Grooved Composite Decking: A Durable, Low-Maintenance, and Cost-Effective Solution for Your Outdoor Space

Creating a stylish and functional outdoor space that you can enjoy year-round is a dream for many homeowners. Choosing the right hard landscaping materials plays a crucial role in bringing this dream to life. Grooved Composite Decking offers both beauty and practicality is the perfect choice for anyone looking to elevate their garden, patio, or balcony with a durable and affordable solution that requires minimal maintenance.

This premium decking option combines the best of both worlds: the natural look and feel of wood with the modern benefits of composite materials. With its grooved surface, exceptional durability, and eco-friendly composition, Grooved Composite Decking is designed to meet the demands of any outdoor space, whether residential or commercial.

If you’re looking for a durable, low-maintenance, and budget-friendly decking solution, Grooved Composite Decking from London Stone is the perfect choice. Its modern grooved design, combined with superior durability and ease of care, makes it a popular option for both residential and commercial outdoor spaces.

With the added benefit of matching composite battens, you can create a cohesive and stylish outdoor environment that not only looks great but will stand the test of time. Whether you’re revamping your garden, adding a deck to your patio, or building a balcony, Grooved Composite Decking offers the perfect balance of functionality, aesthetics, and affordability.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key benefits of Grooved Composite Decking, its installation process, and address common questions through our FAQ section.

Why Choose Grooved Composite Decking?

Enhanced Durability

One of the standout features of Grooved Composite Decking is its superior durability. This decking is manufactured using a blend of bamboo fibres and high-quality PVC, resulting in a robust, long-lasting product that can withstand even the harshest weather conditions. Unlike traditional wood, which can warp, splinter, or rot over time, Grooved Composite Decking is resistant to moisture, insects, and UV damage. This ensures your decking will maintain its appearance and structural integrity for years to come.

Budget-Friendly Option

When it comes to upgrading your outdoor space, the cost can often be a major concern. Fortunately, Grooved Composite Decking offers an affordable solution that doesn’t compromise on quality or aesthetics. It’s a cost-effective alternative to natural wood, providing long-term value thanks to its longevity and low maintenance requirements. Over time, you’ll save money on repairs, staining, and maintenance that would be necessary with traditional wood decking.

Modern Grooved Design

The sleek grooved surface of this composite decking adds a modern touch to your outdoor space. The grooves not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide a textured, slip-resistant surface. This makes it a safe and practical choice for outdoor areas that may be exposed to water, such as around pools, ponds, or water features.

The grooved design is also functional, helping to channel water away from the surface and reduce the risk of pooling, which can often lead to slippery conditions on traditional decking materials.

Gadsden Gardens used Chestnut Grooved Composite Decking to help create this modern garden, perfect for entertaining. The team used a number of our materials to make a low maintenance space, which also included a fire pit, and areas for relaxing and dining with friends and family.

The naturalistic brown tones of Warm Teak Grooved Decking were utilised by The Cloud Gardener, at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Replicating his own 18th floor balcony garden in Manchester, this garden was a perfect example of how effective composite decking can be when used on balconies and roof terraces. The material weighs under 20kg/m2, which is half the weight of porcelain or natural stone, which is an important consideration when laying on a rooves and balconies.

Low Maintenance

One of the greatest advantages of composite decking is its low-maintenance nature. Unlike traditional timber decks, which require frequent sanding, staining, and sealing, Grooved Composite Decking is a low-maintenance material. There’s no need to worry about fading, cracking, or splintering. All it takes to keep your deck looking its best is the occasional sweep to remove debris and a wash with soapy water to clean away any dirt or grime.

Here's a handy table highlighting the differences between composite decking and traditional timer decking boards:

Matching Composite Battens: A Cohesive Outdoor Look

To create a truly harmonious outdoor design, consider pairing your decking with Composite Battens. These battens are available in matching colours to our Grooved Decking, and are supplied with a brushed finish, adding a beautiful textural contrast to the decking. Battens make it easy to extend the sleek, modern look of your decking to other areas of your garden or outdoor space.

Composite battens can be used for a variety of purposes, including fencing, cladding, or creating garden structures like pergolas or trellises. Like the decking, they are durable, weather-resistant, and require little to no maintenance. With matching composite battens, you can achieve a cohesive and sophisticated aesthetic throughout your entire outdoor area.

Installation Guide

Installing Grooved Composite Decking is a straightforward process that can be completed by both DIY enthusiasts and professional installers. For the best results, London Stone recommends using reputable, competent landscape professionals to undertake works at your property. If you are looking for a trade professional to undertake your project, our Connect service might help you to find garden designers and landscapers local to you.

Here’s a step-by-step overview to help you get started:

Preparation: Start by planning the layout of your decking area. Take accurate measurements and ensure that the ground is level and clear of debris. A solid, well-draining substructure is essential for the longevity of your decking.

Subframe Construction: Composite decking requires a solid subframe, typically made from treated timber, aluminium, or composite joists. The subframe should be constructed with joists placed at intervals of no more than 300mm. Ensure the subframe is level, securely fixed, and has adequate drainage.

Laying the Boards: Begin laying the DesignBoard decking boards perpendicular to the joists, starting from one edge of the decking area. Use spacers to maintain a consistent gap between each board, allowing for natural expansion and contraction. Remember to order Decking Start Clips to begin your installation.

Fixing the Boards: DesignBoard uses a hidden fixing system for a clean, modern finish. Specially designed clips are inserted into the grooves on the sides of the boards and screwed into the joists.

Finishing Touches: Once all boards are laid and fixed in place, use metallic edge trims and fascia boards to cover any exposed edges, giving the decking a polished appearance. If desired, incorporate built-in benches, storage solutions, or cladding to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your outdoor space.

Cleaning and Maintenance: After installation, clean the decking to remove any dust or debris. Grooved Composite Decking requires minimal maintenance – a simple wash with warm soapy water will keep it looking fresh and new. Should any more stubborn stains or marks need removing, refer to p.12 in the DesignBoard Composite Decking Product Guide, for assistance, or contact us for expert advice.

Grooved DesignBoard FAQs

How long does Grooved Composite Decking last?

A: Grooved Composite Decking is designed to last for 25 years or more with proper care. Its durable construction and resistance to weather, moisture, and UV rays mean it will retain its appearance and functionality for many years, making it a great long-term investment for your outdoor space. Our Grooved Composite Decking is supported by a 3-year product warranty (providing it is installed correctly).

Is composite decking more expensive than wood?

While the initial cost of composite decking may be higher than traditional wood, it offers significant long-term savings. Composite decking requires minimal maintenance and won’t need to be replaced or repaired as frequently as wood, resulting in lower overall costs over time.

Is Grooved Composite Decking safe for families?

Absolutely. The grooved surface of this composite decking provides a slip-resistant texture, making it a safe choice for families, especially in areas prone to water exposure, such as around pools or water features.

How do I maintain composite decking?

Composite decking is a low-maintenance exterior material. Simply sweep the decking regularly to remove dirt and debris and wash it occasionally with soapy water to keep it clean. Unlike wood, it doesn’t require staining, sealing, or frequent repairs. Refer to p.12 in the Grooved Composite Decking Product Guide for more information about ongoing maintenance of this product.

Why should I buy composite decking from London Stone?

London Stone offers free nationwide delivery on orders £750 + VAT and over, and is rated Excellent on independent review site, Trustpilot. We hold good stock levels of our goods, (which you can view in real-time on our website) which allows short lead times, as well as offering product warranties across the entirety of our composite decking range.

Can I view Composite Decking in your Showrooms?

Yes! Our network of nationwide showrooms act as inspirational hubs where you can view our materials in person, before buying. You will never receive a ‘hard sell’ approach from London Stone – our showrooms are relaxed, creative spaces, with complimentary refreshments and free customer Wi-Fi. Our friendly, expert sales staff are always on-hand to answer any questions you have, and to guide you into making the right choice for your project.

We encourage you to visit a showroom prior to purchasing, as most customers find viewing materials in person highly beneficial. If you can’t make it to a showroom in person, take a virtual tour of our flagship Birmingham showroom in HD quality.

How do I contact London Stone?

There are a number of ways to contact us, including via WhatsApp chat, phone, email, or in person. Our trading hours are Monday – Saturday, 08.30 – 17.00.