Are Screw Piles Suitable for Home Additions and Extensions?
Screw piles have become increasingly popular for home additions and extensions, but are they really worth all the fuss, and are they actually more suitable than traditional concrete footings?
The answer, simply, is yes. Screw piles are superior on many aspects, and chiefly because of the superior stability and durability they provide. Concrete can crack or settle over time, but screw piles are highly resistant to frost heave and shifting soil as they anchor deeper in the ground into stable soil layers, providing a firmer foundation. They are considered to be a modern, durable and cost-effective choice for most types of residential projects, and offer a more stable and longer lasting foundation than traditional methods.
Screw Piles: The Greener Option for Modern Construction
Screw piles are a forward-thinking alternative to concrete and considered to be a ‘greener’ option for most modern foundations. Unlike concrete footings, they require minimal soil and site disruption, eliminating the need for heavy lorry traffic to transport dirty away, reducing CO2 emissions. They do not require heavy machinary to dig large holes, and because screw piles are installed directly into the ground they cause minimal soil disturbance and disruption to the local wildlife and ecosystem.
The carbon footprint of screw piles is significantly lower (up to 70-80% lower) than concrete, which is considered to be a carbon-intense production, and choosing them over concrete greatly reduces the risk of contaminating local water courses with chemicals or concrete run-off.
Yet one of the main advantages about them is that they are removable and reusable, so they can be easily unscrewed, removed and used again on another project. They also promote a circular construction economy, because at the end of their life they can be recycled as scrap metal, providing a ‘cleaner’ and more environmentally-friendly foundation.
Installation Advantages of Using Screw Piles
Your extension has been designed, approved and construction is about to begin, but, then the weather takes a turn for the worse. Well with screw piles that doesn’t matter. They can be installed year-round, because unlike concrete they don’t require specific temperature and moisture conditions in order to cure properly. Screw piles can be installed effectively in rain, snow or freezing conditions, meaning you can get on with your project in the desired time-frame, without any costly delays.
Once screw piles have been installed they provide immediate load-bearing capacity, so there is no waiting time for drying or curing as there is with concrete, allowing for immediate structure assembly. The rapid installation time to install screw piles means that projects which may have taken weeks (or even months) to finish, can often be completed in a single day.
Screw piles are suitable for various deck sizes, pergolas and even underpinning existing structures. They are ideal for uneven terrain and provide stability in clay, sand or soft soils. They are quick and simple to install, especially where access is restricted, and ideal if you want minimal disruption and fast results. To learn more, visit Pro Post Foundations today.
