Decking board, which way up?

nicebutdim

nicebutdim

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I know we shouldn't feel embarrassed asking silly questions but I just need to make sure here. Those of you who have layed track on decking boards, which way up did you use the board? i.e. grooves up or down. I'm gonna use Wickes decking as it seems to have had some good reports and doesn't seem to be a bad size.
Many thanks, Tim
 
Dylanlewis2000 said:
I would also like to know the answer to this !
Click to expand...

Thankyou, makes it feel I haven't asked such a silly question!
 
nicebutdim said:
I know we shouldn't feel embarrassed asking silly questions but I just need to make sure here. Those of you who have layed track on decking boards, which way up did you use the board? i.e. grooves up or down. I'm gonna use Wickes decking as it seems to have had some good reports and doesn't seem to be a bad size.
Many thanks, Tim
Click to expand...

Hi Tim
A lot of my railway is laid on deck boards from Q & B. Mine are laid flat side up, with the grooves facing down. Ive also covered mine with shed roof felt to give it added protection.
 
Hi for my railway i used it with the groves facing up and it just fits loco's flanges into it nicely so you have somewhere to store locos.....
 
Most of mine are laid flat side up too. Just watch out if the gooved bit is lower than the sides (ie a thick edge with grooves on the middle)- mine was and it cupped when I screwed it down. The cure was to carefully drill & screw it down through the thick edge.
 
groove side up, for no other reason than allowing water to run along the grooves and out through drainage holes

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Hmmmm, some good ideas from both sides (get it? oh dear). I'm going to be laying at ground level, onto weed blanket, so drainage holes may be of no use as the water won't drain quickly. the roof felt idea sounds tempting, I'm just glad I bought a sliding compound mitre a while ago to cut sections for the corners. Think the neighbours are gonna hate me once I get started! lol
 
nicebutdim said:
Dylanlewis2000 said:
I would also like to know the answer to this !
Click to expand...

Thankyou, makes it feel I haven't asked such a silly question!
Click to expand...

And me! You are not alone.
 
matthew said:
groove side up, for no other reason than allowing water to run along the grooves and out through drainage holes

images
Click to expand...

Interesting.
I laid mine with the grooves down so that water would not collect in them!
The next ones I bought - different supplier - were grooved both sides!
Be aware though that the thicknesses can vary from one supplier to another.
 
KeithT said:
matthew said:
groove side up, for no other reason than allowing water to run along the grooves and out through drainage holes

images
Click to expand...

Interesting.
I laid mine with the grooves down so that water would not collect in them!
The next ones I bought - different supplier - were grooved both sides!
Be aware though that the thicknesses can vary from one supplier to another.
Click to expand...


The width also varies.
 
I suppose that if you want something practical that should be long lasting and will drain water, then you'll lay it grooved side up. But if you want something that is a little more realistic looking, then you go for the flat side?

Personaly, when I build my new station, I'm going to do the same thing as Nemo - flat side up and covered with felt.
 
My local timber merchant sells decking timber, it is available in about 8 different profiles, some grooved on one side, some on both!
 
Decking boards ain't meant to be on the ground unless your using the composite ones I think they will rot fairly quickly? I have composite on one section with the grooves down, I just assumed that the grooves were to stop cupping?
If your going to lay wood on the ground you should use the appropriate pressure treated ground contact planks which are pretty expensive or at least they are here..............Paul...........
 
I use gravel boards, similar size to decking boards but unfinished and therefore cheaper. No grooves, so I don't have the problem.
 
I have used decking boards grove side up and have place my track feeds in the groves. My boards are on timber risers.
Tom
 
I have laid mine groove side down, but if I was to actually lay decking I would use them grove side up. Stops the aqua planing when wet....... don't ask me how I know that
 
I think I may have opened pandora's box here, and here was me thinking it was a silly question... Where are the composite boards sold from, I'm quite tempted by that idea. Or another idea, I could go outside, crack a gas main, and when british gas turn up and then leave their plastic protective fence around the hole I have a free supply of some plastic boards. They may have red and white stripes on them but they'll last! If anyone here works for bg I'm only joking!
 
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