Ground Screws vs. Concrete Foundations: Complete 2026 Comparison

Ground screws and concrete foundations are two main methods of construction anchoring — they differ in technology, speed, costs, and environmental impact. This guide compares both technologies based on concrete numbers 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 excavation using a hydraulic driving machine. Once driven, they provide immediate load-bearing capacity—no waiting. Diameters range from 76 to 150 mm, with a load-bearing capacity per point of 8–50 metric tons, depending on the soil and diameter.

Concrete foundations (footings, piers, strip foundations) are created by excavation, reinforcement with steel rebar, and pouring cement concrete. Before loading, it is necessary to wait 7–28 days for curing. The load-bearing capacity reaches 20–100+ tons 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 1 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
Instant load capacity	✅ Yes	❌ No
Disassemblability	✅ 100 % reversible	❌ Destructive
Terrain adaptation	Slopes, uneven terrain, limited space	Requires leveling
Working in freezing conditions	Limited (depends on depth)	Not possible (the concrete won't withstand the frost)
Lifespan	50–75+ years (galvanized steel)	30–50 years
Building permit	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 comparisons depend 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
Machine + operator	Rental or owned machine, 1–2 operators
Workforce	1–2 helpers
Transport and overhead costs	Generally 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
Removal of construction waste	2–5 m³ per spot, paid disposal
Site preparation	Levelling, topsoil stripping

Where is the biggest difference

Ground screws are typically 5–9× cheaper per anchoring point than concrete footings with comparable load-bearing capacity.
Main reasons: less material, fewer people, less equipment, zero waste.

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

Your project engineer will prepare a preliminary estimate for your specific project based on the geotechnical conditions and the scope of the project.

When are ground screws a better choice?

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

Photovoltaic and solar structures

panels must be erected quickly, the terrain tends to be uneven → see solar parks without concrete

Wooden Buildings and Modular Homes

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

Sloping or uneven land

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

Temporary or relocatable structures

The screw can be removed after the project is finished and reused.

Ecologically sensitive locations

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

Short-term 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+ tons per point)

apartment buildings, industrial buildings with high loads

Bedrock up to 1.5 m

no room for screwing; necessary to adjust the diameter or switch to concrete

Underground spaces

basements, underground garages: screws will not allow this

Legislative requirement

some standards and building authorities require concrete foundations without exception

High groundwater level or muddy layers

Piles can gradually settle into such unstable soil

What foundations for your project?
Decision table

Project type	Recommendation	Reason
Solar park 1–10 MWp	✅ Ground anchors	Speed, scalability, reversibility
Timber structure or modular house	✅ Ground anchors	Lightweight, fast, eco-friendly
Fence or fencing	✅ Ground anchors	Simplicity, speed, ease of disassembly
Industrial hall up to 25 t/point	⚠️ It depends	Screws possible with the correct diameter; consult
6+ story apartment building	❌ Concrete	High workload, legislation
Detached house with basement	❌ Concrete	The Need for Underground Space
Structures in a Floodplain	❌ Concrete	Standards usually require concrete foundations

Environmental comparison

The carbon footprint of construction increases with the scale of the project—for a 100 kWp solar power plant (35 points):

Ground screws:

35 × 137 kg CO₂ = 4,795 kg CO₂

Concrete:

35 × 720 kg of CO₂ = 25,200 kg of 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 in ground anchors is 100 % recyclable—after removal, it can be resold or reused.

More about the regulatory framework for ground screws in the Czech Republic and the EU: Eurocode 7 and Ground Screws — What the Standard Says

What kind of drilling machine do you need?

For industrial projects, hand tools are not enough — ground screws with a diameter of 76–150 mm in harder soil require a hydraulic driving machine.

Glentor B80 — torque 8,000 Nm, max. screw length 2.5 m, weight 2,480 kg. The golden mean for most EPC projects: solar parks, timber structures, industrial buildings in a standard soil profile.

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 soil, aggregate, and projects requiring DTH pre-drilling.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do ground screws last?
Galvanized 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 a building permit for ground screws?
It depends on the project and the local building authority. Small structures (fences, pergolas, photovoltaic systems up to a certain output) do not require a permit. Ground screws are generally easier to approve than concrete foundations — they are considered a reversible intervention in the soil. For details, see Eurocode 7 and screw piles.
Can I use ground screws in hard or stony soil?
Yes — screwing machine Glentor C65 with the MTB36 hydraulic hammer, it handles even difficult soil conditions. In purely rocky subsoil, a geotechnical assessment is necessary.
What is the load-bearing capacity of ground screws?
It depends on the diameter and the soil. Typically: Ø 76 mm → 8–12 t, Ø 110 mm → 15–25 t, Ø 150 mm → 30–50 t. We always recommend trial drilling or a geotechnical survey.
Do ground screws work in winter?
Yes, to a certain extent. In frozen soil, the installation time may increase. The advantage over concrete is that concrete cannot be poured in freezing temperatures at all — ground screws are therefore a winter alternative.
Can ground screws be dismantled?
Yes, 100 %. The bolt can be hydraulically unscrewed and reused or sold for recycling at 50–70 % of the purchase price. The concrete must be demolished.

Don't know which machine to choose? We will advise you.

If you are working on a specific project — a photovoltaic power plant, a wooden building, an industrial hall, or another type of foundation — contact us. We will recommend the ideal machine for your projects.

Find out also, which Glentor machine is suitable for your project type →