USE GROUND SCREWS –
SAVE TIME AND EFFORT

BUILD A LEAN-TO CONSERVATORY

Planning permission for a lean-to conservatory is not usually needed, as long as it is at ground level, within your property boundaries and covers only 50% or less of the total area. It cannot be more than 4m high, and the width must be no bigger than half the width of the house. Check with the Planning Department in your area for more information. If you live in housing association accommodation, ask the housing association what rules apply.

Measure and mark out the location of your lean-to, so you get a feel for the size. Think about where you want to place any furniture, an outdoor kitchen, hot tub and any other features, so you don’t end up with an area that is too small or the wrong shape. If there is a lawn where the lean-to is to be built, you can cover it with landscape fabric and gravel, for example, so that grass and weeds don’t grow through the decking.

Lean-to conservatories normally need to be anchored in the ground at 1.5m intervals in all directions – and for that the ground screw is the obvious choice. Stop Digging will install beam screws or adapter screws with the right distance and height, and then it’s time to start building!

When the foundation is ready, support beams of pressure-impregnated wood are attached to the beam screws, preferably using a bolt. The timber dimensions should be at least 45mm × 170mm for sufficient bearing capacity. The supporting beams now form a rough framework which is then fastened to the joists with screwing at an angle or beam brackets and a center distance of 600mm. When the floor is in place, the only thing left to do is the fun part – to screw down the decking. Finished!

BUILD A CONSERVATORY

If you plan to build a canopy, a roof for your patio or a conservatory, you might need planning permission. Contact the Planning Department in your area.

You can build a conservatory from timber and glass sections, but many people choose ready-made kits. There is a wide selection of different model and suppliers to choose from. The frame usually consists of poles and beams of glulam (glued laminated timber) – and naturally it has to rest on a stable foundation. Ground screws from Stop Digging are the perfect solution for conservatory construction. Depending on the design of the conservatory, our post screws as well as the beam screw and adapter screw may be a good fit. In some cases a combination of screw types is the best solution. Contact Stop Digging for a consultation. Over the years, we have installed foundations for many conservatories and orangeries from various brands and have always found the right solution.

BUILD A FENCE

Lower fences do not normally require planning permission, however, you may need a permit to install higher barriers or panels. Ask the Planning Department in your area – and ideally your neighbour, if the fence is going to be between both your properties.

You can’t take shortcuts when building a sturdy fence or barrier that stands tall against weather, wind, pets and playing children. We have post screws with different screw head dimensions and can adapt the model to your wood. The dimension you need for the wood depends on the height of your fence, but a standard size is 70 × 95mm for an 80cm high fence and a gap of 1.8m between posts. Pressure-impregnated wood, stainless steel screws and fittings work best. With regard to the general design of the fence, there are many options: Search on the internet, get inspired by your neighbours or find something unique of your own.

Measure out where you want to place your fence and mark the ground at 1.8 meter intervals. Contact Stop Digging – we will anchor all the post screws you need. Start building!

BUILD A STORAGE SHED

Sheds and other storage units up to 30 square meters are generally exempt from planning permission, but there are several criteria that must be met, including their height and how close to the property boundary they may be built. Always check with your local Planning Department!

A simple shed can be built on a patio-like foundation or floor, and we usually advise having one post per 1.5 meters. Stop Digging’s beam screw work perfectly for this. You can read more about it in the description of lean-to construction. In cases where the shed or storage unit is prefabricated, other ways of securing may be needed, such as our adapter screw.

Simpler storage buildings, including bicycle sheds at ground level with tiled floors, can benefit from being built on our post screws. Contact Stop Digging to get a recommendation and cost estimate!

BUILD A CARPORT

A carport is a good alternative to a garage when you want to protect your car. It’s easier and cheaper to build and often easier to get planning permission for. Design the carport in a style that matches your house and don’t forget to install electricity for an engine heater or charging point. Don’t skimp on the dimensions, and make sure to use the opportunity to build a storage area in the far end. There’s no such thing as too much storage.

Also, remember to allow for wind loads and any snow load in your region.
With carports, stability is key – which makes the ground screw the ideal foundation. Depending on the size and design of the building, a different number of ground screws is required, but a screw can withstand the same or greater load as a concrete post support. Carports vary in design, but our post screws or beam screws are usually best suited for the purpose. Contact Stop Digging for a consultation.

BUILD A SUMMER HOUSE

Holiday homes and summer cottages come in all models and sizes. Many house manufacturers offer ready-made holiday homes and cottages with different equipment requirements, while other suppliers offer kits to assemble, and many use wood. Planning Departments also have regulations for holiday homes. Building regulations also apply whenever a building is erected or extended (see your local Planning Department for more information).

Land on which holiday homes are built is often a bit more remote and the soil conditions can be complicated. That’s where the ground screw can often work well as a foundation over concrete, which can be difficult to dig down. We are used to handling all kinds of soil types and terrains, and our machines can be used even where the plot is on steep ground or difficult to access. The type of screw model we use depends on the design of the holiday home, but the beam screw or adapter screw is usually the most suitable.

We have extensive experience of screwing in stable foundations for holiday homes in a wide variety of environments and are happy to help you even at the planning stage – as soon as you have chosen a construction type, hired an architect or chosen a house supplier.

Contact Stop Digging for a consultation.