In a previous post I mentioned how we originally wanted to use salvaged and recycled materials wherever we could, but that it had proved difficult due to various reasons, mainly just a lack of availability on island (good materials get scooped FAST). The bulk of our building materials have therefore been purchased new, however we have had some luck with salvaged materials for upcoming side projects over the past while. Here are just a few of the bigger examples:
First, I’d been on the lookout for windows to use for eventually building a greenhouse. A local hotel had been undergoing renovations all summer, so when I caught wind that they were replacing all the windows as part of the reno, I started stalking it out… Multiple phone calls later (“are they out yet?” “can we come now?” “how about now?”), we ended up with a major score of windows and sliding glass doors, which are going to work great for a greenhouse, garden shed, duck coop etc.
Greenhouse goods, and a puppy!
Another lucky find was from a coworker of Evan’s, who was moving houses and had a small cedar deck that he’d built but didn’t want to bother taking apart and relocating to the new house. After a small sum and a couple of hours of removing screws and hauling it off, we have a solid pile of cedar to use someday.
nice deck.
During one of the stretches of decent weather, Evan decided to expedite the plans to build a woodshed on the lot. Truth be told I was a bit hesitant to support the idea at first (“what good is a woodshed without a house to live in first?”). However, the case was quickly made that in order to get firewood drying for use next winter, we needed a better place to put it than just piled haphazardly under tarps. It also provided dry storage for the remainder of our siding which was taking up a huge amount of space inside the shop portion of the house, as well as creating a covered space in which to stain it all (more on that ordeal in a future post).
cuttin’
levelin’
So, using a cedar log pulled from the beach and ripped lengthwise with the chainsaw, along with some other beachcombed driftwood posts and some recovered wood, up went the woodshed. We were able to use friends’ old salvaged metal roofing, as well as salvaged wooden pallets for the floor, so it all came together quickly and inexpensively. We’ll eventually cover the three back sides with some sort of siding, but it’s doing it’s basic job for the time being.
the painting palace
First stack of firewood is in and drying!
PS. island folk – we’ll take your old building materials!
