If you’re wondering what reclaimed materials are and how they may be able to help you with a project in the future, we’re here to help.
In simple terms, reclaimed building materials are materials that would usually end up in landfills if they were not reused. However, as our focus shifts into more environmentally friendly options in the way we live, and rightly so, there are more and more companies using reclaiming old building materials and making them into beautiful products that we can use in our own homes, whilst they’re also used for construction, especially in cases where you want to maintain the character of an old historic property.
What type of material is reclaimed?
When a building is torn down everything you can imagine can be reclaimed. Some of the more popular reclaimed products available are as follows:
- Wood floors
- Tiles
- Granite
- Slate
- Fireplaces
- Brick
- Floor / Ceiling Beams
- Reclaimed oak beams
What are the main benefits of using reclaimed products?
There are several benefits that come from buying reclaimed building materials, and the biggest benefit of using them is that you are friendlier to our environment. Millions of board feet of flooring are reclaimed each year and reused. Back in the day, it would have ended up in landfills, resulting in more trees being cut down, had the products not been reclaimed. Some other benefits include the character and charm that can come from a reclaimed product. Anybody can buy a wood floor, but not many people can have a wood floor that is over 100 years old and looks brand new – you can if you choose reusable flooring options. This article is not only intended to talk about using only reclaimed products on your next remodel but also take a look at what is out there you just may find something you love that has less impact on the environment as well. Everybody wins. Having that in your mind will help you on whether to buy reclaimed materials or not.
Finally, we’d like to draw on some of the reasons why reclaimed products may not be suitable for your property. In some cases, good quality reclaimed products don’t come cheap. For example, it can be cheaper to invest in new bricks rather than traditional reclaimed ones, especially if you’re building something major like a garage, workshop or barbecue area in your garden. This is the same for some timber products too, and if you want a contemporary style, you’re probably better off opting for brand new building materials. Reclaimed products look so much better in homes that are much more traditional in style, and that’s really what they’re deigned for. Finally, if you do decide to buy reclaimed items, be sure to check the quality first. Some can be badly damaged but still classified as ‘reclaimed’ but you still want a good quality product at the end of the day, so be sure to see what it’s like in person before buying, or request a sample if it’s a website you’re buying from.