Composite vs Timber Decking: Costs, Looks and Longevity

The quick version

Timber costs less to buy and install, looks naturally beautiful, but needs cleaning and re-treating every year or two to stay at its best. Composite costs more up front, looks consistent for years and asks for little more than an occasional wash. Over a long enough period the costs tend to converge — you're really choosing between paying less now and more in maintenance, or more now and almost nothing later.

Timber decking

Real wood has a warmth and character that composite still can't quite match, and it's the more affordable option to install. Softwood is the budget choice; hardwood costs more but is denser and longer-lasting.

The trade-off is maintenance. Timber needs regular cleaning, and periodic oiling or staining to resist moisture, fading and the slipperiness that comes with algae in a damp British winter. Neglected, it greys and degrades faster.

Composite decking

Composite boards are made from a mix of recycled wood fibre and plastic. They don't rot, splinter or need staining, won't fade much, and only ask for an occasional wash to stay looking smart. Many ranges are designed to resist slipping, which is a real plus on a shaded deck.

The downsides are a higher up-front price and a look that, while very good now, some people still feel reads as slightly more uniform than natural wood.

Which should you choose?

• ›Lowest install cost and you don't mind annual upkeep → timber.
• ›Lowest long-term hassle and you'll keep the deck for years → composite.
• ›Natural look and feel matters most → timber (ideally hardwood).
• ›Shaded, damp or heavily used area where slip-resistance counts → composite.
• ›Rental or resale-focused property where low maintenance sells → composite.

What matters more than the board

Whichever surface you pick, the structure underneath decides how long the deck lasts and how it feels to walk on. A properly built, well-ventilated frame on solid footings, with the right drainage and fixings, is what stops a deck flexing, sagging or trapping damp a few years on. It's the unglamorous part that's easiest to cut corners on — and the part we never skimp.

A note on cost

We're wary of quoting a single price per square metre, because the real figure depends on the boards you choose, the size and shape of the deck, ground conditions and access. The honest approach is a written quote based on seeing your garden, so you know what the finished deck — frame included — will actually cost.