Foundations (Screw piles, Sonotubes, Concrete base)

Installation of screw piles, concrete base installation and installation of Deck Block!

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Depending on the style of patio or terrace chosen, the type of soil on your property, your budget and your priorities, our experts will be able to offer you the best foundation option for your needs. Several choices are available to you: screw piles, concrete bases (Sonotubes) and Deck Blocks. Here is a text that sums up our point of view on the different types of terrace foundations.

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Screw piles:

 

According to Onrenev., the best way to ensure that your deck is perfectly leveled for a long-term project is to use screw piles as your patio's foundation. The screw piles act like large screws that will rest in the ground, below the frost level (5'). Thus, climate changes no longer have an effect on the leveling of your patio. Screwed using specialized machines, these ground anchors allow adjustment of height, depth and depending on their design (size of the fins and diameter of the pipe) and the bearing capacity of the ground, they can support all types of structures. . These piles are made of galvanized steel, which protects them from corrosion and ensures great solidity for your project.

There are many advantages to using screw piles, here are a few:

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• The installation of piles does not require any excavation (clean ground)

• Equipment does not damage terrain

• Inexpensive, minimal equipment and few manpower

• Very precise layout

• In case of surprise in the ground (rock), very easy adjustment

• Temperature is not a factor (except freezing)

• Reusable and eco-friendly

• Very fast installation

 

Here is why, in our opinion, the use of screw piles is the best option for the realization of the project which will last for many years.

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Concrete base (Sonotube):

 

Concrete bases (Sonotube) are very effective in ensuring a stable and solid foundation. Depending on the different diameters of Sonotubes, the reinforcement used, the strength of the concrete (MPA) and the depth of implantation, this method of building foundations can be suitable for all types of work. It is obvious that this method works very well and is very reliable. However, this method is less and less used for terrace construction.

 

Here are the measures to consider when using Sonotubes:

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• Necessary excavation and more imposing equipment

• Earth scrap, cement mixer required

• In case of rain, the work will be postponed (concrete curing and ease of installation)

• No reuse possible (cannot be put back in place)

• More expensive and longer implementation

• In case of surprise (rock), price may vary

 

Once these factors are taken into consideration, we recommend using Sonotubes for projects where the backyard or front of the property has not yet been developed. Thus, the damage caused by this method is minimal, or in the event that only two Sonotubes are necessary. Thus, it is possible to dig them with a shovel without causing any damage to the ground, if there are more than two, we will use the necessary machinery.

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Deck Block:

 

Deck Blocks are concrete bases placed directly on the ground. These bases are subject to movement depending on freezing and thawing. It is also possible that it sinks slightly into the ground and the level of the terrace changes over the years. This method is frequently used when building a terrace, since it is very inexpensive. It is possible to help the stability of the terrace if we add a lot of Deck Block and according to the method used during the construction of the terrace. Thus, it will move uniformly, but the level will necessarily change. Following the installation of a terrace on Deck Block, it is possible to redo an upgrade of the terrace. It will only be enough to put the time necessary for the leveling of the terrace to correct the modifications caused by time.