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Smooth Vs Grooved Deck Boards - Which One Is The Best?

There’s no doubt that the material that you’ll be using for your outdoor space is just as important

By Alan CarterPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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Smooth Vs Grooved Deck Boards - Which One Is The Best?
Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash

There’s no doubt that the material that you’ll be using for your outdoor space is just as important as those of your interior rooms. That’s the reason why decking is a very popular as well as durable choice for the same - whether you’re planning to use your outdoor space for entertainment activities or a place for your kids to play - you’ll have the option to choose between grooved & ungrooved deck boards.

Before you opt for timber decking in Sydney services, you must learn that one of the major differences between ungrooved & grooved deck boards is their overall construction. A grooved deck board will have a notch around the edges, while a smooth one will be groove-less. While such a difference might not affect the overall looks of your deck in a major way, it does change the method in which your deck boards are installed.

The Installation Process

Talking about the installation procedure - when installing ungrooved deck boards, composite deck screws are drilled onto the top of the deck boards, so that they can be secured in place. In case you're going ahead with grooved boards, then screws are drilled into separate fasteners that also tend to act as spacers especially during the installation procedure. The fasteners won't be visible after installation in the case of grooved deck boards.

Apart from the above-mentioned differences in the installation procedure, you also need to remember that the board manufacturer of your choice can also help you make your buying decision. For instance, if your manufacturer of choice only makes grooved boards, then you can go ahead with grooved deck boards and vice-versa.

When Should You Use Grooved Deck Boards?

Generally, homeowners believe that grooved deck boards tend to create a more polished interface because there will be no visible screws and the overall look of the wood grain will be the centre of all attraction.

So, if you’re someone who wants a spotless look with no visual disturbances in-between the surface of the deck boards, then you can go ahead with grooved deck boards.

Moreover, you must note that grooved deck boards tend to aid water runoff. So, if you’re someone who is living in an area where there is a significant amount of rainfall happening over the year, then you should definitely choose grooved deck boards over ungrooved ones.

Apart from the aforementioned uses, grooved deck boards are also beneficial when utilised for ramps or steps, where having extra grip is extremely necessary. As a result, the chances of any accidental falls will be massively reduced.

When Should You Use Smooth Deck Boards?

A professional handyman in Bayside states that since grooved deck boards use fasteners during installation, the gaps between deck boards become wider. Even though this is not a safety risk by any means, homeowners who tend to wear high heels or have pets/kids at home, prefer smoother surfaces. When you use ungrooved deck boards, there will be less gap in-between the deck boards and thus an overall smoother surface.

Furthermore, smooth deck boards are much easier to keep clean than grooved ones. This is because grooved deck boards contain secret areas where dust, debris and other contaminants can easily get into and will be difficult to keep them clean. So, if you’re someone who wants a less challenging atmosphere when it comes to cleaning & maintenance of your deck boards, then ungrooved ones should be your choice.

At the end of the heyday, it all comes down to personal needs, tastes and aesthetics of choice. We hope that our guide will be able to help you make an informed decision.

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About the Creator

Alan Carter

Alan Carter is a blogger and digital marketing expert who can write articles based on SEO rules on various topics like technology, home decor, lifestyle, business, marketing, etc.you can also check techouniverse.com

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