TAKING BUILDING SCIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Building healthy, high performance, homes
for the greater austin area
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“I love, love, love this building — I can’t spend enough time in it! Austin Touchstone Builders created something truly extraordinary with my three-story observatory. Their attention to detail, craftsmanship, originality, and creative ingenuity were second to none. Throughout the process, the ATB team was patient and understanding with all of my many changes and new directions, while also keeping a careful eye on the budget. The end result is not just a building, but a masterpiece I get to play in and enjoy every single day. I couldn’t be happier with the experience or the final product.”
— Mark S.
People today care deeply about the environment, energy efficiency, and long-term savings—and they want their homes to reflect those values. At Austin Touchstone Builders, we believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice style, comfort, or quality to achieve a sustainable, energy-efficient home.
Unlike production builders who offer limited choices, we specialize in custom homes in Austin, TX that combine fine craftsmanship with advanced building science. Our expertise in ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) construction and net-zero home design ensures your home becomes a lasting investment in both your family’s future and the environment.
Every home we build is designed for performance and comes certified through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home program. This certification not only confirms superior energy efficiency and indoor air quality, but also enhances the resale value of your home by making your energy and health investments measurable and transferable.
With a high-performance HVAC system and an airtight net-zero building envelope, our homes deliver unmatched indoor air quality, comfort, and durability.
As a family-owned home builder in Austin, we stand for more than just building houses—we build healthier, smarter, and more resilient homes. Our commitment is to exceed your expectations in quality, performance, and comfort.
The Future of Sustainable Living: Discover the Power of Net-Zero Home Builders
Are you ready to step into the future of sustainable living in Austin, TX? Imagine a home that produces as much energy as it consumes—cutting your utility bills, improving indoor comfort, and reducing your carbon footprint. That’s the promise of a custom net-zero home built with ICF construction and advanced building science.
These energy-efficient homes are designed with cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, from airtight building envelopes and high-performance insulation to solar-ready wiring, smart energy systems, and advanced HVAC. The result is a home that stays comfortable year-round, delivers superior indoor air quality, and saves you money every month.
Choosing a net-zero home in Austin is more than a construction decision—it’s a lifestyle choice. You’re investing in a healthier, more resilient future for your family while helping shape a more sustainable community. With Austin Touchstone Builders, you don’t have to choose between style, comfort, and efficiency—you can have it all.
Benefits of net-zero homes
Net-zero homes deliver a wide range of benefits for families seeking both sustainability and comfort. One of their greatest advantages is the ability to produce as much energy as they consume, thanks to a combination of energy-efficient design, ICF construction, renewable energy systems, and smart energy management. This balance means dramatically lower utility bills, a reduced cost of living, and a positive impact on the environment.
Beyond financial savings, custom net-zero homes in Austin, TX are designed for superior comfort and health. With airtight building envelopes, high-performance insulation, energy-efficient windows, and advanced ventilation systems, these homes maintain consistent indoor temperatures while reducing drafts, outside noise, and allergens. Non-toxic building materials and improved indoor air quality promote a healthier lifestyle for every family member.
The environmental benefits are equally important. By reducing fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions, net-zero homes play a key role in combating climate change. They also contribute to the local economy by creating jobs in green construction, renewable energy, and building technology. Investing in a net-zero home is more than a personal choice—it’s a step toward a sustainable, resilient future for Austin and beyond.
The concept of net-zero energy
The concept of a net-zero energy (NZE) home is simple but powerful: a home that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year. This perfect balance is achieved through a combination of energy-efficient design, airtight construction, and on-site renewable energy systems. By reducing demand and generating clean power, homeowners enjoy both financial savings and long-term sustainability.
At Austin Touchstone Builders, our custom net-zero homes in Austin, TX are designed with a holistic approach that considers every detail—home orientation, insulation, windows, HVAC systems, and renewable energy integration. With ICF construction and airtight building envelopes, we drastically reduce energy waste, making it easier for solar panels, wind, or geothermal systems to meet the remaining demand.
Energy efficiency is the foundation of every NZE home. Features like high-performance insulation, Energy Star appliances, and advanced ventilation systems reduce heating and cooling loads while keeping indoor climates stable and comfortable. This means lower reliance on external energy sources, greater durability, and healthier indoor air quality.
To achieve full net-zero energy performance, we incorporate renewable energy technologies directly into the home. Solar panels remain the most popular option, harnessing Texas sun to generate clean electricity, but other solutions—such as small wind turbines or biomass systems—can also be integrated depending on the site. By offsetting consumption with renewables, your home can operate at true net-zero and even prepare for future energy independence.
As more families seek sustainable, energy-efficient housing in Austin, the net-zero standard is quickly becoming the future of home construction. Investing in a net-zero custom home today means lower bills, healthier living, and a lasting contribution to a more sustainable Texas community.
How net-zero home builders work
At Austin Touchstone Builders, our mission is clear: to design and construct custom net-zero homes in Austin, TX that achieve a perfect balance between energy consumption and energy production. Every project begins with a detailed understanding of the site—its climate, orientation, and natural resources—so that each home is tailored to maximize efficiency and renewable energy potential. This site-specific approach ensures that no two homes are alike, but all are optimized for performance.
The design phase is where net-zero construction truly begins. Our architects and builders collaborate to create energy-efficient floor plans that minimize wasted energy while enhancing comfort and natural light. Strategic window placement captures passive solar heating, while open layouts reduce the need for artificial lighting. With ICF construction, high-performance insulation, and airtight building envelopes, we drastically cut heating and cooling demands, making it easier to achieve true net-zero performance.
Once the design is finalized, advanced construction methods bring the vision to life. We incorporate sustainable building materials, renewable energy systems like solar panels, and precision-installed ventilation systems to maintain superior indoor air quality. Every step of the process is guided by building science and environmental responsibility, ensuring your home is not only efficient but also durable and healthy.
The result is more than just a house—it’s a high-performance, energy-efficient home that exceeds net-zero standards and supports a sustainable lifestyle for generations to come.
Ideal for homes in Texas with mild winters and warmer climate, installed in tandem with the HVAC system, ERV transfers moisture and heat from incoming fresh air to the outgoing air stream.
While stale air from your house is moved outside, air inside your home is kept comfortable, fresh, clean and no energy is wasted.
A zero-energy home, also known as a net-zero energy (NZE) home, net-zero home, or zero-carbon home, is designed so that the amount of energy consumed annually is equal to the amount of renewable energy generated on-site. This balance dramatically reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, creating a cleaner, more sustainable future.
At Austin Touchstone Builders, our custom net-zero homes in Austin, TX use airtight construction, ICF walls, and thermally sealed building envelopes to cut energy bills by as much as 80%. For homeowners not ready to install solar panels immediately, we also build Net-Zero Ready Homes—fully wired and designed for renewable integration whenever you’re ready.
Beyond efficiency, our homes are built to endure Texas conditions. With ICF construction, they are resistant to tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and even termites. Compared to traditional wood-framed houses, our homes deliver lower maintenance needs, lower operating costs, and superior long-term performance.
We also integrate Passive House features, such as whole-house filtered ventilation, which provide cleaner, healthier indoor air—but only function properly in homes with a sealed, high-performance envelope like ours.
While net-zero construction can add 5–10% to initial building costs, most homeowners find the small increase in mortgage payments is more than offset by drastically lower monthly energy bills. The result is a higher-performing, more comfortable, quieter, and healthier home—with no additional monthly expense compared to a conventional build.
Choosing the right net-zero home builder for your project
Selecting the right partner for your net-zero home construction project is one of the most important steps in creating a sustainable, high-performance home. Not every builder is equipped with the expertise or commitment needed to deliver on the promise of custom energy-efficient homes in Austin, TX, so careful research is essential.
Look for a builder who specializes in net-zero construction and ICF homes, with a proven track record of successful projects in your region. Certifications from respected organizations—such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready program, the Net Zero Energy Coalition, or the U.S. Green Building Council—demonstrate a builder’s dedication to sustainability and adherence to the highest industry standards.
Once you’ve narrowed your options, schedule consultations to discuss your vision and goals. This is your chance to evaluate the builder’s knowledge of net-zero principles, energy-efficient design strategies, renewable energy integration, and sustainable materials. A qualified builder should also be able to explain how airtight construction, high-performance insulation, and advanced HVAC systems will be incorporated into your project to maximize comfort and efficiency.
Finally, ask for references and project examples. A trusted builder will be transparent, sharing testimonials from satisfied clients and showcasing completed custom net-zero homes. By selecting a builder who aligns with your values and demonstrates true expertise in energy-efficient construction, you can be confident that your new home will meet your performance goals while contributing positively to the environment.
At Austin Touchstone Builders, we pride ourselves on being that partner—offering craftsmanship, building science, and a proven commitment to sustainable custom homebuilding in Austin.
Embracing the power of net-zero home builders for a sustainable future
The journey toward sustainable living is being shaped by the innovative work of net-zero home builders. These pioneers are redefining modern housing by proving how energy-efficient, eco-friendly custom homes can benefit both families and the environment. By embracing net-zero construction, homeowners in Austin, TX can drastically reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying the financial and lifestyle rewards that come with energy independence and superior comfort.
As demand grows, supporting net-zero construction practices is essential to building a healthier planet—one home at a time. Far from being a trend, net-zero homes represent a critical step in tackling climate change, resource depletion, and rising energy costs. Each home built with ICF construction, airtight design, and renewable energy systems contributes to a stronger, more resilient future for Texas communities.
Ultimately, embracing a net-zero lifestyle is about more than lowering utility bills. It’s about creating communities where families thrive, energy use is balanced with clean production, and the environment is protected for generations to come. Choosing a custom net-zero home in Austin makes a bold statement: a commitment to sustainability, a healthier living space, and a brighter future.
The future of sustainable housing is here—and Austin Touchstone Builders is proud to be at the forefront, leading the way toward a more resilient and energy-efficient world.
GSR - Observatory
Lakeway Project
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For any inquiries or questions, please call: 512-428-6224
Hurst Creek Project - Time Lapse
Hurst Creek Project
Seven Creeks Ranch - Custom
