Board type PVC
PVC decking
PVC decking boards are made entirely of plastic, with no wood fibre at all. That makes them lighter than composite and almost immune to water, mould and staining, which suits damp, shady corners of Leeds gardens.
It typically costs £150 to £250 per m² fitted, a little more than most capped composite.
- Fitted price
- £150 to £250 per m²
- Water uptake
- Close to none
- Weight
- The lightest board here
- Watch for
- More movement in heat
PVC against composite and timber
PVC wins on damp and weight, composite on feel and price, timber on upfront cost only.
| Fitted, per m² | £120 to £220 | £150 to £250 | £60 to £130 |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Wood fibre and recycled plastic, wrapped in a polymer shell | Cellular PVC, no wood fibre at all | Pressure-treated pine or spruce |
| Joist spacing | 300 to 400 mm centres | 300 to 400 mm centres | 400 mm centres is common |
| Upkeep | Wash in spring and autumn | Wash in spring and autumn | Clean and oil or stain every year or two |
| Board warranty | Often 25 years or more | Often 20 to 30 years | Treatment guarantee, often 15 years |
| Fire | Combustible | Combustible, slow to ignite | Combustible |
| Best for | Most Leeds back gardens, shady or sunny | Damp, shaded plots and around hot tubs | The lowest upfront cost, sunny open spots |
PVC decking prices by size
Level ground, PVC boards on a timber or aluminium frame, hidden fixings and trims.
| Deck | Area | Fitted price |
|---|---|---|
| Small, 3 × 3 m | 9 m² | £1,400 to £2,300 |
| Medium, 4 × 3.5 m | 14 m² | £2,100 to £3,500 |
| Large, 6 × 4 m | 24 m² | £3,600 to £6,000 |
| Very large, 8 × 4.5 m | 36 m² | £5,400 to £9,000 |
Typical UK fitted prices from published price lists we reviewed, October 2026, rounded to £100. National figures; a guide, not a quote. Fewer UK installers fit PVC than composite, and board prices vary widely by brand, so this is a broader range than the others.
PVC and composite are not the same thing
The two are often sold side by side and the names get mixed up. Composite is a blend of wood fibre and plastic, usually with a plastic cap. PVC decking is cellular PVC through and through, sometimes with a harder outer skin. A few "composite" boards actually use PVC as the plastic in the mix, which is another reason to read the data sheet.
| PVC | Capped composite | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Cellular PVC | Wood fibre and plastic, plastic shell |
| Takes up water | Close to none | Very little through the cap |
| Weight | Lightest | Heavier |
| Feel | Lighter, slightly less like wood | Closer to timber |
| Heat movement | More, so gaps matter | Less |
| Typical fitted price | £150 to £250 per m² | £120 to £220 per m² |
Where PVC makes sense in Leeds
- Shaded, damp plots. North-facing gardens behind terraces and semis, under trees, or in the valley bottoms along the Aire and Wharfe where mist sits. PVC has nothing in it for mould to feed on.
- Around hot tubs and pools. Splashing, chemicals and bare feet: PVC handles all three well.
- Light structures. Its low weight helps on balconies and lightweight frames, though for a balcony on a block of flats the fire rules usually point to aluminium instead.
- Coastal and rental properties. Less often a Leeds issue, but PVC is the board least bothered by neglect.
The trade-offs
PVC expands and contracts more with temperature than composite. A good installer leaves the right gaps at board ends and uses fixings designed for it; get this wrong and boards buckle on the first hot day or open up in winter. Dark PVC boards also get hot in direct sun.
It feels a little less like timber underfoot, and some people find it sounds lighter. Look at and walk on a sample if you can. And because fewer people fit it in Yorkshire, the choice of boards your installer can get quickly may be narrower than for composite.
Building a PVC deck
The method is the same as for composite: a level frame on pads or posts, joists at the spacing the board maker sets (often 300 to 400 mm), hidden clips, and fascia boards to cover the frame. With PVC, two things deserve extra care: the expansion gaps, and a frame that lets air move so the underside dries quickly after rain.
A typical 14 m² PVC deck takes two to four days on site and costs about £2,100 to £3,500.
Where our information comes from
- Planning Portal, Approved Document B: fire safety
- GOV.UK, permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance
- Typical UK fitted prices from published price lists we reviewed, October 2026 (national figures)
PVC decking questions
01Is PVC decking better than composite?
In damp, shaded spots and round hot tubs it can be. Composite usually feels more like timber and costs a little less. Both need little upkeep.
02How much does PVC decking cost in Leeds?
Typically £150 to £250 per m² fitted, or about £2,100 to £3,500 for a 14 m² deck.
03Does PVC decking get slippery?
Textured PVC boards grip well because nothing grows on them. Smooth or worn boards can be slippery in frost or with wet leaves on them, like any deck.
04Does PVC decking fade?
Good boards have UV inhibitors and change only slightly. Cheaper boards can fade more, especially in strong colours.
05Do I need planning permission for a PVC deck?
The rules are the same for any material: no more than 30 cm high, not in front of the house and no more than half the garden. Above that, apply to Leeds City Council.
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