Vincent Petrarca
Tonic Design-Tonic Construction, Raleigh, N.C.
As founder and principal architect of a design/build company, Vince Petrarca depends on high-quality products that he can provide for clients at a fair price. Thanks to smart shopping, he was able to design and build a house for his sister for just $150 a square foot. Petrarca likes AyA cabinets for their budget-friendly cost, variety of style options, and durability. For his sister's house, he selected the flat-panel Manhattan door in natural maple. The cost of the cabinets includes installation, and that really helps Petrarca's bottom line. “Everything is well-made from shelves to hardware,” he says.
He also cuts costs by coupling commercial storefront window systems with Weather Shield anodized aluminum windows. Petrarca likes to make the most of indoor/outdoor connections and the storefronts are a way to get a lot of glass for not a lot of expense. Mixing in operable windows from Weather Shield creates a great look with passive cooling options.
Not as visible, but even more cost-effective is spray foam insulation that Petrarca consistently specs. For his sister's house, he used Demilec Sealection 500. This open-cell, semi-rigid spray foam expands to seal gaps and cracks throughout a house. Petrarca likes that he doesn't have to use vent roofs when using spray foam, which preserves the roof's clean lines.
Weather Shield Windows & Doors. 800.538.8836. www.weathershield.com.
Demilec. 210.854.9907. www.demilecusa.com.
