INTERIOR DEMOLITION

When people think about demolition they usually imagine either explosives or a swinging wrecking ball but in reality neither of these is common and most demolition is a much more subtle readjustment of a property to better realize its potential. One example of that is interior demolition where internal structures are broken down so that they can better be rebuilt to suit modern living or a change of purpose. So many buildings are perfectly sound structurally on the outside and for a wide variety of reasons it may be highly desirable to retain the exterior but that doesn't mean the interior can’t be completely reimagined and for that a degree of interior demolition is often called for.

Why Interior Demolition

There are a number of reasons why interior demolition might better suit the purposes of your project. The first is that the exterior of a building may be protected by law or building codes for heritage purposes or to ensure it continues to match its neighbors. Then there’s the fact that a lot of older structures, when reconfigured internally and restored externally look simply fantastic so it is a great idea to keep the external walls and facade. Internally, however, modern life makes very different demands on light and room space compared to older styles, and a change of purpose, from industrial to residential for example, will need a lot of internal changes.

Demolition vs Deconstruction

While these might sound like the same thing there is a key difference between the two approaches. Demolition means simply tearing unwanted structures down and hauling them away but in response to both environmental concerns and cost issues deconstruction is increasingly popular. In deconstruction the structure or interior is first assessed for any reusable assets. That could mean structures that can remain in place and be built around for a different purpose or look, or it could mean things that can be taken out for reuse or recycling. Not only is that clearly greener and better for our beloved planet but depending on what can be recycled or removed for reuse it can also result in lower costs for your project. So ask us about our deconstruction services.

Structural Safety

Some internal demolition can go ahead right away but other things are more tricky. An internal load bearing wall, for example, cannot simply be demolished. However it can be first substituted with an alternative way of load bearing such as a steel joist and then the wall demolished. We work hand in hand with architects and structural engineers to ensure that our demolition is safe and legal.

Aesthetic Tear Outs

Not all demolition involves knocking down walls. A lot can involve removing layers, for example that popcorn ceiling or pulling up that linoleum flooring to reveal the wood beneath. Because of the possibility of hazardous materials or even structural damage it is best to leave those tear out jobs to the pros since we not only make light work of it with the best results but also know where and when we are likely to encounter dangerous materials.