Why All The "Junk"?

[Tracy the chick]

Quote:
fru·gal/ˈfro͞ogəl/Adjective:

1.Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
2.Simple and plain and costing little: "a frugal meal".

Thanks cheerio im learning loads of new words on BYC... Tracy x

 

[Clay Mudd]

Quote:
Essentially, the opposite of "wasteful". Not stingy, but avoiding needless expense.

 

[Tracy the chick]

Like spending loads of money when you dont need to

 

[Rosaleen]

Quote:
Getting back to Uncle Marc's question ... I think using recycled materials to make something functional ( like a coop or run ) for me is an accomplishment ...little expense and lots of satisfaction. I would equate it with finding a treasure in an antique store for a very cheap price. I once bought a Waterford crystal vase in an antique store for $7.00 and more recently purchased a full set of Sabetier knives (from France) for $5.00. I had the sensation, "Wow, what a deal!". I had that same sensation when completing my coop and run.."Wow, what a deal!". The idea of reusing something to be functional is very appealing to many and the notion of doing our part to be green is also a growing trend. This has always been the norm for many of us who live in northern Vermont. I always enjoy looking at all the wonderful coops on BYC and praise everyone for their designs, skills an ingenuity. And thank you all for sharing...let's keep it up!

 

[Clay Mudd]

Quote:
Getting back to Uncle Marc's question ... I think using recycled materials to make something functional ( like a coop or run ) for me is an accomplishment ...little expense and lots of satisfaction. I would equate it with finding a treasure in an antique store for a very cheap price. I once bought a Waterford crystal vase in an antique store for $7.00 and more recently purchased a full set of Sabetier knives (from France) for $5.00. I had the sensation, "Wow, what a deal!". I had that same sensation when completing my coop and run.."Wow, what a deal!". The idea of reusing something to be functional is very appealing to many and the notion of doing our part to be green is also a growing trend. This has always been the norm for many of us who live in northern Vermont. I always enjoy looking at all the wonderful coops on BYC and praise everyone for their designs, skills an ingenuity. And thank you all for sharing...let's keep it up!

+1. It's a delightful challenge. And a lot of times, the "found" item inspires the rest of the project in a way that just buying a bunch of stuff in a store wouldn't.




ps: I'm trying not to be jealous about the Sabatiers. I think I paid something like $50 in 1979 or 80 for a 14" Sabatier chef's knife. A whole set... wow.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I do a lot of re-modelling for myself and for others. Sometimes paid, sometimes volunteer. In almost every case, there is demolition involved before the new can be built. I watch, on rare occasion, some of the HGTV shows, although they are so formula driven, and what I see is a HUGE roll off dumpster parked in the drive and literally tons of stuff being thrown away. OK, it is a TV show and they are always on severe time restraints, (it's part of the "formula") and I wince.

Whenever I demo a house, deck, barn, shed, garage, commercial building or whatever, my mind is always whirling with seeing how we can save rafters, windows, doors, studs, siding, even sheet goods. I even toss pulled screws into cans. All those items are horrendously expensive to buy and there is no difference, none, in framing with clean, dry, re-cycled studs, rafters or joists against using new. In some cases, it is better because the old wood is dry.

Sure, it is inevitable that broken, split or rotten materials have to be pitched. But yes, there is a tremendous about of pride is salvaging all that useful material. That it is "green" is a plus, that it is economical and is common sense. Frugal, indeed. There are ReStores popping up which have taken note and re-sell surplus and culled building materials. Love those places.

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
Because I'm a white trash redneck ignorant bozo and a Curmudgeon besides.

 

[CheerioLounge]

Fred's Hens :

Whenever I demo a house, deck, barn, shed, garage, commercial building or whatever, my mind is always whirling with seeing how we can save rafters, windows, doors, studs, siding, even sheet goods. I even toss pulled screws into cans. All those items are horrendously expensive to buy and there is no difference, none, in framing with clean, dry, re-cycled studs, rafters or joists against using new. In some cases, it is better because the old wood is dry.

Sure, it is inevitable that broken, split or rotten materials have to be pitched. But yes, there is a tremendous about of pride is salvaging all that useful material. That it is "green" is a plus, that it is economical and is common sense. Frugal, indeed. There are ReStores popping up which have taken note and re-sell surplus and culled building materials. Love those places.

Habitat for Humanity loves guys like you!! Several friends have found everything form doors and windows to toilets and sinks from smart salvagers like you!!​

 

[Carols Clucks]

Here is my "junk" garden shed.

I still have a few things to finish on it and we are working on the yard next to it.

And yes I built it with junk! The siding was minutes from the dump, the windows were salvaged and sat in the elements for decades, the light my mom saved cause she liked the shape (no power I have to figure out a solar light to fit in it still. The ledge was wood from salvage pile. Some of the interior racks came from a clean up co-worker did, the boot holders are broom handles....

Oh, the plastic chairs I pulled from the trash can here...

The picket fence used to be the neighbors before they built a new house 20 years ago, the post with the bird seed also salvaged and sat in the weather for years...


One neighbor stopped by today and said his wife wants a shed like ours. (he is a retired building dept official) I built it with junk and am more than proud of it, but it could have looked really bad if we did not put the extra effort in to making sure it looked good. The neighbors only see part of it, but we see it all the time.


I love chickenindelight (hope I got that right) duck house! I followed that build, she shows what you can do to make "junk" look great!

 

[Erica]

Because it gives ideas to those who lack cash for new stuff.