Deltec Homes

Building Beyond Boundaries

Crafting a B Corp. Legacy of Ethical Impact, One Home at a Time

 

When it comes to forward-thinking construction, Deltec Homes powerfully demonstrates how sustainable business practices can drive remarkable growth.

For over 57 years, this pioneering company has redefined the homebuilding industry.

Evolving from humble beginnings in the resort industry, Deltec has become a leader in resilient, energy-efficient, and community-focused living spaces.

The company’s reputation is, literally, built on its ability to create high-quality structures that are designed to withstand the elements, minimize environmental footprints, and enrich the lives of their inhabitants.

The company’s round architecture, a core differentiator, not only provides inherent wind resistance, leading to astonishingly high hurricane survival rates, but also boasts superior energy efficiency, making green and net-zero living readily accessible.

This effectiveness also extends to its operations, where the overwhelming majority of wood materials are recycled, and a historically large solar array powers its plant, contributing to a healthier bottom line in multiple ways.

Deltec Homes is focusing on introducing new, more affordable housing lines and navigating stringent regulatory landscapes to bring its highly effective, prefabricated homes to a broader range of markets.

Deltec utilizes a prefabricated panelized building system , where the components of a home (walls, roof and floor systems) are constructed in a factory and delivered to the jobsite where it is and finished just like a stick-built home. Panelized houses must follow state and federal building code requirements and can be regularly inspected, just like site-built homes.

Deltec can produce quality homes using this system and is able to deliver top tier results due to its remarkable in-house engineering and design expertise, which helps minimize outsourced work and ultimately costs.

However, when it does seek external support, incredible partners like ISM, Inc., and Marvin Window and Doors are always willing to work flexibly to get the job done.

Truthfully, Deltec’s ability to secure such strong relationships is due to its transparent, family-like culture.

Many of the company’s employees have nearly 25 years of tenure or more, which speaks volumes about Deltec’s ability to transform workforce well-being into consistent, high-quality output and reduced overhead.

Ultimately, success for Deltec Homes is measured not just in square footage but in the enduring legacy of secure and soulful homes that inspire a deeper connection to nature and a more resilient way of life.

Discover how this pioneering company navigates the evolving challenges of the housing market while staying true to its profound purpose.

A Foundation of Resilience and Sustainability

Deltec Homes’ origin story, stretching back to 1968, is deeply intertwined with design and environmental stewardship.

Initially providing A-frame homes for the resort industry, the company transitioned to circular designs, recognizing the inherent advantages of round architecture.

This seemingly simple shift unlocked significant benefits. “We realized that there are a lot of amazing things about round designs as far as their natural aerodynamics, making them very wind resistant. Also, round shapes are naturally more energy efficient than square homes,” explains Chief Executive Officer Megan Gore.

Circular shape also inherently requires less material to enclose the same square footage compared to a traditional square home, leading to reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling.

This foundational understanding allowed Deltec to easily pivot towards offering green and net-zero energy solutions to its customers.

With this shift in product came a significant shift in Deltec’s entire operation. Today, Deltec Homes proudly operates one of the largest solar arrays for a manufacturing plant in the country, a testament to its commitment to renewable energy. Deltec has been using 100% renewable energy since 2007 – using a combination of purchased wind power and a 55KW rooftop solar array.

The company’s focus on sustainability is further highlighted by its rigorous waste reduction programs, which recycle approximately 97% of its wood materials.

Even things like leftover foam insulations are repurposed into what Gore refers to as “energy walls,” providing additional insulation within their homes, a very holistic approach to minimizing environmental impact.

These practices, combined with community initiatives, have strongly guided Deltec’s progression.

“In addition to the waste reduction, we also participate in programs like Meals on Wheels or volunteer to do other things like help with building schools. It really helped us lean into who we are today as a certified B Corporation,” Gore clarifies, emphasizing how such a rigorous designation signifies Deltec’s balance of purpose and profit.

Adapting Purpose to a Global Operation

Today, Deltec Homes specializes in manufacturing prefabricated round homes, predominantly, polygonal panelized constructions that are shipped worldwide.

The company’s homes are highly sought after in regions susceptible to extreme weather, like the Bahamas, Caribbean islands, and coastal Florida, due to their exceptional hurricane resistance, boasting a 99.9% survival rate in hurricane situations.

The company also caters to clients seeking to maximize views in scenic locations, such as New Zealand, as well as bluffs in Tennessee and the Carolinas.

“We build for communities across the world and try to really impact our customers… and just due to the nature of our homes, we’ve gotten a lot of advertising and news articles from local weather stations, the Weather Channel, Climate Central, and Fox Weather,” Gore states. Deltec Homes has also been featured in most of the major media outlets in the US including the New York Times, Washington Post and the Associated Press.

While not physically building entire communities in one location, like traditional production home builders, Deltec assists communities worldwide by providing innovative, legacy-quality homes that offer lasting value.

Beyond the residential sector, Deltec’s homes have also been utilized for commercial applications, including schools.

For example, one of the most notable school structures it has built is one that became well-known for remaining completely intact despite significant flooding during Hurricane Helene, again demonstrating the structural integrity of its designs.

Because Deltec Homes serves a diverse range of geographical locations, it also offers a variety of homes tailored to different needs and regulatory environments.

“We have several different lines of homes that we offer, and one of them is our design studio. The design studio is something that we can completely customize for our clients and make them as big and grand or as small and off the grid as possible,” Gore explains.

Deltec offers consulting services and support to facilitate the process of meeting local building codes or jurisdictional requirements. This flexibility is crucial in navigating complex regulations such as California’s Title 24 and WUE standard.

In fact, to expand their reach, Deltec is actively working to adapt their “Signature Series”—a line of pre-designed homes—to the West Coast market, a region known for its stringent building guidelines.

Furthermore, in response to the growing need for more affordable housing solutions, Deltec is developing a new series of homes.

“We’re looking at a fall launch, and the homes will focus more on an affordable factor,” Gore says, explaining that the line includes budget-friendly options like ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) and DIY-friendly structures, catering to individuals seeking alternative housing solutions or backyard offices.

Empowering Through Transparency,  Respect, and Future Vision

A cornerstone of Deltec Homes’ operational success and B Corp values is its profound commitment to its workforce. Transparency is a guiding principle, with an open-door policy that encourages employees to ask questions and engage in open discussions.

This culture of open communication creates both trust and accountability, leading to an exceptionally loyal and long-tenured workforce, with many employees having been with the company for over 25 years.

The average longevity of employees well exceeds typical industry standards, reflecting a workplace where individuals feel valued and respected.

Deltec also prioritizes the physical well-being of its manufacturing plant employees.

“Everything is designed so that it’s also very efficient when building, which helps not only our results, but also helps our workers. For example, our truss tables and our wall tables are at waist height. So workers don’t have to crouch on a scaffold, which helps their long-term health and the length of time they can work for us. I think there are a couple of guys in the plant that have been here almost 30 years, and in typical construction, that would be challenging to do for 30 years,” Gore states.

And when not taking care of its employees, Deltec Homes is taking care of its vendors through long-standing key partnerships.

Companies like Marvin Windows, LP Wood Products, and Simpson Strong-Tie have been integral to Deltec’s ability to deliver homes with exceptional structural integrity, particularly their renowned hurricane resistance, achieved through specialized fastening systems that surpass traditional construction methods.

These partnerships are characterized by transparency and mutual respect, allowing for proactive communication regarding market changes or supply chain considerations.

Looking ahead, Deltec Homes is keenly focused on addressing the critical issue of housing affordability.

“One of the things we really understand is how difficult it is for people across the world, but especially here in the U.S., to afford housing. The American dream is homeownership, and that’s really unattainable for a lot of people… we can help them with that,” Gore warmly expresses.

Deltec’s main initiatives include diversifying its product lines to cater to a wider economic spectrum.

These new offerings, though potentially featuring different material specifications to reduce cost, will still embody the core Deltec advantages of energy efficiency and robust construction.

By continuously evolving their offerings and leveraging their deeply ingrained values of sustainability, resilience, and community engagement, Deltec Homes is not just building houses; it is shaping the future of inclusive, durable, and environmentally conscious living.

The ongoing innovation and dedication to meeting diverse housing needs set the stage for Deltec Homes to continue its impactful legacy.

The question then becomes, what does this extraordinary commitment to building mean for the future of housing?

The answer is simple: Deltec Homes will continue to shape and redefine the very concept of a home for years to come.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Deltec Homes

What: A B Corp-certified prefabricated panelized home manufacturer specializing in resilient, energy-efficient, and architecturally unique housing solutions.

Where: Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina

Website: www.deltechomes.com