Getting Your Foundation Right 

Choosing the right foundation depends on your pergola’s size, your local climate, and your long-term goals for stability and maintenance. For maximum performance and peace of mind, we recommend the concrete strip foundation. 

Concrete Strip Foundation (85 x 85 x 85 cm)
A strip foundation is an excellent choice for larger structures or areas where strong wind resistance is a consideration, as it distributes the weight of the pergola evenly across the ground

• Pros: Maximum stability and wind protection. Long-lasting with minimal maintenance. 10-year warranty approved.
• Cons:  Permanent (can’t be moved), more expensive, and time-consuming to install

Earth Screws
Earth screws are becoming increasingly popular due to their minimal disruption to the ground and relatively easy installation process.

How They Work:
Earth screws are large, spiral-shaped screws driven into the ground, usually using a machine or hydraulic driver. They penetrate the soil and create a stable anchor without requiring a concrete foundation.

• Pros: Quick to install, minimal digging, eco-friendly, and removable if you relocate your pergola
  
• Cons: Not as strong in extreme winds, higher cost than pavers, limited load capacity for very large pergolas

Concrete Slab
A concrete slab foundation involves pouring a single large slab over the entire pergola area.

How It Works:
The base area is excavated and leveled, followed by setting formwork to the pergola’s dimensions. Reinforcing mesh or rebar is then placed inside, and finally, concrete is poured to form a continuous slab.

• Pros: Very strong and stable, ideal for larger structures or pergolas that double as a patio floor
  
• Cons: Permanent (can’t be moved), more expensive and time-consuming to install

Pavers or Flagstones
Pavers can provide an easy-to-install foundation for smaller pergolas, though they may not be as stable as a concrete slab or strip foundation.

How They Work
A gravel or sand base is first laid over the ground to provide proper drainage, after which pavers or flagstones are installed on top, creating a stable and flat surface.

• Pros: Affordable, easy to install, flexible if adjustments are needed
  
• Cons: Less stable in high winds, not suitable for larger pergolas, may shift over time if not laid perfectly

Wooden Decks
For pergolas being placed on existing decks or patios, wooden decks can act as a foundation. The structure is often secured with brackets or posts.

• Pros: Convenient and attractive if you already have a deck, blends well with wooden pergolas
  
• Cons: Less durable than concrete, limited stability and wind resistance, not suitable for ground-level pergolas

Wall-Mounted Pergolas

If you’re mounting your pergola to a wall, check first that it’s strong, level, and clear of obstructions. 

How to Choose The Right Screws for Your Wall Type
Different wall materials need different fixings:

• Brick walls: Use 8–9 mm steel screws with matching expansion anchors/rawl plugs (min. 100 mm long).
  
  
• Stone walls: Use longer expansion anchors (100–120 mm) for solid support.
  
  
• Concrete or cement walls: Use 8–9 mm Tapcon or concrete screws (min. 100 mm).
  
  
• Timber frame walls: Use 8–9 mm wood screws, 80–100 mm long, and pre-drill pilot holes to prevent splitting.
  
  
• Stucco (plastered walls): Use 8–9 mm toggle bolts or masonry anchors that pass through the plaster into solid material behind.
  
  
• Vinyl/Fiber cement siding: Use expansion anchors with 8–9 mm, 100 mm steel screws to reach the structure beneath.
  
  
• Insulated concrete forms (ICF): Use specialized long anchors for foam + concrete layers (8–9 mm, 120 mm).