Sunday 23 August 2015

Reclaimed Wood Constructions For Our Buildings Today

By Nancy Gardner


Becoming ecofriendly extends to all aspects of our lives. From what we eat to how we live and where we live, there is something we can change to make it better for our world. Saving the earth is done little by little with each change.

The building industry has been affected. Reclaimed wood constructions are now popular. These come from lumber that has been previously used. They come from older structures like barns and factories. It gives the wood a new life when we find ways to include it in new buildings.

More and more people are more conscious of their own impact on their community and the world as a whole. There is more interest in renewable sources. No one wants to add to the growing pile of trash in the worlds landfills. This branch of the building industry is gaining popularity not just for those interested in antiques and restoration.

Some sources of lumber are old factories, old warehouses, and ships. Many of the buildings fifty years ago were made of sturdy material. Sadly, that type of lumber has become quite rare nowadays. Safety standards must be followed when sourcing for usable pieces. If it will be used in the main structure of the new building, a thorough check must be done to see if the lumber is strong enough. Metals and nails should be taken out and anything that contains lead will not be safe for use. If the piece will be mainly decorative, a structural test is not necessary.

There is a limit on what you can salvage. Older electrical material and gadgets would be outdated. Maybe they wont be as effective or useful in the modern setting. Unless it is for decoration, these are better left in the dumpster.

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.

When you have a building project like this, you need to have a balance. Reuse what you can but also buy locally. It would be cheaper to buy new stuff locally than it would be to reuse an old item but have to transport it to your city. Looking for materials can be challenging. There may not be much choice or options to work with. It takes time to get enough to use.

If you are planning to embark on a project like this, weigh the pros and cons. Is it really saving you money. Is it the look you want and is the quality still good. Safety standards must always be followed. Be sure that it holds to todays structural standards and guidelines.

Being an advocate for the world is not just a fad anymore. It is not only the hippies who want to save Mother Earth by recycling. Its everyones job to each do their own part in making a contribution to lessening the pollution and slowing down global warming. Everyone can find a way to recycle and reuse so that there is less thrown out.




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