Using reclaimed materials and furniture in your home has many benefits, not just for the style and decor of your home, but for our home on Earth as well! Like many other industries, construction companies are under more pressure to be more sustainable.
What are reclaimed materials, and what can that look like for my home?
Essentially reclaimed materials are resources that have been reused from a previous project. Materials can be altered, resized, given a different finish or have their purpose adapted. Many remain in their original form unless you choose otherwise. Essentially, you are recycling materials. What does that mean for your home?
Well, if sustainability matters to you, then there is no better way to approach a project! According to the UK Green building council, over 100 million tonnes of materials go to waste each year. However, if this isn’t enough to motivate you, reclaimed materials can make for exciting upholstery projects such as shabby chic, and can give your home a rustic, suave appearance. Reclaimed materials are not just wooden either, and can include brick or rock of any description, steel, glass panels, metal fixtures, even stairs and fittings! You could even have one wall of reclaimed stone while the other three are reclaimed brick, the perfect surround for a fireplace or decorative wall. So, what are our top tips?
Know where to look
Unsurprisingly, many wasted materials go to landfill. However, another great place is straight from a demolition site or a premises with a re-modelling project. You can also source materials from salvage centres, reclamation yards, or even construction companies who ended up with left over materials! You may also find that historic buildings which are being deconstructed to make way for new homes or commercial premises have a lot to offer, grab yourself a piece of history! Considering only 1% of reclaimed materials are re-purposed, you have a lot to choose from.
Brush up on sourcing and standards
Obviously, you need to know what materials will be fit for purpose. If you are looking to choose materials for a construction project you will need to know if they are the correct specifications for your build, if they meet safety standards, compliance, performance and protection. You may also need to become familiar with how much an extraction cost is average for a construction project to ensure you get a good deal. Of course, if you are looking for expert advice you can always contact ourselves to advise you on the right reclaimed materials for you’re bespoke project.
Think about where you will store the materials
If you are gathering materials for your project, you need to consider a safe environment for them to be stored. Particularly with wood which is prone to warping and weather damage.
Find a construction company who can accommodate a reclamation project
Due to the nature of construction, not every construction company is well versed in being able to design project specifications using materials they are unfamiliar with, or have the correct compliance to ensure the project is delivered safely and to your satisfaction.
We’ve talked a lot about how you can use reclaimed materials to build your home or extension project, but how about how to decorate it?
Decorating using reclaimed materials
Many old or historic chairs are being auctioned off as homes are sold off or deconstructed. You can find some absolute treasures at local auctions, online auctions, or even by calling in and seeing if there are any pieces being sold or thrown away. With a roll of the right fabric and a can of the right paint, you can help these chairs come back to life in a retro or contemporary style!
However, reclaimed materials do not just extend to older pieces. Wood pallets are being seen online in creating bed frames with pull out drawers underneath, or to provide a mounting, even steps for younger children! They also make for great tables and bookcases.
For the decor of your home, you could also consider installing older wooden beams to add a touch of rustic history to your home. Benches, sideboards, planks, beams with notches or cuts can also provide a real touch of character and charm to your home.
Contact Cobbydale Today!
Do we have you as much in love as we are with using reclaimed materials?! Let us know if we can help you with a reclaimed material project by reaching out today. Call us on 01535 653 530 or fill out our simple online contact form.