How to Store Scrap Lumber - Save Money

Homeowners who like to fix things accumulate scrap lumber and building materials. Keeping good scraps for future use and easy access saves money.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 12' Measuring tape
• A suitable ladder
• An electric drill

1. Sorting by size. Building materials can be divided into sheet goods and "sticks." Sheet goods are pieces of plywood, remnants of sheetrock/wallboard, even acrylic sheet used for picture frames and storm doors. Other sheet goods include pegboard, foamboard and even heavy cardboard. Sticks are anything from thin trim lumber like moldings up to long wide heavy boards. Try to store sheet material on edge. Longer "sticks" are best stored mostly horizontally, while short ones are stored on end.

2. Storing sheet materials. In an empty corner of the basement or shed or garage, put blocks or bricks on the floor so the materials are not directly resting on dirt or cement and air can get under them. Lay a piece of scrap across the bricks or blocks to make a low platform. Now put the largest sheet scrap you have against one wall so you can see its edge. Move the bottom an inch or two away from the wall so its top leans against the wall. It doesn't matter if you mix materials, so place the next largest adjoining the first. Keep it up until all your sheet scrap is standing on edge, leaning against the wall. If you have lots of smaller sheet scraps, say less than 3' by 4', you can build one or more shelves with one side on a wall and stand the scraps upright.

3. Storing "Sticks" and longer items including pipe. Divide the scraps into those pieces 7' long or more, those under 3' long and everything in between those sizes. Each group is stored with a different technique. A great place for the long pieces is across the rafters if you have a garage or shed. Just be careful on the ladder. If you don't have rafters, you can build a simple suspended rack with some of the scrap and some screws. The short pieces are stored on end in a 5 gallon paint can. The mid-size pieces are easily stored along the wall with some simple bookshelf hardware. The idea in all cases is to store the materials so they stay pretty dry, and so you can easily find a choice piece of scrap when you need something. You'll save money and trips to the building materials warehouse.

Tips & Warnings

• Handling building material scraps can be both dirty and dangerous. Wear gloves and be careful of nails, splinters and sharp edges.
• Don't overload whatever frame you use for storage. First, the weight can tear the frame apart. Second, you'll make it hard to retrieve a particular "stick" on the bottom of the bundle.
• Some scrap pieces, even when not too heavy, are awkward for one person to handle. Use common sense and get a helping hand when you need it.