Prices of composite decking and timber decking and how they compare. Costs and estimates of the expenses in the long run. Read on and learn what pays off.
Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 2018 and may now be outdated.
Composite decking can be more expensive than timber decking. However, this only shows the initial price of the material and installation. In the long run, composite decking pays off. It doesn’t need maintenance and resurfacing like timber decking sometimes does, so that reduces the costs greatly.
Composite decking price goes from $100 to $350 per square metre. Timber decking prices are from $170 and $250. These are average prices for simple projects that don’t require roofing and any additional or complicated prepping or construction work.
The price of the composite decking material is around the same price as the class 1 hardwood. However, wood needs treatments and maintenance, while composite decking doesn’t.
The best option is to plan your decking project. Make a rough draft about what you want and how you want it done. Contact experienced decking professionals and ask for quotes.
Ask them to give you quotes for the same project but with timber decking or with composite decking. Add the annual costs of maintenance to the timber decking price and see how much you save in 5 years.
How Much Does It Cost to Build Composite Decking?
While composite decking price starts at $100 per square metre, it can go well above $350 easily. It depends on many factors, such as the size of your decking, the terrain and the prep work needed, as well as the accessibility of the decking surface.
Composite decking is a relatively new building material that has been created as the answer to deforestation issues around the world. Timber decking can be sourced from plantations, and that is one way to address the issue, but using composite decking is a much more effective way of saving forests.
Composite decking is made out of wooden and plastic residues that are fused together by adhesives. This creates timber-like planks that are used as real timber. They can have an amazing range of colours and can be made to look just like wood.
The composite decking material is sometimes prone to fading. However, with some additional pricing, you can opt for the material that is treated to sustain UV radiation and to be more resilient to fading.
Due to its structure, termites and borers are not an issue. Wetness and rain, either. On the other hand, composite decking needs to be treated for fire resilience if it is installed in areas with frequent bushfires.
There are no splinters or roughness of the material with this type of decking. There is no need for sanding and coating after a year or two and it can be hosed down from time to time. It is difficult to make stains on this type of decking, but if you do, make sure you remove them as soon as possible. In most cases, the plain dish detergent will do the trick.
How Much Does a Wooden Deck Cost?
Let’s say that an average wooden deck is around 15 m2. This means that such a timber deck will cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000. Prepare to pay even over $320/m2 for hardwood timber decking.
Timber decking made out of hardwood can vary greatly in price based on the wood that is used for its timber. Here are some of the prices for decking timber that only show the price of the material. You should add the price of the work to this:
| How Much Should Timber Decking Cost? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Decking timber | Price per m2 (minimum) | Natural durability class |
| Merbau | $60 | Class 1 above, Class 3 in-ground |
| Teak | $87 | Class 1 |
| Spotted Gum | $94 | Class 1 |
| Blackbutt | $95 | Class 1 |
| Grey Ironbark | $123 | Class 1 |
These classes signify the durability of the timber. The durability increases the price of your decking timber. The higher the class, the denser and the stronger the wood.
This also means that your decking will be long-lasting. Class 1 and Class 2 decking timber is suitable for your project. Sometimes, you can also use Class 3, but make sure to use it only if your timber doesn’t touch the ground.
How Much Does Treated Pine Decking Cost?
You can expect to pay around $200/m2 for treated pine decking. Even though treated pine decking is cheaper than hardwood decking, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is of less quality. On the contrary, there are a lot of people today who prefer this type of decking to traditional timber.
Treated pine is actually softwood. This means that untreated, it is unusable for decking purposes due to its low durability. It also means that it grows quicker, so it is more readily available. In that way, the prices don’t actually soar. But, when this type of pine is treated, it gets properties that match those of the untreated hardwood.
There is a scale of hazard levels that shows from which hazards are the treated pine protected by the preservatives used on it. The levels range from H1 to H6. H1 is the lowest protection level, and H6 is the hardest.
Treated pine decking is usually H3 or H4. This means that it can be used outdoors and that it is resistant to rotting, termites and insects. It can sustain wetness and is pretty much durable. However, H3-level treated pine decking should not be in contact with the ground.
Image source: Thomsons Outdoor Pine
Timber decking prices listed here are only the initial costs of decking. Once you install it, you need to take care of it. First of all, you will want to weather your decking and then coat it. The coating is going to make it even more durable. However, the coating wears off, and you need to reapply it.
That takes time and money, and it is unavoidable. Failing to do proper maintenance on your timber decking means it is going to rot and ruin.
Get quotes for each of these decking materials from experienced decking installers. Service Seeking gathers excellent decking experts who can give their estimates for the same decking but done in different materials. Take those quotes and see what pays off the most for your new decking.