![]() With concrete footings dug into the ground with post saddles. Positive connection anchoring the deck down.In most cases, the post should not be set in the concrete but secured with a post saddle, but lateral bracing can be run between posts to increase the stability of the deck. Being dug into the ground, they can also provide lateral support for the deck posts. Additionally, concrete footings can be increased in size depending on the load bearing of the soil.Concrete footings provide greater support for decks being supported by the ground that is not prone to seasonal shifting.There are four key advantages to concrete footings for your deck. Such as a raised or attached deck where deck blocks are not suitable. Impact force can crack and break the footing. Most pier blocks from your local building store do not contain rebar reinforcement. ![]() Yes, the weight of the deck will generally hold the deck down, but a strong wind storm or accidentally overweighting one side can cause the deck to tip. Making it easy for the deck to be moved of the footings. No positive connection between the deck and the footings.There are some disadvantages to using deck pier blocks compared to concrete footings. With deck pier blocks, no roots have to be cut to install. But if you have to cut through tree roots to build your deck, that shade might not be there to enjoy if the footings kill the tree. Stretching out on your deck under the shade of a tree is paradise. No spending hours digging holes, hauling out a tarp, wheelbarrow, shovel and garden hose for mixing concrete.Ī simple shovel to remove the loam, compact the gravel and start building.Ĭan be installed around tree roots. The biggest savings are in prep or the lack thereof. Installing pier blocks will significantly save you time and work than pouring concrete. For less than the price of 2 bags of concrete, you can buy a deck pier and start building this afternoon. Or accidentally having the wheelbarrow tipping, spilling concrete on your manicured lawn.ĭeck blocks are more economical than poured concrete footings. You don’t want concrete dust on your wife’s prized flowers. This is super important when working in a finished yard. Not being dusty concrete mix, you can also pick them up in your car a the store without making a mess in the back seat.Īvoid the hassle of on-site concrete mixing by eliminating it altogether. Most deck pier blocks will weigh around 50 lbs, roughly the same amount as a bag of concrete. It is relatively easy for an individual to install deck blocks by themselves. So if your deck is supported by a ledger on your house, grab the shovel you will need to dig frost footings. In most jurisdictions, any decks attached to a building must have frost footings. In these cases, concrete footings are better for optimal support and stability. If the slope is too steep, it could make the deck block unstable as its more prone to shifting and sliding down the hill. A steep slope may elevate one end of the deck beyond 30/24″, requiring the deck to have frost footings.There are two main reasons why not to install deck blocks on a slope. To ensure the deck was sufficiently supported and wouldn’t shift, we dug down and pour concrete footings. In most cases, you can replace the loam with compacted gravel or sand before placing the deck pier, and you are good to go.īut I have built decks in areas where the loam was a few feet deep. It absorbs water, making it unstable under your deck pier. The worst is loam, commonly referred to as topsoil. So if your deck is not a ground-level deck, you will need to dig frost-level concrete footings.Ĭlay and sand are excellent load-bearing soils. In most states, that is any deck lower than 30″. There are 2 main things to consider when deciding which deck support is best for your deck.ĭeck Blocks are only acceptable for decks not requiring frost footings. What to Consider when Choosing Between Deck Blocks or Footings The concrete is mixed on-site and placed in concrete forms dug to below the frost level.įootings provide greater support than pier blocks being dug into the ground and set below the frost level minimizing seasonal deck movement. They are lightweight and easy to install, requiring minimal digging and no mixing of concrete.īest suited for small ground-level decks less than 24″ from the ground.Ĭoncrete footings, on the other hand, require additional labour and cost. Often designed with a hole in the center of the block to hold a post or cross shape area to support the deck beam/joist directly. Overview of Deck Pier Blocks and Concrete Footingsĭeck pier blocks are pre-formed concrete blocks designed to support low decks.
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