Reclaimed Materials – What They Are And Their Uses Today

Reclaimed materials can be anything at all, from old doors and windows from abandoned buildings to bits of scrap metal. You could think of it, I guess, as recycling on a different level. All building components, metal, glass, wood, fabric and brick can be salvaged from buildings which are scheduled for demolition and reused. Many of the original features, fireplace mantels or wood trim, are much more elaborate and better quality than their equivalent made today. Of course reproductions are plentiful, but I love the idea of taking something old and using it in a new and perhaps different way.

Long before recycling as we think of it today was fashionable, husband’s grandfather dealt in scrap metal. He retrieved all kinds of metal that was being discarded and sorted it out into different elements before heading off to the scrap yard to sell it. Once, when the electric company decided to get rid of some copper wire he bought it and my husband and his cousin were persuaded to remove the coating by burning it off so it could be sold. These days many people deal in scrap metal. Every spring our town has a special clean up day when you can put out of all kinds of junk and get it picked up. It’s a great opportunity to clear an attic or cellar and have stuff taken away at no charge. During the last several years, the scrap metal “pickers” have been first on the scene, long before the garbage trucks come to take it away for recycling.

I think it is very unfortunate that we live in such a throw away age and it really breaks my heart when beautiful old buildings are torn down to make way for shopping centers or parking lots. Latterly, architectural salvage has become increasingly popular and salvage companies bid on old doors, windows, trims, and architectural elements and take them away before demolition begins. Things such as old bricks, slate roofing, and floorboards can be reused in new construction and are especially in demand when restoring older homes.

The last repurposing project I undertook was a huge bone of contention between my husband and me. An old slate sidewalk in front of the building where I worked was being torn up and I thought it would look nice at our house so asked if I could have it. The construction foreman said he would keep it for me. Unfortunately, I did not realise how thick the slate was and it turned out that each piece weighed easily300-400 pounds. My husband asked a few strong friends to help him and they loaded it onto our pickup. It was so heavy that they could only take a few pieces at a time. When we eventually got it home laying it was another challenge, but we succeeded and it looked wonderful. It took a year before my husband finally admitted that it had been a good idea. What can I say? Thankfully he is a patient man when it comes to me and my repurposing projects.

Reclaimed materials can be used both in new construction and for carrying out restoration projects and most major urban areas have a salvage company or two or a re use it center. This way you can not only have little bit of history in your home but you can often save money as well when you use reclaimed materials.






 

Building Salvage News:

 

Bangladesh building collapse death toll tops 1,000
DHAKA (Reuters) - The death toll from the catastrophic collapse of a Bangladesh factory building, the world's worst industrial accident since the Bhopal disaster in India in 1984, climbed above 1,000 and more bodies might still be trapped inside as rescuers struggle to end the salvage operation. More than two weeks after the accident, bodies were still being pulled from the rubble of the Rana ...


Bangladesh workers find survivor in factory rubble
The death toll from a garment factory building that collapsed more than two weeks ago outside the Bangladeshi capital soared past 1,000 on Friday, while the list of the dead from a fresh fire at a sweater manufacturer showed the entanglement of the industry and top Bangladeshi officials...


Get Ready For Some Slow-downs Around I-88 and York Road - Patch.com

Get Ready For Some Slow-downs Around I-88 and York Road
Patch.com
The Tollway is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of construction by reducing, recycling and reusing materials. The new asphalt overlay on I-88 will incorporate recycled materials including warm mix asphalt, reclaimed asphalt pavement, .

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Collapse toll hits 1,127, Bangla army to end salvage campaign
The Bangladesh army is planning to wrap up its 20 days of salvage campaign at the ruins of a garment factory building that collapsed last month, even as toll from the country's worst ever industrial disaster rose to 1,127...


Five Recycled Materials for Eco-Friendly Housing - DesignBuild Source

DesignBuild Source
Five Recycled Materials for Eco-Friendly Housing
DesignBuild Source
Stacked tires, bottles and old wood may be waste for some, but to others they can be valuable construction materials. Recycled materials can be used in rustic buildings or brilliantly incorporated into stunning modern residences along with new materials.

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Architect Upgrades Cville Building Using Recycled Materials - NBC29 WVIR . - NBC 29 News

Architect Upgrades Cville Building Using Recycled Materials - NBC29 WVIR .
NBC 29 News
Everything old is new again in a Charlottesville apartment building that takes recycling to new heights. Architect Betty Driskill's adventure in reclaimed housing began when she became the owner of an apartment building on the corner of Henry Avenue .

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