Demolition vs. Deconstruction: Are There Differences?

When property owners decide to remodel or rebuild their present home or building, they might need to remove the existing structure to proceed with their plans. While demolition seems to be the only course of action for this at first, closer research shows that there may be another viable option, namely deconstruction. Each one removes a structure effectively, but there are differences between their processes that you should understand before you are faced with which one to use with your own structure. For this reason, we explore both methods for structure removal in the following.

What Is Demolition?

Demolition is when you remove all of the furnishings from the structure, disconnect the utilities and knock the structure down using a wrecking ball or other equipment. The process leaves a pile of rubble and waste that is hauled away to a landfill for disposal. Very little, if any, of the debris is recycled.

What Is Deconstruction?

Deconstruction involves taking the structure apart in a time-consuming, labour-intensive fashion. Crews systematically remove all construction materials intact. They also will separate these materials into their specific categories for recycling or reuse. Through the deconstruction process, about 80 percent of the waste is salvageable and sometimes more. Depending upon the nature of the materials, some of it may even be sold to recyclers, and this can reduce the cost of deconstruction.

How to Tell Which Process Is Right for Your Needs

If a structure is an unstable condition, demolition may be the safest way to remove all of it from the site, regardless of how the debris is disposed afterwards. An example of this is when a structure suffers irreparable damage during a storm. The age of a structure may also have a bearing on whether this is the right removal method for it.

When a structure is sound and contains reusable or recyclable materials, though, deconstruction is an environmentally responsible way to remove it. In addition, it can be cost-effective since you may be able to sell the recyclables to a recycler. Steel and other metals are examples of these items. Timber and stone elements are reusable in your own renovation project, which saves you money on new materials. Another benefit of deconstruction is that you can preserve favourite features, such as a carved mantelpiece or the timber paneling just for two examples.

For further details about the differences between demolition and deconstruction, consult with Simcat Demolitions. We will fully analyse your specific situation and advise you about which one is correct for your needs. Our company is highly skilled in the partial and full removal of structures and guarantees expert results.

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