Most people are into recycling these days—and all people are into saving money. Did you know architectural salvage accomplishes both of these popular purposes simultaneously? Not everyone is aware of the advantages offered by this process, what it looks like or how it’s done. Let’s answer some common questions about architectural salvage often posed to a demolition contractor in Kansas City.
What is architectural salvage?
Architectural salvage, often referred to as reclaimed building materials, is building materials recycled for reuse. When buildings are deconstructed or demolished, materials are often reusable, and are therefore salvaged for future projects.
What materials can be salvaged?
Architectural salvage comes in the form of construction materials, appliances and ornamental items. Examples include bricks, steel, lumber, light fixtures, bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, flooring, molding, siding, pipes and insulation. Basically, anything that does not have to be destroyed in the process of tearing down a building or remodeling a space can be salvaged for use in other projects down the line.
Where can I get salvaged materials?
Architectural salvage is available to the public through material reuse stores. These sell high-quality salvaged materials for your projects. Some may provide materials to contractors or companies only, but most stores are open to the public. Your demolition contractor in Kansas City can help you find the best sources in your area.
What benefits does architectural salvage offer?
There are many advantages to reclaiming building materials. Take a look:
- Financial savings: Homeowners and business owners can often save a bundle by using salvaged materials. Reclaimed products do not have to be produced from scratch, special ordered or shipped from great distances. You may even be able to obtain building materials for free from demolition sites.
- Environmental savings: Rather than throw all these materials and products into a landfill, you can repurpose them. Those who salvage materials put them back to good use instead of adding to the millions of pounds of waste we generate each year. In fact, the EPA reports that the waste accumulated from construction, renovation and demolition makes up nearly 60 percent of the non-industrial, non-hazardous solid waste in the U.S.
- Energy savings: When materials are reused, new ones do not have to be produced. Think of all the energy saved that would have been required to remake all of these products. The gathering of resources, crafting of the item and shipping of materials requires a lot of energy. Avoiding the duplication of this process offers enormous energy savings.
- Trash treasures: At times, salvaged ornamental items can be quite valuable. They offer historical significance or unique designs no longer available. They create a huge incentive for those considering salvaging. Reclaimed materials can offer a similar advantage. Wood from old-growth forests can be more valuable than new wood. High-quality building materials unaffordable or unavailable for new projects can be salvaged from old ones.
Who should I contact for more information about salvage?
Who better to inform you about salvaging from demolition sites than your demolition contractor in Kansas City? Midland Wrecking Inc. knows the ins and outs of how to find the best materials, what to reuse and what to throw out and any other details you need to know. Contact the professionals today to help you save money and discover hidden treasures with architectural salvage.