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Monday, 30 June 2025
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8 Home Reno Materials You Didn’t Know You Could Reuse

8 Home Reno Materials You Didn’t Know You Could Reuse

Key Points

  • Pre-existing items, like cabinetry, countertops, and doors are the easiest to reuse.
  • Long-lasting materials, including pavers, brick, and tiles should be stored for reuse or donated.
  • Flooring and lumber can be reused if properly removed and stored.

Home renovations and maintenance jobs can often leave you with extra materials or older materials. By hanging onto these items instead of throwing them away, you can save on the cost of future jobs, while reducing waste.

We talked to pro contractors to find out which eight home reno materials you didn’t know you could reuse.

Meet the Expert

  • Jim Marino is a home improvement expert and the CEO of Pinnacle Home Improvements.
  • Robert O’Sullivan is a roofing and siding contractor, as well as the founder of Ranch Roofing Inc.
  • Jeri Goodkin-Dausey is a certified general contractor and building inspector, as well as the CEO of the Violation Clinic.

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Cabinetry, Countertops, and Hardware

Reusing cabinetry, countertops, and hardware is a simple and effective way to save on future projects.

“At architectural salvage yards or reuse stores, cabinets and countertops for the kitchen or bathrooms can always be refinished and repainted,” says Jim Marino, home improvement expert and CEO of Pinnacle Home Improvements.

Since these items are pre-built, you won’t just save money, you will also save time. If you remove cabinets, countertops, or hardware during a renovation project, consider refinishing or repainting these items, then reinstalling them in a different area, like a basement kitchen or a bathroom.

If you don’t have the space, donate them to reuse stores instead of disposing of them.

Interior and Exterior Doors

Sometimes a door doesn’t suit the style you are looking for in a specific room, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t function as a door elsewhere in the home with a quick paint or refinishing job to make it look like new.

Doors can also get damaged due to kids, pets, or objects, so having a spare door in storage just in case something happens isn’t a bad idea.

“Reuse stores often stock doors, windows, tiles, cabinets, hardware, leftover flooring, insulation boards, and sometimes even entire kitchen sets,” says Robert O’Sullivan, roofing and siding contractor.

Even if you don’t have an extra door, you may be able to save on the cost of the renovation by purchasing one at a reuse store.

Lumber

As long as lumber and other wood materials are properly stored, they can be put to use on future projects.

“Lumber and plywood, especially when properly de-nailed and stored, as well as reclaimed wood from framing, fencing, or decking is highly reusable,” says Jeri Goodkin-Dausey, certified general contractor and building inspector.

However, if these wood materials are left outdoors, they may begin to weaken or show signs of rot. Avoid placing heavy objects on lumber and plywood, as you may accidentally bend or bow the wood, making it difficult to reuse.

Tiles

Tiles are commonly purchased in bulk, and they’re easy to store and easy to reuse, making them an excellent choice for reducing the cost of future projects.

Bricks and Pavers

When you are renovating the yard, bricks and pavers can be a great way to update the appearance of the lawn or garden.

Goodkin-Dausey says that bricks and pavers are durable and versatile for outdoor reuse. This is because they are long-lasting materials that are relatively easy to store and that will hold up to both moisture and UV radiation.

Make sure you place them on a flat surface and avoid stacking heavy objects on top, as this could crack or break them.

Flooring

Flooring isn’t quite as straightforward as many of the materials on this list, due to the wide variety of flooring and the requirements for proper removal and storage, but sometimes flooring materials can be reused.

“In some cases, you may be able to salvage flooring from an older home, though some of these materials, like vinyl flooring, have a more limited lifespan,” Marino says. “You’ll have better luck reusing materials for your home reno if you look for things made from bamboo or cork, particularly if it’s flooring.”

Lighting Fixtures

Light fixtures won’t go bad over time, like some types of flooring or shingles, so it’s worth the storage space to keep any extra lighting fixtures from a home renovation project.

“Reusing materials for a home renovation is a smart idea for those who don’t mind doing a little extra legwork to save some money,” Marino says. “That said, the most commonly reused items are cabinetry, lighting and plumbing fixtures, and even appliances,” mentions Marino.

If you don’t have the room, consider donating your old or spare lighting fixtures to reuse stores, instead of recycling them or throwing them out.

Plumbing or Electrical Supplies

Pieces of pipe, conduit, or specific plumbing or electrical fixtures can be reused for future projects without much difficulty.

“Leftover materials, such as roofing shingles, insulation boards, and even plumbing or electrical supplies can be reused or even donated after a project,” O’Sullivan says.

So, if you happen to have a spare valve or an extra light switch, hold onto these supplies to help reduce the cost of future maintenance or renovation jobs.

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