01
Can ground screws be used for decking?
Yes. Ground screws can support timber, composite and raised decking. The screw positions should follow the deck beams and joists, and the screw size needs to suit the load and ground conditions.
Decking foundations
Decking
ground screws.
Ground screws for timber, composite and raised decking, with the screw positions planned around the actual deck beams and joists.
Why use them?
A practical foundation for decks.
Uneven sites
Individual ground screws can help deal with slopes and changes in level without building a full concrete base.
Match the deck frame
The screw positions should follow the actual beams and joists so the deck is supported where it needs it.
Accurate set-out
Ground screws can be positioned to match the dimensions and shape of the finished deck.
Supply or install
Experienced installers can buy supply only, or Forti Nova can quote supply and installation.
Design first
How many ground screws does a deck need?
There is no reliable spacing rule for every deck. The number of ground screws depends on the deck size, beam spans, joist layout, expected loads, fixings and ground conditions.
Start with the deck frame and put support where the beams need it. This is especially important for raised decks, hot-tub areas, commercial terraces or decks carrying unusually heavy loads.
Understand load calculations01
Deck dimensions
02
Subframe / beam layout
03
Site access & ground
Decking coverage
Decking ground screws by region.
The national decking guide now routes into regional owners and then into town pages, including the recorded Harrogate and Leeds project area.
All UK locations01
England
Yorkshire
York · Hull · Harrogate · Leeds
02
West Yorkshire
Leeds
Leeds · Bradford · Wakefield · Pudsey
03
Greater Manchester
Manchester
Manchester · Salford · Stockport · Trafford
04
England
South East England
Reading · Oxford · Milton Keynes · Brighton
05
England
South West England
Exeter · Plymouth · Bournemouth · Swindon
06
Scotland
Scotland
Glasgow · Edinburgh · Paisley · East Kilbride
Decking questions
Ground screw decking questions, answered.
Straight answers on screw quantity, installation, size, sloping sites and how ground screws compare with concrete.
02
How many ground screws do I need for decking?
The number depends on the deck size, beam spans, joist layout, expected loads, screw size and ground conditions. The screws should be positioned around the actual deck frame rather than using a fixed screws-per-square-metre rule.
Understand load and spacing03
How do you install ground screws for decking?
The screw positions are marked out to match the deck frame, then the ground screws are installed and levelled before the beams are fixed above. The spacing should follow the actual deck design rather than a generic chart.
See the installation process04
What size ground screws do I need for decking?
Ground screw size depends on the deck loads, ground conditions, fixings and how deep the screw needs to go. A longer screw is not automatically better, and deck area alone is not enough to choose the size.
See the size guide05
Are ground screws suitable for sloping decking?
Yes. Ground screws can work well on sloping or uneven sites because each support point can be installed to the level needed for the deck frame.
06
Are ground screws cheaper than concrete for decking?
They can be. Compare the full cost of digging, spoil removal, concrete, labour and access against the ground screws, installation and any support beams or brackets. Do not compare only the price of one screw with a bag of concrete.
Compare with concreteDecking project