Garden Room Foundations: What are Ground screws?
The key to a perfect building lies in the very foundations it’s sat upon.
We often have clients ask us whether their building can be elevated up like a tree-house or safari lodge.
For many of you, the vision of your Rotunda-project is that of a majestic little building sitting atop a decked area or up against a hillside.
On a practical level some difficult sites may make it seemingly impossible to install foundations for a cabin or eco-building.
Some challenging conditions may include:
- Sloping site
- Tree protection zone – tree roots which require protection
- Pre-existing concrete slabs/cobblestones/patio (which you’d prefer not to uplift)
- flood zone
Traditionally, house builders or cabin manufacturers would specify concrete or hardcore foundation systems for many stand alone buildings.
Nowadays there are low-impact foundation alternatives. The ‘Ground Screw’ is not only more efficient to install but satisfies the requirements of the planning officers, National Parks authorities and local councillors in terms of minimal disturbance to topsoil and tree roots.
With the groundscrew, one can:
- Drill through concrete with a pilot hole and install the groundscrew in pre-existing paved or cobblestone areas
- Use them in a flood plain to elevate the building up to the required height
- Transform lawn areas into decked verandas without needing to pour concrete
- Install all year round – in a matter of hours.
It is really beautiful to see a foundation system being specified which does not require the use of heavy machinery like diggers, dumpers and skips but in fact just cleverly rotates down into the ground without the disruption to anything around it.
We routinely direct our clients to contact The Great British Groundscrew Company or Stop Digging if they are looking to embark on a project which may require this unique foundation system.
All the best,
Rotunda x
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