Finding local salvage or used building materials is one thing...finding enough materials for a large project like a room addition or even a new building or new house is a challenge on a whole different scale.
That's when you need to check out resouces such as:
Habitat ReStores: Shops that sell used building supplies and other used building materials. Proceeds from ReStores help build Habitat houses in the community -- an additional sustainable benefit!
Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) is a nonprofit educational resource for those interested or involved in deconstruction and reuse, recycyling and recovery of building materials. They have a directory of reuse stores at: Directory of BuildingReuse.org
Reclaimed Wood Council gives you all the basics about reclaimed wood and can connect you with reclaimed wood specialty companies. Reclaimed wood in increasingly being used for furniture manufacturing as well as construction projects to help qualify for USGBC LEED projects.
Online commerce sites such as Craigslist and Freecycle help connect you with people with stuff. Concerns are that you really need to know what you're doing and have to watch for stolen property. Safety for your own well-being if you carry cash to off the beaten path locations can also be a concern. Don't go alone!
Dumpster diving, looking around landfills and junk yards are also sources for unique materials -- but usually not in sufficient quantity, not to mention that you really need to know your stuff to separate quality from junk.
That's when you need to check out resouces such as:
Habitat ReStores: Shops that sell used building supplies and other used building materials. Proceeds from ReStores help build Habitat houses in the community -- an additional sustainable benefit!
Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) is a nonprofit educational resource for those interested or involved in deconstruction and reuse, recycyling and recovery of building materials. They have a directory of reuse stores at: Directory of BuildingReuse.org
Reclaimed Wood Council gives you all the basics about reclaimed wood and can connect you with reclaimed wood specialty companies. Reclaimed wood in increasingly being used for furniture manufacturing as well as construction projects to help qualify for USGBC LEED projects.
Online commerce sites such as Craigslist and Freecycle help connect you with people with stuff. Concerns are that you really need to know what you're doing and have to watch for stolen property. Safety for your own well-being if you carry cash to off the beaten path locations can also be a concern. Don't go alone!
Dumpster diving, looking around landfills and junk yards are also sources for unique materials -- but usually not in sufficient quantity, not to mention that you really need to know your stuff to separate quality from junk.