James Guilette of St. Albans sizes up window frames at the Warehouse in Swanton with the help of his son, Carter.

Building contractors, home renovators and homeowners seeking new or replacement appliances and fixtures find 9,600 square feet of possibilities at the Franklin/Grand Isle Habitat for Humanity warehouse sales in Swanton. They back up their trucks and vans on Saturdays throughout the year to get materials they need at bargain prices.

There are plenty of choices. Available at the July sale were 8 bathroom vanities, 12 kitchen sinks, scores of brand-new light fixtures, gallons of paint @ $5 per, range hoods, microwaves, TVs, yards of kitchen cabinetry, PVC piping, and lots more.

Much is new, donated by retailers and wholesale suppliers to support Habitats' program of erecting affordable houses.But Habitat just can't use it all. They sell the surplus and profits, up to $7-8000 at some sales, go toward what's still needed.

The next sale will be in August, date TBA on the Grand Isle and Green Mountain websites: www.vermonthabitat.org and www.franklingrandislehfh.com. To get there: Rte. 89, exit 21, right on 78 for one mile, and left on Airport Rd. It's then half a mile. Watch for signs.

Volunteers are building the Franklin/Grand Isle chapter's fifth house, on Messenger Drive in St. Albans. Dave MacCallum, Franklin/Grand Isle chairman, says “it's sealed in, and will have an Energy Star rating for conservation."