In a time of economic uncertainty, homebuyers and homeowners focus more than ever on the long-term value of their investment in their home. In the wake of climate disasters and lingering memories of the pandemic, people want their homes to be a resilient source of comfort, health and financial security.
Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data surveys uncovered a new paradigm in 2025: Every generation of homebuyers now cares more about the long-term value and operating costs of their property rather than the upfront investment in a home.
At VISION House SHAWOOD in Deerlake Ranch in Chatsworth, Calif., a project by Green Builder Media and SHAWOOD, a division of the Japan-based Sekisui House, the partners and participants are leaning into the concept of value per square foot rather than price per square foot.
The homes are designed to meet SHAWOOD’s high standards and their “Living Well Directive,” which sets benchmark standards in a variety of categories such as healthy home, conscious comfort, soothing spaces and home oasis. Each of the 72 high performance homes will be built to the strongest sustainability standards, with designs, systems, finishes and fixtures that elevate the resilience and longevity of the homes.
The products and design elements throughout each home at VISION House SHAWOOD are optimized for wellness, comfort and resilience. Tiles from Daltile will be used for counters, fireplace walls and for walkable indoor-outdoor spaces.
“Daltile products contribute to overall home performance through durability to stand up to impacts from daily life, and have a long service life,” says Mike Profilio, vice president, builder channel of Daltile Corp. “Tile is clean, allergen-free, resistant to mold and bacteria, formaldehyde-free and VOC-free. Combined with sustainable manufacturing practices and recycled content, our products contribute to a home’s resilience, beauty and sustainability.”
The tiles are scratch and stain resistant, and those installed outdoors can be paired with a permeable substrate to allow water to filter through and return to the ground, which is especially valuable in regions like Southern California that are prone to drought.
Daltile’s products are fire-resistant and noncombustible. The tile will not burn, melt or give off toxic fumes when it is exposed to fire.
Home finishes such as tiles are often chosen for their appearance and performance. At VISION House SHAWOOD, Daltile’s goal is to demonstrate that style, durability and sustainability can go hand in hand.
“At Daltile, our promise is to create beautiful tile responsibly,” Profilio says. “Sustainability means working with nature, not against it, ensuring the planet’s ability to provide for future generations.”
For example, Daltile reports:
Daltile products are inherently aligned with the principles embraced by Shawood.
“Tile’s natural composition, durability and low maintenance support wellness-focused living while minimizing long-term environmental impact,” Profilio says. “Our designs draw inspiration from nature, texture and timeless materials, making them an ideal complement to SHAWOOD’s philosophy of balance, longevity and harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces.”
As a company, Daltile understands that the future depends on the work being accomplished today.
“For us, our promise for sustainability extends beyond just products and processes: it is how we challenge ourselves to do and be better every day, how we make decisions, through our commitment to a sustainable future for both our people and our planet, and how we define what matters as we work to deliver value for generations to come,” Profilio says. “Daltile’s approach to this mission is threefold: to invest in our people, to protect the planet and to govern all conduct according to our values.”