Cellotex insulation for continuous exterior coverage, reducing thermal bridging through the framing.
| Product Category | John Eilermann | Loel Fenwick | Stephen Gillis | Steve Kendrick | Bruce Olson |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | GAF Camelot | Corrugated Steel | IKO Chateaux | CertainTeed AR | Ryerson Tull Corrugated Steel |
| Siding | N/A | Cedar Shingles | R&R Primed Shingles | Omega Stucco | Weyerhaeuser |
| Housewrap | Tyvek | N/A | Tyvek Stucco Wrap | Fortify Jumbo Tex | Tyvek |
| Insulation (Fiberglass) | R-19 | Owens Corning | CertainTeed R-19 | Kraft Batt R-19 | CertainTeed |
| Insulation (Foam/Rigid) | R-38 | N/A | N/A | Icynene (rafters) | Cellotex Rigid |
| Windows | Jeld-Wen | Milgard | Andersen | Jeld-Wen | Winter Seal |
| Exterior Doors | Jeld-Wen | Custom | Andersen | Rogue Valley French | Simpson Crystal View |
Windows and Doors
Window and door selections reflect each builder’s priorities in energy efficiency, aesthetics, and budget. Andersen appeared twice — on Gillis and Fenwick’s homes — reflecting its strong reputation for reliable operation and thermal performance. Jeld-Wen was chosen by Eilermann and Kendrick for doors and windows. Fenwick custom-built his exterior doors, while Olson selected Simpson Crystal View doors, known for their intricate glass detailing and solid wood construction. Interior door choices ranged from Masonite (Gillis) to IWP Jeld-Wen (Eilermann) to custom four-panel flat wood (Kendrick).
Interior Finishes and Mechanical Systems
The interior of a home is where product quality becomes a daily tactile experience. The builders choices in flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and fixtures reveal their preferences for durability, maintenance, and aesthetics.
Kitchen and Bathroom Product Decisions
Kitchen cabinetry varied widely. Eilermann selected Dutch Made cabinets, a semi-custom line known for dovetail drawer construction and plywood boxes. Gillis chose Omega Cabinetry, another semi-custom brand offering extensive door style and finish options. Kendrick and Fenwick both went with fully custom cabinetry, while Olson selected Kraftmaid for its balance of quality and value. Countertop materials leaned toward natural stone: Fenwick and Kendrick chose granite, while Gillis selected Silestone (quartz) from Cambria for its non-porous, low-maintenance surface. Eilermann and Olson both chose concrete countertops, a more labor-intensive but highly customizable option that develops a unique patina over time.
HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical
Heating and cooling systems were dominated by established, serviceable brands. Lennox appeared in two homes (Eilermann and Olson), Carrier in two homes (Gillis and Kendrick), and Lochinvar for Fenwick’s hydronic system. Notably, Gillis and Kendrick both installed Carrier systems, suggesting confidence in the brand’s reliability across different regions. Plumbing fixtures showed a strong preference for Kohler — the brand appeared in four of the five homes across faucets, toilets, and plumbing fixtures. Grohe was the second most common choice, selected by Kendrick and Olson. Toilet selections leaned toward comfort-height models: Kohler Memoirs (Kendrick), TOTO with Washlet (Olson), and standard Kohler (Eilermann, Fenwick, Gillis).
Lighting and Home Technology
Lighting choices ranged from Juno (Eilermann) and Lightolier (Gillis) to Leviton (Kendrick) and Appleton (Fenwick). Only one builder, Eilermann, installed a structured home theater system using Elan Components, while Kendrick opted for Nuvo distributed audio, a system that streams music to multiple rooms without a central receiver. These technology choices highlight how builders personal preferences influence home automation decisions.
Flooring Choices
Flooring products were perhaps the most varied category. Fenwick installed maple hardwood throughout. Gillis chose Stuwart flooring, a specialty brand. Eilermann selected Contemporary Flooring from Congoleum. Kendrick and Olson did not report their primary flooring materials, possibly reflecting budget allocation into other product categories or a decision to install flooring after occupancy.
Lessons Homeowners Can Apply From Builder Product Selections
The collective wisdom of these five builders offers actionable takeaways for anyone planning a new home construction or major renovation.
Balance Innovation With Reliability
Every builder in this group combined proven brands with at least one innovative choice. Eilermann used traditional GAF roofing alongside concrete countertops. Olson paired standard CertainTeed insulation with corrugated steel roofing. This balanced approach reduces risk: the innovative product proves itself in one application while the rest of the home relies on proven performers. Homeowners should apply the same strategy — experiment with one or two product categories rather than overhauling everything with unproven materials. For guidance on evaluating product quality, see how to evaluate building product manufacturers by quality, service, and warranty.
Prioritize the Building Envelope
The consistency of insulation and housewrap choices across all five builders reinforces a fundamental rule: invest in what separates the interior from the exterior. Every builder chose a branded housewrap (mostly Tyvek), batt insulation from established manufacturers, and at least one layer of additional insulation in the attic or on the exterior. These investments pay back through lower energy costs, improved comfort, and reduced maintenance over the life of the home.
Select Brands With Local Service Support
Brands like Carrier, Kohler, and Lennox dominated because their products are widely distributed and locally serviceable. When a furnace fails or a faucet leaks, the builder wants a replacement part available at the local supply house, not a week-long special order. This principle applies equally to homeowners — choosing a brand with local distribution and service network may be more valuable than selecting the highest-rated product from an online-only manufacturer. For more on how product innovation drives overall construction quality, read about how product innovation drives quality in modern home building.
Consider Long-Term Maintenance When Specifying Finishes
The builders choices in countertops, flooring, and exterior cladding reveal a strong preference for low-maintenance materials. Quartz surfaces from Silestone/Cambria, PVC trim boards from Kleer, and steel roofing all require significantly less upkeep than their traditional alternatives. While these materials carry a higher initial cost, the lifetime cost of ownership is often lower when factoring in painting, sealing, and replacement cycles. Homeowners should calculate the 10-year cost of a product, not just the purchase price, when making specification decisions. For a deeper look at choosing products that perform over the long term, explore our guidance on smart product selection for durability.
The five builders whose projects examined here demonstrate that the best product selections come from experience, research, and honest self-assessment of priorities. Whether choosing a roof that will last 50 years or a countertop that eliminates sealing and staining, the common thread is intentionality: every product was selected for a reason grounded in real-world performance. Homeowners and builders alike can apply these same principles to their own projects, using the product choices of experienced professionals as a reliable starting point for informed decision-making.