Big House On The Hill

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Colorful Kingspan Insulated Panels Featured On Large Florida Loft

When radio talk show host Big John began making plans for a new house in Holly Hill, Florida, he knew he needed a place that would be strong enough to stand up to a hurricane and large enough to live up to his name. With the help of insulated metal panels from MeTecno USA, which has since been acquired by Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc., John created the contemporary loft known as the “Big House on the Hill.”

“Even though I don’t work in the building industry, I’m familiar with [Kingspan] and know its products have a lot of value,” John said of the nearby DeLand-based company. “The insulated panels were easy to work with and have an R-value of 32, which is great for energy efficiency. Plus, I think the house is ready for a hurricane; I just hope I won’t find out.”

The former Volusia County Councilman, who legally changed his name to Big John in 1979, used Kingspan factory third metal panels to build his house. His former stepson served as the general contractor and helped construct the loft from the ground up.

Unlike a traditional architect, John didn’t specify a particular Kingspan product for this project. He created his loft out of four-inch insulated panels in an assortment of panel profiles and finishes including stainless, galvanized steel and galvalume, which he then painted roasted pepper, purple, orange, blue, and chartreuse.

“You really have to see the house to understand how everything comes together,” elaborates Big John. “But I can tell you this much – it’s no little shack.”

His Big House on the Hill totals 3,200 square feet with a 1,000 square-foot deck and 1,600 square-foot garage, making it easy to see how the loft got its name. It features 19-foot ceilings and a 10-foot ceiling fan, and an elevator will soon be installed.

“After I heard about Big John’s house, I couldn’t wait to visit,” recalls Lisa Fischer, marketing coordinator for Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc. “In a word: Wow! It’s like a grown-up tree house! I don’t think pictures can do justice to such an amazing place.”

Pleased with the results of his loft, Big John already has plans for future projects, including a work house, which will also feature a colorful mix of Kingspan metal panels.

Effective on August 22, 2008, Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc. acquired MeTecno USA, including all its divisions – API, ASI, Benchmark, and Morin.

Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc. maintains the distinctive ability to provide customers with a variety of insulated composite panels and architectural single element metal wall and roof product options from multiple plants across the country. Each division offers unique methods technology, products and services, and is available to assist with all of your metal panel needs. Going beyond aesthetics, Kingspan products contain a high-degree of recycled content and are readily recyclable at the end of their long service life. As a weather-resistant, energy-efficient addition to the building envelope, Kingspan products consistently contribute to USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design credits and overall LEED building certification.

About Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc.

Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of metal panels, providing service to the U.S. market as well as export destinations. The company’s four divisions – API, ASI, Benchmark, and Morin – focus on design requirements for applications with factory-engineered insulated composite panels and architectural single element metal wall and roof panels. Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc. serves the needs of the architectural, commercial/industrial, cold storage and food processing markets. For more information, visit www.MeTecnoUSA.com.