Windows and doors may not meet the new building codes. The glazing in some is quite thin so may not be very efficient or even safe in some applications. Sure they can be repaired and have new glass, etc. but if you pay a carpenter to repair rotted timbers and replace glass for example, the cost of new unfortunately looks pretty good..... They would need repairing before they were allowed on site otherwise the builder will charge to fix up before he could use or they could hold up the whole job while they all wait for you to fix.... To have all windows and doors ready so they could be just picked up and installed would be the ideal process. Bricks are ok and can look great. No difference to a bricklayer but they would need to be cleaned of mortar and stacked, on pallets, etc. once on site. The recycled stuff looks great, something new items just can't compare. But theres always that $ figure attached to get them up to scratch. I'd say buy the most complete and best condition you can find that way theres less work for everyone.

A friend of mine used slices of tree trunk, bark attached. The rounds looked fabulous and were placed just right for stepping from one to the other. They may not last forever, however they should be okay for a few years and would look fabulous in an area of trees.

It's really interesting that a higher number use it as a car shield or sand pit cover! We actually recently wrote an article based on some of your feedback, and came up with other ideas of our own. Anyone else use the shade cloth in these ways?? http://www.coolaroo.com/diy-hub/using-shade-cloth-in-the-great-outdoors

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! i will talk to my parents about adding a fence, trimming the greenery and doing something about that red brick! me me - they brought the house off the builder in the 90's - its like a weird light grey with the green paint trims - the inside was worse, apricot as far as the eye could eye!