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Screw pile selection and installation
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Selection Guide

How to choose the right screw pile for your project

Six steps from project brief to the correct pile specification. Covers project types, soil conditions, load requirements, and the right product series for your needs.

2
Product series
60 – 324
mm tube range
Up to 1,000
kN load capacity
100 yr
PRO warranty
Project Type Soil Conditions Load Requirements PRO vs HELIX Pile Dimensions Quick Reference
1

Define your project type

Your project type determines the load class, installation method, and product series you need. Identify your project category below to narrow your selection immediately.

Energy & Utilities

Solar parks, BESS installations, substations, powerlines, 5G masts, pipelines. High volume, verified load capacity per pile.

PRO Series

Commercial & Industrial

Warehouses, halls, modular buildings, noise barriers, platforms, retaining walls. Structural loads requiring engineering design.

PRO Series

Residential

Houses, extensions, garages, holiday cabins. Permanent structural foundations designed to meet local building codes.

PRO Series

DIY & Garden

Terraces, decks, fences, garden rooms, jetties, small sheds, greenhouses. Lighter loads, hand or small machine installation.

HELIX Series

Challenging Terrain

Peatlands, wetlands, flood zones, slopes, remote sites with limited access. Projects where concrete is impractical or impossible.

PRO Series

Infrastructure

Road portals, rail gantries, signage, lighting masts, EV charging stations, advertising structures, boardwalks.

PRO or HELIX
2

Assess your soil conditions

Soil type directly affects bearing capacity, required pile depth, and helix configuration. The most reliable basis for pile selection is a geotechnical survey. If you have soil data, send it to our engineering team for a project-specific recommendation.

Clay

Excellent suitability

The helical flange cuts through and anchors in clay effectively. Good bearing capacity at moderate depths. Multiple helices can increase capacity in stiff clay.

Sand & Gravel

Excellent suitability

Dense sand and gravel provide immediate resistance. Screw piles achieve high torque values quickly, confirming reliable bearing capacity at shallower depths.

Peat & Soft Ground

Good suitability

Screw piles pass through soft layers to reach firmer soil below. Longer piles may be needed. Paalupiste has extensive experience with solar parks and boardwalks on peatlands.

Moraine (Glacial Till)

Good suitability

Mixed soil with variable grain sizes. Screw piles handle moraine well, but installation torque should be monitored to detect obstructions like larger boulders.

No soil data? Contact us with your project location and planned structure. Our engineers can advise on typical soil conditions in your area and recommend a starting specification.

3

Determine your load requirements

Every pile must carry the loads imposed by your structure safely. Screw pile sizing starts with understanding what forces the foundation will need to resist.

Load types to consider

Load TypeDescription
CompressionVertical downward force from the weight of the structure, equipment, snow, and occupants
Tension (uplift)Vertical upward force from wind, buoyancy, or dynamic loads. Critical for solar panels and masts.
Lateral (shear)Horizontal force from wind pressure, soil pressure, or vehicle impact
MomentRotational force at the pile head from eccentric loading or cantilever structures

Structural calculations required. For projects requiring building permits, a structural engineer must calculate the loads and specify the pile size. Our engineering team provides pile design and load tables tailored to your project.

Typical load ranges by project

ProjectTypical Load / Pile
Fence5 – 15 kN
Terrace / Deck10 – 30 kN
Garden room15 – 40 kN
Garage30 – 80 kN
Residential house50 – 200 kN
Solar park30 – 120 kN
Industrial hall100 – 500 kN
Heavy infrastructure200 – 1,000 kN
4

Choose the right product series

Paalupiste manufactures two product series. Your choice depends on load requirements, installation method, and project scale.

Professional & Industrial

Machine-installed piles for structural and industrial applications. Designed for high-load projects including buildings, solar farms, substations and infrastructure.

  • Tube diameter: 60.3 – 323.9 mm
  • Helice diameter: 150 – 1,000 mm
  • Load capacity: up to 1,000 kN
  • Standard lengths: 1.5 – 12 m
  • Installation: excavator with hydraulic drive head
  • Custom sizes manufactured to specification
  • EN 1090 certified manufacturing
100 YEAR
WARRANTY

DIY & Light Construction

2nd generation screw pile with cast steel head for effortless manual or machine installation. Fences, jetties, garden rooms, terraces and small cottages.

  • Tube: 60.3 × 2.9 mm or 60.3 × 5.0 mm
  • Helice diameter: 160 mm
  • Standard lengths: 0.7 – 3.2 m
  • Steel grade: S420
  • Installation: by hand or mini excavator
  • Hot-dip galvanized (EN ISO 1461)
  • Cast steel head for easy installation
50 YEAR
WARRANTY

Side-by-side comparison

FeaturePRO SeriesHELIX Series
Intended useStructural, industrial, commercialDIY, garden, light residential
Load capacityUp to 1,000 kNSuitable for lighter loads
Tube diameters60.3 – 323.9 mm (9 standard sizes)60.3 mm (single size)
Helice diameters150 – 1,000 mm160 mm
Lengths1.5 – 12 m0.7 – 3.2 m
InstallationExcavator + hydraulic drive headHand, electric driver, or mini excavator
Surface treatmentPlain or hot-dip galvanizedHot-dip galvanized (110–140 µm)
Corrosion designMaterial thickness allowance (100–300 yr)Zinc coating (50 yr)
Custom sizesYes, manufactured to specificationStandard range only
Engineering supportFull design service availableStandard load tables provided
Warranty100 years50 years
5

Select your pile dimensions

Three parameters define the pile specification: tube diameter, helice (helix plate) diameter, and pile length. Each is selected based on your load requirements and soil conditions.

A

Tube diameter

Determines the pile's structural strength and lateral resistance. Larger tubes handle higher loads and longer unsupported lengths above ground. PRO range offers 9 standard sizes from 60.3 to 323.9 mm.

B

Helice diameter

Controls the bearing area in the soil. Larger helices provide higher compression and tension capacity per plate. Multiple helices can be added to increase capacity without increasing pile length.

C

Pile length

Must reach the load-bearing soil layer. Soft ground requires longer piles; firm ground allows shorter ones. Extension sections can be added if the bearing layer is deeper than a single pile length.

D

Number of helices

Single helix is standard. Additional helices increase both compression and tension resistance, especially useful in cohesive soils like clay. Reduces the required pile length for equivalent capacity.

Need help with sizing? Send us your soil data and structural loads. Our engineering team will provide a pile specification including tube diameter, helice size, pile length, and installation torque targets.

6

Plan the installation

The correct installation method ensures your piles achieve the designed load capacity. Choose based on your pile series and site conditions.

PRO: Machine installation

PRO series piles require a hydraulic drive head mounted on an excavator. The drive head rotates the pile into the ground while the operator monitors torque values in real time.

  • Excavators from 1.5 to 30+ tonnes
  • Drive heads from 1,300 to 150,000 Nm torque
  • Real-time torque monitoring verifies capacity
  • Typical speed: 5 – 15 minutes per pile

View installation equipment →

HELIX: Hand or machine installation

HELIX series piles can be installed manually using a crowbar or with one of our electric pile drivers. Mini excavator with a small drive head is also an option for larger quantities.

  • Manual installation with 1–2 people
  • Electric pile driver available
  • Mini excavator for larger projects
  • No specialist skills required

Learn more about HELIX installation →

Screw pile selection at a glance

Use this table to identify the right starting point based on your project type. For precise specifications, contact our engineering team with your soil data and structural loads.

Project Type Series Typical Tube Typical Helice Installation Warranty
Fence / Signage HELIX 60.3 mm 160 mm Hand / Electric 50 yr
Terrace / Deck HELIX 60.3 mm 160 mm Hand / Mini excavator 50 yr
Garden room / Shed HELIX or PRO 60.3 mm 160 – 200 mm Hand / Machine 50 – 100 yr
Garage / Carport PRO 76.1 – 114.3 mm 200 – 300 mm Machine 100 yr
Residential house PRO 88.9 – 168.3 mm 250 – 500 mm Machine 100 yr
Solar park PRO 76.1 – 139.7 mm 200 – 400 mm Machine 100 yr
Industrial building PRO 139.7 – 273.0 mm 400 – 800 mm Machine 100 yr
Heavy infrastructure PRO 219.1 – 323.9 mm 600 – 1,000 mm Machine 100 yr

These are typical starting points. Final pile specifications depend on your actual soil conditions, structural loads, and local building regulations. Our engineering team provides project-specific recommendations free of charge.

Ready to specify your screw piles?

Send your project details, soil data, or questions. Our engineering team responds within one business day.