deck foot anchor with flat black load plate upright on a white background fully assembled
The Deck Foot - Floating - Over Pavers is a steel ground anchor with a black square plate and helical screw end, ideal for securing freestanding decks with reliable ground-anchored connections.
Black square panel featuring a central circular hole on a white background, similar to freestanding decks. Product: Deck Foot - Floating - Over Pavers.
Two Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact brackets, made of galvanized metal with rectangular bases and vertical sides featuring slotted holes for fastening, appear sturdy and ideal for freestanding decks or mounting applications. The brackets are positioned at slight angles.
Two black metal brackets with multiple mounting holes, a rectangular base, and a U-shaped design with cut-outs for Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact applications. Perfect for freestanding decks or ground-anchored footings.
Four Deck Foot - Floating - Over Pavers kits, each with black metal L-brackets and hardware, are set on a white background, perfect for reinforcing freestanding decks or creating sturdy ground-anchored connections.
The Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact is a metal ground anchor with a long rod and spiral screw, designed to secure freestanding decks into the ground, shown against a white background.
Close-up of the Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact, showing a metal auger screw with a long shaft and two spiral blades. Its shiny finish is ideal for installing freestanding deck footings. The plain white background highlights its simple design and utility.
deck foot anchor with flat black load plate upright on a white background fully assembled
The Deck Foot - Floating - Over Pavers is a steel ground anchor with a black square plate and helical screw end, ideal for securing freestanding decks with reliable ground-anchored connections.
Black square panel featuring a central circular hole on a white background, similar to freestanding decks. Product: Deck Foot - Floating - Over Pavers.
Two Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact brackets, made of galvanized metal with rectangular bases and vertical sides featuring slotted holes for fastening, appear sturdy and ideal for freestanding decks or mounting applications. The brackets are positioned at slight angles.
Two black metal brackets with multiple mounting holes, a rectangular base, and a U-shaped design with cut-outs for Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact applications. Perfect for freestanding decks or ground-anchored footings.
Four Deck Foot - Floating - Over Pavers kits, each with black metal L-brackets and hardware, are set on a white background, perfect for reinforcing freestanding decks or creating sturdy ground-anchored connections.
The Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact is a metal ground anchor with a long rod and spiral screw, designed to secure freestanding decks into the ground, shown against a white background.
Close-up of the Deck Foot - Floating - Ground Contact, showing a metal auger screw with a long shaft and two spiral blades. Its shiny finish is ideal for installing freestanding deck footings. The plain white background highlights its simple design and utility.

Deck Foot - Floating - Over Pavers

GROUND ANCHORED FOOTINGS IN MINUTES ARE A REALITY

The Deck Foot Anchor with Flat Load Plate is designed for floating structures (non-ledger attached) built over pavers, asphalt, or other hard surfaces. Get strength and security with a ground-anchored connection—without digging or pouring concrete. Quickly and easily install footings for freestanding decks, pergolas, sheds, ramps, and more—in minutes!

The 3-¼" blade and 5" blade have been tested in clay for maximum compression loads of 1,391# and 5,500#, respectively.

If unsure about your soil conditions, we highly recommend testing your soil before purchasing Deck Foot Anchor products. Click here to see our test kit.

$76.99
Post Connection:
4x4 Shorty (Galv)
Plate Size:
Flat 12x12
Auger Length:
24" 3-¼" Blade

Frequently Bought Together

American Express
Apple Pay
Discover
Google Pay
Mastercard
PayPal
Visa

Fast Shipping

Easy Returns

Expert Support 9–5

Free Shipping Over $599

Recommended for You

Deck Foot Anchor Logo

The Deck Foot Anchor installs with a handheld ½" impact wrench. Use our hand auger tool if you prefer a manual installation.


  • Turn a week-long job into a weekend project.

  • Save money on labor, materials and time.

  • No sledge or jackhammers or heavy machinery.

  • Install in the morning and build in the afternoon.

Technical Information

Installation Guides and Engineering Reports piled next to each other

Will An Auger Work In My Soil?

Some soil is not well suited for augers.  The soil may be full of rocks, roots or other obstructions, or frozen. So you have to do some due diligence first to know if your soil is suited for this kind of solution. 


If you're unsure about your soil conditions, we recommend using our Deck Foot Anchor - Test Kit for accurate results. This kit will help you assess soil composition and confirm compatibility with our augers before you buy, giving you confidence in your foundation choice.


If continuous torque is applied after hitting an obstruction, the auger may be damaged and become difficult to remove.

DFA-Test-Kit

Deck Foot Anchor - Test Kit

The Deck Foot Anchor - Test Kit is designed to test your soil's compatibility with our Deck Foot Products.

Includes:

  • 36" auger with 3-1/4" blade
  • 24" auger extension kit

*INCLUDES SHIPPING

Your Price:

$54.00

Additional Information

GROUND LEVEL

You can build your deck with joists as low as 2"-3" above grade if you wish. Simply hang the joists from the perimeter joist.  If you want to extend the deck beyond the footing, extend the side perimeter joists 6"-10" and fill with blocking joists along the length.


EASILY UP TO SIX FEET

With proper bracing in both directions from 6x6 posts to beams, you can make a six-foot high freestanding deck as solid as a rock.  It's possible to go even higher but it is not intended to support decks at a second-floor elevation.

FRAMING AND BRACING TECHNIQUES

Different Framing and Bracing Techniques

HOW MANY FOOTINGS DO I NEED?

The Rule of Thumb is 6'-0" apart for each footing.  This corresponds to a design load of 50 psf and tributary areas over each footing of 36 sqft.  


So the total load imposed on the soil below each footing would be a maximum of 1800 psf as the footing is just slightly larger than 1 sqft.


If you have a large deck where three or more beams are going to be used, consider adding one additional footing along the interior beam.  This is because the tributary loads of any structure are always greatest in the middle.

USE OUR CALCULATOR
Footing Layout Guide

CONVEX PLATE FOR GROUND CONTACT

Designed for direct ground contact, the convex load plate ensures stability on compacted gravel or soil. Pairs perfectly with our Shorty or Tall Boy style Post Saddles.


  • Installs directly into the ground—no need for a hard surface.

  • Ideal for use on gravel, soil, or other compacted bases.

  • Provides a secure, anchored footing for your structure.

Convex Load Plate for direct ground contact
Flat load plate for use over pavers or asphalt

FLAT PLATE OVER PAVER STONES

Our flat load plate allows simpler installations over pavers or stone. Pairs perfectly with our Shorty or Tall Boy style Post Saddles, or Pergola Brackets.


  • Remove enough pavers to allow the helical blade to clear.

  • Load plate rests on a hard surface.

  • Also useful over asphalt.

WHAT IF MY POSTS AREN'T 6x6 OR 4x4

For projects with posts that aren't using traditional 4x4 or 6x6 posts—or if you just prefer a more versatile mounting solution—our Pergola Post Brackets are the perfect choice.


They accommodate a wide range of post types, including wood, metal, hollow, and closed-bottom posts.

Variable Posts to use with the deck foot anchor
How to drill into wood and metal posts to fit over deck foot anchor

When using a solid wood post or a closed bottom metal post, an access hole for the drive head of the auger must be bored into the post (1-3/4" to 2" dia.).


A common bi-metal hole saw can be used to cut a hole in the flat bottom of metal post.  This hole allows the drive head of the auger to reside inside the post.

INSTALLATION OVER PAVERS

This installation guide will walk you through securing the flat load plate over pavers using our Pergola Post Brackets, providing a strong and versatile foundation for your structure.


The flat plate rests on a hard surface while the helical anchor drives into the ground for added stability


If you prefer a more traditional approach, the brackets can be swapped out for our Shorty or Tall Boy Post Saddles, allowing you to customize your installation to fit your needs.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
Pergola Post Brackets Installation Guide Cover

HOW DOES FROST AFFECT THE ANCHOR?

The Deck Foot Anchor™ is designed to remain securely in place, unlike traditional fence posts that can gradually lift out of the ground over time. It stays anchored while moving with the natural expansion and contraction of the soil during freeze-thaw cycles, ensuring long-term stability.

 

The Deck Foot Anchor - Floating™ is not promoted as a frost footing and falls under Section R403.1.4.1. Exception 3 (IRC) and Section 9.12.2.2.(7) (NBC). Therefore it is recommended for use with freestanding decks.


If you want a true frost footing that also accommodates ledger attached structures check out the Deck Foot Anchor - Ledger or the Ledger - Load Max

Deck Foot Anchor Performance in frost

AUGER COMPRESSION

Auger compression load table

Here are the data from the compression tests of the auger in the best and worst type of soil.

AUGER UPLIFT

Auger uplift table

Pull out resistance (tension) from undisturbed soil varies by soil type and auger length.  If you are building a project where known uplift data is required please see our Tension Test data for sandy or clay soils based on auger length.


This is data taken from field testing by Intertek in a location in Colorado and is part of an extensive residential code compliance review program this is expected to be completed in 2022.

Auger Breakage picture

Optimal Times for Installing the Deck Foot Anchor


To ensure the best results and avoid potential damage, it's important to install the Deck Foot Anchor when the ground is fully thawed and free of frost. Attempting to drive the auger into frozen or partially frozen soil can cause excessive stress on the anchor, potentially leading to bending or breakage.


We recommend scheduling your installation during late spring, summer, or early fall — typically once overnight temperatures consistently stay above freezing and any frost has fully melted from the ground.


If you're unsure whether the frost line has completely thawed, it's best to test the soil with a metal rod or soil probe before installation. Soft, unfrozen soil will allow the Deck Foot Anchor to perform as designed, giving you a secure and lasting foundation.