What Are FootingPad® Post Footings?
FootingPad post footings are engineered, below-grade composite footings commonly used for decks and post-frame construction to save time, labor, and hassle. Engineered to meet or exceed the load capacity of concrete, while being lightweight, and easy to handle, the FootingPad composite footing system is a proven and building-code compliant replacement for concrete footings.
If you aren’t familiar with FootingPads, you might be wondering how they stack up vs concrete footings you already use for decks, porches, or pole barns.
As a leader in post-frame construction materials, Midwest Perma-Column is consistently adding new, innovative products to make every construction project easier. That’s why we’re introducing one of our favorite new products and providing a detailed breakdown of composite footing pads vs. concrete.
An Overview of Composite FootingPads vs. Concrete
We considered several factors from cost and labor to environmental impact when comparing composite FootingPads vs. concrete footings. We’ve included comparisons for both precast concrete footings and traditional poured concrete to show you how they stack up to composite post footings.
Composite FootingPads vs. Concrete: COST
- Material Costs: Composite post footings lower your material costs vs using concrete. Consider a typical 10-post project. If you’re using concrete, you would need to rent concrete mixing equipment and use 10 bags of concrete. Doing the same project with FootingPad post footings, you would need just 10 Footpads.
- Labor Costs: Continuing with our 10-post example, you would need about 5 hours to set 10 posts in concrete, plus a day for curing. Using FootingPads for the same project would require just one hour of labor.
- Weight: The concrete needed for our 10-post project would weigh 800 lbs. The FootingPads for this project weigh just one pound each, for a total weight of 10 lbs.
As you can see, the cost to use FootPad post footings is much lower for both material costs and the labor you’ll need to get the job done. Plus, your employees will appreciate the reduced weight of the composite footing system, as well as the ability to move on to the next part of the job quickly and easily.
Composite FootingPads vs. Concrete: LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY
The patented design of FootingPad post footings was developed by a team of structural engineers to leverage the high load-bearing capacity of fiber-reinforced composites to distribute building load evenly and efficiently. FootingPads use a web of structural rings and gussets that serve as a truss system to provide both vertical and lateral strength. This engineering makes FootPad post foundations stronger than the underlying soil, like precast concrete footings.
However, there are no industry standards to ensure the strength and uniformity of precast concrete or poured concrete footings.
FootingPads, on the other hand, have been independently tested and certified by the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) as a code-compliant alternative to concrete footings. With a 10-year track record, lifetime guarantee, and over 500,000 in the ground, FootingPad is trusted by contractors and code officials throughout the United States.
Composite FootingPads vs. Concrete: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
When it comes to comparing composite FootingPad footers vs concrete, the environmental advantages are clear. FootingPad footings are made in the USA with 100% recycled materials. This means a much lower carbon footprint vs concrete from raw materials to manufacturing and transportation.
How to Use FootingPads
When it comes to how to use FootingPads, you’ll be happy to know they are compatible with all post types, including treated wood posts, laminated columns, permacast columns, and tube-form poured columns. They are also available in 5 sizes (10, 12, 16, 20, 24 inches) to accommodate the footing requirements for almost any sized post-supported structure, including:
- Decks
- Porches
- Backyard Structures (gazebos, pergolas, pavilions)
- Pole Barns
- Horse Barns
- And more…
Get FootingPad Composite Footing Systems from Midwest Perma-Column
Now that you know how to use FootingPads, as well as the advantages of FootingPad post footings vs. concrete, it’s time to get started on that next project. Whether you’re building a deck, porch, backyard gazebo, or pole barn, start getting the benefits of FootingPad post footings, the unique composite footing system that saves you time, labor, and money!
Buy the FootingPad Composite Footing System direct from Midwest Perma-Column, the leader in post-frame construction materials. Our team of experts are here to help you find the right footings for your next building project. Contact us today!
