When planning a new construction project, homeowners often need to decide what to do with an existing structure. A hard demolition reduces a building to rubble, while a soft project reverses the order of the building’s construction. Here, the demolition company at Rocks Masonry in Brentwood, NY, explains each choice in detail. 

Soft Demolition

Also referred to as deconstruction, a soft demolition involves taking a building apart piece by piece. People typically schedule this for refurbishments, remodeling projects, and any simple construction projects. 

As an eco-friendly alternative to a full-blown demolition, this method does not affect the structure of a building, making it more cost-efficient than a hard project.

During this process, a demolition company will remove all materials from the inside and outside of a structure that don’t contribute to the actual build. This includes removing ceiling tiles, drywall, hardwood floors, and bathroom fixtures. Materials such as wall studs, nails, piping, wiring, and concrete are also carefully preserved during this process for future use. 

Deconstruction is much more intricate and time-intensive than a standard hard demolition. Since it relies more on manual labor than machinery, upfront costs can also be higher. However, tax deductions and salvaged materials can help homeowners save money in the long run.

Hard Demolition

What happens when you buy property because you love the location or view, but dislike the actual structure? Hard, or structural, demolition, is a popular way for property owners to start off with a clean slate. For fixer-uppers, it is often a cheaper alternative to salvaging a deteriorating building.

Hard projects involve the removal of structural features like floors, beams, and load-bearing walls. This is much more labor-intensive than a deconstruction since a demolition company will be using heavy equipment and specialized attachments. Methods include the use of explosives, hand tools, and machine demolition.

Buildings can contain several harmful materials that present serious health risks to both workers and the environment. Before the project begins, the team will need to identify any hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, mercury, CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).

Hiring the right demolition company ensures safe handling practices and waste disposal. Rocks Masonry offers a wide range of masonry and excavation services. This family-owned and -operated company has the tools and experience to get the job done, whether it’s building a pool patio or a retaining wall. Learn more about their services online or by calling (631) 960-2718.

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