Using Recycled Materials for Remodeling

Living Simply is all about harmony and sustainability. And what’s more sustainable than reusing what we already have?

Want to remodel but don’t want to leave a huge carbon footprint? Why not use recycled materials that are cheaper and better for the environment? There are many things you can do to accomplish this.

Where To Find Recycled Materials

There are many places to look for recycled materials that will cost you little to no money. If there are any local building sites in your area, you could ask the site manager if you could go through their waste pile. Many times they will be happy to allow you to look through what they would pay to have someone come and haul away. Sites where a major remodel on a building is taking place is also a good place to look as they will have fixtures, floor tiles and plumbing that they will haul to a landfill. Taking some of these things off their hands, will save you and them money.

Freecycle

There is also a website called Freecycle, which is available in many areas across the country, people wanting to get rid of things they no longer need but are still useable. All the stuff available on Freecycle is free, and you just have to go pick it up. Yard sales are also good places to find some of the things, you may want for your remodel. Looking at hardware stores and lumber yards is also an option as some of them have an area of remnants, damaged merchandise, or discontinued items that they can’t seem to sell. The prices of these things are usually greatly reduced.

Refurbish Old Doors

Repainting or re-staining your old doors can save you a lot of money on the purchase of a new door, and it saves trees. Buying a bit of paint or stain is cheaper and all it takes is a little of your time. Finding vintage hardware, or even hardware at a garage sale that is new to you, will give your doors a new look. Buying paint that contains little or no toxic, volatile, organic compounds is better for your health and the environment. Look around your house you may have some unused furniture that you can remake into a new built in shelving unit or cabinet.

Stone Floors and Old Barns

Some materials such as recycled stone flooring can last a life time. Prices vary from state to state but it is a price worth paying for a floor that can last a very long time. Reclaiming timber from old barns is also a great way to save if you want a rustic look for your walls. Striking a deal with a farmer to take away some of the timber that would otherwise be placed in a landfill or burned is a win-win situation.

There are companies that reclaim and sell building materials to the public. Depending on the quality and age of the material, prices can be higher or lower than new material. Buying from a company that does this kind of work can increase your cost as opposed to other methods of reclaiming timber and flooring yourself.

Recycled Materials: Conclusion

Having a good plan for remodeling, using recycled materials, and acquiring all the materials you will need will help you cut costs. You will possibly spend many hours getting everything you need, however it can be a rewarding experience and one you can be proud of. Saving the environment is a huge plus when you opt to go this way with your remodel.

London resident Thomas Hathaway is a financial consultant and a content contributor for payday-loans.co.uk, a company providing money advances when you need them.

Tags: ecological footprint, green, recycling, tricks