Brad Leavitt Talks Desert Home Design with LP^® Structural Solutions Products

Brad Leavitt, founder and president of Arizona-based construction company A Finer Touch (AFT) Construction, has been building homes in Arizona for over a decade. A recent project for the CEO of Build Magazine, Ted Bainbridge, led him to a secluded Arizona property with scenic views, aptly named “Desert Island.”

We talked with Leavitt about the nuances of building this modern desert home and how LP Structural Solutions products helped along the way.

Exterior Sheathing Options for a Cooler Interior

Like most Arizona landscapes, this location was no escape from the hot desert sun. But as an industry pro, Leavitt has learned to work with the elements by opting for smarter exterior sheathing options for the roof, like LP^® TechShield^® Radiant Barrier.

“LP TechShield Radiant Barrier has been a product we have continued to use on all our builds for this reason. It protects the home from the intense effects of the Arizona sun, and it can reduce the attic temperature up to 30 degrees—a huge benefit for us and the homeowner,” says Leavitt. 

LP TechShield panels are constructed with a thin, radiant barrier sheet laminated to LP^® OSB sheathing. The reflective surface redirects radiant heat created by the sun, building energy efficiency directly into the home, which was a top priority for the homeowner on this build. 

Get a Tight Building Envelope with Seam & Flashing Sealant

In addition to LP TechShield Radiant Barrier sheathing, Leavitt opted to use LP WeatherLogic^® panels and LP WeatherLogic^® Seam & Flashing Sealant for a tight building envelope.

“We don’t have any fear of water intrusion with this sealant,” says Leavitt, who chose sealant over tape for its ease of use. 

With a full cure in as little as just 24 hours, LP WeatherLogic Seam & Flashing Sealant allows you to save time on the jobsite.

The Benefits of a Single Manufacturer 

Whether you’re taking on a basic home design or something more complex, Leavitt’s key to a smooth construction process is using a single manufacturer. 

“It makes it super easy for us as builders,” says Leavitt. “Fewer chains of communication, fewer breakdowns, more convenience and more efficiency.”

For Leavitt, the needs of the homeowner, the climate, and the structure all inform his product choices. Having the portfolio of LP Structural Solutions as a go-to for core products simplifies the process while still allowing him to choose products that suit the unique needs of his builds. 

Interested in learning more about the LP Structural Solutions portfolio? Explore our resilient solutions here.