diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.H b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.H
index 9d4c04b407..401d0eddd8 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.H
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.H
@@ -53,7 +53,13 @@ Description
 
         // Output surface format
         surfaceFormat   vtk;
-        formatOptions   { }
+        formatOptions
+        {
+            vtk
+            {
+                precision  10;
+            }
+        }
 
         surfaces
         (
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.C
index 5b0fdde98a..95c588ff3f 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.C
@@ -45,6 +45,18 @@ Foam::proxySurfaceWriter::proxySurfaceWriter(const word& fileExt)
 {}
 
 
+Foam::proxySurfaceWriter::proxySurfaceWriter
+(
+    const word& fileExt,
+    const dictionary& options
+)
+:
+    surfaceWriter(),
+    fileExtension_(fileExt),
+    options_(options)
+{}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 Foam::fileName Foam::proxySurfaceWriter::write
@@ -73,8 +85,16 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::proxySurfaceWriter::write
         Info<< "Writing geometry to " << outputFile << endl;
     }
 
-    MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>(surf.points(), surf.faces())
-        .write(outputFile, fileExtension_);
+    MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>
+    (
+        surf.points(),
+        surf.faces()
+    ).write
+    (
+        outputFile,
+        fileExtension_,
+        options_
+    );
 
     return outputFile;
 }
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.H b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.H
index bfcfcd6615..4aeada0987 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.H
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/proxy/proxySurfaceWriter.H
@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@ Description
         `-- surfaceName.{obj|stl|..}
     \endverbatim
 
+Note
+    The formatOptions for proxy are file-type dependent.
+
 SourceFiles
     proxySurfaceWriter.C
 
@@ -63,12 +66,14 @@ class proxySurfaceWriter
 :
     public surfaceWriter
 {
-
     // Private data
 
         //- The file extension associated with the proxy
         word fileExtension_;
 
+        //- Format options
+        dictionary options_;
+
 
 public:
 
@@ -79,7 +84,10 @@ public:
     // Constructors
 
         //- Construct for a given extension
-        proxySurfaceWriter(const word& fileExt);
+        explicit proxySurfaceWriter(const word& fileExt);
+
+        //- Construct for a given extension, with some output options
+        proxySurfaceWriter(const word& fileExt, const dictionary& options);
 
 
     //- Destructor
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/surfaceWriter.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/surfaceWriter.C
index a149a60610..d73d6bfd2e 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/surfaceWriter.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/surfaceWriter.C
@@ -54,46 +54,70 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::autoPtr<Foam::surfaceWriter>
 Foam::surfaceWriter::New(const word& writeType)
 {
-    auto cstrIter = wordConstructorTablePtr_->cfind(writeType);
+    const auto cstrIter = wordConstructorTablePtr_->cfind(writeType);
 
-    if (!cstrIter.found())
+    if (cstrIter.found())
     {
-        if (MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>::canWriteType(writeType))
-        {
-            // generally unknown, but can be written via MeshedSurfaceProxy
-            // use 'proxy' handler instead
-            return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>(new proxySurfaceWriter(writeType));
-        }
-
-        if (!cstrIter.found())
-        {
-            FatalErrorInFunction
-                << "Unknown write type \"" << writeType << "\"\n\n"
-                << "Valid types : "
-                << wordConstructorTablePtr_->sortedToc() << nl
-                << "Valid proxy types : "
-                << MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>::writeTypes() << endl
-                << exit(FatalError);
-        }
+        return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>(cstrIter()());
+    }
+    else if (MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>::canWriteType(writeType))
+    {
+        // Unknown, but proxy handler can manage it
+        return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>(new proxySurfaceWriter(writeType));
     }
 
-    return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>(cstrIter()());
+    FatalErrorInFunction
+        << "Unknown write type \"" << writeType << "\"\n\n"
+        << "Valid types : "
+        << wordConstructorTablePtr_->sortedToc() << nl
+        << "Valid proxy types : "
+        << MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>::writeTypes() << endl
+        << exit(FatalError);
+
+    return nullptr;
 }
 
 
 Foam::autoPtr<Foam::surfaceWriter>
 Foam::surfaceWriter::New(const word& writeType, const dictionary& options)
 {
-    // Constructors with dictionary options
-    auto cstrIter = wordDictConstructorTablePtr_->cfind(writeType);
-
-    if (!cstrIter.found())
     {
-        // Revert to version without options
-        return Foam::surfaceWriter::New(writeType);
+        // Constructor with options (dictionary)
+        const auto cstrIter = wordDictConstructorTablePtr_->cfind(writeType);
+
+        if (cstrIter.found())
+        {
+            return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>(cstrIter()(options));
+        }
     }
 
-    return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>(cstrIter()(options));
+
+    // Drop through to version without options
+
+    const auto cstrIter = wordConstructorTablePtr_->cfind(writeType);
+
+    if (cstrIter.found())
+    {
+        return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>(cstrIter()());
+    }
+    else if (MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>::canWriteType(writeType))
+    {
+        // Unknown, but proxy handler can manage it
+        return autoPtr<surfaceWriter>
+        (
+            new proxySurfaceWriter(writeType, options)
+        );
+    }
+
+    FatalErrorInFunction
+        << "Unknown write type \"" << writeType << "\"\n\n"
+        << "Valid types : "
+        << wordConstructorTablePtr_->sortedToc() << nl
+        << "Valid proxy types : "
+        << MeshedSurfaceProxy<face>::writeTypes() << endl
+        << exit(FatalError);
+
+    return nullptr;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/vtk/vtkSurfaceWriter.H b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/vtk/vtkSurfaceWriter.H
index 69f1cc105e..2d4472f5a4 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/vtk/vtkSurfaceWriter.H
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/vtk/vtkSurfaceWriter.H
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ public:
         vtkSurfaceWriter();
 
         //- Construct with some output options
-        vtkSurfaceWriter(const dictionary& options);
+        explicit vtkSurfaceWriter(const dictionary& options);
 
 
     //- Destructor
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceProxy/MeshedSurfaceProxy.H b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceProxy/MeshedSurfaceProxy.H
index 6b83014750..45d5053e1a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceProxy/MeshedSurfaceProxy.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceProxy/MeshedSurfaceProxy.H
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ SourceFiles
 namespace Foam
 {
 
-// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+// Forward declarations
 
 template<class Face> class MeshedSurface;
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H
index 85b932e4ea..3d57e4db99 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -64,15 +64,6 @@ class AC3DsurfaceFormat
     public MeshedSurface<Face>,
     public AC3DsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    // Private Member Functions
-
-        //- No copy construct
-        AC3DsurfaceFormat(const AC3DsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const AC3DsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -109,7 +100,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/fire/FLMAsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/fire/FLMAsurfaceFormat.H
index 4d3de24f58..48d681f685 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/fire/FLMAsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/fire/FLMAsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -61,12 +61,6 @@ class FLMAsurfaceFormat
         static inline void writeShell(OSstream& os, const Face& f);
         static inline void writeType(OSstream& os, const Face& f);
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        FLMAsurfaceFormat(const FLMAsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const FLMAsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
 
 protected:
 
@@ -114,7 +108,7 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Write flma file
+        //- Write surface mesh as flma file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
@@ -136,15 +130,6 @@ class FLMAZsurfaceFormat
 :
     public FLMAsurfaceFormat<Face>
 {
-    // Private Member Functions
-
-        //- No copy construct
-        FLMAZsurfaceFormat(const FLMAZsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const FLMAZsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -170,7 +155,7 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Write flmaz file
+        //- Write surface mesh as flmaz file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C
index ca460aa019..16f1bbe924 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ License
 #include "StringStream.H"
 #include "faceTraits.H"
 
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class Face>
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H
index bb113f625c..525dbca979 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -64,12 +64,6 @@ class GTSsurfaceFormat
         //  Triangulating on-the-fly is otherwise too annoying
         static bool checkIfTriangulated(const UList<Face>& faceLst);
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        GTSsurfaceFormat(const GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
 
 public:
 
@@ -107,7 +101,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H
index 6220af3a50..147aa736b3 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ Description
         GRID          28        10.20269-.030265-2.358-8
     \endverbatim
 
+    The Nastran writer uses FREE format only.
+
 SourceFiles
     NASsurfaceFormat.C
 
@@ -76,12 +78,6 @@ class NASsurfaceFormat
             label elementId
         );
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        NASsurfaceFormat(const NASsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const NASsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
 
 public:
 
@@ -108,10 +104,10 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Read from a file
+        //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object file
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H
index 65f4ef2885..4cbf7cd3dc 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -57,15 +57,6 @@ class OBJsurfaceFormat
 :
     public MeshedSurface<Face>
 {
-    // Private Member Functions
-
-        //- No copy construct
-        OBJsurfaceFormat(const OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -94,7 +85,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object file
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H
index 1eab499a6c..01fdc1c410 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -64,15 +64,6 @@ class OFFsurfaceFormat
 :
     public MeshedSurface<Face>
 {
-    // Private Member Functions
-
-        //- No copy construct
-        OFFsurfaceFormat(const OFFsurfaceFormat&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const OFFsurfaceFormat&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -101,7 +92,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H
index 9286e25df1..0d2aa51bc6 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -61,15 +61,6 @@ class SMESHsurfaceFormat
 :
     public MeshedSurface<Face>
 {
-    // Private Member Functions
-
-        //- No copy construct
-        SMESHsurfaceFormat(const SMESHsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const SMESHsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -95,7 +86,7 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H
index e54db0cb35..4c06580240 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -73,12 +73,6 @@ class STARCDsurfaceFormat
             const label cellTableId
         );
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        STARCDsurfaceFormat(const STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
 
 public:
 
@@ -108,7 +102,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H
index e4697ab8a7..524ca518c9 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -82,13 +82,6 @@ class STLsurfaceFormat
         );
 
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        STLsurfaceFormat(const STLsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const STLsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -174,7 +167,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIReader.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIReader.H
index e66e783cb1..3b99feb9f0 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIReader.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIReader.H
@@ -78,12 +78,6 @@ class TRIReader
 
         bool readFile(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        TRIReader(const TRIReader&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        TRIReader& operator=(const TRIReader&) = delete;
-
 
 public:
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H
index 74e4a07733..5a711663ce 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -69,12 +69,6 @@ class TRIsurfaceFormat
             const label zoneI
         );
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        TRIsurfaceFormat(const TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
 
 public:
 
@@ -98,8 +92,7 @@ public:
             const dictionary& options = dictionary::null
         );
 
-        //- Write UnsortedMeshedSurface,
-        //  by default the output is not sorted by zones
+        //- Write UnsortedMeshedSurface, the output remains unsorted
         static void write
         (
             const fileName& filename,
@@ -113,7 +106,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C
index c5ccced0e0..582167ce93 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -27,20 +27,7 @@ License
 #include "vtkUnstructuredReader.H"
 #include "scalarIOField.H"
 #include "faceTraits.H"
-#include "OFstream.H"
-#include "foamVtkOutput.H"
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-// File-scope constant.
-//
-// TODO: make this run-time selectable (ASCII | BINARY)
-// - Legacy mode only
-
-static const Foam::vtk::formatType fmtType =
-    Foam::vtk::formatType::LEGACY_ASCII;
-    // Foam::vtk::formatType::LEGACY_BINARY;
-
+#include <fstream>
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -278,10 +265,11 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTKsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
 
     const bool useFaceMap = (surf.useFaceMap() && zones.size() > 1);
 
-    std::ofstream os(filename);
+    vtk::outputOptions opts = formatOptions(options);
 
-    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format =
-        vtk::newFormatter(os, fmtType);
+    std::ofstream os(filename, std::ios::binary);
+
+    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format = opts.newFormatter(os);
 
     writeHeader(format(), pointLst);
 
@@ -337,10 +325,11 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTKsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
     const dictionary& options
 )
 {
-    std::ofstream os(filename);
+    vtk::outputOptions opts = formatOptions(options);
 
-    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format =
-        vtk::newFormatter(os, fmtType);
+    std::ofstream os(filename, std::ios::binary);
+
+    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format = opts.newFormatter(os);
 
     writeHeader(format(), surf.points());
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H
index 5463ca4eee..c1c4b006ec 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -29,6 +29,13 @@ Description
 
     The output is never sorted by zone.
 
+    \heading Output Options
+    \table
+        Property    | Description                       | Required | Default
+        format      | ascii or binary format            | no | ascii
+        precision   | Write precision in ascii          | no | same as IOstream
+    \endtable
+
 SourceFiles
     VTKsurfaceFormat.C
 
@@ -69,13 +76,6 @@ class VTKsurfaceFormat
         );
 
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        VTKsurfaceFormat(const VTKsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const VTKsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file
         virtual bool read(const fileName& filename);
 
-        //- Write object file
+        //- Write meshed surface to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.C
index a73985d804..9de55aae6f 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.C
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -25,10 +25,38 @@ License
 
 #include "VTKsurfaceFormatCore.H"
 #include "clock.H"
-#include "foamVtkOutput.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * Protected Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+Foam::vtk::outputOptions
+Foam::fileFormats::VTKsurfaceFormatCore::formatOptions
+(
+    const dictionary& dict,
+    vtk::outputOptions opts
+)
+{
+    opts.legacy(true);  // Legacy. Use VTPsurfaceFormat for non-legacy
+    opts.append(false); // No append format for legacy
+
+    const word formatName = dict.lookupOrDefault<word>("format", "");
+    if (formatName.size())
+    {
+        opts.ascii(IOstream::formatEnum(formatName) == IOstream::ASCII);
+    }
+
+    opts.precision
+    (
+        dict.lookupOrDefault
+        (
+            "precision",
+            IOstream::defaultPrecision()
+        )
+    );
+
+    return opts;
+}
+
+
 void Foam::fileFormats::VTKsurfaceFormatCore::writeHeader
 (
     vtk::formatter& format,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.H
index 5f04c8e64a..2da9cbab45 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormatCore.H
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -26,6 +26,14 @@ Class
 
 Description
     Internal class used by the VTKsurfaceFormat
+    Format is LEGACY_ASCII
+
+    \heading Output Options
+    \table
+        Property    | Description                       | Required | Default
+        format      | ascii or binary format            | no | ascii
+        precision   | Write precision in ascii          | no | same as IOstream
+    \endtable
 
 SourceFiles
     VTKsurfaceFormatCore.C
@@ -35,9 +43,9 @@ SourceFiles
 #ifndef VTKsurfaceFormatCore_H
 #define VTKsurfaceFormatCore_H
 
-#include "foamVtkFormatter.H"
 #include "point.H"
 #include "surfZone.H"
+#include "foamVtkOutputOptions.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -56,6 +64,13 @@ protected:
 
     // Protected Static Member Functions
 
+        //- Extract format options (default format LEGACY_ASCII)
+        static vtk::outputOptions formatOptions
+        (
+            const dictionary& dict,
+            vtk::outputOptions opts = vtk::formatType::LEGACY_ASCII
+        );
+
         //- Write header information with points
         static void writeHeader
         (
@@ -76,7 +91,6 @@ protected:
             vtk::formatter& format,
             const labelUList& zoneIds
         );
-
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.C
index c1f22611bd..e4ed8d8865 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -24,21 +24,7 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "VTPsurfaceFormat.H"
-#include "OFstream.H"
-#include "foamVtkOutput.H"
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-// File-scope constant.
-//
-// TODO: make this run-time selectable
-// - No append mode supported
-// - Legacy mode is dispatched via 'VTKsurfaceFormat' instead
-
-static const Foam::vtk::formatType fmtType =
-    Foam::vtk::formatType::INLINE_ASCII;
-    // Foam::vtk::formatType::INLINE_BASE64;
-
+#include <fstream>
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -127,10 +113,11 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTPsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
 
     const bool useFaceMap = (surf.useFaceMap() && zones.size() > 1);
 
+    vtk::outputOptions opts = formatOptions(options);
+
     std::ofstream os(filename, std::ios::binary);
 
-    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format =
-        vtk::newFormatter(os, fmtType);
+    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format = opts.newFormatter(os);
 
     writeHeader(format(), pointLst, faceLst.size());
 
@@ -224,10 +211,11 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTPsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
     const dictionary& options
 )
 {
+    vtk::outputOptions opts = formatOptions(options);
+
     std::ofstream os(filename, std::ios::binary);
 
-    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format =
-        vtk::newFormatter(os, fmtType);
+    autoPtr<vtk::formatter> format = opts.newFormatter(os);
 
     const UList<Face>& faceLst = surf.surfFaces();
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.H
index 259f2fffc0..6aee547fd4 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -26,9 +26,17 @@ Class
 
 Description
     Write surfaces in VTP (xml) format.
+    The default format is INLINE_BASE64
 
     The output is never sorted by zone.
 
+    \heading Output Options
+    \table
+        Property    | Description                       | Required | Default
+        format      | ascii or binary format            | no  | binary
+        precision   | Write precision in ascii          | no | same as IOstream
+    \endtable
+
 SourceFiles
     VTPsurfaceFormat.C
 
@@ -69,13 +77,6 @@ class VTPsurfaceFormat
         );
 
 
-        //- No copy construct
-        VTPsurfaceFormat(const VTPsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const VTPsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Write object file
+        //- Write meshed surface to a file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.C
index 3bb9323e70..5f24e5ade6 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.C
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -25,10 +25,38 @@ License
 
 #include "VTPsurfaceFormatCore.H"
 #include "clock.H"
-#include "foamVtkOutput.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * Protected Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+Foam::vtk::outputOptions
+Foam::fileFormats::VTPsurfaceFormatCore::formatOptions
+(
+    const dictionary& dict,
+    vtk::outputOptions opts
+)
+{
+    opts.legacy(false); // Non-legacy. Use VTKsurfaceFormat for legacy
+    opts.append(false); // No append format
+
+    const word formatName = dict.lookupOrDefault<word>("format", "");
+    if (formatName.size())
+    {
+        opts.ascii(IOstream::formatEnum(formatName) == IOstream::ASCII);
+    }
+
+    opts.precision
+    (
+        dict.lookupOrDefault
+        (
+            "precision",
+            IOstream::defaultPrecision()
+        )
+    );
+
+    return opts;
+}
+
+
 void Foam::fileFormats::VTPsurfaceFormatCore::writeHeader
 (
     vtk::formatter& format,
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.H
index 69393e6684..3290170f8e 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtp/VTPsurfaceFormatCore.H
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -25,7 +25,15 @@ Class
     Foam::fileFormats::VTPsurfaceFormatCore
 
 Description
-    Internal class used by the VTPsurfaceFormat
+    Internal class used by the VTPsurfaceFormat.
+    The default format is INLINE_BASE64
+
+    \heading Output Options
+    \table
+        Property    | Description                       | Required | Default
+        format      | ascii or binary format            | no | binary
+        precision   | Write precision in ascii          | no | same as IOstream
+    \endtable
 
 SourceFiles
     VTPsurfaceFormatCore.C
@@ -35,9 +43,9 @@ SourceFiles
 #ifndef VTPsurfaceFormatCore_H
 #define VTPsurfaceFormatCore_H
 
-#include "foamVtkFormatter.H"
 #include "point.H"
 #include "surfZone.H"
+#include "foamVtkOutputOptions.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -56,6 +64,13 @@ protected:
 
     // Protected Static Member Functions
 
+        //- Extract format options (default format INLINE_BASE64)
+        static vtk::outputOptions formatOptions
+        (
+            const dictionary& dict,
+            vtk::outputOptions opts = vtk::formatType::INLINE_BASE64
+        );
+
         //- Write header information with points
         static void writeHeader
         (
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.C
index 03aee4006a..a9da4e6b45 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -84,9 +84,9 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::X3DsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
             {
                 const Face& f = faceLst[faceMap[faceIndex++]];
 
-                forAll(f, fp)
+                for (const label vrti : f)
                 {
-                    os << f[fp] << ' ';
+                    os << vrti << ' ';
                 }
                 os << "-1\n";
             }
@@ -97,9 +97,9 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::X3DsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
             {
                 const Face& f = faceLst[faceIndex++];
 
-                forAll(f, fp)
+                for (const label vrti : f)
                 {
-                    os << f[fp] << ' ';
+                    os << vrti << ' ';
                 }
                 os << "-1\n";
             }
@@ -110,9 +110,9 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::X3DsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
         "' >\n"
         "    <Coordinate point='\n";
 
-    for (const point& pt : pointLst)
+    for (const point& p : pointLst)
     {
-        os  << pt.x() << ' ' << pt.y() << ' ' << pt.z() << nl;
+        os  << p.x() << ' ' << p.y() << ' ' << p.z() << nl;
     }
 
     os  <<
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.H
index d03b7fd6e4..65dff317d2 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -57,14 +57,6 @@ class X3DsurfaceFormat
     public MeshedSurface<Face>,
     public X3DsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    // Private Member Functions
-
-        //- No copy construct
-        X3DsurfaceFormat(const X3DsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
-        //- No copy assignment
-        void operator=(const X3DsurfaceFormat<Face>&) = delete;
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
@@ -90,7 +82,7 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Write object
+        //- Write surface mesh to file
         virtual void write
         (
             const fileName& name,
@@ -99,7 +91,6 @@ public:
         {
             write(name, MeshedSurfaceProxy<Face>(*this), options);
         }
-
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormatCore.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormatCore.H
index 2102decfa0..55a8b19b45 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormatCore.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/x3d/X3DsurfaceFormatCore.H
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ namespace fileFormats
 class X3DsurfaceFormatCore
 {
 protected:
+
     // Protected Member Functions
 
     //- Write file header