Galveston Idea House Building Products

Shutters: While J&L Shutters' Permex hurricane shutters contribute to the home's classic look, they also offer protection from high winds and debris impact. Made with CPVC and steel reinforcement, these operable shutters resist moisture, rendering maintenance unnecessary.

Lumber: To ensure the home's framing could withstand the harsh coastal climate, the team worked with BluWood, a specially treated lumber that's mold-, fungus-, and insect-repellent. Builder Chad Murphy explains that construction methods at Beachtown are held to a higher standard than local and national building codes.

Roofing: The team selected a Galvalume roof from the Metal Roofing Alliance because it resists rust, a natural threat in the corrosive coastal environment. "It also holds up well under strong winds, because it's usually one piece of metal from the ridge to the fascia," says builder Juan Barney.

Siding: James Hardie's Artisan line of fiber-cement siding looks like that found on Galveston's historic homes, without requiring the upkeep. "It's architecturally correct, and has the look and feel of real wood," says builder John Weldon.

Locks: The latest in home security, the Schlage LINK system lets you control entry to your home remotely via any computer or Web-enabled mobile phone. The touch-pad lock also allows for keyless entry―you just punch in the code. That way, you never have to worry about losing your keys.

Pavers: The team wanted to give the home's outdoor spaces the same historic feel as the house, so they selected Belgard's Dublin Cobble pavers for the ground-floor entertaining area. Designed to look as though they've been in place for decades, the pavers blend perfectly with the style of Galveston and Beachtown.

Outdoor Lighting: The team chose lanterns from Bevolo and flush-mounted them to survive high winds. The hand-riveted lights are made of copper, which won't corrode in humid air.