Screw Piles For Decks: Everything You Need To Know
If you are wondering if screw piles for decks are your best option, here is some helpful information. Click on each section to learn more.
Source: Argyriou, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
If you would like to learn more about screw piles for decks or would like a professional to install them for you, contact us.
Screw Piles for Decks
1. What Is a Screw Pile?
Screw piles are long steel structures that resemble a large screw. They are usually made out of high-strength steel and consist of corkscrew-style plates that have been welded to a long metal shaft.
They are designed to help disperse the weight of the load into the dirt without being pushed all the way into the ground as you would with a simple smooth shaft.
2. What Other Names or Terms are Used for Screw Piles?
There are so many alternate names or terms that are used to refer to screw piles. Here is a list of the most common ones:
Screw piers
Screw anchors
Screw foundations
Ground screws
Helical piers
Helical anchors
Steel screw-in piling
Ground anchoring system
Screw piles are shaped like a regular wood screw
3. How Do You Install Screw Piles for Decks?
Similar to a screw that you wind into a piece of wood, a screw pile is wound into the ground. You can use different types of earth-moving devices that are equipped with rotary hydraulic attachments to install them.
These devices have special drive attachments that you can use to connect the screw pile to the machine. The screw piles are then rotated into the ground to the depth that you need.
It is important that you use the proper techniques to install screw piles as an incorrect technique will probably mean that your screw pile will not perform as well as it should.
For this reason, it is probably best to hire a professional to install your screw piles for decks and other projects.
4. How Much Do Screw Piles Cost?
The cost that you pay for screw piles will vary depending on how many you need and how deep they need to go into the ground.
On average you can expect to pay about $250 to $350+ per screw pile installed. Screw piles are often your most affordable option for deck installation.
5. Are Screw Piles Environmentally Friendly?
Yes!
Because you screw helical piles into the ground, less soil is displaced which reduces your environmental impact and overall work.
In addition, less soil needs to be removed from the site when installing screw piles for decks which can save on transportation costs thus further reducing your carbon footprint.
Screw piles for decks are often a more affordable option for deck installations plus they are environmentally friendly
6. Screw Piles vs Concrete Foundations: Which Is Better?
Locations of installation:
Screw Piles
The biggest advantage that screw piles for decks have over concrete foundations is that you can often install screw piles in locations where it isn't possible to install a poured concrete foundation. This means that using screw piles you are able to build a deck in these areas where before it wouldn't have been possible.
Concrete Foundation
There are many conditions when it isn’t possible or it’s very difficult to install a concrete foundation. For example, you can't do a poured concrete foundation in the ground that has poor drainage or where the water table is high.
Temperatures necessary for installation:
Screw Piles
You can install screw piles in the winter If you use screw piles, you can start building your deck much earlier in the year than if you decide to pour a concrete foundation.
Concrete Foundation
You need better weather conditions when the ground is not water-saturated in order to do a poured concrete foundation. Concrete requires a temperature >5°C to cure, which means that most deck builders who use concrete cannot start on your project until late in the spring.
With screw piles you can continue working:
Screw Piles
You can also start building your deck as soon as the screw piles have been installed. Screw piles do not require time to dig out or set, allowing you to continue work on your deck without any delays.
Concrete Foundation
Concrete foundations need to completely dry before you can start building.
You can even install screw piles in the winter
Image source: Mascore
7. What Other Types of Structures Can Be Built on Screw Piles?
Not only can you use screw piles for decks, but you can also use them to give you a secure foundation for other structures such as:
Sheds
Cement pads
Grade beams
Signs
Buildings
Bridges
Screw piles can be used for a variety of different structures like fences
8. Do Screw Piles Require Concrete to Support Them?
No, screw piles do not require the use of poured concrete to support them. They can actually be installed in a wide range of soils from soft to very stiff clays to loose and very dense sands.
For Professionally Installed Screw Piles for Decks, Contact Citywide
With Citywide Fences & Decks, you will enjoy personal service like no other. If you are looking for the best screw piles for decks at an affordable price, contact Citywide.
Our expertise and unmatched customer service have earned us a reputation for the finest craftsmanship, professionalism and friendliness in the industry. Not only will you appreciate your new deck, but you will also enjoy working with us.
Citywide Fences and Decks is a locally owned and operated business based in the Kitchener, Waterloo region. We have been proudly serving our community with the best quality services for more than 13 years.
The services we offer include:
What our customers are saying…
“Highly recommend! Professional, conscientious and trust worthy company. We are extremely happy with both our new fence and lawn drainage system. Employees were hard working and obviously dedicated. Dave explained the process for each project and went above and beyond to personally ensure we were satisfied with the completed projects. Both our fence and drainage system were completed in the agreed time frame as discussed and meet our high standards.”
— Glen and Jackie Soehner