Visited a Habitat ReStore yesterday and saw how much building materials have changed

I mean, I went to grab some used door hinges for a cabinet project and ended up spending 20 minutes just looking at all the old hardware they had. The latching mechanisms on those 1950s doors were built so much simpler compared to the plastic stuff I find at the big box stores now. Has anyone else noticed how much sturdier old house parts feel?

3 comments

3 Comments

olivermason12d ago

Totally feel you on this. I snagged an old solid brass deadbolt from a ReStore last month and it weighs like three times what the new ones do at Home Depot. The old stuff was just made to last and you can tell. It's crazy how much plastic and cheap stamped metal has taken over everything.

the_miles11d ago

Check the screw holes first @olivermason. Old brass threads are different than modern ones.

nina_hall4811d ago

Oh, I actually read an article about this the other day. It said old brass hardware was made with a higher copper content so it really does last way longer. The newer stuff they sell now doesn't even compare.