This year, many people are taking the opportunity to carry out renovations at home. To ensure a return on investment when it comes to renovating, many people have in mind to renovate their kitchen, basement, or bathroom.

If renovating these rooms gives more value to your property, having your backyard done could give you a better return on your investment ranging from 50 to 75%!

Renovating your backyard: an interesting return on investment

When it comes to renovating an outdoor courtyard, there are plenty of ideas! Therefore, Pro Post Foundations offers three suggestions that will enhance your backyard and make it more functional while increasing the value of your home. Now all you must do is create your dream backyard and enjoy a peaceful and relaxing summer!

Renovate your patio

Your patio no longer suits you? It is time to renew it! For your project to be successful, it is essential to think about how you are going to use it to benefit from it as much as possible. The ideal is to determine the zones according to the activities you want to practice. For example, a dining or reading area, garden, storage spaces or even a play area if you have children. A world of possibilities is available to you! Then, all you must do is decorate to create an atmosphere at your image.

Build a pergola

For a dream terrace that reflects the most beautiful landscapes of the South, opt for a pergola! The structure is quite easy to achieve. We advise you to choose a resistant wood such as cedar wood which is adapted to our climate. Once the structure is in place, decorate it with hanging planters, climbing plants and large sheer curtains to create an intimate corner where you can enjoy a meal or just your morning coffee.

Install an outdoor kitchen

Are you a fan of BBQ’s and dinners on the terrace? An outdoor kitchen is perfect for you! No more going back and forth to the kitchen during dinner. Sink, worktop and even refrigerator would be at your hand to cook like a chef. Why not include a small bar for a lounge atmosphere with friends? The kitchen is the centerpiece of a house so when you have both inside and outside kitchen, it is a major asset for you as well as for a future buyer.

Pro Post Foundations: your ally in all your projects

For all your construction or renovation projects, count on Pro Post Foundations piles for a solid foundation. They are ideal for supporting your patio, pergola and more. They will guarantee you a strong resistance during periods of freezing or thawing. Since they are made of galvanized steel, you can be reassured that they will not rust. Choose the strength and reliability of our screw piles.

Would you like some advice? Our experts can guide you in the choice and number of piles for your projects.

You may not see them, but they are there. Behind the scenes, Pro Post Foundation screw piles work hard, to firmly and sturdily support the structures that contribute to our daily living, and this, without even being visible. Here’s how:

 

What role do screw piles play in our daily lives?

 As you sip your morning coffee while enjoying the sun’s first rays in your solarium, the screw piles are present, quietly supporting your structure without budging, without shaking. Even come winter, hidden under a blanket of snow, you never fear that your solarium will sink because its foundations are anchored into the ground below the frost line preventing any movements.

When hosting brunch on your patio, you forget that screw piles also uphold it; they’ve kept it perfectly level for the past few years, even with the addition of a hot tub! Another key advantage: there is no delay between the installation of the screw piles and the start of the project! As soon as the piles are installed, they are ready to bear weight.

To enjoy some shade when eating outside, you recently purchased a gazebo to accommodate your patio table and chairs. To keep it perfectly straight, and avoid that it flies away in the wind, you opted to install screw piles in all four corners. The screw piles support the weight thanks to a helix plate at the bottom of the shaft; the correct size screw piles are chosen by our certified installer or an engineer, when required by the City or Municipality. Come winter, you don’t even have to take it down as the screw piles will hold it perfectly in place, even with the weight of the snow.

Wanting to do your part for the environment (and because you love the smell of fresh linens), you hang your clothes to dry on a clothes line.  A distance from the house, its attached to a post, the post is firmly planted in the ground thanks to a screw pile! This way, you can confidently hang ALL your clothes, without ever fearing that it will lean. To improve your decor, you are considering changing its location. Not a problem! Screw piles can be moved. Thanks to our specialized equipment, Pro Post Foundations can remove a screw pile and plant it elsewhere on your property.

Located at the far end of your yard, your shed stores tools, bicycles, Christmas decorations, a lawnmower, your recreational vehicle, etc. Let’s just say, many, many things! You needed foundations that were able to bear tons of weight, for this reason, you opted for screw piles; thanks to this solution, your shed will never warp, sink or lose stability.

To keep your dog from running loose in the neighbourhood, and to allow the kids to play safely, you built a fence around your property. What supports it? Screw piles, obviously! Installed in the ground below the frost line, they remain stable, keeping your fence sturdy for many years, in comparison to other available products.

You love your backyard, but feel that something is perhaps missing. Therefore, you decide to add an artificial pond, complete with a footbridge. Since the ground is humid, therefore unstable around such structures, screw piles are the best solution; they are not affected by ground movement and, most importantly, are able to support your little bridge.

On the side of your house, your carport has been standing tall for many years now. Supported by screw piles, you never worry that it will collapse under the weight of the snow. Nonetheless, you are contemplating transforming it into a garage. You’ll be happy to know that screw piles can even be used to support this type of structure. And, since they always stay straight, they’ll prevent any cracking in the concrete slab.

In front of your house, near the street, is your post-mounted mailbox. It has withstood many winter storms and the snowplows. How is that possible? It is held in place by a screw pile! No need to dig a hole or to pour concrete; it’s quick and easy! What’s more, the mini Kubota tractor equipped with turf tires, that was used to install the screw pile, did not even damage your lawn.

To light the pathway to your front porch, you installed lamp posts. How are they all supported? Screw piles! Had you opted for sonotubes, you would have waited for the concrete to dry. No waiting time, makes it much easier and quicker!

And, just to be sure that you are paying attention, the above-mentioned front porch is also supported by screw piles.

 

So, we are convinced that you can now appreciate how screw piles are a crucial part of our daily lives. You should also be aware that they are quality engineered products, certified by the under license 13608-R and they meet Canada’s National Building Code. They are built entirely in a CWB (Canadian welders bureau) certified factory, guaranteeing the quality of the soldering. To adapt to your project and to the soil type, screw piles come in a wide range of diameters and helix sizes. Our specialized installers will determine the perfect screw piles for your project.

And, if you think you can achieve the same results with sonotubes, we kindly invite you to read our previous article on this topic.

Want to make summer last a wee bit longer and enjoy the sun even on cooler days? The ideal solution is to add a solarium to your residence. Besides making the most of the sun, this type of extension offers many other advantages: it increases your home’s resale value, and offers passive solar gain, additional living and storage space, etc.

But, if you think that simply adding this structure onto an existing balcony is enough to enjoy the sun’s rays, you’re mistaken. Installing a 3- or 4-season solarium should not be taken lightly! Several factors must be considered to ensure solidity and durability.

So, to help you avoid any disastrous mistakes, we have come up with a list of the most common solarium installation blunders. We will attempt to shed some light on them for you:

Choosing the wrong type of solarium

There are two types of solariums available on the market: the 3-season solarium, not usable in the winter, and the 4-season, comfortable year-round. The key difference, besides the price? Heating! The 4-season solarium can be heated, but not the 3-season.

Here are some other differences:

3-season solarium

Less expensive than its 4-season counterpart, the 3-season solarium can be enjoyed in the spring, summer and fall. A lighter structure, it requires much less work to install. A structurally sound balcony or a terrace is usually enough to support this type of solarium.

Single pane (but tempered glass) windows are enough to maintain it at a comfortable temperature.

4-season solarium

A 4-season solarium allows you to enjoy the sun’s rays year-round, even in the depths of winter. It is more expensive than the 3-season solarium because of its composition and energy consumption.

The 4-season solarium’s aluminum structure must have a thermal barrier and double or triple paned glass. To avoid condensation and drafts, the temperature must be constantly controlled through effective ventilation, insulation and heating.

Heating your 3-season solarium to use it all year

If you think you can save money by heating your 3-season solarium, think again! This is actually inadvisable as it causes undue condensation.

Opting for lesser quality foundations

To ensure that your solarium remains firmly in place for years to come, you must choose solid foundations that are not affected by ground movements due to the frost and thaw. If not, your structure will shift and sink over the years.

Therefore, Pro Post Foundations’ screw piles, anchored into the ground below the frost line thanks to a helix plate at the bottom of the shaft, represent the best option as they will always remain stable. And, they can be used in any type of soil, whether dense or aqueous.

To support a heavy, 4-season solarium, the number, dimension and placement of the screw piles will be determined by our expert installers or our in-house engineers.

When it come to installing screw piles, the machinery and work required are substantially less than a traditional concrete foundation. In fact, as opposed to the large machinery that is essential when pouring a concrete foundation, our mini Kubota tractor, with its turf tires, will not damage your lawn.

If you do choose a concrete foundation, because of the empty space below the structure, we highly recommend that you install heated flooring, unless you use choice insulation.

Building your solarium on a rickety balcony or terrace

Installing your 3- or 4-season solarium on an existing balcony or terrace is conceivable, but you must be sure that the structure is perfect. It must not be affected by ground movements due to the frost and thaw; if the supporting structure shifts, water will infiltrate your solarium.

If you want to reinforce the foundation of an existing balcony or terrace prior to installing your solarium, you will be happy to know that screw piles can be installed under the current structure. In fact, our versatile equipment even enables us to install in constricted areas.

Choosing low-quality glass

Particularly if you are opting for a 4-season solarium, you must select high-energy efficiency glass that will keep you comfortable all year, even in winter. How do you evaluate glass quality? By using its isolation factor. A product’s thermal resistance is expressed by its R-factor: the higher the R-factor, the better it insulates.

For a solarium, the minimum required R-factor is R-4. With tinted windows, blinds in the summer and radiant floors in the winter, you will be very comfortable in your solarium. Understand that the R-factor can go to 13, and as of R-7 the cost increases exponentially!

Omitting to install a hermetic door between your 3-season solarium and your house

A three-season solarium can be enjoyed even when the temperature outside drops below zero. Believe it or not, when it is -5 °C, even -10 °C, outside, you will still be comfortable because the solarium’s windows capture the sun’s rays, thus rising the temperature!

But, at night, without the sunlight, the freezing point can easily be reached! Therefore, to avoid temperature variations in your home, it is highly recommended that you install a well-insulated hermetic door between your main residence and your solarium.

Sealing inadequately between the house and the structure

One of the most frequent issues with solariums is water infiltration; the main reason for this is a poor seal between the house and the addition. When the solarium leans against a brick wall or it must be attached to the fascia (the extremity of the outer wall), the risks are tenfold.

Calling on an entrepreneur who specializes in solarium installations will ensure your peace of mind.

Not having a professional install your solarium

It is possible to install your own solarium, but doing it successfully requires extensive knowledge; all the necessary information cannot be found in an instruction manual. So, if you do not call upon an expert, chances are that you will have water infiltrations… a lake in the summer and a skating rink in the winter! To ensure durability, we recommend that you budget for a professional installation.

Not validating with your municipality beforehand

Whether heated or not, a solarium is considered an annex or an addition, and it must conform to your municipality’s regulations relating to materials, fire codes, distance from neighbours, and the type of foundations allowed.
Before jumping into this project, why not find out what is and is not permissible, and obtain a building permit from your municipality, if necessary; this way, you will avoid any unpleasant surprises!

 

So, there many things to consider, before you build or install your solarium. The type of solarium, the building materials, the contractor, the municipal regulations and your foundation; it is key to be well-informed and give yourself enough time prior to jumping into such a project.

Now that you have thought about everything, why not call on the professionals at Pro Post Foundations to install your future solarium?

Have a project in mind? You want it to last and resist to the changing seasons? Harsh winters and spring thaws affect soil composition; therefore, you must ensure that your patio, garage, solarium, dock, etc. lay on solid foundations. You have two options: screw piles or sonotubes.

When it comes to cost-effectiveness, sustainability and safety, screw piles are without a doubt the best choice! In light of the screw pile advantages, discover why sonotubes are no match for this certified product.

 

What is the difference between a screw pile and a sonotube?

The table below unveils the key disparities between these two products. But before diving into this any further, let’s clearly differentiate screw piles from sonotubes.

Screw piles

Made of galvanized steel and meet Canada’s National Building Code requirements under license CCMC 13608-R, Pro Post Foundations’ screw piles are like large screws. To support your structure, screw piles are driven into the ground using specialized equipment; they are installed below the frost line thanks to a helix plate.

Therefore, they are not affected by ground movements and offer unparalleled stability, even in locations with poor soil quality and uneven ground.  With components such as an adjustable or fixed pile head, a central shaft and a helix plate to anchor, this product’s components can be adapted to a wide range of residential and commercial projects.

Sonotubes

Similar to screw piles, sonotubes support a residential or commercial structure. Sonotubes are cardboard tubes in which concrete is poured to create solid concrete, cylinder-shaped pillars. For people looking to install twenty-foot columns, sonotubes serve both a structural and esthetic purpose.

 

Why choose screw piles?

There are several reasons to choose screw piles! Many installation factors must be taken into consideration when deciding. Here’s a summary:

Excavation

Installing sonotubes requires digging; installing screw piles does not. This is a key factor when you take into account the damage caused to a property by excavation equipment.

Equipment

To install screw piles, our professional installers use specialized equipment such as mini Kubota tractors, which makes a huge difference! This mini tractor is designed for all types of soils and limits property damage, thanks to its turf tires and mini rear excavator that precisely positions the screw piles. What’s more, the equipment used to install the screw piles is so efficient that work is completed in one day, even in less accessible areas. 

Certified installers

Prior to installing screw piles, a manufacturer’s certification must be obtained; as opposed to sonotubes that can be installed by any handyman. Thanks to our certified installers and their specialized equipment, you can be confident that your project will be supported perfectly.

Weather conditions

What’s more, our professionals can work regardless of the weather conditions. As opposed to sonotubes, where installations during drought, frost or rainy periods are not recommended.

When opting for screw piles, you can immediately move forward with your project once installation is complete! With concrete pillars, you will have to wait the required curing time.

Movement

No outside factors can hinder the screw piles’ durability. You can rest assured that over time, they will maintain the exact shape and position; a key advantage over sonotubes that can shift and distort over time!

Guarantees

Screw piles are guaranteed against manufacturer and installation defects. On the other hand, sonotubes often do not come with any guarantee. Think twice before installing sonotubes.

 

If you would like more information on the differences between sonotubes and screw piles, read our previous article, where we discuss how to successfully install these two alternatives.

You will realize that installing sonotubes is hard work! The slightest imperfection in the hole or the concrete mix, and your sonotubes will either come out of or sink into the ground! Structural collapse, misalignment and damage are then inevitable.

Need an overall comparison of these two products? Refer to our chart below.

Screwpiles VS Sonotubes

• • Piles

  • Sonotubes

• • Clean, no excavation required
  • Excavation necessary
• • No damage to your property! Our team even makes sure to put back everything into place before leaving property!
  • Damaged and messy property: piles of leftover soil, traces left by the machinery or the equipment used, lumps of concrete and debris left behind after the work is completed
• • One installer using a minimum number of equipment for a more discrete installation and less damage to your property.
  • Several workers and equipment needed on the construction site therefore generating higher noise levels and causing more damage to your property.
• • Installation done by a certified Pro Post Foundations installer. You know your project is in good hands!
  • Concrete pile installation does not require any certification, which means anybody can decide to become an installer.
• • Installation is always possible, whatever the weather conditions.
  • Installation is limited to frost free and dry weather conditions of the year.
• • Precise leveling process done by our specialists.
  • More difficult and less precise levelling process.
• • No waiting time necessary! You can start building your structure the very same day!
  • Concrete must cure completely before works begins, which means construction is delayed.
• • The piles are fully guaranteed against manufacturing defects and so are the installation services.
  • Guaranties are rarely offered for this type of product.
• • The piles can be moved and reused, which make them a green alternative
  • Concrete piles can neither be moved nor reused.
• • The piles can be installed under existing structures.
  • Installation must be done before construction begins.
• • No warping or movement possible.
    Nothing can impact the pile’s durability once it’s in place. It will not warp and the helix plate will hold it firmly in place, which means that it will not move up or down, whatever the type of soil it’s in.
  • Deformation and movement possible.
    Many factors can affect a concrete pile’s durability and have it move up or down the hole it was cast in, i.e. type of hole, concrete composition, ground inclination, presence of water in the ground, etc.

The garage and the shed – also known as a tool shed, outdoor cabana or backyard storage – are very practical, multifunctional spaces; put away Christmas decorations and bicycles, do little projects, park and maintain your car, or store your snowblower, tractor mower or ATV, etc.

Before building a shed or a separate garage on your property, you need to consider certain fundamentals such as location, size and appearance to ensure the structure meets your needs. Continue reading to learn the details that will guide your decisions.

 

Preliminary verifications

Prior to drawing up plans for your shed or garage, you need to learn your municipality’s bylaws regarding acceptable locations and dimensions (height, width and surface area) for this type of building.

Your city or town will inform you of the distance required between the new structure and your house or property lines. If needed, you can also obtain a building permit from the municipality.

 

Choosing the location

To choose the ideal location for your garage or shed, we suggest that you study your certificate of location. By knowing your property’s limits, structures, fences, encroachment, and right of ways, you will avoid building in proscribed places.

Basically, think of any obstacles that could hinder the construction of your garage or shed, also consider snow removal and winter access. With this in mind, favour an easily reachable location.

Don’t forget practicality! A shed or a garage in your backyard’s remotest location, may not be ideal to store the snowblower come winter time!

Finally, keep the view in mind – will this new building ruin what was once a beautiful backdrop?

 Soil composition and incline

By choosing Pro Post Foundations’ screw piles for the foundation, you don’t need to consider the composition of the soil or the incline when selecting the location of your new shed or garage.

In fact, screw piles are anchored into the ground below the frost line thanks to a helix plate at the bottom of the shaft. Therefore, they are not affected by ground movements due to the frost and thaw.

Depending on the location, the soil composition and the structure requiring support, different sized piles can be used. To avoid any surprises, the weight capacity of the screw piles is precise and available in the manufacturer’s documentation; the adjustable pile head allows for an accurate adjustment.

In other words, a screw pile is an engineered product that is built according to strict guidelines and in conformity with the National Building Code. Guaranteed durability!

 

Determine size

To determine the right size garage or shed to build, think of what you want to store in it and what you want to use it for:

• To store your bicycles, tractor mower, lawnmower, snowblower, ATV, etc.?
• To winterize your garden furniture?
• To park your car?
• To do little projects requiring a workbench, storage for tools, etc.?
• What about those bulky items that are currently in your basement?

Answering these questions will help you determine the width of the door.

To get a better idea, don’t hesitate to mark out the dimensions of the planned shed or garage on the ground with a rope; this will allow you to see if all the items you plan to store and the various work zones you have in mind, actually fit.

Don’t forget to leave some space to move around!

 

Ascertain your needs

Now that you have determined the size of your garage or shed, you need to think of other factors:

• Do you need electrical outlets, a ventilation system, lighting?
• Should you insolate to be able to use it year-round?
• Would a ramp for the mower or snowblower be practical?
• Are you planning to have a water connection?
• What about shelves and hooks?

 

Think about the look

Generally, your shed or garage should match your home, this ensures that the municipality will give you permission to build. Therefore, you can use any leftover siding and shingles from you house. If not, simplify your shopping trip by bringing samples or the names of the products you need.

 

In conclusion, building a garage or a shed requires certain considerations: once you have been to the municipality to verify the bylaws, you need to choose the location, determine the appropriate size, think about any necessary equipment depending on your needs, choose the exterior materials and opt for solid foundations that will support heavy loads.

By selecting Pro Post Foundations’ screw piles, which are installed below the frost line by a certified installer and, therefore, not affected by ground movement, you ensure that your new shed or garage will remain stable and level for many, many years!

When it comes to foundations, choose peace of mind!

Certified product, dedicated team, quality work, clean and guaranteed.

Require the PRO, require Pro Post Foundations

The return of warm weather rhymes with BBQs, appetizers and cocktails, and long evenings spent outdoors… And what better way to enjoy summer than a well-equipped deck or terrace! Veritable link between the inside and outside, this living space is an ideal place to relax and socialize. The dimension, shape and build of this outdoor living space can vary considerably according to the adjoining house and the owner’s needs. However, two aspects are key to ensure a solid and durable structure: installation and choice of materials. In this article, we will focus on the second aspect, i.e. foundations and decking materials.

Determine your needs

In order to choose your building materials as well as to determine the structure’s size and style, you must first determine what your specific needs are. Will your deck serve to access an aboveground pool? Will it accommodate a spa? What outdoor furniture are you planning for this space? By answering all of these questions and more, you will be able determine the structure’s size and load-bearing capacity. This, in turn, will allow you to pick the appropriate foundation and decking materials for your project.

What type of foundations for your deck?

Foundations are a key element in ensuring the solidity of your patio, balcony or terrace. In order to be durable, foundations must be impervious to ground movements linked to freeze and thaw cycles. To achieve this, foundations must reach down under the frost line, which varies according to the region and type of soil.

There are currently many options available on the market. Here is a detailed overview of each:

 Screw piles

Screw piles are quicker to install and offer much more load‑bearing capacity than Sonotubes. Screw piles are anchored into the ground under the frost line which means that they are impervious to temperature fluctuations. Also, the screw set at the bottom of the pile solidly anchors it down into the ground to prevent any movement.

Contrary to screw piles found in home improvement stores, Pro Post Foundations piles are high‑end engineered products certified by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (license number 13608-R), and meet the Building Code’s requirements. They are manufactured in a CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) certified plant in order to guarantee the product’s welding quality.

Our piles are made of galvanized steel to ward off oxidation. They must be installed by a certified installer using specialized machinery. The Kubota tractor used by our installers is equipped with lawn tires rather than tracks in order to avoid damaging your property. The tractor is at ease on all types of terrain, and is equipped with a mini-excavator at the back to allow the installer to remove rocks or obstacles and thus offer a more precise installation.

The number of screw piles to install, their size as well as their positioning will all be determined par the certified installer or by a specialized engineer according to the structure’s size, weight, and the type of soil where the piles will be installed.

Once installed, the screw piles are immediately ready to support the new structure, an incredible time saver!

Be warned that most municipalities now require the use of screw piles for structures connected to a house. To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure to check with your municipality before opting for any other type of foundation!

All of these facts point out why screw piles are now the construction entrepreneurs’ go to option.

Foundation bolts

Available in big box stores, foundation bolts do not require specialized installation. You must therefore determine the number of bolts required and install them yourself. You must also make sure that they are driven down low enough to be able to resist any ground movement linked to the freeze and thaw cycles. That is when things get complicated…

Indeed, it’s very difficult to install these bolts deep enough manually. You will need the help of an entrepreneur who has the required equipment to do so or hire an excavator. Moreover, such bolts don’t have the load‑bearing capacity to support a deck equipped with a spa or a covered deck.

 Concrete blocks

Concrete blocks are an attractive solution since they can be easily installed and do not require excavation work. However, since they are set above the frost line, your deck will be subjected to up and down movements during frost and thaw cycles. Your patio is therefore sure to be damaged over time.

 Sonotubes

At first glance, Sonotubes, which are sunk into the ground, might seem like an interesting option… The problem is that they are rarely installed properly (the tube is crooked, debris are present around the tube, the bottom portion of the tube is not perfectly flat, etc.). Also, the concrete used is often not of the right consistence when cast or is cast improperly.

To be effective, Sonotubes must be installed PERFECTLY. Any mistake will result in displacements during frost and thaw cycles that will impact your deck. Moreover, installing Sonotubes is time consuming since the concrete must be allowed sufficient time to cure before the structure can be installed. To find out more about Sonotubes, please read our previous article on this subject.

Here is a summary table of all the foundation options for your deck:

	Screw piles	Foundation bolts	Concrete blocks	Sonotubes
Cost	Medium	Low	Low	Medium, depending on the type of installation
Installation included	Yes	No	No	DIY or additional $
Risk of movement due to frost and thaw cycles	Very low	Low	High	Low to high, depending on the quality of excavation and concrete used

What is the best decking for your deck?

Decks can be clad in several types of materials which all have pros and cons. In order to make the right choice, you must ensure that it is not only esthetically pleasing and in harmony with your home, but also solid and durable. Here is a detailed overview of the various materials currently available on the market.

Wood

Warm, durable and environmentally sound, wood is frequently used for patios and terraces. You can choose from many types of wood: white pine, red cedar, teak, treated lumber, etc., in order to harmonize with your house. Since each type of wood has its advantages and disadvantages, make sure to find out more before making your pick.

Whichever type of wood you choose, however, your deck will require more or less frequent maintenance in order to ensure its durability. A wooden deck can last between 15 and 50 years depending on the wood chosen and how well it is maintained.  Most municipalities allow the use of wood for decks.

Composite wood

The use of composite wood is becoming more and more popular for patios. It requires very little maintenance, remains cool when exposed to the sun, and offers a non-slip surface. Composed of a combination of wood fibres and plastic, composite wood is offered in many colours that imitate natural wood.

Composite wood resists humidity, rot and mould. It is therefore a very resistant material which, contrary to natural wood, will not warp nor splint. Say goodbye to splinters! It is however much heavier than wood and quite expensive, and must therefore to be considered as a long term investment.

Fibreglass

Fibreglass is valued for its extreme durability. It is waterproof and requires only a minimum amount of maintenance since it can be easily cleaned with a brush using soap and water. Fibreglass is light, easy to install, and does not require jointing.

Available in a wide variety of colours, fibreglass, however, can become very hot when exposed to the sun. That’s why it is best to opt for a light colour for your patio. In winter, it can become very slippery. It is therefore recommended to sprinkle its surface with salt or sand in order to avoid falls. Unfortunately, fibreglass cannot be recycled which means that the deck must be disposed of in a landfill once its serviceable life is over.

Recycled plastic

Made of new or recycled polyethylene, this material is very durable, resistant to temperature fluctuations, and offered in several colours. A recycled plastic patio, balcony or terrace is maintenance free, but is very slippery when wet and burning hot under the sun. Beware!

PVC membrane

A PVC membrane must be installed over an existing surface. It is waterproof, non-slip and UV resistant. It is also resistant to wear, calcium and chlorine. Offered in several colours and patterns, it can easily match your home’s style.

 

In conclusion, a patio’s foundations and decking are key elements that require thoughtful consideration. After reading this article, you will certainly agree that Pro Post Foundations piles are a very sturdy foundation option since they are designed to resist ground movement linked to frost and thaw cycles. Moreover, since they are installed by certified professionals using specialized equipment, your peace of mind will be assured.

The residential construction industry is starting to get out of concrete and sonotubes and getting into a newer, cheaper, and faster option.

There is a growing trend to move away from the traditional process of installing a sonotube filled with concrete to provide a footing for decks, sheds, cottages or home additions. One alternative is a helical pier or screw pile which is an engineered metal post that has a helical blade welded to it that allows the post to be literally screwed into the ground.

Pro Post Foundations helical piles are in conformity with the National Building Code and are certified by the Canadian Construction Materials Center under licence 13608-R. This licence confirms engineers, architects, cities, and municipalities that our piles are in conformity with the latest edition of the National Building code in all provinces of Canada.

In this article, we present the main reasons why the industry now wants to go on a more efficient technology demonstrating all you need to think about when choosing to install a sonotube filled with concrete and then choosing helical piles.

Create a state-of-the-art sonotube

Sonotubes filled with concrete are and can be a solution as a foundation for your project. A problem remains however: Even though we can find information about bearing capacity of concrete, footing size and frost depth in the National Building code, it does not provide on how to dig a proper footing hole. That is where most of the problems begin. You must as well avoid all the pitfalls associated with digging the hole and mixing the concrete itself.

So many of us manage to install sonotubes ourselves or hire companies that are willing to install concrete posts at a real cheap price thus saving money but by doing so, the real question is: Is your investment/structure protected against heaving, cracking and is it solid?

A picture is worth a thousand words. By deciding to use sonotube filled with concrete, you need to plan accordingly and supervise the work done in order to avoid those common pitfalls associated with concrete :

Dig a hole

No form used

To save money, some installers will offer you to pour concrete directly in the hole. Concrete will cure in the shape of the hole therefore being uneven and providing grip to frost during the winter season.

Angled

Not easy to dig a perfectly vertical hole. Concrete poured in an angled hole, will result in the load to be on the side rather than on the total concrete post. Moreover, the angled posts will allow frost to grab it and to move vertically during the heaving period.

Different shapes

Unfortunately pouring concrete in a hole by an inexperienced crew can result in different shapes from one concrete post to another. As a consequence of this, you may experience sinking posts, lifting posts or even realize that the concrete post is broken.

Debris

When no form is used to save money, debris such as rocks, roots and other material close to the concrete post, will impinge on the side of the concrete post therefore creating uneven sides which allows movement due to frost heave.

Depth

Have you ever dug to the required frost line level? Depending on the means you have at your disposal, digging using a shovel is quite challenging. Installing foundation under frost line is very important to avoid any movement of the structure but the depth to which concrete is poured is often questionable.

Flat base

At this point in time, when digging four feet or deeper, we do not always have space, energy and time to make sure that the bottom of the hole is flat to reduce the probability of the concrete post to sink in the ground due to the base being pointed or round. For every foundation, you need a proper footing below the frost line. In order to get an adequate bell shaped (big foot) footing, a larger hole is required which means extra excavating and concrete.

Stable and dense soil layer

Not only do we have to dig deep enough to install the concrete sonotube below the frost line but we must ensure that it sits on a stable ground layer which is sometimes found deeper below frost level!

To further add on concrete posts… now we need to properly prepare the mix.

The next step into installing concrete sonotube is to prepare the perfect concrete mix to be poured into the hole we prepared. It sounds easy but adding too much water or too much concrete will suffice to affect the concrete post quality and bearing capacity.

Therefore, we need the concrete preparation mix:

Not to be too dry!

Not to be too wet!

Be exempt from soil contamination that will weaken concrete

Be exempt from rock that may create air pockets in concrete post

The pouring of concrete not to be interrupted to make sure there are no different aggregate or curing periods in the layers of the concrete post.

Be rod or vibrated during pouring to ensure that layers are intermixed.

We are not done yet! Still more setting mistakes to avoid.

Concrete post top below grade

You did not pour enough concrete in the hole and as a result the top of the post is below grade? This is not recommended as the connectors as well as the base of the structure will be more at risk of corrosion and rotting due to the contact with surrounding dirt.

Concrete post top not levelled properly

Your structure is to be installed in a sloped area and now that the concrete is dry you realize that the top of the concrete posts are uneven and not levelled? Very hard to install a straight and solid structure on uneven posts you agree?

Water/water table

While digging many of us may hit a shallow water table or a damp area. In order to provide for concrete resistance and not affect its quality, you need to isolate the water from concrete therefore adding time and extra costs to your project.

Finally…. curing time.

Now that your lawn is damaged, and that you waited extra time for excavating, you still need time for concrete to cure which is, remember, weather dependent. Not to mention that you now need to find an area to dispose of the earth excavated or have it removed from the site.

To consider endless trips to the hardware store for heavy bags of concrete and perhaps a concrete mixer rental, plus the back breaking task of excavating each hole and discarding the debris or the added expense of hiring a contractor to handle the sonotube process.

How about the alternate, the helical pile installation?

A reliable, cost efficient, time saving and engineered product.

Pro Post Foundations screw piles in return, should be considered as your best alternative to concrete sonotubes. Installed using a mini Kubota tractor, our polyvalent equipment will not damage your lawn as it has turf tires and allows to extract obstacles from the ground when necessary. The construction of your structure can begin immediately after the screw piles for your project have been installed by your certified installer.

Pro Post Foundations certified installers have access to engineer services that will provide the necessary documents required by cities and municipalities such as engineer reports that illustrates the structure to be supported by screw piles and details of each Pro Post Foundations screw pile to be installed such as pipe diameter, blade size, depth and compressive bearing capacity thus ensuring quality of your foundation.

Through extensive engineer testing on the compressive bearing capacity, tensile and lateral capacities of our piles in different types of soils such as sand/silt and clay soils, Pro Post Foundations helical piles are certified in conformity with the National Building Code under CCMC licence 13608-R and have Minister’s Ruling in Ontario.

Unlike the sonotube, here is a picture of a helical pile that will demonstrate its total efficiency:

• Smooth surface and sides not allowing the frost to grab and lift it as helix sits below frost level;
• Pro Post Foundations expert installers will at all time monitor the pile installation so that it is perfectly levelled not slanted.
• Pro Post Foundations screw piles are all about engineered product therefore your expert installer can provide engineered documentation on the product.
• All screw piles have the same shape, no need to worry about its components as Pro Post Foundations has quality control management on its product.
• Longer pile size and screw pile extensions are made available to allow installation to a stable layer ensuring quality of foundation.
• Environment friendly as they are reusable and do not contain phosphate like concrete does.
• Pro Post Foundations piles are galvanized therefore resistant to corrosion.

You will have seen for yourself, the criteria for a successful concrete sonotube installation are numerous. Messy and endless in comparison to the efficiency of screw piles.

For a solid and long-lasting foundation, require the PRO, require Pro Post Foundations. We welcome you to visit our website for a complete description and installation video on our helical piles.

Source :
finehomebuilding.com
Deck Footings Done Right, by Mike Guertin
Drawings : Don Mannes. Photos : Dan Thornton

Pro Post Foundations celebrates its 10 years of existence! Since its creation in 2007, Pro Post Foundations pursue its expansion in Canada with the aim of serving you better. We have just moved into a brand new 10,000 sq. ft. plant in order to keep up with the increased demand. Pro Post Foundations now boasts 24 distributors serving people all over Québec, Ontario, the Maritimes, and Manitoba.