ARTICLE

Understanding Helical Piles vs. Screw Piles

August 9, 2025

Helical piles and screw piles are terms used interchangeably to mean one thing.

These are innovative devices the construction industry is using to replace traditional concrete foundations in both residential and commercial buildings.

We will also show you why they are a great choice for building foundations for homes, large buildings, and other projects, and how they can save you time and money.

Are Helical Piles and Screw Piles Different?
What is a Helical Pile?
How Are Screw Piles Installed?
Where Can You Use Helical Piles?
Are Helical Piles Cheaper Than Concrete?
Are Screw Piles Safe and Strong?
About Helical Piles vs. Screw Piles
FAQ About Helical Piles and Screw Piles

Are Helical Piles and Screw Piles Different?

No. In the Australian building industry, helical piles vs screw piles are just two names for the same product.

Think of it this way: “helical” describes the spiral shape on the pile, and “screw” describes how it is put into the ground. Both terms point to the same clever foundation pole that twists deep into the earth.

So, if you are looking for information on screw piles in Australia, you are learning about the same great technology. This makes it easier for everyone to find the right solution for a strong and stable foundation.

What is a Helical Pile?

Imagine a giant metal screw designed to hold up a building. That is the basic idea of a helical pile. It is a very strong deep foundation system made from steel.

A screw pile has two main parts. First is the central steel pole, called a shaft. This part pushes the building’s weight deep into solid ground. Welded onto the shaft are one or more spiral plates, which are called helices.

These plates act like a screw’s thread, pulling the pile into the ground as it turns. To make sure they last a very long time, the piles are coated in zinc. This is called galvanising, and it gives them great corrosion resistance to prevent rust and maintain structural integrity.

How Are Screw Piles Installed?

The way screw piles are installed is a major reason why they are so popular. The process is clean, quick, and much quieter than old-fashioned foundation work.

It is perfect for places with limited room or where you don’t want to make a big mess.

The helical pile installation is a simple, step-by-step process:

Step 1: Check the ground. An expert looks at a soil report to understand what the ground is like. This helps them decide how deep the pile needs to go. This step is part of geotechnical engineering.
Step 2: Bring in the machine. A machine, usually an excavator with a special turning motor, is brought to the site.
Step 3: Screw the pile in. The pile is attached to the motor and twisted into the ground, just like a screw into wood. It is a smooth process with very little shaking.
Step 4: Check the strength. As the pile goes in, the machine measures how hard it is to turn. This tells the operator exactly how much weight the pile can hold, confirming its load-bearing capacity right there on the spot.
Step 5: Finish the job. Once the pile is deep enough, the top is cut to the right height. A special cap is put on top, ready to be connected to the building.

This whole process creates almost no mess or leftover dirt, which means no costs for hauling it away. This means less soil disturbance and a cleaner, safer work site.

Where Can You Use Helical Piles?

Because they are so flexible, helical piles can be used for all sorts of building projects all over Australia.

For Residential Homes

Helical piles give homeowners peace of mind. They are a fantastic choice for new houses, especially on difficult ground like shifting reactive clay soil or soft sand.

They are also perfect for foundation repair helical piles, where they can be used to fix and support the foundations of older homes that have started to crack or sink. You can also use them for smaller jobs like building a deck, carport, or granny flat.

For Business Buildings

For big projects like warehouses, offices, or shops, time is very important. The fast installation of screw piles accelerates construction schedules in a big way.

Because there is no waiting for concrete to dry, other workers can start their jobs much sooner, saving the project time and money.

This makes them a popular choice for all kinds of helical pile applications in business.

For Government and Big Projects

Governments and big companies need deep foundation solutions that are cost-effective and good for the environment.

Helical piles are great for building public housing or infrastructure like mobile phone towers.

They are also perfect for remote projects like solar farms, where they can be transported easily and installed quickly with minimal impact on the land.

Are Helical Piles More Cost Effective Than Concrete?

When you look at the total cost of the job, helical piles are often cheaper than concrete. While the price of a single pile might seem similar to the cost of some concrete, the real savings come from time and labour.

With a helical pile vs concrete foundation, you save money because you don’t have to pay for:

Large-scale digging and removing dirt.
Building wooden frames (formwork).
Weeks of labour and project delays while waiting for concrete to set.

Because screw piles can be built on immediately, your project keeps moving forward. This saves a huge amount of money on labour costs, making helical pile cost Australia a very attractive option.

Are Screw Piles Safe?

Yes, absolutely. Helical piles are a fully engineered foundation system. They are not a “one size fits all” product. Every pile is designed by an engineer to match the project’s needs and the ground conditions.

Installers provide certified designs that follow the Australian Building Codes, which makes getting building approvals much easier.

The strength, or bearing capacity, of every single pile is tested and confirmed as it is being installed. This provides a level of safety and certainty that is hard to match with other methods. You can be confident that the foundation is strong and built to last.

About Helical Piles vs. Screw Piles

In Australia, helical piles and screw piles are two names for the same thing. They are a fast, strong, and smart way to build a foundation for any project.

Because they save time and money and work so well in Australian conditions, they are a fantastic choice for modern building. They offer a reliable and engineered solution whether you are building a home, a warehouse, or a solar farm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Helical Piles and Screw Piles

What Is the Main Difference Between Helical Piles and Screw Piles?

There is no real difference in Australia. They are just two names for the same thing: a steel foundation that is screwed deep into the ground.

What Are the Advantages of Helical Piles?

The main benefits are that they are very fast to install, make very little mess, can be built on right away, and work great in tricky soil. They can also be installed in almost any weather.

What Are the Disadvantages of Screw Piles?

They can be difficult to install in ground that is very rocky or has large boulders. They also require special machinery and skilled operators to put them in correctly.

When Should You Use Helical Piles?

They are a great choice for building on difficult ground like clay or sand. They are also perfect for projects that need to be done quickly, for sites that are hard to get to, or for fixing the foundations of existing buildings.

How Long Do Screw Piles Last?

A very long time. A well-made, galvanised steel screw pile is protected from rust and can have a service life of over 100 years, ensuring the structural integrity of your building.

How Much Weight Can a Helical Pile Support?

The load-bearing capacity changes depending on the pile size and the ground type. A single pile can be designed to hold anything from a few tonnes for a small deck to over 100 tonnes for a large building. An engineer calculates this for every job.