There are several different foundation systems used in garden room design. Designers tend to have their preferred method, but ultimately, the choice should be dependent on the site conditions, the size of the building and its intended use.
Identifying the right foundation type for the job is one of the key benefits of an in-person site survey.
Garden room foundations - ground screws
Garden room designers have widely adopted ground screws (also known as screw piles) over the last few years. As they require little site preparation, are quick to install and easy to level. They are a more eco-friendly choice than other garden room foundation options as they remove the need for concrete to be used in the construction of the garden room.
Typically, the cost of ground screw foundations is included in the price of the garden room. Whereas, with foundation systems such as concrete slabs, you are asked to arrange and pay for the installation prior to the garden room installation team arriving on-site.
Number of ground screws and their spacings are carefully calculated
The length of the ground screw will depend on the site conditions and building specification. Calculations are made to determine the number of screws used, and their spacing within the footprint of the structure.
Ground screw foundations require little site preparation before installation. The grass does not need to be stripped away before installation, as it will die once the building excludes the light. However, some companies, once the ground screws are insitu, will lay a weed suppressant membrane before commencing the main build.
Specialist equipment is used to drill the screws into the ground. A clever propping system ensures the drill and screw remains straight as it is driven into the ground.
Ground screws are easy to level
The depth can easily be adjusted to ensure they are all level. This makes ground screws an ideal solution on sloping and uneven ground.
Once levelled, steel brackets are added to support the floor framework. Different types of bracket are used, for instance, in the corners, and depend on the floor system that is being used.
The floor framework connects the ground screws together, providing a level base for the garden room to be built. Because there is no concrete to dry, work on the installation of the core structure can start as soon as the ground screws have been installed. This reduces the build time considerably.
Should the building be removed from the garden, the ground screws can be cleanly removed from the site.
