Recycled building materials are all the rage now. They cost less and can help build a home with less environmental impact. Recycled building materials include substances that have been previously used and are now being recycled to create another building structure altogether.
Many believe recycling materials will cost the building its structural integrity, but that’s not the case. Following the right principles and investigating thoroughly before opting for said materials, you could easily build a more sustainable home.
Principles to Follow for Recycled Building Materials
If you’re going to build a home or any structure with recycled building materials, here are some of the major principles you must follow to truly connect with the essence of recycling.
1. Apply Fewer Resources
You want to build a strong foundation for your building. You don’t want to embellish too much in your home when making a sustainable building.
You can use recyclable materials but also consider that recycling materials takes a lot of money and effort. Part of making sustainable homes is using limited resources and practicing restraint.
2. Use Resources for a Long Time
It would be best if you designed your home using materials for a long time. Longevity should be a major principle you adhere to when applying your resources.
If you’re installing some fancy pieces, you must ensure that these are easily repairable. Otherwise, they take away from the sustainability of your home.
3. Recycling Resources
Building your home using materials such as glass, steel, and gypsum, which can be recycled easily, is the way to apply all the sustainability principles to your home. You also want to incorporate the maximum use of these resources into your design. Both glass and gypsum are recyclable, which means they can be reused for another home.
Places to Buy Reclaimed and Recycled Material
If you’re building your home all on your own, you may need some help finding recycled and reclaimed materials. We have listed our top go-to spots below:
Salvage Shops
These shops include many recycled and reclaimed materials that you can buy for less. This material is generally salvaged from demolition sites and contains mostly reclaimed materials in pristine condition. You can find things like bathroom materials and unused fixtures here with ease.
Online Marketplaces
With the rise of technology, selling things has become easier than ever. There are always people who have something or the other to get rid of. Thus, you can find well-recycled materials on online marketplaces like Facebook, Craigslist, and Kijiji. It’s about looking for the right listings and getting a good price.
Wood Recycling Stores
If you’re using wood for your home, and chances are you will, you could go to a wood recycling store and have them set you up with some recycled wood. However, you want to ensure that you inspect the wood and take some time to choose it. You don’t want materials that will break your home’s foundation.
Building a sustainable home is a noble and necessary choice given our available information. However, there are ways to make recycled and reclaimed materials much more accessible to us so construction is easier.
