Decking is a highly popular outdoor feature in both domestic and commercial settings. While most individuals choosing decking for their home won’t have health and safety issues to think about, there are still some considerations to be made about whether you choose grooved or smooth decking. Commercial settings on the other hand, will need to think about things like hygiene and health and safety. Although grooved decking is a highly popular decking option in the UK, before deciding to plump for this solution, it’s worth looking at the broad advantages and disadvantages, rather than risking making the wrong choice.
Grooved decking is decking which has effectively had rows of lines cut into the wood, which makes it look like it is textured, often giving the impression that it has a raised surface. Grooved decking can look really attractive, but in certain circumstances, a smooth decking board is preferable. Smooth decking boards have a highly uniform look and in many instances provide a more desirable walking surface than grooved boards. Any surface where there is likely to be high footfall or where the passage of the likes of prams or wheelchairs for example is anticipated, smooth boards will normally work best. That said, grooved decking can be very effectively used to indicate changes of level or upcoming doorways or steps for people with limited vision, making it a practical choice.
One disadvantage of grooved decking is that it can be more difficult to keep clean than smooth decking. As a result, in any area where hygiene is of the essence, there is no getting away from the fact that smooth decking will be much easier to keep clean and debris free than grooved decking. Commercial premises such as restaurants that choose decking as part of their outdoor decoration would normally be advised to think twice about choosing grooved decking. The reason for this is that removing stray food and spills from grooved decking is definitely more of a challenge than removing those same stains and spills from a smooth board. This is also true in a domestic setting where dust, dirt and debris can get trapped in the grooves, making your deck look dull and dirty in between cleaning.
Add to this, the fact that grooved decking can often cause problems for ladies who wear heels and it becomes clear that smooth boards are often the best answer all round. If your project is calling for smooth boards but you want to create interest by introducing some grooved decking in the overall look, why not consider having the majority of your deck smooth and strategically placing a grooved board here and there, either on a random or highly planned basis. This type of creativity can add real interest to your finished deck and will give you a good combination of practicality and style. Either way, if you need help in planning your decking project, your decking supplier should be able to help you decide which options are best for you.
Grooved vs. Smooth Decking
| Grooved Decking | Smooth Decking | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Textured look with rows of lines cut into the wood. Gives the impression of a raised surface. | Highly uniform look. Provides a smooth, flat walking surface. |
| Ease of Cleaning | More difficult to keep clean as dust, dirt, and debris can get trapped in the grooves. | Easier to keep clean and free of debris. |
| Walking Comfort | May cause problems for individuals wearing heels. | Provides a more uniform and comfortable walking surface for all, including those wearing heels or using prams/wheelchairs. |
| Safety | Can be used to indicate changes of level, doorways, or steps for individuals with limited vision. | Better suited for high footfall areas to prevent trip hazards. |
| Hygiene | Can potentially trap stray food and spills, making it less suitable for restaurants or other commercial premises. | Easier to remove stains and spills due to its smooth surface, making it more suitable for places where hygiene is critical. |
| Design Flexibility | Can be strategically used alongside smooth boards to add design interest to a decking project. | Can be complemented with a few strategically placed grooved boards to enhance design interest. |
FAQ
What is grooved decking?
Grooved decking is decking which has effectively had rows of lines cut into the wood, which makes it look like it is textured, often giving the impression that it has a raised surface.
How does grooved decking compare to smooth decking?
Grooved decking can look really attractive, but in certain circumstances, a smooth decking board is preferable. Smooth decking boards have a highly uniform look and in many instances provide a more desirable walking surface than grooved boards.
What are the considerations for choosing between grooved and smooth decking?
Considerations include anticipated foot traffic, necessity for a uniform walking surface (for example, passage of prams or wheelchairs), hygiene requirements, and potential usage by individuals with limited vision. Smooth decking is typically easier to keep clean and provides a more uniform walking surface.
What are the potential disadvantages of grooved decking?
One main disadvantage of grooved decking is that it can be more difficult to keep clean than smooth decking, as dust, dirt, and debris can get trapped in the grooves. Additionally, grooved decking can cause problems for individuals who wear heels.
How can I add variety to my decking project?
If you want to create interest by introducing some grooved decking in the overall look, you might consider having the majority of your deck smooth and strategically placing a grooved board here and there. This type of creativity can add real interest to your finished deck and will give you a good combination of practicality and style.