The short answer
Wood is cheaper to fit and looks and feels natural, but needs cleaning and treating every year or two and lasts about 10 to 20 years. Composite costs more upfront but needs only washing and often lasts 25 years or more. If you plan to stay put and want low upkeep, composite usually wins over its lifetime.
It is the first decision with any new deck, and the one people go back and forth on most. Both can make a great deck. The right choice depends on your budget, how long you’ll stay, and how much time you want to spend looking after it.
The comparison at a glance
| Wood (treated softwood) | Composite | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitted price per m² | About £60 to £130 | About £100 to £200 |
| Upkeep | Clean and treat every 1 to 2 years | Wash twice a year |
| Typical lifespan | 10 to 20 years | 25 to 30 years |
| Splinters | Yes, as it ages | No |
| Slippery when wet | Often, once algae grows | Less so with capped, textured boards |
| Look and feel | Real wood, changes with age | Even colour, wood-like |
| Heat in summer sun | Stays cooler | Dark colours can get hot |
| Change the colour later | Yes, with stain | No |
Prices are typical UK fitted ranges from published price guides, checked October 2026. Hardwood costs more than softwood and lasts longer.
Cost: upfront and over the years
Wood wins on the day you pay for it. A 15 m² softwood deck typically costs about £900 to £2,000 fitted, against roughly £1,500 to £3,000 for composite.
Over the years, the gap narrows. Timber needs a cleaner and a treatment product every year or two, plus your time or a contractor’s. And a softwood deck may need replacing once in the time a composite deck lasts. If you’ll be in the house for 10 years or more, composite often works out similar or cheaper in total.
Upkeep
This is where composite earns its price. Timber needs:
- cleaning every year
- a protective treatment or stain every one to two years
- occasional sanding and board replacement
Composite needs a wash with warm soapy water a couple of times a year. See how to clean composite decking.
Lifespan
Treated softwood typically lasts 10 to 20 years depending on care; good capped composite 25 to 30 years, with leading brands offering warranties of 25 years or more. Either way, the frame underneath matters as much as the boards. Read how long composite decking lasts.
Safety and comfort
- Splinters: composite has none; timber develops them as it weathers.
- Slips: capped, textured composite resists algae better than timber. See is composite decking slippery?
- Heat: dark composite boards can get hot underfoot in strong sun. Choose a lighter colour for a south-facing deck.
Looks
Timber is real wood: it varies board to board, and it fades to silver unless you keep treating it. Some people love that; others find it looks tired. Composite keeps a more even colour and finish for years. Modern boards look much more natural than early composite, but up close they still don’t feel quite like timber.
The environment
Timber is natural and renewable when it comes from certified forests (look for FSC or PEFC). Many composite boards contain recycled wood fibre and plastic, but they are harder to recycle at the end of their life. Neither is a clear winner; ask about the source of whichever you choose.
Hardwood: the middle option
Hardwood decking, such as balau or other tropical and temperate hardwoods, sits between the two. It is denser than softwood, so it resists rot and wear better and lasts longer, and it has a rich colour that many people prefer to pine. It typically costs about £110 to £250 per square metre fitted, which overlaps with composite. It still needs oiling to keep its colour, and it greys to silver if left. If you want real timber with a longer life, it is worth pricing alongside composite.
Questions to ask whichever you choose
- Which boards exactly, and what warranty comes with them?
- What is the frame made of, and is it treated for ground contact?
- How will the ground be prepared and drained?
- What upkeep do you recommend, and how often?
- What guarantee do you give on your own work?
Which should you choose?
Choose wood if:
- you want the lowest upfront cost
- you love the look and feel of real timber
- you don’t mind yearly maintenance
- you may move in the next few years
Choose composite if:
- you want a deck you barely have to think about
- your garden is damp or shady
- you have children or pets
- you plan to stay for 10 years or more
Our decking cost calculator shows both prices for your size. If you’re still undecided, an installer can bring samples to a visit. The quote form takes two minutes.