Steel vs Concrete Piers, What’s the Difference?

When considering piers for a foundation most companies resort to either steel or concrete piers. In this article, we’ll answer the following questions. What is the real difference between the two? How can you know which one to use? What does sure save use to support the home?

Concrete Piers vs. Steel Piers

Concrete piers are among the most common supports for homes. They have many advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, concrete supports are cheap and quick to manufacture. They are often easier to place and install making repair times shorter. Unlike steel piers they are not susceptible to rust, however they are still susceptible to water damage.

In comparison, steel piers are often able to be just as strong with a smaller footprint, but they can be expensive and difficult to install. Steel piers often need to be installed deeper in the soil, and can have serious issues when not installed properly, or when soil shifts enough to break a pier.

What foundation system does Sure Safe use?

Sure Safe’s patented VR-1 system takes the best from both worlds. Our system uses both concrete and steel support together to create many times the required level of support. Using our patented geo-forming technology, we are able to create the perfect concrete support for piers of any kind that circumvent the issues around shifting soil, needing to dig deep, and dealing with formerly failing piers.

Check out more about our VR-1 system here to learn how our unique supports can make your home strong again. Contact us to get an inspection, or if you need us to create an engineer-certified repair plan. Let Sure Safe make your home strong again!