Demolition vs. Deconstruction

In the world of remodeling, the first step is usually getting rid of what's already in the way of the new construction we want to create.  There are a couple of different approaches to making way for the remodel.  With today's emphasis on green building, more interest is being generated around reusing materials instead of buying all new. 

Demolition: Think wrecking ball.  Think "demolition parties" where each guest is handed a sledgehammer upon arrival.  Think Extreme Home Makeover, where a bulldozer drives through the house.  Demolition is a process of quickly destroying a structure and clearing it away.  Demolition is relatively inexpensive, fast, and does not require particularly specialized labor.  Most projects are done this way, but there is another option.

Deconstruction: Sometimes customers want to save and reuse materials.  The most common reason a customer would choose this route is to reduce the impact on the environment.  The production of new materials uses much more energy and has more impact on the environment than landfills do, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Earth Advantage.  (This means that it harms the environment more to produce a new roll of carpet than it does to put the same size roll of carpet into a landfill.)  There are several advantages to reusing materials when we are able;

• You become your own supply and demand, meaning that you are not subjected to fluctuating prices based on world events.
• You may save time later in the project by not having to wait for materials to arrive.
• The environmental impact of reusing materials rather than buying new is huge.
• Materials may not be available to match what you already have.  If you're only replacing part of the home, you want the new addition to match up with the rest of the house, not to stick out like a sore thumb.  (See photo below for an example of reusing materials to match the addition to the existing house)
• Your home may have a sentimental quality that you want to retain through the reuse of materials, perhaps even refashioned into a completely different use in the new construction.

 

In this 2008 remodel, siding for the addition off of the back of the house had to be specially milled to match the existing siding.  We had very little available for reuse because the home was being added onto rather than reconfigured - therefore, there was very little deconstruction to take advantage of.  When possible, it can be much less expensive to reuse materials than to have them custom-made.  In other areas of the home, many materials were reused, including windows, doors and lighting fixtures.
 

Deconstruction is much more involved than demolition.  It is almost a backwards construction process - taking apart a structure piece by piece.  Obviously, this takes much more time, skill and money than smashing a house apart with a wrecking ball.

We recently began a project deconstructing an A-frame house in which we will reuse as many materials as possible, both for environmental and sentimental reasons.  We took the old shingles off the roof, then took down the roof decking, one board at a time, taking care not to damage the wood too much.  Extra support boards were added to keep the bare structure from moving around.

After that, I removed the nails from each board and stacked them neatly (the stacks need to remain very straight or the boards can be warped by rain and sun, making them difficult to reuse).  These boards will be remade into floor decking and natural ceilings in the new home.

Yes, even I help on the jobsite now and then!

Glass from the windows was carefully removed via scaffolding.  Again, since we're reusing the structure of the house, we didn't want to simply break the glass, as that could result in damage to the surrounding framing.

Whether demolition, deconstruction, or a combination of both is best for your remodel, we are ready to help you make the most of your project.  We understand that there's more to building a home than the finished product.  Remodeling is a process coordinating quality new construction and maintaining the character of the home you live in.  When you're keeping part of the original home intact, it's important to make a peaceful transition between new and old.  

Wendy Markt

  

Comments

[access panels]

Thank you for sharing your idea regarding this topic. I should suggest to calculate and verify the cost that you will pay in deconstruction than building a new house. It is wise to renovate your house with less cost. You need to know your purpose as well for demolishing your house if it serves well.

[Bathroom Remodeling Seattle]

Such a beautiful idea for creating that design of a house. I like it.

[demolition]

Unlike breaking hammers, jackhammers are mostly made to break up horizontal material. To get the bit started, place it where you want to break (and these tools are NOT precise, so be careful – the bit will strike above and below the point you start at), and squeeze the trigger on the hammer. I’ve seen guys place the bit between their feet to get the bit started on new material, but this can be very dangerous. That’s 61 ft/lbs (or more) of pressure if you slip up, and will easily crush your foot. Don’t do it.