NBSN Home Page
Link to Why We Are Here Menu Link to Members Menu Link to Salvage Menu Link to Downloads Menu Link to Links Menu

Materials Acceptance Guidelines

Material Acceptance Criteria

Material acceptance criteria may vary by store and due to availability. Please contact your local salvage yard before making the trip. Materials must be in good condition, without excessive damage, hazardous material, or missing parts.

Acceptable

In general, NBSN stores accept materials such as:

  • Doors, windows, and hardware
  • Sinks, plumbing fixtures, toilets, tubs
  • Tile, stone, brick
  • Wrought iron, garden design materials
  • Trim, wood flooring, lumber
  • Cabinetry
  • Appliances
  • Shutters and shelves

Marginal

Some materials are considered marginal. This means that we will accept them only if they are in excellent condition and there is space in the store:

  • Toilets (must be low-flow or a unique vintage piece)
  • Ornate hot water radiators
  • Wood desks and furniture
  • Vintage wood stoves
  • Vintage appliances

Not Acceptable

The following are never acceptable:

  • Items contained hazardous materials, such as PCB's or asbestos
  • Railroad ties
  • Chemicals (paint, glue, caulk, etc)

In general, NBSN stores do not accept materials such as:

Appliances/Heater

  • Baseboard heaters
  • Appliances older than 5 years
  • Appliances that don't work or that are missing parts
  • Furnaces older than 5 years or that are broken

Cabinetry

  • Incomplete cabinets
  • Cabinets with pressboard frames

Doors

  • Hollow-core doors
  • Aluminum doors (screened or otherwise)
  • Commercial doors

Flooring

  • Vinyl
  • Wood flooring that has been sanded too many times
  • Wood flooring with adhesive or tile attached
  • Carpeting
  • Engineered flooring

Lighting

  • Cheap, crappy lights
  • Track lighting
  • Can lighting
  • Ceiling fans

Sinks

  • Enameled steel sinks
  • Concrete laundry sinks
  • Marginal colors (e.g.: harvest gold, brown, and almond)
  • Generic, wall-hung sinks
  • Stainless steel sinks with dents or rust
  • Hudee-rimmed sinks
  • Cultured-marble sinks/one-piece countertop combos

Tile

  • Broken tile
  • Tile with grout

Tubs

  • Enameled steel tubs
  • Tubs with excessive damage to the porcelain
  • Marginal colors (e.g.: harvest gold, brown, and almond)

Toilets

  • Generic or hi-flow
  • Marginal colors (e.g.: harvest gold, brown, and almond)

Trim, lumber, siding

  • Pieces with nails
  • Pieces shorter than 5'
  • Pieces that are warped or rotted
  • Pieces with excessive paint

Windows

  • Aluminum windows
  • Thermopane windows without frames
  • Thermopane windows with fogging/broken seals
  • Non-operative picture windows

Misc

  • Vinyl siding
  • Used insulation, drywall
  • Broken or large mirrors
  • Metal or commercial shelving
  • Heating ductwork