Vanguard Interiors

04/23/2022

Happy ! Today we are going to profile a product that was invented in the late 60s but has recently seen a surge in the Western NY Area:
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). ICF block is a system of form work consisting of thermal insulation, concrete, and steel reinfocement. This system can be viewed as adult legos! Blocks (or forms) are dry stacked to create your exterior footprint. Once the system has been reinforced, concrete is poured between the two thermal insulation panels to develop your exterior structure.

This system has seen a recent surge due to its engery saving benefits. Let's take a look at the top three:

1. The two panels of continuous foam insulation provide an insulation R-value of R25 or higher. This is 18-26% higher than traditional wood frame construction. R-values tell you how well your insulation prevent heat from leaving or entering your home. The higher the value, the better your insulation is.

2. ICF construction provides an air-tight wall assembly, reducing drafting and improving thermal performance. It has been shown that ICF block reduces up to 60% lower air infiltration than traditionally-built walls. No more drafty windows and doors.

3. Thermal Lag. This refers to the delay of heat transfer through a wall. A higher thermal mass - ability to absorb heat - prolongs this delay. Why does this matter? Because, thermal lag preserves your interior temperature even as the exterior temperature changes. This allows your heating and cooling systems to stay inactive longer, saving you money!

ICF may be something to consider for your next project. Vanguard Interiors recommends this product and has designed several projects where ICF is the main component.

04/19/2022

Quotes, Bids, Estimates, Proposals?! What's the difference, and why is it important to you.

1. Estimate: Contractors use estimates to generate quick costs based on standards. They are good for fast numbers but can create a pitfall. Often estimates create a faulty assesment of cost. For example, the average range for a new kitchen is $20k to $80k! That's a massive range. You simply can not budget effectively with estimates.

2. Quote: Unlike estimtes, quotes are based on actual labor and material costs, encompassing the project in its entirety. Quotes take time, and they require you to choose 95% of your finishes. Often they can take 30-40 hours to develop and many contractors charge a small nominal fee to develop them.

3. Proposal: A proposal is a detailed document, listing each phase of the project, and a quote for each phase. Proposals typically are developed in conjunction with Qutoes. These documents can provide detail behind how a quote was developed. For example you may get a quote for flooring that is line itemed as $3000.00. In the proposal it will be explained that that $3000.00 includes flooring priced at $4.59/sqft and $1200.00 of labor.

4. Bid: In construction, the word bid refers to a document that denotes the performance of a specific job, for a specific price, within a certain time period. Subcontractors submit bids to General Contractors to perform a certain part of a project.

Why does this matter? Knowing the terminology used by the professionals you hire, will enable you to be confident about what you are asking for. It will also allow you to communicate efficiently, minimizing setbacks.

03/31/2022

23 years ago "10 things I hate about you" was released. In honor of the RomCom here are 5 reasons to choose an interior deisgner and 5 reasons you'll love Vanguard Interiors

Why choose an interior deisgner:
1. Designers will save you time and money
2. We help eliminate the stress that comes with a design project
3. Designers will help develop a budget and know how to design within it
4. Choosing a designer affords you the luxury of having a third party decision maker. Just call us tie breakers!
5. Designers listen. We are exclusively there for you

Why you'll love Vanguard Interiors
1. We are a family owned business and place a large emphasis on the family dynamic
2. We strive to constantly evolve. The industry changes every day and you can count on Vanguard's continued education
3. We are problem solvers. Nothing juices us up more than developing solutions to your toughest problems
4. We have a large portfolio of contacts and resources. When you choose Vanguard you get access to all of them
5. We will push you to think outside the box.

03/28/2022

Home Show Booth is nearly complete. Come check us out at the Genesee County Home Show on April 8th, 9th or 10th!

03/12/2022

03/12/2022

Don't mind our mess, we are getting our booth ready for the Genesee County Home Show!
Make sure to stop by and discuss your next project.

April 8th, 9th, 10th at the David McCarthy Ice Center
22 Evans St, Batavia NY

03/08/2022

Thinking about a career change or know someone who is searching for their path? Don't overlook the construction industry! This industry has provided Vanguard Interiors with numerious opportunities to meet exceptional people who excel at life!
While we support the notion that anyone in construction should know how to swing a hammer this industry doesn't have to be limited to onsite labor; Construction Managers, Project Managers, Architects, Engineers, Designers, etc. etc. etc. The field is vast and is just waiting for you to take the challenge.

02/28/2022

Interior Design Budgeting 101

Creating a design budget is one of the most important tasks you need to do at the onset of your project. This budget will dirve your action plan and will ensure that you create a beautiful project while still having enough money to buy your Tim Hortons in the morning. Here are our top 3 budgeting tips

1. Decide what you are willing to invest in. Maybe that investment is a high end countertop material or maybe its a statement chandelier in your foyer. Whatever your investment is, know it before you start.
2. If you're building a new home or moving into an existing structre plan to allocate 7 to 10% of your budget to interior decorating. These numbers will allow you to furnish your house with mid-range products.
3. Stick to the budget! We see a lot of designers telling their clients to plan on going over budget. That is absurd. Why budget at all if you're going to spend more? Being clear on your plan allows you to adhere to that buget and working with reputable designers can help mitigate the pitfalls of the budget.

If you're looking for a designer in your area, we just happen to know a good one!

02/26/2022

A look back at this flyby while setting trusses!

02/22/2022

Be uniquely you. Often we hear clients say they want to design a space that everyone will like. Be careful designing with someone else in mind. Put yourself first. Because as good as it feels to have someone say this is incredible, it's 100 times better to walk in your front door and think, this is me, this is home.

02/21/2022

Make sure you give Dana Watson .to.construction a follow on IG!