Planning a new deck this year? You’re likely weighing up the big choice: composite vs timber decking. Composite promises tidy looks with low upkeep; timber brings natural warmth, easy workability and classic garden character. The right answer depends on how you’ll use the space, the time you can give to maintenance, and how you want the deck to age. This guide sets out a clear, practical comparison—costs, lifespan and maintenance—plus the unsung details (edging, drainage, screening and fixings) that make any deck perform for the long haul.

Along the way, we’ll point to reliable, trade-quality materials from East Coast Fencing to finish your project beautifully: crisp borders with gravel boards (or concrete gravel boards), structural steps and planters in railway sleepers, privacy and wind control via fence panels and trellis panels, dependable screws & fixings, and long-lasting concrete fence posts or warm wooden fence posts for screening and rails.

At-a-Glance: Composite vs Timber (Softwood & Hardwood)

If you want the 30-second overview: composite is steady-looking and lower maintenance with a higher upfront cost; softwood timber is budget-friendly but needs regular care; hardwood timber is premium, durable and tactile but costs and tools rise accordingly. Here’s a quick comparison to orient your decision:

Deck Type Upfront Cost Typical Lifespan Maintenance Load Slip Resistance (Wet) Colour Stability DIY Friendliness Best Fit
Composite £££ 20–30+ years Low Good with textured boards Very Good Medium Low-upkeep family terraces, clean lines
Softwood Timber £ 10–15+ years (with care) Medium–High Good with grooves/texture Moderate (needs finishing) High Value-led builds, easy custom work
Hardwood Timber £££ 20–30+ years (with care) Medium Very Good with proper finish Good (oils help) Medium–High (tools/skills) Premium entertaining spaces, high traffic
£ = lower cost, £££ = higher cost; lifespans assume correct installation and sensible care.

True Costs: What You’ll Actually Pay For

Deck budgets aren’t just boards. Substructure, fixings, edging, drainage, screening and steps all matter—and often make the difference between a deck that looks “plonked” and one that feels like a natural extension of your home.

Core components in every deck

Cost Driver Composite Impact Timber Impact Ways To Save Without Regret Helpful Categories
Boards £££ (higher, consistent) £–£££ (wide range) Choose classic colours/sizes to avoid premiums Timber
Substructure ££ (robust joists essential) £–££ (similar rules) Use sleepers for steps/planters; standardise spans Railway sleepers, Timber battens
Fixings ££ (hidden systems cost more) £ (standard screws) Buy trade packs; prioritise corrosion resistance Screws & fixings
Edging/Drainage £ (simple but vital) £ (same) Add gravel skirts to prevent splash and rot Gravel boards, Concrete gravel boards
Screening £–£££ (by style) £–£££ (by style) Mix solid panels in key spots with trellis elsewhere Fence panels, Trellis panels
Smart detailing outlasts trend colours—invest in structure, drainage and fixings first.

Lifespan: What Really Determines How Long a Deck Lasts

Lifespan depends as much on design and detailing as on board material. Keep timber off wet ground, allow ventilation under the deck, and manage splash zones, and both composite and timber last far longer.

Composite decking

  • Durability: resistant to rot and insects; quality boards withstand UV better than older generations.
  • Structure still matters: composite is only as solid as its joists and fixings. Use robust spans and intermediate supports where specified.
  • Edges & splash: control water with a gravel strip retained by gravel boards, and keep adjacent screens mounted on concrete posts in exposed corners.

Softwood timber decking

  • Longevity with care: regular cleaning plus stain/oil extends life significantly.
  • Ventilation: raise the deck clear of ground and avoid trapping damp behind facias.
  • Detailing: specify sacrificial thresholds and keep cladding 50mm above finished levels with a gravel break.

Hardwood timber decking

  • Tough but not invincible: dense fibres resist wear; finish to reduce surface checking and silvering if you prefer warmth.
  • Fixings: pre-drill and use high-grade stainless screws from screws & fixings for clean, long-lasting results.

Maintenance: How Much Time You’ll Spend Each Year

“Low maintenance” doesn’t mean “no maintenance”. Leaves, algae and dust find every surface. A short seasonal routine keeps decks safe and good-looking.

Season Composite Tasks Timber Tasks Why It Matters Useful Bits
Spring Sweep, mild wash, check fixings Clean, spot sand splinters, re-oil/stain Removes algae; prevents fastener creep Fixings
Summer Rinse spills; shade if very sunny Top-up oil in high-traffic zones Preserves colour and surface Slatted trellis
Autumn Leaf control; gutter check Leaf control; inspect end grain Prevents slippery films and damp Gravel boards
Winter Gentle clean; avoid aggressive salts Gentle clean; re-tighten critical screws Protects finish; prepares for freeze-thaw Ironmongery
Ten-minute monthly sweeps prevent hours of restorative work later—especially in shade.

Comfort & Safety: Slip, Heat & Edges

  • Slip resistance: choose textured boards and keep surfaces clean. Where paths meet decks, create a gravel transition band with gravel boards to stop mud tracking.
  • Heat & glare: darker composites warm in full sun; add light, permeable shade with trellis panels. Pale porcelain thresholds or pale gravel borders can moderate heat visually and thermally.
  • Edges & steps: form robust treads and seats in sleepers, stitched with corrosion-resistant fixings.
  • Screen posts: install concrete posts in splash zones, or wooden posts set above a gravel break; finish tops with panel capping.

Designing for Privacy & Wind (Without Boxing It In)

Decks feel most comfortable with intentional screening that blocks the worst views and gusts without turning the area into a dark box. A common strategy is a solid screen at one edge with lighter elements elsewhere.

Substructure & Ground: The Part You Don’t See (But Always Feel)

A deck is only as good as its structure and drainage. Keep timber out of standing water, design ventilation under the boards, and give water an easy route away from posts and facias.

  • Footings & anchors: where digging is tough, post spikes & supports offer neat solutions; otherwise, pour footings with cement products.
  • Edging & drip: a 200–300mm gravel band, retained by gravel boards, breaks splashback and keeps thresholds clean.
  • Service routes: run cables in accessible voids and keep junctions dry and reachable. For gates into the deck area, browse garden gates with matching gate furniture.

Sustainability & End-of-Life

There’s no single “greenest” choice—it depends on sourcing, longevity, and whether you’d ever rip it out. A long-lasting deck that avoids premature replacement can be the most sustainable option regardless of material.

  • Composite: many boards include recycled content and avoid frequent finishing products; choose timeless colours and detail for ventilation to maximise lifespan.
  • Softwood: budget-friendly and often from fast-growing species; protect well and you’ll extend life meaningfully.
  • Hardwood: long-lived and extremely tough; ensure responsible sourcing and finishing. Re-use offcuts in planter rims or step details made from sleepers for coherence.

Three Ready-to-Copy Deck Layouts

Layout A: Small Urban Terrace (Composite)

Brief: Low-maintenance, bright and private without feeling hemmed in.

  • Boards: mid-tone composite with a light texture to reduce glare.
  • Privacy: a single run of closeboard panels on concrete posts along the most overlooked edge; shift to trellis near the seating to regain sky.
  • Edges: neat gravel band retained by gravel boards keeps the house threshold clean.
  • Step/bench: a low seat in sleepers, stitched with fixings, doubles as a planter rim.

Layout B: Family Entertaining Deck (Softwood Timber)

Brief: Generous dining space with child-friendly edges and easy seasonal care.

Layout C: Premium Sun Deck (Hardwood Timber)

Brief: Calm, tactile space for loungers and evening drinks—built to last.

  • Boards: dense hardwood finished with UV-resistant oil.
  • Backdrop: a patterned moment using decorative fence panels or omega lattice panels as a feature wall.
  • Structure: concealed joists, stainless fixings from screws & fixings, and careful ventilation at the perimeter.
  • Edge detail: a sleeper picture-frame with soft planting beyond.

DIY vs Pro Install: Skills & Time

You can build any of these decks to a high standard as a patient DIYer, but be honest about tools, time and site quirks. Composite often involves hidden clip systems and exacting joist spacing; hardwood asks for careful pre-drilling and premium fixings; softwood is forgiving but relies on faithful maintenance. Whichever route you take, invest in good fixings, structured edging and proper drainage.

Deck Type DIY Difficulty Install Speed Tool Notes Detailing Pairings
Composite Medium–High Moderate Clips; accurate joist spacing; dust extraction when cutting Slatted screens, gravel board borders
Softwood Timber Medium Fast Standard carpentry tools; oils/stains for finishing Closeboard privacy, sleeper steps
Hardwood Timber Medium–High Moderate Pre-drilling; premium stainless fixings; sharp blades Decorative panels, slatted trellis
Whichever you choose: get the substructure square, ventilated and well-anchored first.

Bill of Materials: The Backbone Bits People Forget

Boards get the love; structure and edges do the heavy lifting. Use this checklist to spec the elements that make your deck last and feel finished.

Task Core Items Why They Matter Browse
Footings & Anchors Concrete, Post Shoes/Spikes Stable, dry support for posts and frames Cement products, Post spikes & supports
Structure Joists, Sleepers, Battens Stiffness and easy step/bench builds Railway sleepers, Timber battens
Fixings Structural Screws, Brackets Long-term reliability; serviceable joints Screws & fixings
Edges & Drip Gravel, Boards, Haunching Controls splash and keeps thresholds dry Gravel boards, Concrete gravel boards
Privacy & Wind Panels, Posts, Cappings Comfort, definition and longevity Fence panels, Trellis panels, Concrete posts, Panel capping
Gates & Access Gate, Latch Set Safe, tidy entry points Garden gates, Gate furniture
Buy fixings once, buy well—stainless and galvanised hardware repay you for years.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

  • Skipping ventilation: stagnant air under decks breeds damp. Leave airflow gaps and avoid boxing in facias.
  • No drip zone: install a gravel band retained by gravel boards to stop splashback onto timber and thresholds.
  • Under-spec joists: sagging boards and bouncy feel follow. Standardise spans and add intermediate supports as needed.
  • All-solid screening: a dead wall causes turbulence. Blend double-slatted panels with solid sections to diffuse wind.
  • Untreated edges: seal cut ends on timber; for composite, keep manufacturer edge trims neat and well supported.

Decision Guide: Which Deck Is Right for You?

  • “I want low upkeep and a modern look”: choose composite; pair with slatted screens and crisp gravel board borders.
  • “I’m value-focused and happy to maintain annually”: choose softwood timber; add closeboard privacy and robust sleeper steps.
  • “I want a premium, tactile finish that ages gracefully”: choose hardwood timber; frame with decorative panels and slatted shade.

Wrap-Up: Build Once, Enjoy for Years

Whether you go composite or timber, the winning decks share the same DNA: a stable, ventilated structure; careful drainage and splash control; and purposeful screening that makes the space comfortable in real weather. Keep edges crisp with gravel boards, form steps and benches with sleepers, anchor posts with cement products and supports, and stitch it together with the right fixings. Do that, and whichever material you pick will look intentional, feel great underfoot, and stay solid season after season.

Ready to set yours up for success? Start by choosing your fence panels and trellis for privacy and shade, decide on wooden posts or concrete posts, define edges with gravel boards, and shape durable steps and seating with railway sleepers. Then enjoy the kind of deck that earns its place in the garden—day after day, year after year.