Why Choose Ground Screws?
Fast, Zero-Dig Foundations Built to Last.
Skip the concrete. Start building immediately with F.H.Brundle’s
hot-dipped galvanised steel ground screws.
Whether you’re a DIY homeowner building a dream garden deck, a decking specialist looking to increase daily job output, or a commercial landscaper working on sloped terrain, F.H.Brundle supplies high-grade ground screws engineered for every project scale.
• No digging, no mess, no concrete curing times
• Instant load-bearing capacity—build on the exact same day
• Hot-dipped galvanised steel to DIN EN ISO 1461 for maximum corrosion resistance
• 25 year guarantee
What are Ground Screws?
Ground screws are heavy-duty, hot-dipped galvanised steel posts with a spiral thread welded around their shaft. They act like giant woodscrews driven directly into the earth to form a solid, immediate foundation for structures.
Instead of excavating deep holes and pouring concrete, ground screws are installed by rotating them into the ground using handheld tools or hydraulic machinery.
Why Ground Screws Outperform Concrete
Ground Screws vs Concrete
| Feature | Ground Screws | Traditional Concrete Poured Footings |
|---|---|---|
| Curing Time | Instant. Ready for immediate load-bearing as soon as installed | Slow. Requires 24 to 48 hours to set, and up to 28 days for full strength. |
| Site Disruption | Zero excavation. No digging, no skips for soil removal, and no damage to surrounding lawns or gardens. | High disruption. Requires heavy digging, wheelbarrows, soil disposal (spoil), and destroys nearby turf. |
| Weather Dependency | All-weather. Can be installed in heavy rain, frost, or snow without compromising structural integrity. | Highly dependent. Cannot be poured in freezing temperatures or heavy rain; extreme heat risks cracking. |
| Sloping & Uneven Terrain | Adaptable. Screws are simply driven to the required height and laser-leveled above ground. | Complex. Requires deep trenching, timber formwork, or expensive bench-terracing to create a level base. |
| Environmental Impact | Low carbon & Reusable. Made from recyclable steel. Can be unscrewed and reused. Does not harm tree root systems. | High carbon. Cement production is a leading source of CO2. Permanent, destructive to roots, and difficult to remove. |
| Labor & Logistics | Single-step process. One installer or a small team can finish a standard base in hours. | Multi-stage process. Digging, mixing, pouring, leveling, and returning days later to build. |
The Benefits of Ground Screws.
• Zero Waiting Time: Instant load-bearing capacity means you can build on them the exact same day (no 24–48 hour concrete curing time).
• No Excavation or Spoils: Eliminates the need to dig post holes, order skips, or haul away excess dirt.
• Sloped Ground Friendly: Height-adjustable adapters allow you to level a frame effortlessly across uneven or sloping ground.
• Low Environmental Impact: Leaves surrounding turf and plant roots largely undisturbed, uses no high-carbon concrete, and can be unscrewed and reused if a structure is ever relocated.
DIY Range
Professional Range
Technical Specifications & Compliance
Technical Specifications:
• Material & Build: Formed from high-grade carbon steel (typically S235 to S345 grade) with continuous welded helical threads that drive into soil and compact surrounding earth.
• Corrosion Protection: Hot-dipped galvanised inside and out to DIN EN ISO 1461 standards, providing a protective zinc coating with an estimated ground lifespan of 70 – 100 years.
• Dimensional Range: Shaft diameters range from 68mm (DIY/domestic) to 76mm+ (commercial/Pro), with standard lengths spanning 800mm to 2050mm to penetrate below local frost lines.
• Top Fixture Options: Features modular upper head designs—including flat flange plates, U-brackets, or internal thread sockets—with variable height M12/M16 leveling bolts for joist connection.
Testing & Compliance Status:
• UKCA & CE Compliance: Certified under Declaration of Performance standards (such as EN 1090-1 execution of steel structures) with official UKCA and CE marking to meet UK and European building product safety requirements.
• Empirical Mechanical Testing: Supported by mechanical test reports evaluating structural compression, tension (uplift), and lateral shear resistance to ensure verified load-bearing performance under stress.
• Geotechnical & Standards Alignment: Engineered to align with BS EN 1997 (Eurocode 7) geotechnical design principles and local Building Control requirements for permanent and semi-permanent foundations.
• ISO Quality & Coating Verification: Manufactured under strict ISO 9001 quality management processes, with galvanised corrosion protection tested and verified to DIN EN ISO 1461 standards.
Ground Screws Testing Report
| Test | Test method | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Compression Load | Axial Compression Load Test (BS EN 1997-1) | 15.5 kN – 45.0 kN (varies by length & soil density) |
| Tensile / Uplift Resistance | Axial Pull-Out Test (BS EN 1997-1) | 8.0 kN – 25.0 kN |
| Lateral / Shear Resistance | Horizontal Load Test | 3.5 kN – 12.0 kN |
| Galvanising Coating Thickness | Magnetic Coating Thickness Test (DIN EN ISO 1461) | ≥ 70 µm average (Hot-Dipped Galvanised) |
| Steel Yield Strength | Tensile Testing (BS EN 10025-2) | ≥ 235 MPa (68mm DIY) / ≥ 345 MPa (76mm Pro) |
| Torque Resistance | Rotational Torque Test | Up to 1,800 Nm |
FAQs
For standard garden decking, ground screws typically range from 800mm to 1250mm in length. The required depth depends on the soil density, topsoil thickness, and weight loads. The screw thread must penetrate past the topsoil layer into solid, undisturbed subsoil.
Yes. F.H. Brundle ground screws work effectively in dense clay and standard garden soils. In very rocky ground or soft stone, pilot holes can be pre-drilled to clear a path for the continuous helical thread.
For standard DIY installations (up to 1200mm lengths for light garden structures), a formal ground survey is generally not required. However, when installing Professional series ground screws exceeding 1250mm, a ground load test or soil survey is required to ensure safe weight capacities.
Load capacities vary depending on screw length, shaft diameter (68mm vs 76mm), and soil composition. Professional Grade S345 screws can support substantial vertical loads suitable for garden offices, commercial decking, and timber outbuildings. Contact our technical sales department for project-specific load test data.
No. The Professional range (76mm body, S345 steel) is engineered for heavy loads and requires high-torque electric or hydraulic drive equipment. The manual DIY installation tool is designed strictly for our 68mm DIY ground screw range
