outdoor decking alternative?

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

nightrider1470

Soldato
Joined
25 May 2011
Posts
3,299
Wooden standard decking looks great, but over time it always seems to ware away and chip and the groves seem to get filled with algae.

I am looking for something that doesn't cost the earth and is easy maintenance and will last.

Any ideas?

:)
 
Haven't looked too much in to it but read briefly about recycled tyres made in to stone effect paving, its completely permeable so no water run-off/standing water and environmentally friendly.
The pics I saw of it looked exactly the same as real stone btw.
 
Just install the decking groove/reed side down as they are supposed to be. Had mine down for 6 years now and it looks immaculate. The only maintenance has been re-staining it twice which takes a weekend to do and the odd brushing down which you would need to do on a patio anyway.

It makes me smile whenever I see decking installed with the reeds pointing up and all the dirt /algae has collected in the grooves.

http://www.build.com.au/should-decking-grooves-face-or-down
 
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Decking around here has `grooves` on both sides
one side is more pronounced than the other.Never come across the type on that website/ pic you posted :)
 
My decking is smooth boards as well. Much easier to keep clean and tidy and the yearly deck strip back, clean and re oil is much easier without the daft grooves in the wood.

I have a grooved section of decking installed by the previous owner and I have not been able to stop it being slippery. The grooves of course do not prevent it becoming slippery at all and make cleaning it much more difficult. I will likely end up replacing this with some gravel!
 
Standard grooved decking in my garden for 15 years though it may have been pressure treated at least. I use a decking oil rather than a stain as I find that repels water better which may help during winter when it freezes.
 
If your buying groved decking and fitting it grove side down then surely your fitting it upside down :confused:?

If it was meant to be smooth then it would be smooth both sides. The only reason they have gone to the effort of putting groves into it is surely because that is meant to be visible?

(Not disputing the option to have smooth decking, just saying that decking thats meant to be layed smooth side up wouldn't have groves put in it, would it? I.e. your buying the wrong decking :p)
 
My decking (timber yard) is grooved both sides, one side has deeper grooves than the other but it's grooved both sides.
 
THIS
Have always fitted this type
Can`t say I have come across smooth sided decking
I `think` I read somewhere that the reason for the grooves is to help avoid cupping or warping of the planks :)
 
Skeeter said:
If your buying groved decking and fitting it grove side down then surely your fitting it upside down :confused:?

If it was meant to be smooth then it would be smooth both sides. The only reason they have gone to the effort of putting groves into it is surely because that is meant to be visible?

(Not disputing the option to have smooth decking, just saying that decking thats meant to be layed smooth side up wouldn't have groves put in it, would it? I.e. your buying the wrong decking :p)
Click to expand...

The grooves are to prevent warping/cupping and to assist in getting ventilation to the boards when fixed to a joist. The general concensus is that reeds on one side means they should be smooth side up, but there is some disagreement on the topic.
 
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