You could think of construction demolition as deconstruction. Years ago the wrecking ball just knocked down buildings and bulldozers came in to finish the job smashing everything to smithereens. Then trucks came in and hauled everything to the landfill. No one thought of salvaging anything in those days.
Today’s demolition companies have more to think about. First of all in very old buildings hazardous materials are always a concern. They have to be disposed of properly and proper precautions must be taken to protect the workers handling them. I have a little experience in this area. When I was working in a veterinary hospital I was also overseeing the rental of apartments in an adjacent very old house. I was asked by the owner to see if demolishing the house was less expensive than renovation. I was very surprised to find that it was not cheaper to just tear it down. The demolition company explained that they had to come in and evaluate the materials in the house first so they knew how much it would cost to dispose of them. They also had to get many permits from the city, the power company, and the water department. By the time I got an estimate, the estimate for renovation did not look bad at all.
I also watched the tedious process of deconstructing an old bakery across the street. The building was huge and it had adjacent barns that had housed the horse drawn carts and the horses. They took the building apart piece by piece and I watched as various salvage companies came in and took the bricks, windows, doors, slate roof, plumbing fixtures and scrap metal from the site. Yet another company came in and removed all the torn up paving materials. By the time they had completed the job, it looked as if the century old building had never existed. It was nice to know that all those materials would be reused for other purposes rather than dumped into a landfill.
Regulations for demolition vary from one area to another but I am happy to see that salvage companies recognize the value of old building materials and buy them for resale. Even older factories have antique timber that is suitable for beams and flooring. Scrap metal can be taken directly to a recycling center. The bakery I mentioned had beautiful architectural details and they were carefully removed and quickly snapped up by a local company that sells things like that. Construction demolition is really just deconstruction and repurposing old materials instead of dumping them.
You could think of construction demolition as deconstruction. Years ago the wrecking ball just knocked down buildings and bulldozers came in to finish the job smashing everything to smithereens. Then trucks came in and hauled everything to the landfill. No one thought of salvaging anything in those days.
Today’s demolition companies have more to think about. First of all in very old buildings hazardous materials are always a concern. They have to be disposed of properly and proper precautions must be taken to protect the workers handling them. I have a little experience in this area. When I was working in a veterinary hospital I was also overseeing the rental of apartments in an adjacent very old house. I was asked by the owner to see if demolishing the house was less expensive than renovation. I was very surprised to find that it was not cheaper to just tear it down. The demolition company explained that they had to come in and evaluate the materials in the house first so they knew how much it would cost to dispose of them. They also had to get many permits from the city, the power company, and the water department. By the time I got an estimate, the estimate for renovation did not look bad at all.
I also watched the tedious process of deconstructing an old bakery across the street. The building was huge and it had adjacent barns that had housed the horse drawn carts and the horses. They took the building apart piece by piece and I watched as various salvage companies came in and took the bricks, windows, doors, slate roof, plumbing fixtures and scrap metal from the site. Yet another company came in and removed all the torn up paving materials. By the time they had completed the job, it looked as if the century old building had never existed. It was nice to know that all those materials would be reused for other purposes rather than dumped into a landfill.
Regulations for demolition vary from one area to another but I am happy to see that salvage companies recognize the value of old building materials and buy them for resale. Even older factories have antique timber that is suitable for beams and flooring. Scrap metal can be taken directly to a recycling center. The bakery I mentioned had beautiful architectural details and they were carefully removed and quickly snapped up by a local company that sells things like that. Construction demolition is really just deconstruction and repurposing old materials instead of dumping them.
If you are a fan of home restoration programs as I am, I’m sure you have seen antique mantels used in newer homes or restoration of older homes. They certainly can add a lot of character and come in many styles and materials. Most older mantels are made of wood or plaster. Certainly there are marble fireplace surrounds and mantels as well. That was one of my favorite parts of the Hay House in Macon, Georgia. The owner commissioned Italian craftsmen and imported the materials to make a one of a kind fireplace mantel in each room of the house. Each one was carved in a different design and they were so beautiful. Most of us do not have the budget for that kind of indulgence, but antique mantels can be found in a number of price ranges.
There was a time when you could go and talk to a contractor who was tearing down an old home and get some of the architectural details for little to no money. You could even find the removed mantels sitting on the curb on trash day. Due to the popularity of restoring and reusing antique fixtures; you will seldom be that lucky today. Most major cities have an architectural salvage warehouse or two and there are a lot to be found online. EBay and Craig’s List are popular sites and there are many salvage companies that have web sites as well.
When choosing an antique mantel; keep in mind that although they can be altered to fit, you should choose something as close to the measurement of your fireplace as possible to avoid ruining the proportions of the piece. Fireplaces in older homes were often taller and narrower than what you would use in a newer house. You should also keep in mind the style of your home. A very elaborate mantel, while beautiful, may look out of place in a modern dwelling. You might want to consider something in a simpler style.
If you are buying an antique mantel from a salvage company, they may or may not be cleaned and restored. Fireplaces were much more utilitarian in years past and are often coated with a layer of soot and grime that requires a lot of elbow grease to remove. For those of you who do not enjoy that sort of work, choose from a company that has done it for you or take it to someone who can refinish it. If you like to do it yourself, Murphy’s Oil Soap will be your best friend. It will remove the grime without damaging the finish. Just be prepared; the more elaborate the carving, the longer it will take. If you are impatient enlist someone to help you with the process. Once it is clean, the finish can be restored and protected.
Antique mantels can add a custom touch to any home and make the fireplace a real focal point. I have also seen them used without a fireplace as an architectural detail or even a spectacular headboard for a bed. If you love it, you’ll find a way to make it work in your space.
Let’s all do our part to scale back the waste that goes into our landfills. We want to learn how to reuse things we already have rather than continually purchasing new stuff. New isn’t always better. In the case of salvaged wood ; old is essentially better and will even be cheaper. So next time you’ve got a reworking or restoration project, consider using salvaged wood.
Wood can be salvaged from old homes, barns, bridges, and economic sites.
The woodwork in older houses is supreme in beauty and sturdiness. The stress a couple of hundred years back was on handiwork, something you don’t see as frequently nowadays. The millwork, mantels, windows, and fireside surrounds can all be reused. Flooring and beams supply a country touch to more modern houses. Old barn boards can be recycled into flooring and wall paneling.
Most salvaged wood is from old expansion forests.
It is commonly 100-200 years of age. By reusing this wood, we take some of the responsibility off the last of our old expansion forests. We are using wood quicker than we will be able to grow new trees, so anything we are able to do to save our resources will benefit us all in the end. Old wood has a colour and patina that can’t be reproduced. The natural process of aging and oxidization varies dependent on whether the wood was employed in interiors or had been exposed to the elements. Old exterior wood takes on a lovely silver coloured hue with the first colour detectable beneath. Most interior wood keeps its natural colour, however it mellows with age and wear. Much of the time salvaged lumber will have scarring from insects, nail holes, cracks, and other evidence of wear. It still is sturdy ; just has some personality. Old wood is valued for its sturdiness, straight grain, and patina. Furniture makers also like to work with salvaged wood to make one of a kind pieces of furniture. Old mantels can be reused in new construction. I have even seen them used as impressive headboards for a bed. Even if you do not have a fire, the mantels may be employed as an architectural detail. Smaller pieces of wood become picture frames and can be utilized by crafters to make engaging birdhouses and other tiny pieces. The idea isn’t waste anything. Our forefathers weren’t wasteful and it’s becoming obvious to many folks they had the right concept.
A man with vision! Watch how an Ojai business man takes waste from his business – wood in this case – and turns it into a beautiful finish product. Video Rating: 0 / 5
We’ve all doubtless admired the giant country looking beams in ski lodges and log houses. More modern houses frequently flourish reclaimed beams made of old barn wood. They can be made into mantels and other architectural features too. You are likely like me and do not have a deserted barn on your property so how can you get an old beam to use? You might check with local demolition firms and they can potentially put on the track of an architectural salvage warehouse. There are countless online sources too. Reclaimed beams can be discovered in original condition with paint, mud, and dirt still untouched.
If you would like to keep the first patina, they can be washed and the paint can be removed. The first nail holes, cracks, and scratches that reflect their previous use will remain. This could be appropriate for some uses in an exceedingly country home or restoration project. The first exterior can be sawn away and the beams may be cut into planks and smaller beams with fresh wood exposed.
The country appearance can be kept by the utilization of hand planes. The inventory will alter dependent on the provision of demolished buildings. They can be cut into nearly any size desired. If you’re thinking about doing it for yourself ; remember that you may not have the right tools to chop these big timbers. Check with the provider and they are going to be able to give you advice how to proceed. Barns aren’t the sole source for reclaimed beams. They may be taken from old bridges, warehouses, or economic sites. This older wood may include Douglas fir, white oak, old expansion pine, and many other sorts of wood. Older expansion wood is valued for its strength, size, and straight grain. It also comes in sizes that aren’t simply achievable today. By employing reclaimed timber from old expansion forests, you’ll be doing the planet a big favour. It’ll reduce the necessity to cut the limited supply of remaining old expansion timber. Reclaiming wood by reusing old wood or getting wood from deadfalls thru responsible forestry will preserve what old expansion forest remain for many years to come.
The beauty, quality and density of reclaimed wood beams are unique and its strength and sturdiness is unequaled. You will be bringing part of history to your house by employing reclaimed beams and lumber when possible.
Timberwolf maintains the largest selection of recycled wood pallets in the region. For more than 20 years, Timberwolf has been serving Ontario, Michigan, Ohio and Western New York State. Aside from being the region’s largest wood pallet recycler, we also manufacture new wood pallets and wood shipping crates as well as a variety of other wood products including but not limited to wood wedges, wood cornerposts, engine saddles and more. We offer custom on site crating services complete with metal protection, LPS spray, VCI and barrier film equipment protection for overseas container shipping. Contact the Timberwolf Group today for your no cost no obligation quote. 1-877-489-9990 Video Rating: 0 / 5
Building with Durisol is like stacking lego. And easy as 1, 2, 3. Video Rating: 0 / 5
Casa Antigua invites you to visit and see the newest in environmentally friendly furniture from the company called “environment.furniture”. Casa Antigua also provides FREE decor & design service at no additional cost. (956) 664-2999
By using nothing more than an angle grinder with a wire wheel I transform these old attic boards into something special. www.mvconstruction.com Video Rating: 4 / 5
Thisstory aired on the Oklahoma News Report (ONR) on OETA-The Oklahoma Network. The reporter is Cathy Tatom; photojournalist is Edwin Wilson. For more information, go to the ONR web site www.news.oeta.tv and ONR blog blog.oeta.tv For more about OETA-The Oklahoma Network, visit www.oeta.tv The verbatim script follows below… CYNTHIA FOSTER WANTED AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY TO TURN HER PATIO INTO WARM, INVITING SPACE FOR LOUNGING AND DINING. HER ARCHITECT, JOHN BROOKS WALTON, SUGGESTED PUTTING UP A PERGOLA MADE FROM RECLAIMED WOODEN BEAMS FROM AN OLD BARN. Cynthia Foster/Homeowner: “It’s approximately 1860 wood from reclaimed barns up north.” THE WOOD FOR THE BARN MAY HAVE BEEN HARVESTED IN THE 1860′S, BUT IT’S LIKELY SOME OF THE ASH AND OAK TREES IT CAME FROM WERE SAPLINGS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR! Cynthia Foster/Homeowner: “As you can see they’re hand cut. These were not done by machines at all.” John Brooks Walton/Architect: “The notches and holes in the timbers and the splits… it just add character to the entire structure.” Cynthia Foster/Homeowner: “I’m a real history buff and I love things that are old and have a tale.” VICTORY ENERGY IN COLLINSVILLE WANTED A SPECIAL TABLE FOR ITS SLEEK, CONTEMPORARY BOARD ROOM. SO IT HAD THIS MASSIVE TABLE MADE OUT OF WHITE PINE BEAMS RECLAIMED FROM A PRE-CIVIL WAR BARN. BOTH PROJECTS WERE DONE BY TIMBER AND BEAM SOLUTIONS. A TULSA COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN RECLAIMING ANTIQUE WOOD FROM OLD BARNS. BOB MATHES IS ONE OF … Video Rating: 0 / 5
Thisstory aired on the Oklahoma News Report (ONR) on OETA-The Oklahoma Network. The reporter is Cathy Tatom; photojournalist is Edwin Wilson. For more information, go to the ONR web site www.news.oeta.tv and ONR blog blog.oeta.tv For more about OETA-The Oklahoma Network, visit www.oeta.tv The verbatim script follows below… CYNTHIA FOSTER WANTED AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY TO TURN HER PATIO INTO WARM, INVITING SPACE FOR LOUNGING AND DINING. HER ARCHITECT, JOHN BROOKS WALTON, SUGGESTED PUTTING UP A PERGOLA MADE FROM RECLAIMED WOODEN BEAMS FROM AN OLD BARN. Cynthia Foster/Homeowner: “It’s approximately 1860 wood from reclaimed barns up north.” THE WOOD FOR THE BARN MAY HAVE BEEN HARVESTED IN THE 1860′S, BUT IT’S LIKELY SOME OF THE ASH AND OAK TREES IT CAME FROM WERE SAPLINGS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR! Cynthia Foster/Homeowner: “As you can see they’re hand cut. These were not done by machines at all.” John Brooks Walton/Architect: “The notches and holes in the timbers and the splits… it just add character to the entire structure.” Cynthia Foster/Homeowner: “I’m a real history buff and I love things that are old and have a tale.” VICTORY ENERGY IN COLLINSVILLE WANTED A SPECIAL TABLE FOR ITS SLEEK, CONTEMPORARY BOARD ROOM. SO IT HAD THIS MASSIVE TABLE MADE OUT OF WHITE PINE BEAMS RECLAIMED FROM A PRE-CIVIL WAR BARN. BOTH PROJECTS WERE DONE BY TIMBER AND BEAM SOLUTIONS. A TULSA COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN RECLAIMING ANTIQUE WOOD FROM OLD BARNS. BOB MATHES IS ONE OF …
You could think of construction demolition as deconstruction. Years ago the wrecking ball just knocked down buildings and bulldozers came in to finish the job smashing everything to smithereens. Then trucks came in and hauled everything to the landfill. No one thought of salvaging anything in those days.
