The most important part of a home is the shell or super-structure.

It must stand the test of time- the weathering and degradation effects of wind loading, acid rain, snow loading and the natural tendencies of wood to expand and contract with moisture, temperature differentials and age.

More expensive, higher quality wood products produce higher quality homes.

Combine higher quality with proper fastening/nailing techniques and you will construct a home that will weather the elements for a longer duration. 

Lumber is generally graded by a numerical system reflecting its quality and price- number 1 representing the highest grade.

Unfortunately, there is a wide variation in cost, quality and moisture content between the high end and low end of the SAME #1 grade lumber.

Obviously, this creates more confusion.

Castle Gate has elected to produce a home structure that utilizes wood material that by all standards is representative of "a degree of excellence."  This quality is typical of higher priced "custom home" builders.

We choose not to utilize the man made products like oriented strand board (OSB) or 'chip' board, a wood and glue composite.

We use only EXTERIOR grade CDX four (4) ply plywood for wall sheathing, roof and sub-floor decking.  The industry standard is 3 ply, but we use superior FOUR PLY !

Tests completed and verified by the Plywood Association demonstrate it is a superior building product.  It is also much more expensive than OSB.

19/32" exterior grade CDX is part of all roof-decking systems, with H-clips provided to enhance integrity.  Many homebuilders today use 1/2" OSB on the roof to save construction costs- but of course you still pay full price.

All truss cords are fabricated with #1 grade pine for vertical loading integrity.  Hurricane straps are included to enhance wind-loading characteristics.

Wall studs are low moisture content KILN dried SPF (Spruce, Pine, Fir) white wood, designed to minimize or eliminate the natural tendency of wood to twist as it dries in the walls, creating those unsightly crooked walls.

In addition to superior materials, panelization allows the entire shell to be cut and assembled under roof in the factory. 

The lumber is cut and then assembled using steal rimmed jigs on a steel table and automated nailers for PRECISION and strength that simply canNOT be matched on site with traditional "stick built" construction (i.e. "building on the ground"). 

The panels are shipped in enclosed trucks and assembled in 5 to 7 days on average.  This means that the entire super-structure of your home is only exposed to the elements for days, rather than MONTHS with typical on site "stick built" construction.