Choosing between composite and timber decking for your UK garden? This comprehensive guide compares costs, maintenance, lifespan, and aesthetics to help you make the right decision.
Cost Comparison
Timber Decking
£60-£96 per m²
Including installation and materials
Composite Decking
£120-£180 per m²
Including installation and materials
Maintenance Requirements
Timber Decking
- Annual cleaning and treatment
- Re-staining/oiling every 1-2 years
- Regular splinter checks
- Prone to algae and moss growth
Composite Decking
- Occasional power washing
- No staining or sealing needed
- Splinter-free surface
- Resistant to rot and decay
Lifespan & Durability
Timber decking typically lasts 10-15 years with proper maintenance, while composite decking can last 25-30 years with minimal upkeep. This makes composite more cost-effective long-term despite higher upfront costs.
Aesthetics
Timber offers authentic wood grain and a natural feel underfoot. Composite decking has improved significantly, with many premium options closely mimicking wood grain. However, timber weathers to a silver-grey patina over time unless regularly treated.
Top UK Decking Brands
Composite Decking:
- Trex: Premium brand, £96-£132/m², 25-year warranty, excellent fade/stain resistance
- Millboard: High-end, £108-£156/m², ultra-realistic wood grain, 25-year warranty
- TimberTech: Mid-premium, £84-£120/m², capped composite, 30-year warranty
- UPM ProFi: Eco-friendly, £72-£108/m², made from recycled materials, 15-year warranty
Timber Decking:
- Treated Softwood (Pine): Budget, £36-£54/m², requires annual treatment, 10-15 year lifespan
- Pressure-Treated Softwood: Mid-range, £48-£72/m², better rot resistance, 15-20 years
- Hardwood (Ipe, Cumaru): Premium, £72-£120/m², naturally durable, 25-30 years
- Thermally Modified Wood: £60-£96/m², improved stability, 20-25 years
Installation Complexity & Cost Breakdown
Timber Installation
- Easier to cut and adjust on-site
- Standard carpentry tools sufficient
- Labour: £30-£48/m²
- Materials: £30-£48/m²
- Timeline: 2-4 days (20m² deck)
Composite Installation
- Requires specialised cutting blades
- More precise installation needed
- Labour: £48-£72/m²
- Materials: £72-£108/m²
- Timeline: 3-5 days (20m² deck)
Board Profiles & Fixing Systems
Composite Decking Options:
- Grooved boards: Hidden fixing system, clean look, more expensive
- Solid boards: Traditional screws visible, cheaper, easier DIY
- Capped composite: Protective shell layer, best stain resistance
- Hollow vs solid: Hollow lighter/cheaper, solid more premium feel
Timber Decking Options:
- Grooved: Better grip, water runoff, contemporary look
- Smooth: Traditional, easier to clean, barefoot-friendly
- Reeded: Multiple grooves, extra slip resistance
Annual Maintenance Costs
Over 20 years, maintenance costs reveal the true value:
- Timber: £120-£240/year (cleaning, treatment, staining) = £2,400-£4,800 total
- Composite: £60-£120/year (occasional cleaning) = £1,200-£2,400 total
- Long-term savings with composite: £1,200-£2,400 over 20 years
Color Options & Fading
Composite Decking:
- Wide color range: greys, browns, weathered oak, teak
- Modern colors: charcoal, espresso, coastal grey
- Fading: Expect 10-15% lightening in first year, then stabilizes
- Capped boards fade less than uncapped
Timber Decking:
- Natural wood color or stain/paint
- Untreated timber weathers to silver-grey patina
- Stains/oils need reapplication annually to maintain color
Common Problems & Solutions
Timber Issues
- Splinters: Sand down annually
- Warping: Use kiln-dried timber only
- Rot: Ensure good drainage/ventilation
- Mold/algae: Annual treatment required
Composite Issues
- Heat retention: Light colors stay cooler
- Expansion: Leave 6mm gaps for movement
- Scratches: Choose capped boards
- Staining: Clean spills promptly
DIY vs Professional Installation
Can you install decking yourself?
- DIY Timber: Moderate difficulty, savings £600-£960 (20m²), requires carpentry skills
- DIY Composite: More complex, savings £960-£1,440 (20m²), precision cutting essential
- Professional recommended for: Raised decks, complex shapes, no DIY experience
- Building regulations: Decks over 300mm high may require approval
Warranties Explained
What's Typically Covered:
- Composite warranties: 15-30 years for structural integrity, 10-15 years fade/stain
- Timber warranties: 10-15 years for pressure-treated softwood (rot only)
- What's NOT covered: Improper installation, lack of maintenance, scratches, acts of nature
- Transferable: Most composite warranties transfer to new homeowners
Environmental Impact
Sustainably-sourced timber (FSC certified) is biodegradable and renewable. Composite is made from 60-95% recycled plastic and wood fibres, reducing landfill waste but not biodegradable. Choose FSC timber or recycled-content composite for lowest environmental impact.
Leading UK Composite Decking Brands: What We Install
The UK composite decking market has matured significantly in recent years, with several premium brands now widely available through specialist suppliers. The brands we most frequently install in Leicester gardens include Trex, Millboard and Cladco.
Trex is the global market leader, offering excellent value with a realistic wood grain finish at a mid-range price point and a 25-year structural warranty. Millboard is the premium choice: its unique embossed texture and colour variation is the most realistic-looking composite on the market, often specified for high-end landscaping projects. Cladco offers strong value at a lower price tier, with a good range of colours and solid build quality. All three use hidden clip fixing systems for a screw-free surface.
Our team can show you physical samples of each range during your free consultation so you can see and feel the difference before deciding — an important step, since photographs do not do justice to the texture variation between brands.
Raised Decking and Planning Regulations in England
Most domestic decking in Leicester will not require planning permission — but raised decking can. Specifically, if your decking is more than 300mm above ground level, or within 20 metres of a highway, you may need to apply for planning permission from Blaby District Council or Leicester City Council depending on your location.
Listed buildings and properties within conservation areas have additional restrictions — any external works including decking may require consent regardless of height. If you are in Kirby Muxloe, Oadby, or any of the other conservation areas across Leicestershire, it is worth checking before committing to any raised structure.
We handle all necessary planning enquiries on behalf of our customers as part of the project process. For standard garden-level decking within the permitted development envelope, no application is needed and we can begin on a timeline that suits you.
Making the Final Decision: Composite or Timber?
The practical case for composite over timber is clear — no annual oiling, no warping, no splinters, a structural warranty of up to 25 years. But the emotional case for timber is real too: many people simply prefer the look and feel of natural wood, and there is nothing wrong with that preference.
Our recommendation depends on how you use your garden. If you entertain regularly and want the deck to look great with minimal effort, composite is the right choice — you will use it more because it is always clean and presentable. If you enjoy the annual maintenance ritual and want the most natural-looking material available, a high-quality hardwood like ipe or garapa with a proper oiling regime can look spectacular.
For most Leicester homeowners — particularly anyone with a busy lifestyle or young children — composite decking delivers better real-world results over the life of the project. Get a free instant quote for either option and see the difference a photorealistic AI design preview makes to your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does composite decking cost installed in the UK in 2026?
Professionally installed composite decking in Leicester costs between £100 and £200 per square metre including the frame, boards, hidden fixings and edging. For a typical 20m² deck, expect to pay £2,500–£4,500 depending on board quality and any structural complexity.
Does composite decking get slippery when wet?
Quality composite decking with a brushed or embossed surface finish has good slip resistance when wet — look for boards with a minimum R11 slip resistance rating. Smooth-faced composite can be slippery when wet, so always check the slip rating before specifying in a garden context where rain is a constant.
Can composite decking be installed in shade?
Yes — composite decking performs better in shaded positions than timber, which is susceptible to algae and moss growth in low-light, damp conditions. Composite's non-porous surface resists biological growth significantly better, though it still benefits from an occasional brush-down to prevent any surface debris from accumulating.
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