[SustainableTompkins] Closing loops with "deconstruction"

[Joel and Sarah Gagnon]

You'll notice if you read the whole article that what mostly gets reused 
are the non-structural elements. Not that there is anything wrong with the 
frame in many old houses, but the building code requires structural rated 
lumber in structural applications. That limits reuse of studs to 
non-structural applications and pretty much precludes use of joists unless 
they are rated post-salvage. That can be done, but it is not cost-effective 
unless there is an economy of scale we do not have in our area. It is 
unfortunate that a common sense standard cannot be applied when reusing 
salvaged lumber. Most older lumber was milled to a larger dimension than is 
currently standard. That, plus age, makes it stronger than the same nominal 
dimension new lumber. Of course, it also make mixing old and new difficult.

I have done salvage and can attest that it is more expensive than trashing 
and starting over. I do it anyway because I hate to waste perfectly good 
materials, but the best use for these materials is in the assemblies they 
are a part of in the first place. The most energy-saving and 
environmentally sound practice is to maintain well-constructed buildings in 
place. If necessary, move them rather than disassemble them. Avoid the urge 
to remodel just to change the look of perfectly adequate houses and 
commercial spaces. I am appalled by the horrendous waste of demolition of 
relatively recently-constructed buildings and the construction of new ones 
not intended or built to last.

Joel Gagnon

At 09:17 PM 10/18/07 -0400, you wrote:
>a good read
>Today's NYTimes
>By KRISTINA SHEVORY  Published: October 18, 2007
>Recycling the Whole House
>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/garden/18decon.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
>--
>Elan Shapiro
>Sustainable Tompkins Program Co-Chair
>Sustainable Living Associates, Principal
>Frog's Way B&B
>211 Rachel Carson Way
>Ithaca, NY 14850
>607-275-0249
>
>"We must be the change we want to see in the world"
>                   Mohandas Gandhi
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