There are so many choices when you’re building a new home. Perhaps today more than ever. You’re no longer limited to bricks and mortar, and with increasing focus on smarter and faster builds, and more sustainable structures, the option of prefabricated and modular housing comes into the mix. They offer efficiency, precision, and reduced environmental impact, making them a hugely appealing choice. But as innovative as these homes are, you’re still faced with the decision over which foundation type can match their speed, accuracy, and sustainability?
Enter screw piles. Also known as helical piles, these steel foundations are rapidly becoming the go-to solution for modern home construction, and for good reason.
Why Screw Piles Are Such a Popular Contemporary Foundation Choice
Modern design standards
The thing about contemporary prefabricated and modular homes, is that they’re designed with complete precision, down to the millimetre. Nothing can be even the slightest bit out because every component is measured, engineered, and crafted to fit seamlessly together. And the smallest miscalculation can mean that things just don’t fit. Screw piles can stand up to that degree of accuracy.
Installed using advanced machinery and torque-monitoring technology, in favourable soil conditions, screw piles can be positioned exactly, ensuring the foundation perfectly matches the dimensions of the prefabricated components. So, you don’t have to worry about correcting mistakes, but can focus on creating a seamless build.
Construction speed
The speed of installation is one of the stand-out advantages of working with helical piles, because it supports both cost-efficiency and faster construction times. Screw piles can often be installed within a single day, depending on the size of the site – sometimes just a few hours. And they provide immediate load-bearing capacity. So, you’re not waiting around for concrete to harden or for site conditions to improve. You can just get straight on with the job in hand.
Strength, stability, and reliability
Screw piles might be fast to install, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not durable or strong. In fact, because their design allows them to anchor deeply and securely into the ground, they can provide a stable foundation capable of supporting significant structural loads. As long as you purchase the right screw pile sizes for your soil conditions and the predicted load of your building, screw piles can support your home for years to come. Indeed, our UKHelix piles have a factory 100-year warranty. On top of that, the installation process means that ground disturbance is minimised, so you can significantly reduce the likelihood of soil shifting or settling over time.
Sustainability
Sustainability is increasingly important to all of us. And prefabricated and modular homes are particularly suited to those looking for a more environmentally friendly approach to housing. They typically create less waste in construction, and are more energy efficient. Screw piles complement these values. Because they require no excavation or concrete, helical piles significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional foundation construction. Their installation process demands minimal heavy machinery and results in very little soil disruption. They’re also fully removable, reusable, and recyclable.
Screw piles are gaining favour within the contemporary housing industry because they’re efficient, durable, and sustainable. They remove the need for concrete in prefabricated houses. And they’re really quick and easy to install, which can reduce costs and add value to any construction project. So, if you’re planning a new build and seeking the perfect foundation for your new home, helical piles might just be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Do you need help with screw pile design, supply, or installation? Get in touch with UK Helix.