Choosing the Right Deck Foot Anchor: 24", 36" or 48"?

24" Auger: The Best Fit for Most Projects

For roughly 80–90% of Deck Foot Anchor applications, the 24" auger is all you need.

It is shorter, easier to install, and less likely to encounter buried roots or rocks.

With the standard 3-1/4" blade, tested compression capacity is:

• 6,285 lbs in sand

• 1,146 lbs in clay

For typical low-level decks, pergolas, and similar structures in suitable soil, this is usually the best place to start.

36" Auger: More Depth and Uplift Resistance

The 36" auger makes sense when you need:

• More wind uplift resistance

• Additional depth in sandy soil

• More engagement with firmer soil below the surface

Its tested compression capacity with the 3-1/4" blade is:

• 6,285 lbs in sand

• 1,391 lbs in clay

In sand, the compression rating is the same as the 24" version. The main advantage of the extra length is deeper soil engagement and improved uplift resistance.

What About the 5" Blade?

For projects requiring significantly higher compression capacity in clay, there is also a 48" auger with a 5" blade.

Its tested compression capacity is:

• 5,500 lbs in clay

The larger blade creates more bearing area in the soil, making it a strong option for more demanding applications.

What About the 5" Blade? Building a Frost-Resistant, Ledger-Attached Deck?

Not every deck is designed as a floating structure. If you're building a deck that will be attached to the house ledger, the Ledger Deck Foot Anchor is designed for this type of application.

The Ledger Deck Foot Anchor uses the same helical footing principle, but allows the footing to be installed below the local frost depth. When the blade is installed at the required depth in suitable soil, it can provide a true frost-resistant footing for ledger-attached deck applications.

This makes the Ledger Deck Foot Anchor a solution when your deck design requires permanent support below frost depth rather than a floating deck footing.

In short:

• Floating Deck Foot Anchor — ideal for floating, freestanding decks and other structures where the deck is independent of the house.

• Ledger Deck Foot Anchor — designed for decks attached to a house ledger where the footing needs to extend below frost depth.

  
  

As with any footing system, local building codes, soil conditions, required embedment depth, and structural loads should be considered when determining the appropriate installation.

If you're unsure whether your soil is compatible with the Deck Foot Anchor system, we offer the Deck Foot Anchor Test Kit, designed specifically to help you evaluate your site before committing to a full footing installation.

The kit uses a single 24" test auger that you can drive into the planned footing locations to check for buried roots, rocks, and other underground obstructions.

This gives you a simple way to test the site before ordering the rest of your anchors.