I have some hardwood flooring left over from two flooring projects. It’s Mirage birch, some semi-gloss, some cashmere finish, about 40 sq. ft. of it, so not enough to do any kind of floor on its own.
I don’t have any use for the leftovers (aside from saving a bit for possible repairs), so I have no reason to hold on to it. And I’d really like not to just throw it out if I don’t have to, because it’s beautiful flooring that used to be part of a beautiful tree.
I asked the person I bought the floor from if her distributor has any interest in taking this flooring in case any of their customers ever need a bit of extra. They thought it was a nutty idea. They also didn’t know of any charities that take leftover hardwood flooring.
Does anyone have any ideas for how I could get rid of this flooring without just throwing it out. I’m not looking to make any money, I just hate the thought of wasting a usable resource.
Replies
Make a top for a kitchen island, or maybe even the whole counter. For the front edge, rip a 45* bevel on two boards, and run it through a router with the lock-miter bit. After it's in place, round over the edge.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
If you just want to give it away, try freecycle.org. It's a list serve kind of thing, where you post items you want to get rid of. Only catch is they have to be free.
I've gotten rid of a bunch of things that way (old appliances from jobs etc., even some of my wife's old shoes...go figure). Best thing is they don't take up space in my dumpster and whoever wants it comes and hauls it away, saving my back.
Check it out. I'm pretty sure you'd find a group in your area.
Mike
Thanks - that's exactly what I was looking for!
I made a vanity cabinet from 3/4" 100 + year old heart pine strip flooring, cutting boards etc.You can glue up the strip flooring to whatever width you need. The flooring is dry enough that cupping and shrinkage are usually not a problem.
mike
You could use it to put a fresh top on a workbench or dress up a small set of steps, like the type that go into a garage.
Habitat for Humanity operates stores in some towns where people can buy building supplies that are donated. So you might be able to donate it there, and as a tax deductible charity, you have a tax write off.
I sent a number of ceiling fans over, and I'm probably going to send some left over pipe too.
That's an interesting idea. I thought about Habitat for Humanity, but assumed that they wouldn't take something like this. I'll look into it. Thanks.
Window and passage jambs.
Make a porch swing.
heres a link to the habitat for humanity resale store directory
I stop in to ours every chance I get
http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx
Thanks for posting that. I went to their website and didn't see it. Those shops are great ideas!
During remodels we've put stuff out by the street with a free sign on it. You'd be amazed at the stuff people will haul off to reuse.
This is one of my kitchen remodels.
The bench seat and the countertop to the right are leftover flooring. Kinda offsets all that white built-in cabinetry and shelves.
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Edited 7/27/2006 9:53 pm ET by RalphWicklund
Make them into cutting boards and give them away as gifts. Maybe run them through a planer to take off the finish and back relief, then face glue them up.
I made a bunch of these one year out of scraps from the Chicago Cutlery dumpster. all walnut & cherry. Each one different shape, pattern etc.
Comes in handy for those neighbor or distant relatives that you get an unexpected gift from during the holidays. And it's something that just about everybody can use and appreciate.
Pete Duffy, Handyman