Composite vs Timber Decking: Cost and Practical Differences

Timber decking costs less upfront (roughly £60-£120 per square metre installed) but needs regular maintenance and lasts around 10-15 years; composite decking costs more upfront (roughly £100-£200+ per square metre installed) but needs almost no maintenance and typically lasts 20-30 years. Which is "better" genuinely depends on whether you'd rather pay more now or spend time and money maintaining it later.

Upfront cost

Timber is cheaper to buy and install in almost every case. Softwood (pressure-treated pine) is the most budget-friendly; hardwood costs considerably more but with better natural durability. Composite decking's raw material and installation costs are higher, partly because the boards themselves cost more and partly because composite often uses a more involved hidden-fixing system.

Maintenance and long-term cost

This is where the comparison gets more interesting than the upfront price alone suggests:

• Timber: needs cleaning twice a year and re-oiling or re-staining roughly every 1-2 years (see our full decking maintenance guide) — budget roughly £3-£8 per square metre in materials per treatment if DIY, more if you pay a tradesperson. Over 15 years, this maintenance cost genuinely adds up and can close much of the initial price gap with composite.
• Composite: needs only occasional washing — no oiling, staining or sealing, ever. This is composite's core selling point and the main reason people choose it despite the higher upfront cost.

Lifespan

Timber decking typically lasts 10-15 years with good maintenance, sometimes less if neglected or in a very exposed, damp position; hardwood can last longer. Composite decking commonly carries manufacturer warranties in the 20-30 year range and, since it doesn't rot the way timber does, tends to hold up more predictably over time — though see what affects composite decking lifespan, since quality varies significantly between cheap and premium composite products, and poor installation (inadequate ventilation, poor drainage) can shorten even a good composite's life.

Appearance and feel

Timber has a natural warmth and grain that many people simply prefer, and it can be sanded, re-stained or changed in tone over time. Composite has a more uniform, engineered appearance — modern composite has improved a lot and can look convincingly wood-like, but it doesn't age or weather the same way, and some people find it looks slightly artificial up close, particularly cheaper ranges.

Underfoot feel and temperature

Composite can get noticeably hotter underfoot than timber in direct summer sun, which matters if you have bare feet, young children or pets using the deck regularly. Timber stays cooler but can also become more slippery when wet or shaded, especially without regular cleaning.

Environmental considerations

Composite decking is often made partly from recycled materials, which some homeowners value, though it isn't biodegradable at end of life the way timber is. Sustainably sourced (FSC-certified) timber is a genuinely eco-conscious choice if that matters to you — it's worth checking certification when buying either material.

Which should you choose?

• Choose timber if: you want the lowest upfront cost, like the natural look and don't mind a maintenance routine, or you're not planning to stay in the property for the decking's full lifespan.
• Choose composite if: you want to minimise ongoing maintenance, are planning for the long term, and are comfortable paying more upfront for that trade-off.

Common mistakes

• Buying the cheapest composite available and expecting premium-composite performance — quality varies a lot in this category, and reviews/warranty length are worth checking closely.
• Underestimating timber's real maintenance cost over its lifetime when comparing upfront prices side by side.
• Not checking whether a composite product needs a specific substructure or ventilation gap — getting this wrong can void warranties and shorten lifespan regardless of material quality.

Installation complexity

Timber decking is generally more straightforward to install using standard tools and techniques familiar to most competent tradespeople and confident DIYers. Composite decking often uses a proprietary hidden-fixing clip system specific to the manufacturer, which needs to be installed correctly to avoid voiding the warranty — this is one reason composite installation labour costs can run higher even before materials are counted, and why checking an installer's specific experience with your chosen composite brand is worth doing.

Repairing damage

An individual damaged timber board is usually simple and cheap to replace — cut out the bad section, fit a new board, treat to match. Composite boards can also be replaced individually, but matching the exact colour of an aged board with a brand new one can be more noticeable than with timber, since composite doesn't weather and blend the same way. See repairing or replacing decking boards for typical costs either way.