By Max Babaee — Founder, Avente Homes LLC
When Hurricane Milton struck Florida, the images of damaged homes and disrupted communities spread far beyond the state. Living in Vancouver at the time, I watched the news with growing concern. Shortly afterward, during a personal trip from Vancouver to Tampa, I saw the damage firsthand: roof failures, water intrusion, and widespread structural vulnerability. It was clear that the existing construction systems in Florida — although code-compliant — were not keeping up with the realities of stronger storms, rising insurance costs, and higher energy demands.
Coming from Vancouver’s demanding and innovation-driven custom home market, I recognized the same pattern I had solved years earlier in British Columbia. In cities like Port Moody, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Burnaby, and North & West Vancouver, construction was facing cost escalation, labor shortages, and pressure for greener, more efficient homes. There, I had shifted from traditional wood framing with steel rebars, vapor barriers, and multi-layer air barriers — a process that was slow, labor-intensive, and prone to error — to a new model based on Nudura ICF walls and fiberglass reinforcement.
The result?
A 20–25% increase in construction speed, a 15% reduction in total cost, and a stronger, tighter, more energy-efficient home. One element replaced five or six conventional components. This transformation became the foundation of a new construction philosophy that I am now bringing to Florida through Avente Homes.
Bringing a Proven Canadian Innovation to Florida
After analyzing Florida’s post-hurricane construction challenges, I realized the same integrated system could solve many of the state’s long-standing issues. Avente Homes is now adapting and advancing the model even further to meet Florida’s climate, soil conditions, and resilience requirements.
Our Florida-Optimized System Includes:
1. Slab-on-grade reinforced with fiberglass mesh
Fiberglass mesh is corrosion-free and eliminates long-term deterioration common with steel. It is lighter, safer, and faster for crews to handle.
2. ICF walls reinforced with fiberglass rebars
ICFs create an airtight, waterproof, hurricane-resistant wall structure. The insulated concrete eliminates the need for plywood sheathing, Tyvek, vapor barriers, and multiple structural layers. This cuts days of labor from each home while raising resilience dramatically.
3. Steel stud walls and pre-assembled steel trusses
Steel studs deliver straight, mold-resistant framing. Pre-assembled trusses minimize installation time, reduce on-site waste, and ensure engineering accuracy.
4. A revolutionary insulated metal panel roof system (6 inches)
This roof replaces plywood + underlayment + insulation + shingles with one engineered assembly.
The benefits are substantial:
- Faster installation
- High R-value for energy performance
- Hurricane resistance
- Water-tight, air-tight attic structure
- Longer lifespan
- Pre-engineered to accept PV solar without additional framing
This roof system provides the same “one element replaces many” efficiency breakthrough that ICF offers for walls.
5. Optional hybrid photovoltaic system (8 kW)
Combined with our airtight envelope and insulation strategy, this allows most homes to reach:
- HERS 20 or below without solar, based on third-party methodologies from HERSrating.us
- Net-zero or even negative energy use with an 8 kW hybrid system, meaning homeowners generate surplus electricity and receive utility credits.
6. Photovoltaic-ready roof: no extra framing needed
Our insulated metal panels come solar-ready. This eliminates the need for wood blocking, reinforcement, or redesign when adding solar modules.
7. Airtight, waterproof attic
Unlike traditional vented attics in Florida — prone to moisture, mold, and wind pressure failures — our assembly is sealed and insulated. This dramatically improves durability, energy efficiency, and indoor comfort.
Exterior Skin for Speed + Performance
To complete the envelope, each home receives:
1-inch insulated metal decorative panels with an EPS core
These panels attach directly to the ICF walls and:
- Can be installed in 2 days per home
- Add thermal performance
- Resist moisture, rot, and pests
- Provide hurricane-rated durability
- Offer a clean, modern appearance
This single step replaces stucco layers, housewraps, and multiple finishing trades.
High-Performance Interior Systems
Inside the home, Avente further improves durability and indoor air quality using:
Magnesium Oxide (MGO) boards instead of drywall
MGO boards are:
- Waterproof
- Mold-proof
- Fire-resistant
- Stronger and healthier than drywall
- In line with green building standards
This choice reduces insurance risk and prevents “latent” defects that often appear years after occupancy.
High-efficiency ductless HVAC systems
By eliminating ducts — a major source of energy loss, mold growth, and poor indoor air quality — we offer:
- Cleaner air
- Higher efficiency
- Lower maintenance
- Much better performance for Florida’s humidity
Luxury vinyl flooring and premium cabinets from Golden Home (Dallas)
These materials provide:
- Long-term durability
- High-end finishes
- Better quality than conventional local suppliers
- Faster installation and fewer defects
Reverse Engineering for Affordable Excellence
Avente Homes’ philosophy is simple:
Start with the performance target → reverse engineer the construction system → remove unnecessary steps → simplify → improve → reduce cost.
With this method, we deliver:
- More resilient homes against Florida hurricanes
- More energy-efficient homes with HERS <20
- Greener homes with reduced carbon footprint
- Lower insurance premiums
- Lower utility bills
- Lower maintenance over time
- Faster construction and reduced labor demand
- Affordable pricing for working families
This aligns directly with Pasco County’s Better Future Action Plan, which seeks community resilience, sustainability, and long-term affordability.
A Model for Florida’s Future Housing
What started as a practical innovation in Vancouver has become a comprehensive building system tailored for Florida’s needs. Avente Homes brings:
- Engineering innovation
- Materials innovation
- Envelope innovation
- Energy innovation
- Construction-speed innovation
- Cost-reduction innovation
In a state facing climate pressure, insurance crises, and affordability challenges, Avente Homes offers a scalable, proven, engineering-driven model that benefits families, lenders, and communities.
We are not simply building homes —
We are redefining what affordable, resilient housing can be in Florida.
—
Max Babaee
Founder, Avente Homes LLC
Wesley Chapel, Florida
