Rise | We've Done the Research
DIY Ideas for Salvaged and Upcycled Materials at Home
Every year, 300,000 to 400,000 homes are demolished in the United States. That means that every day, anywhere between 800 and 1,100 homes are visited by bulldozers. This leads to an enormous amount of demolition waste that eventually ends up in our nation's landfills. Every year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes an "Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report." In 2017, this report showed that around 569 million tons of construction and demolition debris was generated in the United States. That adds up to more than twice the total amount of municipal solid waste. While construction waste is undoubtedly a problem (and also a source of salvaged materials for home construction or remodeling), over 90 percent of this debris comes from the demolition of residential and commercial buildings.
A major concern of the sustainable building movement is how to limit the embodied energy that goes into the construction of a home. Exploration of the carbon footprint of houses has mostly been confined to energy efficiency measures. However, the greenhouse gas emissions embodied in the materials that go into the home is a significant contributor to the overall carbon footprint.
Opting to use salvaged construction materials from the demolition of older buildings can significantly prolong the life cycle of these building materials. This recycling or "upcycling" process can help reduce the construction industry's demand for raw materials and lower the embodied energy associated with any home construction project. One home demolition company in Australia estimates that upwards of 98% of all materials in homes destined for demolition can find a new use and purpose.
Below, we offer a series of innovative, creative, and practical ideas for incorporating salvaged building materials into a unique and modern home design.
Table of Contents
Rafters into Rocking Chairs
Today, the vast majority of 2x4s and sheets of plywood are sourced from lightweight structural timber, primarily from spruce, fir, and pine trees. While these trees do grow quickly, their average life span is significantly lower than other types of hardwood species and are susceptible to rot and insect infestation. Older homes slated for demolition often have rafters, floorboards, and other structural timber made from exceptional hardwood trees. These trees that were characteristic of the old-growth forests that once dominated much of the North American landscape. Trees such as chestnut, cypress, oak, and even old-growth redwood naturally resistant to rot and insect infestation. They make fantastic timber for furniture or other customized wood fixtures in the home.
Reclaimed Barn Wood for Cabinetry, Cladding, Flooring and More
The rugged look is making a comeback in interior design. One of the best ways to add a touch of rustic elegance to your home is through utilizing the reclaimed wood from barns. As the rural population in North America has plummeted, almost every rural landscape is dotted with vacant and unused barns. Like the rafters of old homes, many of these barns were made from local hardwood trees cleared for a farm field. Today, you can find several companies that offer reclaimed barn wood planks. These planks can be used for everything from new cabinets to interior walls to stair treads and stringers. Some examples include:
- Plank and Mill located in Tulsa Oklahoma
- Recycled Lumberworks located in both Bellingham, Washington and Duluth, Minnesota
These are great examples that offer a wide variety of wood, including beautiful reclaimed cypress from old pickle vats!
Terrazzo and Cement Tiles for Flooring
Many older homes were built before the era when carpets and hardwood flooring dominated the market. Terrazzo and cement tiles were two of the most common flooring options. Often, terrazzo tiles were veritable pieces of artwork as they routinely incorporated chips of glass, marble, and even granite set into a concrete form. These reclaimed tiles can be reutilized for bathroom flooring or can be used to create a dramatic entrance into your home along the front hallway. They are also extremely durable and will last a lifetime if properly cared for.
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
