Reclaimed building materials have been part of construction practice for as long as buildings have been demolished. What has changed in recent decades is the formalization of grading systems, the development of salvage networks, and growing recognition that embodied carbon — the emissions associated with producing new materials — is a meaningful factor in a building's total environmental footprint.
In Canada, where a substantial portion of housing stock predates current energy codes, renovation work regularly encounters salvageable material. This article covers the most commonly available categories, what to look for, and where sourcing challenges exist.
Salvaged Structural Timber
Old-growth timber salvaged from pre-1940 industrial buildings — warehouses, factories, agricultural structures — is among the most sought-after reclaimed material. Growth ring density in old-growth Douglas fir, white oak, and eastern hemlock typically far exceeds what is available from farmed second-growth forests. The tight grain translates to hardness, stability under load, and resistance to splitting.
Structural reuse of salvaged timber requires grading. The National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA) does not publish specific grading rules for reclaimed timber, but several provincial jurisdictions and LEED documentation have referenced the Standard for Visual Stress Grading of Reclaimed Lumber developed by engineers in the Pacific Northwest and adopted in modified form by some Canadian structural engineers.
Practical considerations for structural reuse:
- Existing fasteners (nails, lag bolts, joist hangers) must be removed and the wood inspected for embedment damage
- Old-growth species are often denser and harder than new-growth equivalents — drill bits and fasteners need to be matched accordingly
- Moisture content should be tested before use in enclosed assemblies; kiln drying may be required if the salvaged material has been stored outdoors
- Structural engineer review is required when salvaged timber is used for primary structural members in permit-required work
Reclaimed Brick
Pre-1940 brick in Canada was typically hand-pressed and kiln-fired with variable temperature, producing a range of hardness within any given batch. This variability — a defect by industrial standards — is what gives historic brick its visual character. The iron oxide content and flux variations create the tonal shifts that new brick manufacturers attempt to replicate with surface texturing.
Structural use of reclaimed brick requires attention to two variables:
- Mortar compatibility: Historic brick was typically set with lime mortars — lower strength, higher flexibility. Re-laying reclaimed brick with modern Portland cement mortars can cause spalling, as Portland mortar is harder than the brick itself and does not accommodate thermal movement the same way. Lime-based pointing mortars are usually the appropriate match.
- Compressive strength: Soft historic brick may not meet minimum masonry unit strength requirements for structural applications. Testing to CSA A82 (Fired Masonry Brick Made from Clay or Shale) is required for structural masonry use.
For non-structural interior applications — feature walls, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds — these constraints are less significant and reclaimed brick is straightforward to use.
Recovered Steel
Steel is one of the most efficiently recycled materials in the construction supply chain. North American steel production already incorporates high proportions of scrap, so new steel has a substantially lower embodied carbon footprint than new aluminum or concrete per unit of structural capacity.
However, direct reuse of structural steel — rather than recycling through the mill — avoids even that energy input. Steel from decommissioned industrial buildings, bridges, and transmission towers is sometimes available for direct structural reuse. Requirements:
- Mill certification documentation should accompany the material; without it, structural use requires tensile and yield strength testing to confirm grade
- Welding procedures depend on steel grade and carbon equivalent — an unknown grade makes welding specification difficult
- Surface condition affects fire resistance and coating adhesion
In Canadian renovation practice, recovered steel is more commonly used for non-structural applications: stair railings, exposed beam connections, decorative elements, and architectural features where the patina of existing steel is part of the design intent.
Sourcing Reclaimed Materials in Canada
The most consistent national source of reclaimed building materials is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore network, which operates in most major Canadian cities. ReStore accepts donated building materials from contractors, renovators, and manufacturers, and resells at reduced prices. Stock is unpredictable but regularly replenished.
Private salvage yards operate in most urban and near-urban areas. Notable networks include:
- Ontario: Architectural Antiques (Toronto), Habitat for Humanity ReStores across the GTA, Hamilton, London, Ottawa
- British Columbia: Vancouver-area salvage yards with significant stock from pre-war housing stock
- Quebec: Récupère Construction operates across the province
- Alberta: Calgary and Edmonton salvage operations tied to oilfield infrastructure decommissioning
Embodied Carbon and the Case for Reclaimed Materials
The construction and building sector accounts for approximately 11% of global CO₂ emissions from embodied carbon in materials, according to the Architecture 2030 initiative. In Canada, where the federal government has set net-zero emissions targets for 2050, the building sector is a focus of policy attention.
Reclaimed materials eliminate the production stage emissions entirely. A salvaged old-growth timber beam has zero production-stage embodied carbon; the only carbon associated with its reuse is transportation and any processing (milling, drying). Compared to a new engineered lumber product — which carries production, kiln drying, and adhesive manufacturing emissions — the difference can be substantial.
LEED v4 awards up to two points under the Materials and Resources category for the use of reclaimed materials meeting documentation requirements. The Canada Green Building Council's Zero Carbon Building Standard also credits embodied carbon reduction strategies, including reclaimed material use.
Flooring: Reclaimed Wood and Salvaged Tile
Reclaimed hardwood flooring is one of the most accessible reclaimed material categories for residential renovation. Unlike structural applications, flooring reuse does not require formal grading — it requires surface condition assessment, dimensional consistency checking, and moisture content measurement before installation.
Old-growth Douglas fir flooring salvaged from demolished office buildings, gymnasiums, and community halls is particularly available in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. The tongue-and-groove profile on original flooring is typically still intact after refinishing if the surface has not been ground past the tongue depth.
Ceramic and terracotta tile from commercial renovations is sometimes available through salvage networks. The main practical constraint is quantity — matching enough tile of a consistent colour lot for a full floor area often requires sourcing from multiple lots and accepting variation.
Documentation Requirements for LEED
LEED MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization — Sourcing of Raw Materials defines reclaimed materials as "materials recovered from the original use in construction projects, reused in another construction project." Documentation requires product cut sheets and a statement of recovered content by value.
The credit threshold is 20% of the total value of permanently installed products being sourced from reclaimed, bio-based, or other qualifying categories — a realistic target for renovation projects with significant reclaimed content.