{"id":6014,"date":"2026-04-23T16:49:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T08:49:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/?p=6014"},"modified":"2026-04-23T17:00:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:00:54","slug":"composite-decking-vs-timber-decking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/composite-decking-vs-timber-decking\/","title":{"rendered":"Composite Decking vs Timber Decking: Which Is Best?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two builders can look at the same project brief and choose different materials \u2014 and both can be right. Composite decking has earned its place in Australian construction. Timber, including natural wood decking options, hasn’t gone anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide covers what matters most when you’re choosing at volume: cost over time, maintenance burden, performance in Australian conditions, and what each material genuinely does better\u2014no fluff, no sales pitch \u2014 just the comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a procurement manager or volume builder, start with the cost and durability sections. If you’re specifying for a specific site, the decision table near the end will provide a quick answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Composite vs Timber: Side-by-Side at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Factor<\/strong><\/td>Composite Decking<\/strong><\/td>Timber Decking<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Upfront cost per m\u00b2 (boards only)<\/td>$100\u2013180<\/td>$30\u201350 (treated pine) \/ $80\u2013130 (hardwood)<\/td><\/tr>
Annual upkeep cost<\/td>Minimal \u2014 soap, water, brush<\/td>$15\u201325\/m\u00b2 (oiling, sanding, stain)<\/td><\/tr>
Lifespan<\/td>25+ years<\/td>10\u201315 yrs (pine) \/ 20\u201330 yrs (hardwood)<\/td><\/tr>
Termite resistance<\/td>Yes \u2014 HDPE content is indigestible<\/td>No \u2014 treatment degrades over time<\/td><\/tr>
Slip resistance<\/td>R11 (AS\/NZS 4586)<\/td>Varies by species and surface treatment<\/td><\/tr>
Colour stability<\/td>\u0394E \u2264 4\u20135 after 3,000-hr QUV test<\/td>Greys without regular oiling<\/td><\/tr>
Water absorption<\/td>0.2% (ASTM D1037)<\/td>5\u201315% depending on species of wooden decking<\/td><\/tr>
Warranty<\/td>15 years<\/td>Varies \u2014 often no structural warranty<\/td><\/tr>
Fire test data<\/td>ASTM E84: FSI 85 \/ SDI 300<\/td>Varies by species; untreated timber is combustible<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Does Each Decking Type Cost in Australia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Composite decking costs more to buy. That part’s true. But the full cost picture shifts once you add timber’s annual maintenance bill into the equation \u2014 and it shifts faster than most people expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upfront Board Costs: Composite vs Timber per m\u00b2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Treated pine is the cheapest entry point \u2014 boards run roughly $30\u201350 per m\u00b2, supply-only. Hardwood species like merbau, spotted gum, and blackbutt push that to $80\u2013130 per m\u00b2 or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retail composite decking boards run $100\u2013180 per m\u00b2, depending on board profile, finish, and supplier. At the lower end, that’s comparable to mid-range hardwood. At the upper end, it’s well above it. Treated pine is cheaper still \u2014 roughly $30\u201350 per m\u00b2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So yes, a composite costs more to buy. The gap closes once you factor in installation and disappears over time once maintenance costs stack up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing many comparison articles blur: board cost is not installed cost. Composite’s hidden fastener system is faster to fit than screw-fixed timber decking. That typically saves $5\u201315 per m\u00b2 in labour. On a 50m\u00b2 build, that’s $250\u2013750 back in the project budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 10-Year Cost of Ownership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a simple model for a 50m\u00b2 deck. Costs are indicative \u2014 actual figures vary by location, trade rates, and timber species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Item<\/strong><\/td>Composite<\/strong><\/td>Treated Pine<\/strong><\/td>Hardwood (e.g. Merbau)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Boards (supply)<\/td>$5,000\u20139,000<\/td>$1,500\u20132,500<\/td>$4,000\u20136,500<\/td><\/tr>
Install (labour)<\/td>$1,750\u20132,500<\/td>$2,000\u20133,000<\/td>$2,500\u20133,500<\/td><\/tr>
Annual upkeep \u00d7 10 years<\/td>$500\u20131,000<\/td>$7,500\u201312,500<\/td>$5,000\u201310,000<\/td><\/tr>
Board replacements (est.)<\/td>Nil<\/td>$500\u20131,500<\/td>Nil\u2013$500<\/td><\/tr>
10-year total<\/strong><\/td>$7,250\u201312,500<\/strong><\/td>$11,500\u201319,500<\/strong><\/td>$11,500\u201320,500<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The timber maintenance figure deserves explaining. Keeping a timber deck in good shape takes real work \u2014 oiling, sanding, and re-staining at least once a year in most parts of Australia. Regular maintenance for timber decks includes these tasks, and at DIY rates, that runs $15\u201325 per m\u00b2 per year. At trade rates, it’s more. On a 50m\u00b2 deck, that’s $750\u20131,250 every year, year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s where composite pays back. Most buyers see the crossover at around 5\u20137 years \u2014 from that point forward, composite is the cheaper material to own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For procurement managers specifying across multiple projects, this compounds quickly. Each site with timber adds ongoing maintenance overhead. Each site with a composite doesn’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintenance: What Each Material Needs Year to Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Composite decking needs a wash with soapy water and a light brush a few times a year. That’s it. No oiling, no sanding, no re-staining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timber needs more. Quality hardwood like spotted gum or merbau needs oiling one to two times per year in high-UV areas. Treated pine needs even more attention \u2014 it greys and cracks if left dry. Factor in sanding before each oil coat, and you’re looking at a half-day of work per 50m\u00b2 each cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Composite isn’t zero-maintenance. Leaves, dirt, and mildew can build up in grooves, especially in shaded or wet spots. But a 20-minute clean twice a year is a different commitment to a full oiling day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you hand over a composite project, you hand over a low-maintenance asset. That’s a talking point with real numbers behind it \u2014 not a vague promise. For developers and body corporates, lower ongoing upkeep is a documented lifecycle advantage. For contractors, it means fewer callback jobs and a stronger case for repeat referrals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re quoting against a timber spec, this is where you win the argument on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Each Material Holds Up in Australian Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Australia is hard on outdoor surfaces. UV index, coastal salt air, temperature swings, and termites all factor in. Fire risk adds another layer to many sites. Here’s how each material handles the real conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UV and Colour Stability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Untreated timber greys within months in the strong Australian sun. Regular oiling slows this \u2014 but it doesn’t stop it. Over time, even well-maintained timber decks show the effects: surface breakdown, raised grain, and colour shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quality-capped composite handles UV differently. The 0.8mm co-extruded cap layer shields the board core from UV attack. In 3,000-hour QUV accelerated aging tests, colour shift is held to \u0394E \u2264 4\u20135 \u2014 a slight change, not a visible fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The stabiliser system matters here. HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilisers) combined with UV absorbers is the industry benchmark for outdoor composite. Our distributors in high-UV regions tell us this is one of the first things contractors ask about \u2014 because faded decking leads to client complaints. For boards sitting in direct Queensland or WA sun for 15+ years, this isn’t a minor detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Termite Resistance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Termites cost Australian property owners billions each year. Every timber deck carries some level of risk \u2014 even treated pine, as the treatment breaks down over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Composite decking contains no organic material that termites can digest. The HDPE plastic content makes the boards inert to termite activity. That removes a liability timber can’t fully eliminate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For builds in termite-prone regions \u2014 Queensland, northern NSW, most of coastal WA \u2014 this is a real specification decision, not just a talking point. Composite ends the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire Safety and BAL Ratings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under the NCC, homes built in bushfire-prone areas must meet Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) requirements \u2014 from BAL-12.5 through to BAL-FZ. The BAL rating of a site affects which materials you can specify for decking and other exposed surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Composite decking from LastElegance has been tested to ASTM E84 \u2014 Flame Spread Index (FSI) 85, Smoke Developed Index (SDI) 300. This gives you a documented starting point for compliance conversations with your building certifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timber varies widely by species. Hardwoods generally outperform pine in fire tests, but untreated timber is combustible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Composite Look as Good as Real Timber?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The warmth and character of real hardwood like merbau, spotted gum, or blackbutt is hard to replicate fully. There’s a depth and variation in natural timber grain that composite boards approach but don’t perfectly match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, modern co-extruded boards have come a long way. Today’s boards carry realistic wood-grain textures, natural colour variation, and consistent tone across the full range. They don’t grey off or develop raised grain over time \u2014 so a composite deck looks close to its install-day condition even five years in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trade-off is honest: real wood has natural beauty that takes work to keep. Composite offers a natural-style look that stays consistent without that effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For commercial builds, residential developments, and projects where visual consistency across a full facade matters, composite wins on lifecycle aesthetics. LastElegance decking boards share the same colour palette and surface textures as the cladding range \u2014 useful when you’re managing the full exterior look of a project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Is Easier and Faster to Install?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For contractors, installation speed is labour cost. That’s the whole equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Composite decking uses a hidden fastener system \u2014 stainless steel clips slot into the board grooves and clip onto the joists. No surface screws. No pre-drilling required. The next board slides in and locks. The finish is clean, the install is fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended joist spacing is 300\u2013350mm, which is standard framing territory. Most crews adapt quickly, even if they’re new to composite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timber installation \u2014 especially hardwood \u2014 takes more time. Species like merbau are dense and need careful pre-drilling to avoid cracking. Screw placement and spacing matter. It’s skilled work, and it takes longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a clean composite install, most contractors estimate 10\u201315% faster than equivalent timber work \u2014 more on larger projects where setup efficiency compounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installation guides and videos are available from LastElegance, which helps crews fitting composite for the first time get up to speed without a learning cost on the first project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact our sales team<\/a> to discuss project scope and lead times \u2192<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Decking Material Is Right for Your Project?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a fast decision guide for the most common project types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose composite if:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • High-traffic or commercial use \u2014 terrace, public area, body corporate building<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Pool or wet areas \u2014 waterproof, splinter-free, R11 slip-rated under AS\/NZS 4586<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Termite-prone region \u2014 composite removes the risk entirely<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Long-term maintenance costs need to stay low<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Consistent appearance across a full project facade matters<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • You’re buying at volume and need a reliable supply with consistent specs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Choose timber if:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • The client has a low upfront budget, and the maintenance responsibility sits with the property owner under the contract<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The design brief calls for authentic timber grain \u2014 and the client understands the upkeep commitment that comes with it<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The project spec requires FSC-certified timber, and the certifier won’t accept recycled HDPE as an equivalent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      For procurement managers and distributors evaluating materials for volume supply, composite’s consistency is a real commercial advantage. Spec it once, and every board from every order looks the same. No natural variation surprises, no species availability gaps mid-project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n
      \n
        \n
      • \n

        Is composite decking better than timber decking?<\/h3>\n
        \n\n

        Neither is better across the board \u2014 it depends on the project. For low-maintenance performance and long lifecycle, composite is the stronger choice. For authentic timber aesthetics or tight upfront budgets, timber has a genuine case. Most B2B buyers choose composite for commercial projects and composite or quality hardwood for high-end residential work.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        What are the disadvantages of composite decking?<\/h3>\n
        \n\n

        The upfront cost is higher than timber \u2014 boards run $100\u2013180 per m\u00b2 at retail versus $30\u201350 for treated pine. That gap closes over 5\u20137 years as timber’s maintenance costs stack up. Some buyers also feel high-end composite still doesn’t fully replicate the look of real hardwood.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        What is cheaper \u2014 timber or composite decking?<\/h3>\n
        \n\n

        Timber is cheaper upfront, especially treated pine. But once you factor in annual oiling, sanding, and partial board replacements, the numbers reverse. Most buyers hit the crossover point at 5\u20137 years \u2014 after that, the life expectancy of the composite is the cheaper material to own.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Is composite decking termite-proof?<\/h3>\n
        \n\n

        Yes. Composite boards contain HDPE plastic, which termites can’t digest. This makes composite a safer long-term specification in termite-prone areas of Australia, where treated timber’s protection degrades over time.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Does composite decking get hot in the Australian sun?<\/h3>\n
        \n\n

        All dark-coloured outdoor surfaces absorb heat in summer \u2014 composite and timber both do this. Lighter composite colour options help manage surface temperature. This is worth factoring into colour selection for any sun-exposed deck.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Which decking is better for a pool area?<\/h3>\n
        \n\n

        Composite is the stronger choice. It won’t rot from water exposure, doesn’t splinter, and carries an R11 slip resistance rating under AS\/NZS 4586. Treated timber can work, but it needs more rigorous maintenance to stay safe and sound near water.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Is composite decking good for the environment?<\/h3>\n
        \n\n

        Quality composite boards use a high share of recycled content \u2014 LastElegance boards use 60% recycled HDPE. Timber from sustainably managed sources (FSC-certified) also carries strong environmental credentials. Both can be responsible choices; the key is checking the supply chain.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Two builders can look at the same project brief and choose different materials \u2014 and both can be right. Composite decking has earned its place in Australian construction. Timber, including natural wood decking options, hasn’t gone anywhere. This guide covers what matters most when you’re choosing at volume: cost over time, maintenance burden, performance in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6015,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1401],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-composite-decking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastelegance.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}