Decking- which way up?

[cwr]

Just got some decking planks to make steps for the static caravan. There's course grooves on one side, fine protruding ridges on the other. Wondering which way up to put them? Don't care about asthetics, just concerned about grip, esp in damp winter conditions.

Thanks

[Onoff]

Grooves down. They're there to aid air flow underneath and help prevent rot.

 

It'll still be slippery. Paint with anti slip deck paint like this. It really works:

 

https://www.toolstation.com/cuprinol-anti-slip-decking-stain-25l/p22463?

 

I've heard the No Nonsense stuff is equally as good. Just redo it periodically.

 

 

[cwr]

Everyday's a school day. Perfect, thank you. 

[Bramco]

  On 24/07/2021 at 09:35, Onoff said:

It'll still be slippery

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Ours isn't but it's south facing and very well aired - it's a raised deck.  So you might want to see how it goes before applying antislip. You can always pressure wash it if it does get slippy and apply it later.

 

Simon

[Ferdinand]

Disagree with @Onoff.

 

Decking is normally raised on a framework, so I don't see how grooves-down actually adds much. 

 

I do mine grooves up. Which matches your situaton.

 

Maybe grooves down if you are installing it directly on eg concrete. 

 

Horses for courses. 

 

Anti-slip is a good call, but I wonder if those microbeads are plastic? Or do it with a more normal thing and sprinkle sharp sand on before it dries.

[Onoff]

  On 24/07/2021 at 11:17, Ferdinand said:

Disagree with @Onoff.

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Disagree all you like...pretty sure you're wrong! ?

 

Tbh the ones to really comment are the board manufacturers themselves.

 

Grooves in wooden decking, in my experience do little to aid grip anyway. They're just let's be honest troughs for moisture and debris to collect. 

 

@cwr check with the board supplier and let us know what they say. 

 

[Mr Punter]

I have smooth Ipe hardwood decking on Iroko hardwood joists.  No slipping at all.  I doubt they will rot any time soon.

[Pocster]

  On 24/07/2021 at 12:39, Onoff said:

 

Disagree all you like...pretty sure you're wrong! ?

 

Tbh the ones to really comment are the board manufacturers themselves.

 

Grooves in wooden decking, in my experience do little to aid grip anyway. They're just let's be honest troughs for moisture and debris to collect. 

 

@cwr check with the board supplier and let us know what they say. 

 

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I read it was groves up . @Onoff knows (expletive deleted) all . It’s one of those miss understood things . Groves up !

[Pocster]

https://gripclad.co.uk/blog/things-you-dont-know-about-decking/

[Onoff]

  On 24/07/2021 at 18:15, pocster said:

https://gripclad.co.uk/blog/things-you-dont-know-about-decking/

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There it is in black and white!

 

“the proper way to install a board is ridge side down”

[SimonD]

There was an article on this in one of the nationals during lockdown telling everyone they'd laid their decking the wrong way up/wrong way down;  it's as @Onoff says,  grooves go down.

[Dave Jones]

composite decking all day loing.

[Pocster]

  On 24/07/2021 at 20:22, Onoff said:

 

There it is in black and white!

 

“the proper way to install a board is ridge side down”

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Also called “grooves” or “reeds”. These ridges on the board may face up to provide functionality and aesthetics. Or they may be installed facing down, the orientation recommended by manufacturers as the correct way to install them.

[Pocster]

Think mods should arrange a vote .

I like it up . @Onoff wants it ( understandably ) down . 

[Ferdinand]

  On 24/07/2021 at 20:22, Onoff said:

 

There it is in black and white!

 

“the proper way to install a board is ridge side down”

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That's a bloke selling stuff to make it less slippy.

 

Of course he wants you to have it the slippy @Onoff way up !

[Ferdinand]

Or mandate track shoes / stilettos.

[Pocster]

In my local park ( clothed ) . They’ve just had new decking installed . Will get a photo next week assuming police car isn’t there . Ridges on decking were …. UP !

[Onoff]

  On 25/07/2021 at 15:54, pocster said:

In my local park ( clothed ) . They’ve just had new decking installed . Will get a photo next week assuming police car isn’t there . Ridges on decking were …. UP !

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No longer banned from the park then?

[Pocster]

  On 25/07/2021 at 16:08, Onoff said:

 

No longer banned from the park then?

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No , I’m allowed now but under supervision