Ways to Reuse House Construction

Reclaimed Wood Floors

• In addition to reusing hardwood floors, you can also reclaim other wooden parts to use for flooring. Many old houses were built from strong, old-growth trees. If you are able to salvage wood from a house being demolished or remodeled, you can clean it and cut it into floorboards. The best boards to use are those that have tight grain patterns and no damage from water, insects or dry rot.

New-to-You Fixtures

• Before a house is set for demolition, ask permission to salvage the contents inside. Ecological website Dancing Rabbit suggests reusing items like sinks, windows, cabinets and countertops that are in good condition. If the windowpanes do not fit in your own windows, you can use them to make a glass-top table. Clean and use the other items for a remodel or new construction. Paint or polish may be all it takes to make a salvaged item look brand new.

Tables Made from Doors

• Many older homes have doors made of heavy, quality woods. You can reuse a door by making it into a dining room table, coffee table or end tables. After cutting the wood the size you want, remove the current finish, sand the wood smooth and restain the wood in the color of your choice. Add table legs to complete the project.

Making Shelves, Bookcases or Cabinets

• Reuse lightweight doors, wide fence posts or floor-to-ceiling bookshelves to make your own set of shelves. After cutting and preparing the wood to your liking, use mounting brackets or blind shelf supports to hang the reclaimed pieces of wood on your wall. Make sure you drill the brackets or supports into studs in the wall. Alternatively, if you have some carpentry skills, you can turn reclaimed pieces of wood from a home into a bookshelf or cabinet. Consider reusing the cabinet doors from the house for your own cabinet project and give them a modern look with a set of new knobs.