Hey!

Reuse is a very valid request we get from most of our clients. In face we recently completed a retail store project that was a 100% reuse project! Reuse is doable but only with loose furniture. if -you try to change the structure, whether its of the walls or individual furniture pieces, then you will mostly face losses.

Tiles and Bathroom: If you pull out your tiles in the bathroom, you will have to do water proofing again. In addition, removing the floor tiles in the bathroom will damage the bottom most layer of the dado. And finding the exact same tile after 15 years is impossible, You can keep the dado tiles and rectify the damage with the floor tiles but considering they're 15 years old, the design will not come together and perhaps changing them to stay updated is better.

Furniture: Most carpenters will not take small work, especially if it is reuse and remake because they make huge losses in that work. The returns they receive are not proportional to the time and labour investment that they make. If you have a few new pieces that you're going to make, then you can ask them to reuse some pieces in addition to the new ones. But keep in mind that the reuse workload should be lesser than new workload. If you find a carpenter who has worked for you before then he might do it.

Kitchen Countertop: Since we can assume the stone of the counter top to be at least 15 years old, it will break when you try to remove it.

We hope this helps, in case you need more help or design advice please do connect with us on +91-9923893771

Best,

CUBSpaces Team

hi,

Cost saving & reusing old materials is always a request .....but u need to check really how much is the difference amount u r saving in re-use of old materials ... and does it save repair running cost in future..

As floor tile will be changed wall tile is bound to get damaged ... and what about wall plumbing lines... u should avoid connecting old wall lines with new floor lines it might cause issues in near future....doing entire bathroom will be one time cost investment & save from running cost of small repairs which will eventually happen as it will start wearing out with time.

kitchen counter will not come out in one piece.

old ply if in good condition u can use in internal if furniture like making shelves ... wall paneling etc.

hope this suggestion gives lil clarity.. kindly get in touch incase of further discussion.

Thanks for both of your responses CUBSpaces team and Shweta from Shades studio.

It really gives a clarity about possible consequences.

I am now doubt free about changing whole things in Bathroom as it will be interconnected.

However will appreciate your opinion on few things:

1. Kitchen wall tiles: I have those from countertop height to roof(almost area of 6X15 feet) which are good and not hollow. I changed countertop 5 years back without any damage to these tiles.

It might cost me another 10-15 K, but I feel the whole process and quantity of wasting old good tiles makes me little sad.

2. kitchen countertop: Made new around 5 years back. I don't expect to get it all intact. But large pieces can be cut and can be used as top for other freestanding structures like dishwasher, front load washer, heighten base cabinets, etc.

3. Plywood: I don't mind giving enough labour charges for old sheets recycle. I am planning to use doors, loose sheets(like kept on bed frame of settee frame.) or parts of big frames like settee.

I am keen on reducing waste than to save money. You can see various DIY ideas by western people, who remove or sand laminates and re-paint furniture, or carefully remove hollow tiles and re-attach them. Some are also re-painting ceramic tiles.

I am just asking myself: Are we creating more and more waste by use and throw approach every 10-15 years, just because we can afford it?

Hey,

The first step to any renovation in to remove the old. In case the kitchen counter top is in a -usable condition upon removal then of course go ahead and reuse it.

For the plywood, it depends on what you're using and what you're using it for. That is something that onsite consultation will give more clarity on.

You're right, there are a lot of western DIY videos that work with wooden furniture. but the thing is, they have solid wood furniture more often than not. When they're sanding away, its not the laminate but the top layer of wood polish and wood lacquer that they are removing. for the sole purpose of repainting the furniture. Often you'll find them using raw plywood without using laminates as well because unlike India, they have a good quality and grain top and bottom surfaces. As a result, polishing does the job for them.

There are a lot of things they have which are not as durable as we make them in India as we look more to permanence in this country. (Side Note: a lot of their tiles are also peel and stick)

Green living is a commendable thought, and there are a lot more things you can do to ensure a green lifestyle. Reuse is definitely one aspect!

All the best and let us know how it turns out!

And in case you need design help. please do think of us!

Best!

CUBSpaces Team

+91-9923893771

Thanks for your insightful and positive response.

Will surely share after completion.

hi,

As for kitchen counter u can always try removing it without damage but should be open to idea of using new incase things doesn't workout as per plan... even for dado tiles...if doesn't get damaged ..great but be ready with backup plan..

As ur ply is old it can have issues as its grains were open till now open to climate changes....furniture made of ply has longer life because its phases are treated with polish or laminate...so would suggest to use for parts of furniture instead of making structure....

Reusing materials is good idea but sometimes its not worth it as its life is not long plus added time & cost doesn't serve purpose....also u'll end repairing it again and again in run of damaging new stuff around if reuse is not done appropriately or core of material is damaged.

About DIY @ CUBSpaces Team has correctly given answer for ur query. also their climatic condition & tool usage is very different from ours..

hope this will help.

Thanks Shweta ji for your tips.

As you mention, will be open for plan B in case of damages.

All this discussion gave me the practical inputs for use of material. Considering these tips, I shall be using old material only in the detachable pieces or as separators; as it can be replaced without changing main structure.

I am working on actual design and will share on the forum(in separate post) about it.

Thanks again for your time and tips.

I would be interested in seeing how you reused your material. I am in the process of redoing my house which was on rent. The material for the kitchen was a very basic mdf. I reused parts of it which were salvageable as internal shelving in my new plywood kitchen. I was able to salvage a few hardware which was of reasonably good quality like hinges and channels in areas other than the kitchen like extra storage and bathroom vanities etc. A top shelving unit is being reused in my wash area to store detergent etc. I had changed my flooring completely. The kitchen counter came out in three pieces. This was used under the sliding windows.

Hi

Good to know there are people like me!

I am using things almost same way you used.

Conuntertop: I have not removed countertop yet, but the above surface(granite) will be reusing it for some other table tops and windowsill. Last time I had reused the base stones, i.e. cudappa for same purpose again.

Base cabinets: I made couple of shelf pieces as below. Since it was made by less experienced carpenters, lacks some finishing.

Few door pieces I gave to my maid to reuse- she used one for sewing machine table top.

The main cabinetry with utensil trolleys- thinking to sell off on OLX or can donate to needy.

Few things to be considered: The plywood needs to be checked, if the ply layers coming off. If so, do not reuse for furniture. Also never use if infested by bugs.

while reusing old plywoods, use in such a way that it could be replaced if needed, either whole shelf unit or individual planks can be removed.

Never think of tiles reuse for same purpose. However some DIY decor pieces can be made.