Decks & outdoors
Timber or composite decking: compare total ownership
Timber and composite are broad categories, not uniform products. Compare suitability for exposure, slip conditions, surface temperature, fixings and maintenance using the specific product information.
Understand the requirement
Timber and composite are broad categories, not uniform products. Compare suitability for exposure, slip conditions, surface temperature, fixings and maintenance using the specific product information. A board-price comparison alone hides the cost of compatible substructure and finishing. Samples help you assess appearance, but they do not certify performance.
Choose the right calculation
Price both options for the same finished deck and the same required service conditions. Include special clips, perimeter boards, initial finishes and realistically scheduled maintenance. Do not invent a universal lifespan or zero-maintenance promise. If cost is decisive, compare an initial order and a clearly stated maintenance scenario separately.
Check the product and the order
Use the chosen board and fixing system together. Material quantities do not validate beam spans, foundations, railing loads or drainage. Keep those design decisions separate and resolved before installation. Recheck board lengths, edge details and required clearances against the current guide, then price only compatible fasteners and accessories.
Worked example
A transparent planning example
Use these inputs to follow the calculation. The result below explains what can and cannot be concluded from it.
| Deck area | 15 m² |
|---|---|
| Option A | 40 per m² + 150 |
| Option B | 55 per m² + 100 |
The illustrative initial difference is 175. Five maintenance events costing 40 each add 200 to option A, but this is not a prediction of real product care or lifespan. Insert quotes and documented schedules for your chosen boards.
Compare the scenarios
The following comparison isolates the quantities or assumptions discussed in the example. It is a planning illustration, not measured performance data.
Values are calculated from the illustrative inputs above. Different products or dimensions change the result.
Planning checklist
- Measure the actual project and record the units next to every dimension. Identify the regions or parts counted so nothing is included twice.
- Confirm the exact material format and its product instructions. Replace the example inputs with declared dimensions, coverage or yield from your chosen product.
- Calculate the net requirement first. Show cutting or application allowance separately and check whether the example method fits your geometry.
- Convert to whole supplier units once, then price the complete order including compatible accessories, delivery and any separately specified repair stock.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not mix millimetres and metres in the same multiplication. Do not apply a reserve twice, and do not treat a rounded purchase unit as proof that every part fits. Recheck the specific limitation described in the worked example before paying for the order.
Questions and answers
Can I copy the example quantities directly?
No. The examples demonstrate the calculation, not your exact room, layout or product. Replace the inputs and check the specific limitation explained with the result.
What should I verify before ordering?
The illustrative initial difference is 175. Five maintenance events costing 40 each add 200 to option A, but this is not a prediction of real product care or lifespan. Insert quotes and documented schedules for your chosen boards.