Shell kits only · not a finished home

Prefab ADU & home shell kits. The shell,
built fast.
You finish it.

Prefab ADU and single-family home shell kits made from ThermaSteel® panels. Framing, insulation, sheathing and vapor barrier in one wall, with R-51 exterior walls. Your contractor handles the rest.

Explore models What's included
theJONES home rendering, finished example of an AbodeMOD shell

Rendering shows a finished build. AbodeMOD kits are the structural shell only.

560 – 2,681sq ft floor plans
$39,999starting price · shell kit only
56years of ThermaSteel manufacturing
75,000+ThermaSteel projects in 83 countries
Up to R-61effective whole-wall R-value
~3 daysto frame an average house shell

The collection

Seven shells.
Endless finishes.

The basics

What is a
shell kit?

A shell kit is the structure of a building without the finishes. With AbodeMOD, that means the exterior walls, interior walls and roof panels for your floor plan, made from ThermaSteel® steel structural insulated panels.

Each panel combines steel framing, EPS insulation, sheathing and a vapor barrier. On a conventional build those are four separate trades. Here they arrive as one engineered piece with pre-molded electrical chases, so your crew raises a continuously insulated, air-tight envelope in far less time.

From there your contractor completes the foundation, roof covering, siding, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and interiors. You get a faster, stronger start and full control over finishes and budget.

Shell kit vs. finished home

Drag the slider. On the left is the AbodeMOD 560 shell as delivered and assembled: bare ThermaSteel panels with rough openings. On the right is the same house after a contractor adds the roof covering, siding, windows and door.

  • What you buy from AbodeMOD
  • What your contractor adds
AbodeMOD 560 finished by a contractor with siding, metal roof, windows and door
AbodeMOD 560 shell kit as delivered and assembled: bare ThermaSteel panels
Shell kit Finished
Comparison of the AbodeMOD 560 shell kit and the finished home

Popular uses

  • Backyard ADU rentalAdd a rentable unit to your lot.
  • In-law suiteKeep family close with their own front door.
  • Guest housePrivate space for visitors.
  • Home office or studioWork steps from home, not in it.
  • Downsizing cottageLess house, lower bills.
  • Primary residenceFull single-family homes up to 2,681 sq ft.

Always check local zoning and ADU rules before you buy.

Shell kit only

What you get.
What you don't.

An AbodeMOD kit is the structural shell of the home. It is not turnkey or move-in ready. Plan and budget the finishing work with your contractor.

Included
  • ThermaSteel xPanel exterior walls & gable ends (R-51, 5.5")
  • iPanel interior walls (R-51 load-bearing, R-28 non-load-bearing)
  • rPanel roof panels
  • Jacks, kings & accessories
  • Factory shop drawings & assembly guidance
  • Pre-molded electrical chases in the panels
  • Standard curbside delivery in the Northeastern states
Not included · by owner / contractor
  • Foundation & site prep
  • Roof covering, siding & exterior cladding
  • Windows & exterior doors
  • Plumbing, electrical & HVAC
  • Drywall, flooring, kitchen, bath & interior finishes
  • Permits, engineering & assembly labor
  • Delivery outside the Northeast, ferries, tolls or off-road access
PRO package

The panel kit

  • ThermaSteel wall and roof panels for your plan
  • Jacks, kings & accessories
DELUXE package

Everything in PRO, plus

  • Headers & structural beams
  • Factory-cut openings
  • Track
  • Screw package & plates

Scope can vary by model. Ask which package your quote includes, and confirm exactly what ships with your kit.

Why ThermaSteel

One panel.
Four trades.

Every AbodeMOD shell is built from panels made by ThermaSteel Inc. in Radford, Virginia, and supplied through ThermaSteel Northeast, an independent ThermaSteel distributor serving all six New England states.

4-in-1

Framing, insulation, sheathing and vapor barrier in a single panel

Fewer trades on site, fewer handoffs, fewer ways for the schedule to slip. Designed to comply with IBC/ICC and ASHRAE 90.1, and evaluated by IAPMO-UES, Intertek and ASTM.

Faster dry-in

Panels arrive pre-cut, diagrammed and labeled. One framer and two helpers can close in an average house in about three days.

Up to R-61

Steel studs are thermally broken from the exterior face, so there is no thermal bridging. Well suited to Net-Zero and Passive House goals.

Built to last

Steel and EPS won't rot or feed termites. Non-combustible assembly with a 2-hour load-bearing fire rating. 425-year life expectancy.

Cleaner & greener

No off-gassing, 100% recyclable, made with recycled content. Finish with stucco, siding, brick or stone.

How a ThermaSteel wall compares
ThermaSteel panel2×6 stick frame
Effective wall R-valueR-51 to R-61R-15 to R-17
Thermal bridgingNoneAt every stud, plate & header
Framing time, average houseAbout 3 days2 to 4 weeks
Trades to close in the shellOneFour to five
Rot, mold & termitesSteel & EPS: no food, no rotAt risk
FireNon-combustible, 2-hour load-bearing ratingCombustible

Typical cold-climate whole-assembly values. See the full comparison and test data.

ThermaSteel panel types & thermal values
UsePanelThicknessR-value
Exterior walls & gable endsxPanel5.5"R-51
Interior load-bearing wallsiPanel5.5"R-51
Interior non-load-bearing wallsiPanel 3.5HD3.5"R-28
Roof systemrPanelup to 7.5"R-51 to R-58

Nominal panel values from ThermaSteel specifications; effective whole-wall values run R-51 to R-61. Roof values vary by model. Full test reports and load tables at ThermaSteel Northeast.

Built for the Northeast

Every season.
Same steel shell.

AbodeMOD 560 finished home in heavy rain
RainSteel and EPS don't rot, swell or feed mold.
AbodeMOD 560 finished home in snow
SnowUp to R-61 walls with no thermal bridging.
AbodeMOD 560 finished home at dusk
Every eveningQuieter, air-tight and cheaper to heat and cool.

Renderings show finished builds. AbodeMOD supplies the structural shell only.

How it works

Plan to shell
in four steps.

  1. 01

    Pick a model

    Choose a floor plan or ask about a custom layout. Detailed plans and construction drawings are available to qualified buyers.

  2. 02

    Permit & site prep

    Use the plans for your local permit. Your contractor prepares the site and pours the foundation.

  3. 03

    Kit delivery

    Panels ship with factory shop drawings and assembly guidance. Standard curbside delivery is included in the Northeastern states; other areas are quoted.

  4. 04

    Assemble & finish

    Your crew sets the panels, then completes roofing, windows, systems, drywall and final inspections.

Compare

Every model,
side by side.

AbodeMOD shell kit comparison
ModelTypeSq ftBedsBathsGarageShell kit price
AbodeMOD 560ADU56021No$39,999
AbodeMOD 1227ADU1,22732No$89,999
AbodeMOD 1346Single-family home1,34632No$119,999
AbodeMOD 1706Single-family home1,70632No$119,999
theJONESSingle-family home1,87632Yes$149,999
blockHAUSSingle-family home2,55032No$149,999
courtYARDSingle-family home2,68132No$199,999

Swipe the table to see all columns →

FAQ

Questions,
answered.

Don't see yours? Ask our team.

What is an ADU shell kit?
A shell kit is the structure of the building without the finishes. AbodeMOD kits include ThermaSteel® exterior walls, interior walls and roof panels for your floor plan. Your contractor completes the foundation, roofing, windows, doors, systems and interiors.
Is an AbodeMOD a finished, move-in ready home?
No. Every AbodeMOD product is a structural shell kit only. It is not turnkey. Plan to budget for the foundation, roof covering, siding, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, interior finishes, permits and labor.
What is included in the price?
The ThermaSteel wall and roof panels for your model, jacks, kings and accessories, factory shop drawings and assembly guidance, and standard curbside delivery in the Northeastern states. The DELUXE package adds headers and structural beams, factory-cut openings, track, and the screw package and plates.
How fast does the shell go up?
Panels arrive pre-cut, numbered and labeled in wall-line order. One framer and two helpers can typically close in an average house in about three days, versus two to four weeks for a stick frame. Your full timeline depends on permitting, foundation work and finishing.
Will it pass inspection?
ThermaSteel panels are designed to comply with IBC/ICC and ASHRAE 90.1 and have been evaluated by IAPMO-UES, Intertek and ASTM. Your project will still need local permits and, where required, a local engineer's stamp.
Do you deliver?
Standard curbside delivery is included within the Northeastern states. Deliveries elsewhere, or sites needing ferries, tolls or off-road access, are quoted separately.
Can I see floor plans before I buy?
Yes. Detailed floor plans and construction drawings are shared with qualified buyers and their builders. Request plans here.
Can a plan be customized?
Yes. ThermaSteel has no fixed module sizes, so layouts, openings and even curved walls can be panelized. Ask for a custom quote.
What exterior finishes can I use?
ThermaSteel panels work with stucco, siding, brick and stone, so you can match your neighborhood or your own style.
Can I build in winter?
Steel and EPS aren't affected by moisture the way lumber is, and a fast close-in shortens the time the structure is exposed. Your foundation and site conditions set the real limits.

Our story

Why build
the old way?

AbodeMOD started with a simple question: why do we still build homes the way we did a century ago? Stick framing is slow, wasteful and leaky, and every trade that touches the wall adds time and cost.

ThermaSteel has quietly answered that question for more than five decades, across 75,000+ projects in 83 countries. AbodeMOD takes that proven panel system and packages it into ready-to-order ADU and home shells, so owners and builders can start with a stronger, better-insulated structure and finish it their way.

The result is shorter build timelines, lower energy bills, and homes that are quieter and more comfortable to live in.

Ready to raise
your shell?

Get shell kit pricing for your site, shipping estimates, floor plans and custom options.

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