Build or Remodel With Salvaged Materials

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Learn how to build or remodel with salvaged materials.

Reader tips for wiser living. When renovating a home you can build or remodel with salvaged materials.

How to Build or Remodel With Salvaged Materials

When my husband and I bought our 1950s bungalow about five years ago, we knew we would be doing some remodeling and decided to salvage as many materials as possible. Salvaging not only saves money, it’s great for the environment because it keeps those materials out of the landfill.

We’ve found that many building materials can be reused, including sinks, mantels, flooring, ironwork, light and plumbing fixtures, cabinets, drawers, shelving, hinges, outlet covers, switch plates and door knobs. Salvaged lumber is especially useful in remodeling older houses because it matches the lumber already there. In the past, a 4-by-4 really was 4 inches by 4 inches and a 2-by-4 really was 2 inches by 4 inches. Now they’re all planed half an inch smaller on each side!

If you want to try salvaging materials yourself, here are a few things to consider. Before removing anything, first decide if it is worth salvaging. Can you remove it without damaging it? Is it worth the time it would take to pull out the nails, sand off old paint and fill the biggest dings? If it’s an older light fixture, it may need to be rewired to be safe.

  • Published on Dec 1, 2007
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