ReStore Salvage Building Materials

Salvage-Ho!

A heap o’ cheapo building supplies
Canadians are starting to feel the pinch of winter.  I know, because I’m getting letters from every province, from every age group.  People are starting to plan their spring renovations now. 

And just like old-timers can predict weather patterns by the foraging habits of rodents, I can predict that 2008 is going to be a big year for being handy. 

My correspondents seek sisterly advice about cottage renovations, basement remodels, kitchen upgrades and exterior touch-ups.  The home improvement bug is clearly out of the larvae stage and starting to think about reproducing.

For example: 

Dear Mag, 

I own an old park model trailer that I will be painting this year.  I want to replace the existing decorative shutters with wooden ones. Something very simple structurally but with a cut-out design (ie: trillium, bird etc.) in the centre of the shutter. Do you have any suggestions?       

Nancy

Hi Nancy,

I spotted a stylin’ pair of wooden shutters in a recent issue of Popular Woodworking, where esteemed editor Christopher Schwarz never relaxes.  He had noticed the shutter design in the background of The Lord of the Rings movie. 

You can get plans by visiting www.popularwoodworking.com and typing Minas Tirith into the search box.  You’ll have to order the magazine for eight bucks since they don’t have this design posted online, but it’s well worth it.  The ‘I Can Do That’ shutter design is part of a trend in which woodworking magazines are offering project plans for beginners. The shutters can be made using readily available lumber and a few power tools. 

If that design feels a little ambitious for you, I’ve got another solution. Used stuff.  Salvage.  Pre-loved building supplies.  They’re out there, and they’re cheap.  You can pick up a couple of pairs of wooden shutters for way under 3 digits.

My favourite source for used building materials is Habitat for Humanity ReStores, which sell everything from used or surplus plumbing fixtures, doors and windows, to entire kitchen cabinet assemblies.  And their prices are WAY below retail. 

There are more than 50 ReStores in Canada, with at least one in every major city.  Each of them stocks an amazing array of upgrades, fixtures, tiles, paint, lighting and spare parts.  If you're planning a few spring DIY projects, here's a tour of the kind of inventory you’ll find.

Glass Giant

Most ReStores carry tonnes of windows, many made by top manufacturers like Pella.  Some windows have been carefully removed from existing buildings, while others are brand new, donated by builders who wound up with surplus stock. 

Whether you're looking for casement windows, double-hung windows, all-wood or aluminum, there's something that'll catch your eye.  Most are double-glazed, well-insulated and ready to go for about half what you'd pay in a hardware store or home centre.  If you're looking for a specific size and style of window, the staff will put your name, number and item description into the ReStore Wishlist. 

Putting the U in Tub 

It's hard to find a good old-fashioned claw-foot tub that suits your body length.  Habitat ReStores stock many sizes and styles, so if you're renovating an older home, why not go retro with your bathroom remodel? 

And if retro reminds you too much of an old, unpleasant aunt, the ReStore also stocks Jacuzzi whirlpools and oval tubs.

And don’t get me started on toilets.  Did you know that Candy Pink is making a comeback in bathroom fixtures?  Well, ReStore goes the distance.  You can even find blue and mint green thrones.  Yes, this may be the year to get rid of an ancient, stained, chipped, cheesy, leaky unit and upgrade to one of these babies.

Some ReStores also stock low-flush, high-end (as it were) European toilets, so your design palette needn’t be limited to vintage pastels.

Counter Offer

If you’re eying a kitchen remodel, you can really save money by shopping at a ReStore.  Fortunately for the rest of us, some homeowners renovate their kitchens frequently, and if they don’t want to destroy and dump the existing cabinets, they call Habitat for Humanity to come and remove the cabinets and fixtures for free.

This is a lucky break for the rest of us, who can slash remodel costs on a huge maple or oak kitchen, complete with upper and lower cabinets, granite countertops (I’m not kidding!) and built-in fixtures.  Example: Normally you'd pay handsomely for classy, solid maple cabinet faces.  At the ReStore, you can pick up a huge set of upper and lower cabinets, including a high-end oven, for $2399. 

You can find your nearest Habitat ReStore by looking in the Yellow Pages under Building Supplies – Used (even though some of them aren't used at all). TIP:  Shop early, shop often; the turnover rate is prodigious.

P.S. Habitat for Humanity Canada provides volunteer-built homes for families in need.  Proceeds from ReStores help pay administrative costs so that donations to Habitat for Humanity can be spent entirely on land, permits and building materials.  What’s not to love?

Comments

[Patty]

Mag, your readers can also find Habitat of Humanity ReStores located in the U.S. at the following website.

http://www.habitat.org/?igpk=1

Patty

[Corey]

Restore even has books!!! I could have spent HOURS in our store - which is luckily just a few minutes away!

My husband was especially excited to find grout that was our color - we bought it to find it discontinued a month later! So if you are looking for something that a store discontinued, definately check them out!