Ribbed or smooth decking boards – a comparison

Decking is available with a ribbed or smooth surface. The different planing of the surface has various advantages and disadvantages. But what are the advantages of a smooth decking board? And where does the ribbed version score? In this comparison, we have summarized the results of a long-term test.

The differences between ribbed and smooth decking boards were tested with regard to the following criteria: Slip resistance, fungal and algae infestation, durability, risk of spitting, barefoot feel, care and cleaning.

SLIGHT VS. SMOOTH – THE TEST

SLIP RESISTANCE

Ribbed decking boards: The biggest advantage of grooved decking boards is that they are less slippery. But is a profiled decking board really less slippery than a smooth board? We were able to determine that the board across the profile is actually less slippery than a smooth planed decking board. However, parallel to the profiling, the opposite result was achieved: the ribbed decking board was significantly more slippery in this direction than the smooth version.

Smooth decking boards: A smooth decking board already seems to have slipperiness in its name. However, the long-term test in this supposed parade discipline for the grooved decking board surprisingly did not produce a clear winner. Depending on the laying direction, one variant was less slippery than the other after three years of outdoor use. One reason for this can be seen in the test result for the next category: fungal and algae infestation.

There is no clear winner in terms of slip resistance.
Intermediate score: 1 to 1

FUNGAL AND ALGAE INFESTATION

Grooved decking boards: After three years in the rain, snow and heat, dark deposits have formed in the indentations of the grooved decking boards. As water drains more poorly in the grooves and the plank remains damp for longer, algae, moss and fungi can quickly form here, which also make the plank more slippery.

Smooth decking boards: During the same test period, significantly less dirt was deposited on the smooth decking boards. As the smooth decking boards dry more quickly and deposits cannot settle in cracks but are run off, the smooth decking board has clear advantages in terms of fungal and algae infestation.

Smooth decking boards are better protected against fungi and algae.
Intermediate score: 1 to 2

DURABILITY

Ribbed decking boards: The poorer drying of the grooved decking boards and the associated higher risk of algae and fungus formation leads to a shorter service life of the grooved decking boards.

Smooth decking boards: In contrast to grooved boards, smooth decking boards dry better. This gives this planer variant greater durability outdoors.

Faster drying means that the smooth decking boards last longer.
Intermediate score: 1 to 3

SPLINTER RISK

Ribbed decking boards: Wood usually splinters at its edges. The corrugation increases these critical points on the decking board and enlarges the surface of the wood.

Smooth decking boards: Thanks to their compact shape, smooth decking boards offer less surface area for splinters than their ribbed competitors.

Fewer edges lead to fewer splinters on the smooth decking boards.
Intermediate score: 1 to 4

BAREFOOT FEELING

Ribbed decking boards: Ribbed decking boards have actually already lost this discipline due to their higher risk of splintering. But even if the grooved floorboards don’t splinter, walking barefoot on grooves is less pleasant.

Smooth decking boards: The surface of a smooth decking board simply feels better barefoot. A smooth and supple surface is therefore always preferable to the ribbed version for pool surrounds and barefoot areas of a terrace.

Barefoot loses the ribbing against the smooth wood.
Intermediate score: 1 to 5

CARE AND CLEANING

Ribbed decking boards: Grooved decking boards not only get dirty more quickly – they are also more difficult to clean due to the grooves. In addition, significantly more decking oil is required for grooved wood if you want to treat the wood as the surface is larger.

Smooth decking boards: A wooden deck made of smooth decking boards gets dirty more slowly, as the dirt runs off more quickly than with grooved boards. If cleaning is required, this is easier to do. The amount of decking oil required for smooth boards is also lower.

Smooth decking boards are easier to maintain
Result: 1 to 6

CONCLUSION: SMOOTH DECKING BOARDS WIN THE COMPARISON

There is a lot to be said for the smooth planing of a decking board. Only in terms of slip resistance could the grooved board achieve a draw. Due to the many technical arguments in favor of smooth decking boards, at Betterwood.de you will only find smooth decking boards. However, one important factor could not be tested – the appearance. Because, as we all know, this is a matter of taste.