Browse Forums Outdoor Living Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 22Sep 27, 2011 12:52 am nailnit Not codswallop. When you have ripped up as many decks as I have you see the difference. Putting a primer or physical barrier between the joist and the decking board ONLY protects the joist, moisture will still be on the underside of the decking board. Those "piddly little reeds" do make a massive difference. I've done over a dozen decks with family and friends ranging in substrates (concrete and wood) and weathering (open and alfresco) and never had an issue with rot because I didn't use reeded decking ranging in age between 2 years and 13 years old. The reeding aleviating rot is rubbish - a reeded gap is not going to flow 2 parts worth of FA air. Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 23Sep 27, 2011 7:58 am Nailnit Your comments although adding to this topic are misleading to others about to spend big $$$ Take it from me and others, if you are in a damp area like tassie or melbourne where there is a lot of rainfall and cold moist days the grooves down to stop rot is a reality. The gap my be small as you say, but I have seen first had the effects of up and down decking and they do rot when the grooves are up. You are entitled to your opinion, but you should base it on fact, if you have no experience in this rot happening to you, it does not mean it does NOT happen. It has certainly happened to a lot of others. Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 24Sep 27, 2011 9:39 am ...and any good builder will know the correct way they get laid. Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 25Sep 27, 2011 11:41 am Huggy_B Also note that where you live and the conditions contribute to the rot and whether you get it or how quick. As mentioned - Damp climates, also affecting this is whether the deck is facing south and receives shade all day, whether it's shaded by trees, whether it's been correctly installed. Lots of contributing factors. Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 26Sep 28, 2011 10:22 pm I marked the either way box. I promise you the reeding on decking has nothing to do with air flow. I'm firmly with Huggy B on this one. The reeding is so small that it would make no difference. The reeding is purely designed to give a slip resistant surface for around pools or on ramps or the like. I've cut out the information from the Australian Hardwood Network site on decking, notice what it says about the reason for the reeding: "Deck profiles include: square edged (plain), pencil round edges (arrised) and reeded faced (ribbed). Pencil round provides a soft appearance compared to square edged, and there is less likelihood of splintering at edges. Reeded facing is employed where increased slip resistance is desired, however if this feature is unwanted, the reeded face can be laid downward to prevent dirt potentially catching in the ribs." Notice no mention of the reeds being there to prevent moisture damage to the underlying sub frame. This is from the people who mill it and market it. If you look on the timbernet.net.au website they say the same thing. The manufacturers know why they put the reeding on the boards. It seems to have become a popular myth that the reeds are for air flow but it makes no real difference. P.S. I prefer the look of decks with the smooth side up but would typically purchase pencil round anyway. I've installed reeded side up when I've constructed ramps. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 27Oct 08, 2011 9:41 am im in the process of building some ironbark decks to the new law court building in brisbane.all architech designed and the boards are 140x38 and have no grooves or reeding to them. im sure the engineer would have specified reeding if it was necessary which it obviously isnt Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 29Oct 08, 2011 10:18 pm I have for the last few weeks been re-working my deck because of the way the boards were put on. As it is an ongoing debate as to whether the boards should be installed reeded side up or down I thought I would say what I have found with my boards. The previous owners had put the boards reeded side up I guess because they thought it would prevent slipping but in my case the opposite occured. During colder weather and rain the boards had moss and algae growing within the grooves and the boards were extremely slippery to walk on and my kids constantly fell onto the boards. Even though I only half way with screwing the boards back down again I am much happier with the smooth look. Re: Poll - Grooves up or down on decking ? 30Oct 09, 2011 8:27 am Yes, it's true you will slip easier with the reeded side up. If walking with the reeds in the same direction you foot is only getting half the surface area to get grip on, and that area is a little rounded slippery hump. If you were walking with the reeds going from side to side, you should get more grip. Hi, as per the subject. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best value decking oil (Bunning is close to where I live) for a treated pine deck? Thanks 0 10971 Use a product like Equisol's Vitalise to clean the deck then coat with a penetrating timber oil. It will look 10 years younger and add value to your home. 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