Concrete foundations can be expensive, time-consuming, require significant remediation work and can only be installed in the right weather conditions. Non-invasive foundations offer a real, proven alternative for modular building installations, supporting buildings from the surface, reducing site disruption and speeding up installation. They also virtually eliminate the costly major site cleanups that concrete causes.
Across many different sectors, modular buildings are a necessity, so switching to non-invasive foundations like the Jackpad® system can lead to significant benefits to the budget, timescales and sustainability of your project. In today’s blog post, the team explores what non-invasive foundations are, how they work and the key benefits they offer, from rapid installation and sustainability through to long-term value and flexibility. Let’s begin.
What Are Non-Invasive Foundations?
Essentially, non-invasive foundations negate the need for excavation work and ground penetration, while still supporting modular buildings safely. They eliminate the need for concrete and permanent groundworks in most cases. Systems like Jackpad® instead sit on most hard standing surfaces and distribute the building’s load safely, providing suitable ground-bearing capacity is achieved.
Non-invasive foundations are very well suited to modular buildings used across construction sites, educational institutions, infrastructure projects and other sectors where speed, access, cost, sustainability and flexibility matter. With Jackpad®, our lightweight components and simple, three-part pads make delivery, handling and installation so much simpler, even on confined and busy sites.
Our non-invasive foundation system requires careful consideration of load size and location. Load must be spread correctly to ensure buildings are supported safely and evenly. The setup must be appropriately sized to suit the area and structure it will be supporting. This will enhance stability and achieve optimal weight distribution. Finally, location plays a key role in determining how the foundation interacts with the site. This could be anything from ground conditions, accessibility and the potential impact on surrounding areas.
We’ve engineered the Jackpad® system so that steel adjusters, core support blocks and incremental packers can be set up to meet the precise load needs of your installation. Our foundation system is able to support up to 292kN, these loads are typically produced on triple storey modular projects. They can be precisely fine-tuned even on uneven ground. And they are reusable too, providing a tried and tested alternative to concrete for both short-term and long-term needs.
Benefit 1: Rapid Installation and Minimal Disruption
One of the biggest advantages of non-invasive foundations is, without doubt, the speed of installation and removal. With no excavation, concrete or curing time, Jackpad® foundations can be installed quickly, in virtually any weather and in tandem with module installation. Typically, up to 100 pads can be installed in a single day, 95% of all our project installations are completed one day.
Benefit 2: Environmentally Sustainable
Non-invasive foundations significantly reduce waste and site impact. Jackpad® foundation pads are manufactured from recycled plastic and steel, can be reused across multiple projects and are fully recyclable at the end of their life, supporting sustainability without ever compromising performance.
Benefit 3: Cost Efficiency and Long-Term Value
Faster installation, reduced ground preparation and minimal (if any) remediation work all contribute to lower overall costs, whether hiring or purchasing. Jackpad® foundations can be reused repeatedly, delivering long-term value while avoiding the often forgotten costs associated with concrete foundations like plant skips and returning the ground to its previous state following concrete removal.
Benefit 4: Precision and Stability
Accurate levelling is essential. Jackpad® allows mm (~2mm+/-) perfect adjustment through steel adjusters rather than concrete shims (which can be bespoke to your specific units) and incremental packers, ensuring loads are distributed evenly regardless of the level of the ground. This reduces stress on modules and helps maintain stability.
Benefit 5: Reusability and Flexibility
Jackpad® units can be removed, reconfigured and reused as your project evolves, making them ideal for relocating buildings, growing developments and dynamic site layouts. This flexibility supports both short-term and longer-term needs and our foundation pads have been tried and tested on projects of different lengths.
Why Choose Jackpad®?
If you’re looking for a faster, more affordable, more sustainable and reusable foundation system for your modular building installations, Jackpad® delivers on all fronts. Built on over 25 years of in-field use, Jackpad® offers a proven alternative to concrete, with expert support and nationwide coverage
Get in touch with us today on 0116 286 6966, email enquiries@jackpad.co.uk or via our online contact form and a member of our team will answer any questions and begin the process of getting you the foundations you need.
