Comparison
Composite vs timber decking
Treated softwood costs about half as much as capped composite to fit: £60 to £130 per m² against £120 to £220. Over 20 years the gap closes, because timber needs cleaning and treating every year or two and its boards wear out sooner.
Here is how the two compare, with the sums set out so you can check them.
- Timber, fitted
- £60 to £130 per m²
- Composite, fitted
- £120 to £220 per m²
- Timber upkeep
- Clean and treat every 1 to 2 years
- Composite upkeep
- Wash twice a year
Timber against the low-upkeep boards
Timber is the cheapest to fit and the most work to keep.
| Fitted, per m² | £120 to £220 | £95 to £160 | £60 to £130 |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Wood fibre and recycled plastic, wrapped in a polymer shell | Wood fibre and plastic with hollow channels, often uncapped | Pressure-treated pine or spruce |
| Joist spacing | 300 to 400 mm centres | 300 to 350 mm centres | 400 mm centres is common |
| Upkeep | Wash in spring and autumn | Wash, plus a stain treatment if grease or leaves mark it | Clean and oil or stain every year or two |
| Board warranty | Often 25 years or more | Often 10 to 20 years | Treatment guarantee, often 15 years |
| Fire | Combustible | Combustible | Combustible |
| Best for | Most Leeds back gardens, shady or sunny | Ground-level decks on a tighter budget | The lowest upfront cost, sunny open spots |
Upfront prices by size
Level ground, fitted, no steps or balustrade.
| Deck | Area | Treated softwood | Capped composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, 3 × 3 m | 9 m² | £500 to £1,200 | £1,100 to £2,000 |
| Medium, 4 × 3.5 m | 14 m² | £800 to £1,800 | £1,700 to £3,100 |
| Large, 6 × 4 m | 24 m² | £1,400 to £3,100 | £2,900 to £5,300 |
| Very large, 8 × 4.5 m | 36 m² | £2,200 to £4,700 | £4,300 to £7,900 |
Typical UK fitted prices from published price lists we reviewed, October 2026, rounded to £100. National figures; a guide, not a quote.
The 20-year sum for a 14 m² deck
We used mid-range figures for a 14 m² deck at ground level. Treating timber means a clean and a coat of oil or stain; done by a contractor it typically costs a few hundred pounds a time, or a weekend and £60 to £120 of products if you do it yourself.
| Over 20 years | Treated softwood | Capped composite |
|---|---|---|
| Fitted | £1,330 | £2,380 |
| Treatment, 12 times at about £250 | £3,000 | £0 |
| Replacement boards and repairs | £800 | £150 |
| Cleaning products | £150 | £150 |
| Total | £5,280 | £2,680 |
Our worked example using mid-range fitted prices from the ranges above. If you treat the timber yourself, timber stays cheaper overall; if you pay someone, composite usually comes out ahead.
Where timber still wins
- Lowest upfront cost. If the budget is fixed, a well-built timber deck now beats a cheap composite deck.
- Sunny, open spots. Timber that dries quickly after rain stays sound and grips well.
- Natural look and feel. Some people simply prefer real wood, grey weathering and all.
- Repairs. Scratches and marks can be sanded out.
Where composite wins
- Shade and damp. Most Leeds gardens get plenty of both. Timber goes green and slippery there; capped composite does not.
- No splinters. Better for children, dogs and bare feet.
- Time. No annual weekend of scrubbing and staining.
- Colour. Composite stays close to its original colour; untreated timber goes silver-grey.
The frame matters more than the boards
Whichever boards you choose, most decks are held up by treated timber joists. For posts and joists that touch the ground or stay damp, the timber should be treated to Use Class 4, the ground-contact level. A frame treated only for above-ground use can rot within a few years in wet Yorkshire ground, taking the boards with it.
If you go composite to avoid upkeep, think about an aluminium frame or at least Use Class 4 timber throughout, so the frame lasts as long as the boards.
Hardwood and thermally modified timber
Hardwoods such as balau, and thermally modified softwoods, sit between the two. They last longer than treated pine and look beautiful, but cost about as much as composite to fit and still need oiling to keep their colour. They are a good choice for someone who wants real wood without the shorter life of softwood.
Where our information comes from
- LABC, how to specify preservative treated wood correctly
- BSI, BS EN 15534-4: wood polymer composite decking profiles and tiles
- GOV.UK, permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance
- Typical UK fitted prices from published price lists we reviewed, October 2026 (national figures)
Composite or timber: questions
01Is composite decking cheaper than wood in the long run?
Usually, if you would pay someone to clean and treat a timber deck. If you do the treatment yourself, timber stays cheaper overall but costs you a weekend most years.
02Which lasts longer, composite or timber?
Capped composite usually carries a 25-year warranty. Treated softwood lasts 10 to 20 years depending on care, shade and the frame.
03Which is less slippery?
Textured capped composite in shade. Timber grows algae in damp spots, which makes it slippery; in full sun, clean timber grips well.
04Can I put composite boards on an old timber frame?
Only if the frame is sound, level and the joists are close enough together for composite, usually 300 to 400 mm. Many old frames have joists at 600 mm and need extra joists.
05Does composite decking look fake?
Early boards did. Modern capped boards have embossed, multi-tone surfaces that look much closer to timber, especially from a few steps away.
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