Wyndham Deerpoint Homes is renowned for paving a smooth path to homeownership for countless customers over the years. And now the homebuilder is paving a smooth road to greater environmental consciousness—literally—at its Tall Oaks single-family home community in Elgin.

Tall Oaks’ eight miles of collective pavement were recently topped and completed with a green road mixture that includes recycled asphalt roofing shingles ground up from old roofs. The new “green roads” are designed to last longer as well as divert shingle waste from landfills and reduce the amount of aggregate, sand and oil normally needed for paving.

“This initiative, undertaken with the City of Elgin, demonstrates our dedication to eco-friendly practices and green construction techniques,” said Rich Guerard, principal with Wyndham Deerpoint Homes. “This is the first time we’ve attempted a green roads paving in one of our communities, but it’s something we’d like to pursue henceforth at any future subdivisions.”

Matt Vondra, a representative from Southwind RAS, the Bartlett-based company responsible for recycling the asphalt shingles and advocating paving using green technology, said the mixture they use provides several advantages.

“Our mix requires less virgin liquid asphalt, the primary binding mechanism and most expensive component in hot mix asphalt,” he said. “And the cellulose fibers present in roofing shingles mimic the properties of polymerized asphalt, adding to the tensile strength and durability of the pavement.”

Vondra said data suggests that the pavement should last longer, stay ‘blacker,’ and increase the properties of the mix that allow for heavier traffic. Additionally, “our mix requires less compaction efforts, which allows the crew to pave faster, thereby reducing installation labor costs.”

The shingles themselves are collected from local recycling centers and contractors seeking to dispose of repair/replacement roofing waste. All materials gathered are carefully sorted, tested, processed and stockpiled before they are shredded and mixed for road paving.

“The Tall Oaks paving was the first time the paving contractor, general contractor, developer, hot mix asphalt plant and the City of Elgin had used this mix,” Vondra said. “Similar recycling efforts have been used for up to 20 years in some states, but Illinois has been slow to adopt specifications that allow for the use of recycled asphalt shingles.”

Laying green streets throughout Tall Oaks isn’t the only environmentally conscious practice Wyndham Deerpoint follows. The builder also crafts Energy Star-certified homes throughout the community and implements innovative green building methods and materials in its construction. Additionally, a special storm water management system was implemented at Tall Oaks that holds rain runoff in naturalized wet bottom ponds, which recharges the underground aquifers over time.

“It’s important to maintain a solid commitment to sustainable building practices, which not only saves our natural resources but can also yield significant savings to our homeowners in the form of lower energy bills,” Guerard said.

Tall Oaks buyers can choose from 10 distinctive home designs that include three ranch and two first-floor master bedroom homes, ranging in size from approximately 2,000 to 4,400 square feet. Base prices range from $319,900 to $448,500 (all prices subject to change without notice). Each home offers three to four bedrooms, two-and-a-half to four baths, two- to three-car garage, nine-foot first floor, wood-burning fireplace, kitchen with oak hardwood floor, 93% efficient gas furnace, homesite with professional landscaping, full basement, and a Professional Home Warranty that is transferable.

Other standard amenities (depending on the home selected) include a den, first-floor master bedroom, volume ceilings, dual staircase, hearth room, large two-story foyer, and second-floor laundry. An elevator, loft, bonus room, sunroom, bay windows, Whirlpool tub, and upgraded trim are several of the popular options available.

For a limited time, buyers of any to-be-built homes will receive a $25,000 credit toward the options and upgrades of their choice (consult a Wyndham Deerpoint Homes sales professional for full details).

Shoppers eager to move in early without the construction wait can now select from a handful of inventory homes that are each available for immediate delivery, including a Charleston at 160 Winding Hill Dr. This two-story home features three bedrooms; two baths; three-car garage; handsome brick front; an open floorplan with a family room equipped with fireplace and vaulted ceiling; full basement with nine-foot ceiling and roughed-in plumbing for a future ¾ bath; deluxe kitchen with butler’s pantry, walk-in pantry, granite countertops and upscale cabinets; upgraded lighting and door hardware; and 2,329 square feet. The Charleston is priced at $349,000.

Tall Oaks is located in the highly rated Burlington School District 301. The community is easily accessible to Rt. 90, Randall Road shopping, and three local Metra stations offering quick commuter train service to downtown Chicago and other destinations.

Homeowners can take advantage of a variety of Elgin area attractions, including city parks, local golf courses, the state-of-the-art Gail Borden Library, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and the Centre of Elgin downtown family recreational facility featuring an indoor aquatic center, fitness center, climbing wall and track.

Situated off Rt. 20 near the intersection of Russell and Plank Roads in the west portion of Elgin, Tall Oaks is set on a scenic parcel that offers homesites of a quarter-acre to over an acre (10,000- to 25,000-square-foot lots), picturesque ponds, beautiful bike paths, lush foliage and attractive landscaping.

Community streetscapes promise plenty of curb appeal thanks to garages that are either side-load or recessed from the front door. Further adding to the appeal are homes that sport Hardie Plank siding and architectural shingles.

The Tall Oaks sales center is open Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. To reach the community, take Rt. 20 to Plank Road, turn left onto Russell, and turn left onto Winding Hill Drive into the Tall Oaks entrance; proceed ahead to The Whitehall model at 163 Winding Hill Drive. For more information, call (847) 289-9600 or visit www.wydp.com.