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3 Deconstruction Techniques That Can Be Used on Your Building

by Kyle Marshall

Would you like to demolish your commercial building in an environmentally sustainable way? Read on and discover how three different deconstruction techniques can be used so that most of the materials from that old building can be reused on another construction project.

Hand Deconstruction

Hand deconstruction is very labour-intensive and relatively slow. This is because workers use handheld tools like crowbars, hammers and small power tools. Small machines, such as lift vehicles, can be used to transport the materials that have been deconstructed. This technique is suitable for the most delicate components, such as cabinets, electrical and plumbing fixtures of your commercial building.

Panelised Deconstruction

Panelised deconstruction is a step higher up on the deconstruction scale. It involves removing larger sections of the building after cutting through different layers of materials. For instance, you can use power tools to cut through concrete sections in order to retrieve joists and the subfloor. This method can also work when you want to retrieve roof shingles, rafters and sheathing. Panelised deconstruction is less labour intensive because machines that are more powerful are used in the process. However, extreme care must be taken in order to avoid accidents that can result when sections of the building collapse after tools are used to cut structures that were supporting other building systems.

Heavy Machinery-Assisted Deconstruction

The third technique of deconstruction makes use of heavy demolition machinery, such as cranes and telescoping equipment to retrieve the heaviest components of a commercial building. Those heavy components may include steel roofs, piers, stairs and chimneys. This technique is usually used once everything has been done to salvage the smaller components of the building using the two techniques discussed earlier. Demolition experts, such as structural engineers, oversee this entire process closely to ensure that the heavy equipment doesn't damage any components that can be recycled. What is left after this stage may then be transported to a disposal site because everything useful would have been salvaged already.

One key consideration that has to be kept in mind when considering deconstruction is the time factor. Deconstruction generally takes more time than the conventional ways of demolishing a building. You should therefore talk to commercial demolition experts early so that the deconstruction process can be done without affecting the timelines that you have set for putting up the new building at your site. The benefits that you reap, such as spending less money to buy new construction materials, will more than compensate for the effort that you put in selecting an experienced firm to handle the deconstruction project.

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