Tuesday, July 2, 2013

What You Need To Know About Using Reclaimed Building Products

By Freda Watts


After the demolition of old structures such as warehouses, most of the materials used to construct them can be reused but they are usually thrown away. However, most people now know the importance of conserving the environment and many companies now reclaim construction materials. They transform reclaimed building products into beautiful materials that are useful for constructing any kind of building.

Salvaged materials may include wood floors, tiles, granite, slate, cleanings, bricks, light fixtures, floor beams, sinks, light fixtures, ornate molding, widows, decorative hardware and doors. Using these materials helps prevent deforestation, save resources and conserve landfill space.

The other benefit of reusing construction materials is being able to save on costs of constructing a house. The thought that it is possible to build a comfortable home from collected materials at a very low cost is welcome for many people especially when you consider the rising costs of paying rent or getting a mortgage.

These materials can only be salvaged if a structure is deconstructed in a way that ensures the integrity of the materials is maintained. This is different from demolitions which involves deconstructing a building through any means including using explosives. Deconstruction aims to salvage most of the materials used to build a property so that they can be used to put up something new.

People who support the utilization of salvaged materials claim that reusing them adds a sense of art and history to a new structure. Reusing them also allows people to access materials that were made in an era when the standards of craftsmanship were quite high. Structures built from salvaged materials come in an array of attractive forms and shapes and they surprise many who have never thought of using salvaged products before.

These materials are also great for remodeling a house. When selecting them, you may find it difficult to get the exact size or color of material you want. However, if you are flexible enough, you cannot lack useful supplies. Visiting salvage yards regularly can also increase your chances of getting what you want since these yards get new supplies often.

Another thing you can do to get the supplies that meet your needs is providing salvagers with a description of what you need so that they can check out for such supplies when collecting inventory. Salvaged construction materials are cost effective but this does not mean that you should buy low quality products. Check out all supplies carefully and avoid buying those affected by insect damage, mildew, mold and those that have musty odors.

Sometimes, you may have to buy supplies that are hard to install on your own. In such a case, you should consult with a contractor so that you will not face installation problems. A professional opinion plays an essential role especially if you purchase materials that require you to get a permit before installing them. Reclaimed building products can also be very old such as those produced before 1978 and painted using lead paints. When sanding paint out of such materials, ensure that you wear gloves, goggles and a respirator. Make sure that you also utilize a HEPA vacuum when cleaning up the area where sanding took place.




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