The country's two leading expert advocates for salvaging parts of unwanted houses rather than demolishing them explain the "green" art of unbuilding (or deconstruction) and take the reader on a fascinating tour of the process. This is the first and only book that addresses this growing trend.Contains fascinating details on construction techniques for houses both ancient and of more contemporary vintage and methods used to determine their value or salvagability. Covers a variety of projects, from simply dismantling a wall to completely unbuilding an entire house safely, while saving the reusable parts and pieces for another building or for another purpose - including sales. It is satisfying, fun and economical to reuse old building materials both for their original purpose or for decorative purposes.
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
Salvaging architectural materials from old houses and commercial buildings has been a thriving business for years, but Falk and Guy are among the first to explain the process for the average homeowner and catalog the various tools of the trade. Numerous color photographs detail how houses are salvaged, painstakingly, to preserve all reusable materials, including hardware, woodwork, flooring, tiles, bathtubs, doors and windows.This is a book designed for people who want to tackle such a project themselves or supervise someone they have hired for the job. There are schematics, numerous safety tips, including warnings about now-banned toxins that may linger in very old housing materials, and suggestions for storage and rehabilitating treasures that have been damaged. --"Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"
Much of America's architectural heritage is ending up in landfills. Bob Falk and Brad Guy want to change that. The book is a guide to unbuilding, ' or deconstruction, the process of dismantling buildings that otherwise would be razed. The purpose is to save reusable elements such as building materials, fixtures and architectural details. Falk and Guy say deconstruction preserves the past, reduces costs, benefits the environment and has the potential to create jobs in urban areas, where they're needed most."Unbuilding"covers the many aspects of deconstruction, including site preparation, safety issues, tools, techniques and resale ideas. Interviews with successful salvagers are included, along with resources for those interested in deconstruction. "--Akron Beacon Journal"
"Unbuilding" explores the value of salvaged materials and describes the green art of "unbuilding" a home. Written bytwo salvage experts, the book explains how to safely dismantle a wall or an entire house, and examines the quality of such salvaged materials as hardwood flooring, windows, doors, mantles and period lighting. Sidebars and pullouts throughout the book provide helpful tips, such as how to remove flooring, cast-iron fixtures or vinyl siding. "--Smart Homeowner"
Patience can reward the diligent worker and help the planet as well, according to Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses (Taunton, $30, hardcover). Authors Bob Falk and Brad Guy fill a niche with their guide to deconstructing homes for salvage. It's a trend that has seen much use in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and its economic benefits can equal environmental ones for those willing to work.Falk and Guy make no bones about the work required, and Unbuilding is not for those unfamiliar with a hammer. Permits and code issues are glossed over, but the book supplies good strategy for laying out a deconstruction site. Readers will learn how to deal with lead-based paints and asbestos safely, and how to assess the value of interior fixtures. Ambitious and imaginative home wreckers will find a wealth of general tips and resources for taking down homes and finding hidden treasures. "--Orlando Sentinel"
"Unbuilding, Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses" (Taunton Press, $30) is all about the joys - and value - of deconstruction, mining old buildings for their treasures. Aimed at DIY-ers, professional builders, architects or homeowners interested in using reclaimed materials, the book by Bob Falk and Brad Guy deals with everything from dismantling a wall to unbuildingan entire house and supports the premise that deconstruction today is as fast and affordable as conventional demolition. And more importantly, much of the hardware, period lighting, doors and mantels is unmatched by today's building products. "--The Cincinnati Enquirer"
Much of America's architectural heritage is ending up in landfills. Bob Falk and Brad Guy want to change that. The book is a guide to unbuilding, ' or deconstruction, the process of dismantling buildings that otherwise would be razed. The purpose is to save reusable elements such as building materials, fixtures and architectural details. Falk and Guy say deconstruction preserves the past, reduces costs, benefits the environment and has the potential to create jobs in urban areas, where they're needed most."Unbuilding"covers the many aspects of deconstruction, including site preparation, safety issues, tools, techniques and resale ideas. Interviews with successful salvagers are included, along with resources for those interested in deconstruction. "--Akron Beacon Journal"
"Unbuilding" explores the value of salvaged materials and describes the green art of "unbuilding" a home. Written bytwo salvage experts, the book explains how to safely dismantle a wall or an entire house, and examines the quality of such salvaged materials as hardwood flooring, windows, doors, mantles and period lighting. Sidebars and pullouts throughout the book provide helpful tips, such as how to remove flooring, cast-iron fixtures or vinyl siding. "--Smart Homeowner"
Patience can reward the diligent worker and help the planet as well, according to Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses (Taunton, $30, hardcover). Authors Bob Falk and Brad Guy fill a niche with their guide to deconstructing homes for salvage. It's a trend that has seen much use in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and its economic benefits can equal environmental ones for those willing to work.Falk and Guy make no bones about the work required, and Unbuilding is not for those unfamiliar with a hammer. Permits and code issues are glossed over, but the book supplies good strategy for laying out a deconstruction site. Readers will learn how to deal with lead-based paints and asbestos safely, and how to assess the value of interior fixtures. Ambitious and imaginative home wreckers will find a wealth of general tips and resources for taking down homes and finding hidden treasures. "--Orlando Sentinel"
"Unbuilding, Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses" (Taunton Press, $30) is all about the joys - and value - of deconstruction, mining old buildings for their treasures. Aimed at DIY-ers, professional builders, architects or homeowners interested in using reclaimed materials, the book by Bob Falk and Brad Guy deals with everything from dismantling a wall to unbuildingan entire house and supports the premise that deconstruction today is as fast and affordable as conventional demolition. And more importantly, much of the hardware, period lighting, doors and mantels is unmatched by today's building products. "--The Cincinnati Enquirer"
Review
Salvaging architectural materials from old houses and commercial buildings has been a thriving business for years, but Falk and Guy are among the first to explain the process for the average homeowner and catalog the various tools of the trade. Numerous color photographs detail how houses are salvaged, painstakingly, to preserve all reusable materials, including hardware, woodwork, flooring, tiles, bathtubs, doors and windows.This is a book designed for people who want to tackle such a project themselves or supervise someone they have hired for the job. There are schematics, numerous safety tips, including warnings about now-banned toxins that may linger in very old housing materials, and suggestions for storage and rehabilitating treasures that have been damaged. --"Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"
Much of America's architectural heritage is ending up in landfills. Bob Falk and Brad Guy want to change that. The book is a guide to unbuilding, ' or deconstruction, the process of dismantling buildings that otherwise would be razed. The purpose is to save reusable elements such as building materials, fixtures and architectural details. Falk and Guy say deconstruction preserves the past, reduces costs, benefits the environment and has the potential to create jobs in urban areas, where they're needed most."Unbuilding"covers the many aspects of deconstruction, including site preparation, safety issues, tools, techniques and resale ideas. Interviews with successful salvagers are included, along with resources for those interested in deconstruction. "--Akron Beacon Journal"
"Unbuilding" explores the value of salvaged materials and describes the green art of "unbuilding" a home. Written bytwo salvage experts, the book explains how to safely dismantle a wall or an entire house, and examines the quality of such salvaged materials as hardwood flooring, windows, doors, mantles and period lighting. Sidebars and pullouts throughout the book provide helpful tips, such as how to remove flooring, cast-iron fixtures or vinyl siding. "--Smart Homeowner"
Patience can reward the diligent worker and help the planet as well, according to Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses (Taunton, $30, hardcover). Authors Bob Falk and Brad Guy fill a niche with their guide to deconstructing homes for salvage. It's a trend that has seen much use in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and its economic benefits can equal environmental ones for those willing to work.Falk and Guy make no bones about the work required, and Unbuilding is not for those unfamiliar with a hammer. Permits and code issues are glossed over, but the book supplies good strategy for laying out a deconstruction site. Readers will learn how to deal with lead-based paints and asbestos safely, and how to assess the value of interior fixtures. Ambitious and imaginative home wreckers will find a wealth of general tips and resources for taking down homes and finding hidden treasures. "--Orlando Sentinel"
"Unbuilding, Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses" (Taunton Press, $30) is all about the joys - and value - of deconstruction, mining old buildings for their treasures. Aimed at DIY-ers, professional builders, architects or homeowners interested in using reclaimed materials, the book by Bob Falk and Brad Guy deals with everything from dismantling a wall to unbuildingan entire house and supports the premise that deconstruction today is as fast and affordable as conventional demolition. And more importantly, much of the hardware, period lighting, doors and mantels is unmatched by today's building products. "--The Cincinnati Enquirer"
Much of America's architectural heritage is ending up in landfills. Bob Falk and Brad Guy want to change that. The book is a guide to unbuilding, ' or deconstruction, the process of dismantling buildings that otherwise would be razed. The purpose is to save reusable elements such as building materials, fixtures and architectural details. Falk and Guy say deconstruction preserves the past, reduces costs, benefits the environment and has the potential to create jobs in urban areas, where they're needed most."Unbuilding"covers the many aspects of deconstruction, including site preparation, safety issues, tools, techniques and resale ideas. Interviews with successful salvagers are included, along with resources for those interested in deconstruction. "--Akron Beacon Journal"
"Unbuilding" explores the value of salvaged materials and describes the green art of "unbuilding" a home. Written bytwo salvage experts, the book explains how to safely dismantle a wall or an entire house, and examines the quality of such salvaged materials as hardwood flooring, windows, doors, mantles and period lighting. Sidebars and pullouts throughout the book provide helpful tips, such as how to remove flooring, cast-iron fixtures or vinyl siding. "--Smart Homeowner"
Patience can reward the diligent worker and help the planet as well, according to Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses (Taunton, $30, hardcover). Authors Bob Falk and Brad Guy fill a niche with their guide to deconstructing homes for salvage. It's a trend that has seen much use in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and its economic benefits can equal environmental ones for those willing to work.Falk and Guy make no bones about the work required, and Unbuilding is not for those unfamiliar with a hammer. Permits and code issues are glossed over, but the book supplies good strategy for laying out a deconstruction site. Readers will learn how to deal with lead-based paints and asbestos safely, and how to assess the value of interior fixtures. Ambitious and imaginative home wreckers will find a wealth of general tips and resources for taking down homes and finding hidden treasures. "--Orlando Sentinel"
"Unbuilding, Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses" (Taunton Press, $30) is all about the joys - and value - of deconstruction, mining old buildings for their treasures. Aimed at DIY-ers, professional builders, architects or homeowners interested in using reclaimed materials, the book by Bob Falk and Brad Guy deals with everything from dismantling a wall to unbuildingan entire house and supports the premise that deconstruction today is as fast and affordable as conventional demolition. And more importantly, much of the hardware, period lighting, doors and mantels is unmatched by today's building products. "--The Cincinnati Enquirer"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A First!,
By
This review is from: Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses (Hardcover)
The Taunton Press with their great sense of style and photography combined with knowledgeable authors, who have taken the time to document the deconstruction and salvage process, make this book a must in the bookcases of contractors, architects, designers and any building owner considering salvaging or using salvaged building materials.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deconstructing a Building,
By
This review is from: Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses (Hardcover)
I've always liked the idea of salvaging architectural details from building being torn down. Now here's a book that goes way beyond merely saving a fireplace mantel or some columns. Here's what it covers:
Chapter 1 Unbuilding Opportunities Redevelopment Rural Property Military Bases Urban Renewal Remodeling and Renovation Building Auctions Habitat for Humanity ReStores What to Unbuild Chapter 2 Deciding on Unbuilding and Salvage Your Level of Involvement Making Sure the Building Is Sound Permits and Code Requirements Making a Visual Survey Case Study: Survey of a Deconstruction Candidate Chapter 3 The Materials You Find Develop a Plan for the Material You Remove Assessing What's Reusable Selling Your Stuff Chapter 4 Getting Started Organizing the Site Tools for Unbuilding Chapter 5 Safety and Environmental Health Make Safety a Priority Safety Equipment: The Last Line of Defense Working at Height First Aid and Medical Services Fire Prevention and Protection Lead-Based Paint Hazards Asbestos Hazards Chapter 6 Site Preparation and Soft-Stripping House and Site Characteristics Preparing the Site Soft-Stripping Loading Items from Soft-Stripping Cleaning Up Chapter 7 Whole-House Deconstruction Maintaining the Building's Integrity Roof Tearoff Removing Interior Wall Finishes Removing Electrical, Plumbing, and Ductwork Removing Roof Sheathing Removing Rafters Getting the Material to the Ground Taking down Trusses Removing a Dormer Removing Ceiling Joists Removing Siding Removing Walls Removing Subfloors Denailing Stacking and Loading Project Closeout
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's not only environmentally sound, but economically profitable.,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses (Hardcover)
We live in an age of recycling. It's not only environmentally sound, but economically profitable. This applies just as much to reusable and salvageable building materials from structures scheduled for demolishing, as it does to ordinary newspapers and soda cans. Now U.S. Forest Products Laboratory research engineer Bob Falk has teamed up with Brad Guy (Director of Operations at The Hammer Center at the Penn State School of Architecture) to publish "Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures Of Unwanted Houses" an instruction guide to salvaging materials that can be reused and recycled from homes and other buildings by literally and carefully dismantling the original structures piece by piece. These materials can include ornate hardware, period lighting fixtures, windows, doors, mantels, hardwood flooring, and anything else that continues to have esthetic and commercial value. Often these are 'yesteryear' items that cannot be matched by anything available to day and have great financial worth in and of themselves. The authors draw upon their many years of expertise and experience in advising about new tools, deconstruction processes, and alternatives to conventional demolition tactics. "Unbuilding" is strongly recommended to the considered attention of building contractors, demolition experts, and environmentally conscious salvagers, as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in recycling building materials for their value, utility and esthetics.
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