If you’re building a deck, shed, pergola or other outdoor structure, it’s easy to assume that using concrete is a necessary step of the process.
Pouring concrete has long been the standard. The expected (and permit-approved) way to create a solid foundation for an outdoor structure. It works, but we’ve done our share of digging large holes, hauling heavy materials, carving around unexpected rocks, not to mention physically mixing concrete and waiting for it to cure. None of these are my favorite parts of a good DIY project.
An alternative option? Ground anchors. Unlike concrete, these systems are driven into the soil. Like concrete, they’re strong, durable, and designed to hold structures in place for the long haul.
For DIYers looking for a faster, less messy way to build, concrete-free footings can change how you approach the project from the start.
Choosing the Right Footing for Your Project
Before you think about posts, decking or roof framing, think about what’s holding the structure in place. Footings transfer the weight of the structure into the ground and help keep it stable over time.
Using concrete for footings that go beneath the frost line is one way to do that. Depending on the structure and local building requirements, you might be able to ground screws, helical piles or other anchoring systems, but again, that’s particularly subject to your region.
The choices you have depend on a few things:
- the size and weight of the structure
- soil conditions
- local frost depth
- building codes
Some municipalities require permits or inspections for outdoor structures, and those requirements don’t disappear just because you’re using a concrete-free footing. But for homeowners in a region that supports concrete-free footings, you can avoid some of the mess and labor that comes with traditional concrete while still creating a footing that supports your new structure.
How Concrete-Free Anchors Work
Rather than creating a hole and filling it with concrete, a ground anchor is driven into the soil. The anchor and connecting rods create a point of support below ground, where the surrounding soil helps resist movement.
Terra Grip Anchors take this approach. Their design is inspired by tree roots, using textured galvanized steel to grip the soil. The anchor and rods are pre-engineered as a system for consistent structural performance. (Highly recommend that you see how they work on YouTube.)
Installation is also designed to be relatively simple. Terra Grip says its anchors can be installed by one person using a standard impact driver. There’s no concrete to mix and no curing period, so construction can continue as soon as the footing is installed. That can make a difference on a backyard project. Instead of planning several stages around concrete delivery and cure time, the footing becomes a much quicker part of the build.
Another not-so-obvious detail is that concrete-free installation can also mean less disruption to the yard. You won’t need to excavate a large hole for each footing, move dirt around or find a way to remove it from your property. And also, if you need to change or move the footing in the feature, the system can be removed or relocated with minimal impact.
Will I need a building inspection if I use concrete-free anchors?
Possibly—you should check. Inspection requirements always vary by local municipality and the type of structure you’re building, so there’s no way we can predict what your local officials will say, or whether they need to see or test the footings.
Take note: Terra Grip Anchors designed its product so one of their anchors rods can be temporarily removed to allow an inspector to measure the anchor depth; the rod is then reinstalled.
We recommend speaking with your local building department about the project, and also placing a call to 811 or your local Dig Safe number to make sure your underground utilities won’t be damaged during your project, even if you aren’t digging in the traditional sense. Avoiding concrete doesn’t automatically mean a project is exempt, but it’s impossible to know what permits, inspections or engineering documents are required until you ask.
Where Terra Grip Anchors Can Be Used
“Terra Grip Anchors are the perfect concrete-free solution for decks, pergola, fences, posts and other outdoor structures,” says Candie Fisher, President of Terra Grip Anchors. “These footings are easy for one person to install with standard tools. There’s no wait time to begin building, just install and go.”
For a homeowner, that opens up possibilities for projects such as:
- A raised deck or platform
- A backyard pergola
- A shed
- A fence or series of fence posts
- A playset or other outdoor structure
The anchors cost $289 each, with volume discounts available.
Are concrete-free footings as strong as concrete?
They can provide strong structural support when the right anchoring system is selected for the structure, soil and site conditions. Strength isn’t simply a matter of choosing concrete or no concrete… the footing needs to be engineered for the loads it will carry and installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
