TERRACE FOUNDATIONS
You have several choices when it comes to the foundation of your terrace. This step in your patio construction is crucial, even though some may neglect the foundation, as it is one of the most important parts of your project. You may invest a lot of money in the flooring, glass railings, or other attractive aspects of your terrace that provide incredible visual effects. However, all of that is meaningless if your foundation is not suitable, and your feeling of a job well done will be fleeting. We will cover the three most common applications.
Concrete Piers
A concrete foundation is a good option if you can excavate below the frost line. Generally, this type of pier has a diameter of 8 to 12 inches and a depth of at least 48 inches.
If you plan to install a heavy load on your terrace (such as a veranda or a spa), you will need a wider base at the bottom of the pier. Without a soil study and an engineer’s plan, it is impossible to certify that the pier will support the required load. At that point, a screw pile is an excellent option.
If there is no excessive load on your terrace, a 10-inch diameter pier at a depth of 48 inches should be sufficient. This option is less expensive than a professionally installed screw pile but may shift over time.
Screw Piles Installed by Experts
We favor this practice because it is a safe bet. Screw pile manufacturers and installers can guarantee that the installed pier will support the load it is intended for.
These screw piles are typically made of galvanized steel and have a length of 72 inches. A pressure test is performed on each installed pile. If the pressure test does not meet the manufacturer’s standards, two options are available. Add a 72-inch extension to allow the pile to go deeper, or replace the pile with one with a larger diameter helix.
Different helix sizes are offered for different applications. The helix of a pile for a patio with no significant load added will certainly be smaller than a pile intended to support a four-season veranda. In addition, the speed of installation and stability of this product are a significant advantage.
THE CONCRETE BLOCK (DECK BLOCK)
This type of surface installation is not a common practice in our company. The simple reason is that it is not as durable as the other two options. For climates where there is no winter frost, this can be a good and very economical option. Due to its low cost and quick execution, this surface foundation is widespread. If you are considering this type of practice, be sure not to anchor your terrace to the building. This way, you give your terrace an excellent chance to reset after the thawing period, possibly a little higher or lower than the original installation. Nevertheless, this will have less of a detrimental effect on your structure than anchoring it to the house on one side and leaving it floating on the other.
In conclusion, don’t forget that a good foundation makes all the difference in the durability and stability of the elements that make up your dream terrace.