Types of Structural Demolition

Apr 01, 2022

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There is usually more than one way to accomplish an objective! Want to eat an egg? You can boil it, fry it, or even eat it raw. Well, when it comes to demolition, there are a variety of ways to accomplish demolishing a structure that needs to be removed.

Structural demolition requires various equipment, depending on the method that is to be used. However, figuring out which method or equipment is necessary isn’t easy and should always be left to professional demolition expert.

A demolition company will want to know why you want a structure demolished so they can take necessary precautions and properly plan the job. Consulting specialists will offer insight into what you can do now to prepare the demolition site or even how much the project could cost. These insights will be determined on a walkthrough and evaluation of the structure – this will need to be the first step in deciding the best type of structural demolition.

The Walkthrough

Before beginning a structural demolition project, your chosen demolition company will want to come and walk through the site and assess what the process could look like. After analyzing the structure, they will determine the best way to proceed with the demolition.

One of the factors that could impact the how to demolish a structure is speed. Based on your timeline, a demolition expert may choose a different type of demolition to complete the job within your desired window. However, they will never do something quickly if it is not the right call. Safety should always be priority number one.

At this point they will come up with a detailed plan for the project that will include pre-demolition, demolition, and post-demolition. The type of structural demolition will determine what materials will be needed to complete the job, as well as the cost.

So, just how many types of structural demolition are there?

Types of Structural Demolition

When people think of demolishing a structure, they usually first imagine a building being blown up or a structure being knocked over by a giant crane and ball. However, these options are not always employed and are not the most common types of demolition. A variety of different types of demolition can be used, depending on the structure.

Let’s take a closer look at all the different ways a structure can be demolished.

In broad terms, demolition can be broken down into two wide categories: non-explosive demolition and explosive demolition. Every type of structural demolition will fall under one of these two categories. The procedures and preparation are different based on what type of demolition is chosen. For example, if explosive demolition is chosen, permits will often be necessary, and you may have to seek approval to use explosives to demolish a structure. Here are a few different types of structural demolition:

  • Interior demolition is typically preferred when you do not want to completely remove a structure. It is accomplished by removing parts of the interior of a structure while keeping the exterior intact. This is usually done when the goal of a demolition is a renovation project. Interior demolition could include the demo of interior walls, ceilings, or even pipes.

  • Selective demolition is similar to interior demolition in the fact that the goal is not to completely remove the current structure. However, unlike interior demolition, selective demolition can include the exterior portions of a structure.
  • Dismantling/Deconstruction is a very precise form of demolition that requires careful labor, whether dismantling or deconstruction is chosen. The goal is to preserve the components that are dismantled or deconstructed and reuse them for recycling or other purposes. Due to the demands of this type of demolition, it is often more labor intensive than the other types.
  • Total Demolition is exactly what it sounds like – the opposite of the dismantling/deconstruction method. The goal is total demolition is to leave none of the original structure behind. There are multiple ways to accomplish this type of demolition.
  • Mechanical demolition utilizes exactly what its namesake is— mechanical equipment and tools. This can be anything from hydraulic excavators to demolition robots.
  • Implosion is what the most individuals think of when it comes to demolition. Implosion is a very specific form of demolition that requires explosives to bring down tall structures by taking out the support from underneath.

  • Crane and Wrecking Ball is the other type of demolition that most people visualize. While it was one of the first forms of demolition, it is hardly as popular as it once was. 

Now that you know what types of structural demolition there are, it’s time to find the right demolition company for you. You want a company you can trust to get the job done right, safely.

That company is Alpine Demolition.

Alpine Demolition

At Alpine Demolition, we make several guarantees to our clients. We guarantee safety, modern technology, sustainable practices, and care for the community and environment where your project is located.

Contact us today by clicking here to ask questions or begin a bid form. Alternatively, call us at 630-761-0700 with any questions you have about your upcoming demolition project. Remember, the first step you need to take before a demolition project is deciding whether deconstruction is the right choice for you and your group or organization. We would love to talk through all the options with you to help you make a stress-free decision.

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