Ground screws vs concrete foundations: A complete comparison for 2026

Ground screws and concrete foundations are two main methods of construction foundations — they differ in technology, speed, costs and environmental impact. This guide compares both technologies based on specific figures and will help you decide what is suitable for your project.

What are ground screws and concrete foundations?

Ground anchors are steel elements with helical blades that are screwed into the ground without the need for excavation, using a hydraulic driving machine. Once driven into the ground, they provide immediate load-bearing capacity — no waiting required. Diameters range from 76 to 150 mm, with a load-bearing capacity per point of 8–50 tonnes, depending on the soil and diameter.

Concrete foundations (pad foundations, pillars, strip foundations) are created by excavation, reinforcement with steel armatura, and pouring cement concrete. Before loading, it is necessary to wait 7–28 days for curing. The load-bearing capacity reaches 20–100+ tonnes per point, but at the cost of significantly higher expenses and a longer time.

Comparison in numbers

Criterion	Ground screws	Concrete foundations
Installation time for 1 point	5–15 minutes (30+ pcs/hour)	2–4 hours (excavation + formwork + concreting)
Time to full load capacity	Immediately	7–28 days (concrete curing)
Relative cost per point	Lower	Significantly higher
Carbon footprint per point	~137 kg CO₂	~720 kg CO₂
Required equipment	1 machine + 1–2 people	Excavator + mixer + 3–5 workers
Immediate load capacity	✅ Yes	❌ No
Disassemblability	✅ 100 % reversible	❌ Destructive
Terrain adaptation	Slopes, unevenness, restricted space	Requires levelling
Working in freezing conditions	Limited (depth-dependent)	Not possible (the concrete won't withstand the frost)
Lifespan	50–75+ years (galvanised steel)	30–50 years old
Planning permission	It is often not necessary	Often yes
Waste	None	Construction waste 2–5 m³ per point
Noise level	50–70 dB	80–95 dB

What is cheaper? Comparison of cost items

Direct price comparison depends on location, soil profile, distance from the warehouse and current equipment rates — which is why we do not provide fixed price lists. However, the key is comparing the cost structure:

Ground screws — what makes up the costs

Item	Note
Hardware (screws)	It depends on the diameter and length
Plant + operator	Rental or own machine, 1–2 operators
Workforce	1–2 helpers
Transport and overheads	As a rule, low — the machine is mobile
Waste disposal	Zero

Concrete foundations — what the costs consist of

Item	Note
Material (concrete + reinforcement)	Main cost item
Excavation (excavator)	Daily rate + operation
Formwork and reinforcement	For each point separately
Workforce	3–5 workers, multiple days
Builders' waste removal	2–5 m³ per point, paid disposal
Site preparation	Levelling, topsoil removal

Where is the biggest difference

Ground screws are typically 5 to 9 times cheaper per foundation point than concrete footings of comparable load-bearing capacity.
The main reasons: less material, fewer people, less equipment, zero waste.

When calculating the lifecycle (25 years), the savings are even more pronounced: concrete foundations require ongoing crack repairs and renewal after 30–40 years. Ground screws, when properly installed, have a lifespan of 50–75+ years with minimal maintenance.

A preliminary estimate for your specific project will be prepared by your designer based on the geotechnical conditions and the scope of the contract.

When are ground screws a better choice?

Ground screws are ideal if your project meets at least some of the following conditions:

Photovoltaic and solar installations

The panels need to be erected quickly; the ground is often uneven → see solar farms without concrete

Timber buildings and modular houses

lightweight structures, assembly in 1–2 days instead of weeks → see timber-frame buildings on ground screws

Sloping or uneven plots

concrete would require expensive levelling; screw-in machine Glentor B80 it handles work even on a ±18° slope

Temporary or relocatable structures

The screw can be removed and reused once the project is complete

Ecologically sensitive locations

Ground-source heat pumps produce 83 % less CO₂ than concrete

Short-notice projects

without concrete you gain an extra 2–4 weeks

When is concrete still better?

There are situations where concrete foundations remain the only or significantly better choice:

Very heavy structures (50+ tonnes per point)

apartment buildings, heavy-duty industrial buildings

Bedrock up to 1.5 m

there is no room to screw it in; it is necessary to adjust the diameter or switch to concrete

Underground spaces

basements, underground garages: screws will not allow for this

Legislative requirement

some standards and building authorities require concrete foundations without exception

High groundwater level or muddy strata

screws can gradually sink into such unstable soil

What foundations for your project?
Decision table

Project type	Recommendation	Reason
Solar park 1–10 MWp	✅ Ground screws	Speed, scalability, reversibility
Timber frame or modular home	✅ Ground screws	Lightweight, speed, ecology
Fence or fencing	✅ Ground screws	Simplicity, speed, ease of dismantling
Industrial hall with a load capacity of up to 25 tonnes per point	⚠️ It depends	Screws are possible with the correct diameter; please consult
Apartment block 6+ storeys	❌ Concrete	Heavy workload, legislation
A detached house with a basement	❌ Concrete	The need for underground space
Buildings in a flood-prone area	❌ Concrete	Standards usually require concrete foundations

Environmental comparison

The carbon footprint of installation grows with the scale of the project — for a 100 kWp PV system (35 points):

Ground screws:

35 × 137 kg CO₂ = 4,795 kg of CO₂

Concrete

35 × 720 kg CO₂ = 25 200 kg CO₂

Savings:

20,405 kg of CO₂ — equivalent to the annual emissions of 4.5 people

Cement accounts for 5–8 % of global CO₂ emissions. The steel used in ground screws is 100 % recyclable — once dismantled, it can be resold or reused.

More information on the regulatory framework for ground screws in the Czech Republic and the EU: Eurocode 7 and screw piles — what the standard says

What sort of drilling machine do you need?

Hand tools are not sufficient for industrial projects — ground screws with a diameter of 76–150 mm in harder soil require a hydraulic driving machine.

Glentor B80 — torque 8,000 Nm, maximum screw length 2.5 m, weight 2,480 kg. The ideal compromise for most EPC projects: solar farms, timber-framed buildings and industrial structures in standard soil conditions.

Glentor C65 — 6,500 Nm + MTB36 hydraulic hammer (900 J), max. screw/pile length 3.5/4.3 m. The choice for challenging terrain: harder ground, aggregate, and projects where DTH pre-drilling is also required.

Both models are CE-certified, manufactured in the Czech Republic (Made in the EU) and fitted with a telematics unit for monitoring performance on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do ground screws last?
Galvanised ground screws have a lifespan of 50–75+ years. Concrete foundations begin to degrade after 30–40 years due to reinforcement corrosion and the alkali-silica reaction.
Do I need planning permission for ground screws?
It depends on the project and the local planning authority. Small structures (fences, pergolas, solar panels up to a certain capacity) do not require planning permission. Ground screws are generally easier to obtain planning permission for than concrete foundations — they are considered a reversible intervention in the ground. For details, see Eurocode 7 and ground screws.
Can I use ground screws in hard or stony soil?
Ano — screw machine Glentor C65 with the MTB36 hydraulic breaker, it can also handle difficult soil conditions. In purely rocky subsoil, a geotechnical assessment is required.
What is the load-bearing capacity of ground screws?
It depends on the diameter and the soil. Typically: Ø 76 mm → 8–12 tonnes, Ø 110 mm → 15–25 tonnes, Ø 150 mm → 30–50 tonnes. We always recommend a trial drilling or a geotechnical survey.
Do ground screws work in winter?
Yes, to a certain extent. In frozen ground, the installation time may be longer. The advantage over concrete is that concrete cannot be poured in freezing conditions at all — ground screws are therefore a winter alternative.
Can ground screws be removed?
Yes, 100 %. The screw can be hydraulically unscrewed and reused, or sold for recycling at 50–70 % of the purchase price. The concrete must be demolished.

Not sure which machine to choose? We can help.

If you are working on a specific project — a photovoltaic system, timber frame building, industrial hall or another type of foundation — contact us. We will help you find the ideal machine for your projects.

Also find out, which Glentor machine is suitable for your project type →