Short answer: if you’re tired of sanding, staining and replacing rotten timber every few years, composite decking is worth the extra up front. It costs more than softwood to buy and roughly the same as good hardwood, but it never needs oiling, won’t rot or splinter, and still looks like wood in ten years. The catch is it can get warm underfoot in direct summer sun and the cheapest boards look plasticky — so the board you choose matters.
We sell composite decking, so take that context on board. But the honest comparison against timber is below, including where timber is still the better buy.
What composite decking actually is
Composite decking is made from wood fibre and recycled plastic (WPC — wood plastic composite) pressed into a board. The wood gives it a natural grain and feel; the plastic makes it waterproof, rot-proof and stable. Because there’s no exposed timber, water can’t get in to swell or rot it, and UV can’t dry it out and split it.
There are two broad types. Uncapped (or “first generation”) composite is the same material all the way through — cheaper, but the surface can fade a little in the first season and stain more easily. Capped composite has a hard polymer shell bonded over the core — more stain- and fade-resistant, and more expensive. Most budget decking, including the entry-level boards most people start with, is uncapped, and it’s perfectly good for a normal domestic deck.
Composite vs timber — the honest comparison
| Property | Composite (WPC) | Softwood (treated pine) | Hardwood (e.g. balau) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Mid — £35–45/m² | Cheapest — £15–25/m² | Dear — £45–90/m² |
| Annual maintenance | None — hose down | Sand + re-stain yearly | Oil once or twice a year |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years | 10–15 with upkeep | 25+ with upkeep |
| Rots / splinters | No | Eventually, yes | Slowly, resists it |
| Slip resistance | Good (grooved/textured) | Poor when wet/mossy | Moderate |
| Looks like real wood | Convincing, not identical | Real wood | Beautiful real wood |
| Gets warm in sun | Yes, darker boards more so | Stays cooler | Stays cooler |
| Total 10-year cost | Low (no upkeep) | High (labour + stain) | Medium–high |
The headline: composite costs more to buy than softwood but less to own, because you never spend a weekend every spring sanding and staining it. Against hardwood it’s cheaper up front and lower maintenance, though a well-kept hardwood deck is still the most beautiful. Softwood wins only on upfront price — if the budget is tight and you don’t mind the yearly upkeep, treated pine is cheaper to install.
How much decking do I need?
Measure your deck area in square metres (length × width). Each of our packs contains 4 boards at 290cm × 15cm and covers about 1.74m². So:
- Divide your deck area (m²) by 1.74 to get the number of packs
- Add 10% for cuts, waste and the perimeter
- Round up to whole packs
For a typical 3m × 4m deck (12m²): 12 ÷ 1.74 = 6.9, +10% = 7.6, so 8 packs. You’ll also need joists (timber or composite subframe), hidden fixing clips, and edge trim to finish the perimeter.
Which colour for your garden?
- Oak / Khaki — warm, natural, blends with planting and lawns. The safe, timeless choice.
- Grey — the most popular modern colour. Cool, contemporary, pairs with grey render, porcelain paving and black window frames.
- Dark Brown — rich and traditional, warms up a shaded garden.
- Black — bold and architectural. Stunning with green planting, but shows dust and gets warmest in full sun.
Installation basics
Composite decking is a competent-DIYer job over a weekend, or a day for a fitter. The essentials:
- Build a level, well-ventilated subframe (joists at 300–400mm centres; closer for diagonal laying)
- Leave expansion gaps — composite moves a little with temperature; the hidden clips set the gap for you
- Fix boards to joists with hidden clips (no visible screws on the surface)
- Finish exposed edges with colour-matched edge trim or a fascia board
- Allow drainage and airflow underneath — never lay boards directly on soil
Cost — the honest breakdown
For a 12m² deck (boards only): about 8 packs at £60.99 = £488, plus clips (~£30), edge trim (~£70), and a subframe (£100–200 depending on material). Call it £700–900 in materials for a mid-size composite deck, plus fitting if you’re not doing it yourself. A softwood deck of the same size is cheaper to buy but you’ll spend the difference (and your weekends) on stain and sandpaper over its life.
What people actually ask us
Is composite decking better than wood?
For most gardens, yes — because it needs no annual maintenance, won’t rot or splinter, and lasts 20–30 years. Timber is cheaper to buy but you sand and re-stain it every year and replace it sooner. The main things composite does worse than wood: it gets warmer underfoot in direct summer sun (darker colours especially), and the very cheapest boards can look slightly plasticky up close. Choose a textured, wood-grain board and site darker colours out of all-day sun.
Does composite decking get too hot to walk on?
In direct, all-day summer sun a dark composite board can get noticeably warm — the same as dark porcelain paving or a car bonnet. Lighter colours (oak, grey, khaki) stay cooler than black or dark brown. If your deck is in full south-facing sun and used barefoot, lean toward a lighter colour. In a normal UK garden with some shade it’s rarely an issue.
How long does composite decking last?
20 to 30 years for a quality board, versus 10 to 15 for a well-maintained softwood deck. Because it doesn’t rot, the failure mode is usually surface wear or fading after two decades, not structural rot. Most composite decking carries a long residential warranty.
Does composite decking fade?
Uncapped (budget) composite lightens slightly in its first season as the surface weathers, then stays stable — this is normal and even. Capped composite fades less. Neither goes silver-grey and blotchy the way untreated timber does. If a completely colour-stable finish matters most, choose a capped board.
Do I need to seal or oil composite decking?
No. That’s the whole point — no sealing, oiling, staining or sanding, ever. Maintenance is a wash-down with warm soapy water a couple of times a year, and a stiff brush for any algae in a shaded, damp spot. That’s it.
How many decking boards are in a pack and what do they cover?
Our packs contain 4 boards at 290cm × 15cm and cover about 1.74m². For your deck area in m², divide by 1.74 and add 10% for waste. Don’t forget hidden fixing clips (one pack of 80 covers roughly 6–8m²) and edge trim for the perimeter.
The decking we actually recommend
Grey Composite Decking
The most-requested colour. Cool, contemporary, and pairs with almost any modern garden scheme — grey render, porcelain paving, black-framed doors. Stays cooler underfoot than the darker boards.
Oak Composite Decking
Warm, natural wood tone that blends with planting and lawns. The timeless option if you want the deck to feel like part of the garden rather than a statement. One of the cooler colours in sun.
Browse the full composite decking range — five colours, plus hidden fixing clips and colour-matched edge trims. Add the fittings and trim straight from any board page.
Fencing your garden too? See the composite fencing buyer’s guide.
