Building science

Building beyond the surface

We don't just build homes - we engineer how they perform.

Building science is at the core of our approach, guiding every decision from design through execution. By understanding how air, moisture, heat, and materials interact, we take a systems-based approach that ensures every component works together seamlessly. The result is a home that is quieter, healthier, more efficient, and built to outperform conventional construction.

Third-party Energy Star rated

Our homes are third-party Energy Star rated, delivering measurable performance and long-term value - often qualifying our clients for significant tax incentives.

We do our own HVAC

Stratified is licensed to design and install whole-house HVAC systems in-house - heat pumps, mini-splits, furnaces and air conditioning. Most builders subcontract the mechanical scope and hope it lands right. Owning it means the envelope and the equipment are designed as one system, by one team, accountable to the same performance target.

Lead-safe renovation practices

For homes built prior to 1978, we follow EPA-certified lead-safe renovation practices to protect occupants and maintain a clean, controlled job site. Our team is trained to minimize dust, contain work areas, and ensure compliance with all applicable safety standards.

Interactive

Inside the wall

A wall is a system. Pick a layer to see what it does, what goes wrong without it, and what the third-party rater checks.

Sample assembly - illustrative only, not a Stratified detail.

OUTSIDEINSIDE
Sample exterior wall - plan section, not to scaleLayers as built
Layer 1 of 8

Cladding

What it does

Sheds the bulk of the rain and takes the sun and the weather so nothing behind it has to.

Without it

Water gets driven straight into the layers that are meant to stay dry.

Why we build it this way

[Colby: what you use for cladding and why]

Stratified homes are third-party Energy Star rated. A Home Energy Rater inspects and tests during and after construction - including a blower door test of the whole house and a duct leakage test - rather than taking the builder's word for it. Source: ENERGY STAR, Independent Inspections and Tests, read 2026-09-17.

How we build

The case study

  1. 01

    Lyngen Grove - a case study

    A sculptural dwelling shaped by Stratified's artistic sensibility, high-performance building science, and thoughtful attention to detail.

    Read
Thinking about building?

Let’s build something thoughtful

If you’re considering a custom home, ADU, or remodel, we’d love to learn more about your project and explore how we can bring it to life.