Reclamation is the salvage of building materials, fittings and architectural features from old buildings so they can be reused rather than destroyed. Reclaimed items range from bricks, roof tiles, flagstones, floorboards and oak beams to fireplaces, doors, staircases, panelling, radiators, sanitaryware, ironwork, garden ornament and stonework.
The reclamation trade grew rapidly in Britain in the second half of the twentieth century as demolition of country houses, chapels, mills and terraced streets coincided with growing interest in conservation and period restoration. Reclaimed materials are valued for their authentic colour, texture and age, which new materials cannot easily match, and for their environmental benefits, since reuse avoids the energy cost of manufacturing replacements. They are essential in the sympathetic repair of listed buildings, where matching original materials is often required. Buyers should ask where items came from, as theft of architectural features such as stone statues, lead and fireplaces remains a real problem, and reputable dealers keep records of provenance. Condition also matters: check bricks and tiles for frost damage, timber for rot and woodworm, and ironwork for corrosion or cracking before purchase.
