Using steel spikes instead of concrete for pergola

[Waldoonay]

Hey everyone. I've just registered but I've been following this site a lot lately. I'm redoing my backyard in a week or two and plan on building a pergola for it. Now all the books I've gone through say to pour concrete down and put the wood in that. I really don't want to do that because of the climate I want to be able to replace a post without having to break the concrete.

I went to Home Depot the other day and found steel ground spikes. I don't see why I wouldn't be able to use them. The go pretty deep so they wouldn't move around.


Thanks!

[CThomp]

Seems like you could have wind/settling issues with that method.

Have you found any examples of anyone doing it that way?

You could always pour a footer and attach a post bracket to the footer. The post would then be securely fastenned to the footer but you'd be able to remove the post if necessary.

Explore simpson strong ties website.

[CThomp]

I like this one.

http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/CBSQ.asp

You can use screws to attach the post to the base. This make the things easier.

I've never used that product but now I have an idea of what I can use once my shed rots away and I have to build a new one.