8/22/2015

Why Reclaimed Wood Constructions Should Be Used Today

By Nancy Gardner


Theres always ways for us to be aware of the environment. Global warming and other factors cause us to change our habits. We understand now that all the modernization has created a toxic world and this is not good for us as a population.

For years now we have heard recycle reuse reduce. Those are echoed many times over in public awareness campaigns about caring for the environment. The home industry does its part by using reclaimed wood constructions in their projects. They take the old lumber and use it as part of a new building.

To reuse something does not make it lesser quality. It is a way to have less waste. By using something you are extending its life. Less trees will be milled if we can use older lumber.

Old planks of lumber can be reused successfully. The main reason for this is that the material used in older buildings is better quality than the lumber that exists today. Before using anything for structural purposes it must pass an engineering check. All metal parts must be removed. It needs should be checked for presence of lead that can be toxic. If it will be used for decorative purposes, it does not need to be tested.

Old water heaters and furnaces are some things that cant be used. Old lighting fixtures can be rewired and upgraded but there are some electric devices that are just not compatible in our current times. There is probably not as much use for older electronics because they do become obsolete and outdated.

Repurposing materials can be cost effective in some cases. In others, it could also be totally opposite and end up being expensive. The preparation and type of lumber and the deconstruction factor into the costs. So plenty of planning and sourcing is needed to get the best prices.

While it would be amazing to be able to have a whole place made from reused items, that might not be possible. You could end up spending a lot. Being eco conscious means you should buy locally whenever possible. The cost of shipping huge pieces would be quite high. So as much as possible source the old items from your city. When you go into a junk yard you might not be able to find any material. A lot of patience and time will be needed to get good things you can actually use.

Do the right planning. Make sure you are following the codes and standards of your city. Get the best quality and do not compromise safety. It will require patience to source the pieces. Once you have the pieces you need to get it processed to be usable.

It is important to be conscious of the impact we have on the world. Recycling and reusing will cause less pollution. That is something the whole world should strive for because the last thing we need is to add to the already full landfills.




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