Reducing the need for extensive excavation and concrete pouring
Sustainable foundations for outdoor spaces
Ground screws – an efficient foundation for outdoor buildings
Creating a garden house or home office is an exciting project, but it can come with challenges—particularly when laying a solid foundation. From clay and sand to sloped landscapes, traditional concrete foundations often require heavy preparation, adding time, expense, and logistical complexity. Ground screws, however, offer a modern, time-saving alternative with minimal disruption to the site. This makes them the smart choice for ensuring stability while simplifying the installation process and keeping your project on schedule.
Ground screws provide a fast, low-impact solution for stable, hassle-free installations, keeping your project on track.
StopDigging – Your all-in-one foundation provider
At StopDigging, we provide ground screw foundation solutions for a wide range of small house structures like garden houses, guest houses, and home offices. Our ground screws are engineered to deliver reliable, durable, and environmentally friendly foundations that adapt to various soil conditions, from sloped terrain to soft, compressible ground.
We care for everything—from precise calculations to professional installation—ensuring your foundation is perfectly suited to your project. With StopDigging, you can relax while we handle the details, delivering a solid result with minimal hassle.
StopDigging’s commitment to quality and sustainability – Backed by ISO Certification
At StopDigging, we are committed to the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and efficiency in everything we do. Our ISO certifications are a testament to this dedication, ensuring that our products, processes, and services consistently meet international standards.
Our ISO Certifications
| Material | EN 10027-1:2016: S235 JR |
| Product CE | EN 1090 |
| Galvanization | ISO 1461:2009 |
| Manufacturing process | EN 1090 / ISO 9001:2015 |
| Installation process | ISO 9001:2015 |
Our most common products for garden house foundations
Ground screws
We offer a wide range of ground screws specifically suited for garden house structures. Each screw is manufactured with high-quality and hot-dip galvanized steel, providing corrosion resistance and longevity.
SGC adapter screw
Ideal for connecting multiple types of structures, this flexible screw provides dependable support in a variety of soil conditions. Can be used for lighter, medium and heavier structures.
SGS post screw
Engineered to secure beams directly into the ground, suitable for lightweight constructions. Similar to the SGU beam screw, with a higher U-bracket adapter for fastening vertical beams and posts.
SGU beam screw
Designed to anchor beams directly to the ground, used for lightweight structures. Similar to the SGS post screw, with a U-bracket adapter specialised for securing horizontal beams.
SGX adapter screw
Engineered for medium to higher loads, the SGX is used when the ground conditions are poor or when the project requires extra stability.
Bracket adapters
Our SGE, SGF, and SGL bracket adapters are available in various configurations to accommodate all subframe dimensions and enhance the versatility and precision of boardwalk foundations. They provide a strong fastening point to ensure every installation is secure and accurately fastened.
Steel bracing system
Using diagonal braces will greatly increase the strength of the combined foundation. We use standardised 48mm high-quality steel tubes. Combined with specially adapted swivel clamps, the foundation can withstand large lateral loads. The steel bracing system supports elevated subfloor levels, ideal for sloping sites or areas with expansive soils.
Designed and developed in Sweden
All of our ground screws are designed and developed in Sweden, embodying Swedish precision and upholding the highest standards of quality, durability, and environmental responsibility. This commitment ensures reliable performance in a wide range of environments. By selecting these specialised ground screws, we guarantee that each foundation our professional partners build is not only structurally sound but also seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings.
Pros of using ground screws for garden projects
There are several advantages to choosing ground screws as your foundation solution. Here are some of the screw’s main benefits:
Adaptability to ground conditions |
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| Soil composition | Each project’s clay, sand, or gravel soil type directly affects foundation stability. Ground screws are adaptable to various soil types, securely anchoring even in challenging conditions and minimising uneven settling. |
| Bearing capacity | Ensures the ground can support the structure’s weight to prevent future settling or shifting. Ground screws distribute loads across a wide area, creating a stable base without extensive groundwork. |
| Moisture and drainage | High water tables or poor drainage can lead to saturation, compromising traditional foundations. Ground screws allow natural drainage around each screw, preventing water buildup and structural damage without complex drainage systems. |
| Frost depth | In colder climates, frost heave can shift traditional foundations. Ground screws reach below the frost line, avoiding freeze-thaw cycles and ensuring a stable foundation in cold weather. |
Meeting location challenges |
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| Accessibility | Traditional excavation is challenging in confined or hard-to-reach areas. Ground screws can be installed with compact, manoeuvrable equipment, ideal for sites with restricted access. |
| Sloping terrain | Installing traditional foundations on sloped terrain often requires extensive levelling. Ground screws adjust to varying heights, enabling a level base on slopes without costly preparation work. |
| Proximity to existing structures | Placing new foundations near existing structures requires precision. Ground screws offer a flexible placement with minimal disturbance to nearby trees or other outdoor structures. |
Minimising environmental impact |
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| Ecosystem disturbance risks | Ground screws minimise environmental disruption by generating less noise and vibration compared to traditional foundation methods. With careful planning, they have minimal impact on root systems and vegetation, making them suitable for protected areas and sensitive ecosystems. |
Case study
Higgins Barn – A sustainable retreat in Tiggins Meadow
Background
A net-zero carbon emissions building vision
Located in East Suffolk, England, Tiggins Meadow was once over-farmed agricultural land that had become infertile and degraded. Over the years, this meadow has been transformed into a private nature reserve focusing on rewilding and ecosystem restoration. Since 2008, Tiggins Meadow has undergone extensive rewilding efforts, converting barren land into thriving wildflower meadows, dense hedgerows, seasonal ponds, and willow thickets, all supporting diverse wildlife species. These efforts have included attracting barn owls to the area by installing owl boxes, reflecting a broader commitment to restoring natural habitats in the UK.
The primary objectives of this project were to create a net-zero carbon building with minimal landscape impact, use locally sourced materials, and provide additional wildlife habitat, furthering the ecological recovery of Tiggins Meadow.
In 2020, a collaboration between Natural Building Studio and a UK-based architecture firm known for sustainable design led to the construction of Higgins Barn within the meadow. As a tool store, shelter, and workshop, Higgins Barn is a testament to eco-friendly architecture. The primary objectives of this project were to create a net-zero carbon building with minimal landscape impact, use locally sourced materials, and provide additional wildlife habitat, furthering the ecological recovery of Tiggins Meadow.
The challenge
Preserving newly established wildlife habitats
The construction of Higgins Barn had to respect the fragile ecosystem of Tiggins Meadow to avoid soil disturbance and preserve newly established wildlife habitats. This meant selecting a foundation that would have minimal impact on the ground, as traditional concrete foundations could disrupt the delicate rewilding progress and contribute to carbon emissions.
The solution
Using ground screws for minimal ground disturbance
To align with the project’s sustainability goals, the construction team opted for StopDigging’s ground screw foundations since it offered a minimally invasive solution, avoiding the need for concrete and thus preserving the rewilded soil structure, which aligned well with Tiggins Meadow’s ecological needs. The ground screws were installed swiftly and precisely, providing a solid foundation while requiring minimal on-site disturbance.
The ground screws were installed swiftly and precisely, providing a solid foundation while requiring minimal on-site disturbance.
The results
Eco-friendly result while maintaining the aesthetic of a natural landscape
The ground screw installation enabled a quick and stable foundation by reducing the overall construction timeline and supported the building’s longevity. By eliminating the need for concrete, the project significantly reduced its carbon footprint, aligning with the Tiggins Meadow rewilding initiative’s net-zero goals. The team met the project goals while safeguarding Tiggins Meadow’s delicate rewilded ecosystem. The barn design was blended with the natural surroundings, providing nesting areas for birds and maintaining the aesthetic of a natural landscape.
Client feedback
Client feedback
Stakeholders from both Tiggins Meadow and Natural Building Studio expressed satisfaction with the ground screw solution, emphasising its suitability for nature reserves and its environmental sensitivity.
Get in touch
Are you interested in a quote for your project with our ground screw solutions? Or would you like to work with us? Contact us here for quotes, partnership inquiries, and other questions about your project. We are here to help!
Commitment
to sustainable
foundations
Our solutions are designed with the environment in mind, minimising impact while maximising efficiency. By using ground screws and sustainable materials, we reduce soil disturbance, lower emissions, and adapt seamlessly to various terrains—including challenging sites like steep slopes and remote areas. This approach supports clean installations that respect and protect natural ecosystems, aligning with our commitment to sustainable development.
