Dimensions
189 x 246 x 17mm
Whether you live in a Georgian town house, a Victorian terraced property or a 1930s semi, when it comes to carrying out repair and refurbishment work it is always better to use original materials. Salvaged items of the same vintage as the house are more likely to be in keeping with the building because their surface ageing makes them match and blend better than modern materials, and they may be of higher quality and craftsmanship. This informative guide tells you everything you need to know about tracking down and purchasing reclaimed building materials of all kinds, including bricks, roof and floor tiles, slates, timber, doors and door furniture and much more. Topics covered: ?Buying tips and checkpoints to save you time and money, and key information to help you spot a bargain and avoid a scam ?Helps the reader to differentiate between a genuine antique, an item with terminal flaws and modern reproduction ?How to judge and assess materials; for example, how to tell the difference between steel and wrought or cast iron, or between 1740s carved marble and a 21st-century resin reproduction ?Comprehensive glossaries for each category of building item ?Demystifies the salvage jargon and reveals insider secrets and tricks of the trade ?How second hand prices relate to those of newly made items ?The practicalities of using salvaged items to repair your home ?Supplies advice from experts including conservation architects, salvage dealers, architectural historians and master builders ?A comprehensive history of the development of each type of popular building material or item ?Lists the main salvage dealers around the country, arranged according to counties AUTHOR: Geoffrey West is a freelance journalist and author who, since 1989, has specialized in writing articles about the refurbishment of older houses for magazines and newspapers, including Period House
