Composite decking costs from £71.99 per pack of four boards in the UK, which covers 1.74m² and works out at roughly £41 per square metre in materials. A typical 20m² garden deck needs 12 packs — £863.88 in boards, before joists, fixings and a sub-frame. Composite costs more upfront than softwood timber, but our boards are weather-resistant and UV-resistant and need no annual staining or oiling, which changes the total cost picture over a decade.
Composite Decking Cost Per m²
Per square metre is the figure most useful for planning. Here is how it breaks down using our own board pricing:
| Item | Detail | Cost |
| Pack of 4 boards | 290cm x 15cm x 2.3cm | £71.99 |
| Coverage per pack | 1.74m² (18.7 sq ft) | — |
| Boards only, per m² | — | ≈ £41 |
| Sub-frame, joists and fixings | Priced separately | Depends on ground |
| Professional installation | Labour only | Get a local quote |
Browse our composite decking boards to check current pricing and finishes.
Full Deck Cost Examples
- Small patio deck, 10m²: 6 packs — £431.94 in boards.
- Standard garden deck, 20m²: 12 packs — £863.88 in boards.
- Large deck, 30m²: 18 packs — £1,295.82 in boards.
These are board costs only, calculated from our pack price and coverage. Sub-frame, fixings and labour are separate — get a local quote for fitting. Order some spare capacity for cuts and offcuts; how much depends on your deck's shape.
What Affects the Cost of Composite Decking?
- Board length: longer boards mean fewer joins and less waste, but only if they suit your deck dimensions. Measure before choosing.
- Ground preparation: a level, firm base is cheap. Sloping or soft ground needs more sub-frame, and that is where budgets slip.
- Deck shape: rectangles waste almost nothing. Angles, curves and cut-outs around trees or drains generate more offcuts.
- Fixings: hidden clip systems look cleaner than face-screwing but cost more and take longer to fit.
- Colour: our boards are the same price in black, dark brown, grey, khaki and oak, so choose on looks, not budget.
Composite vs Timber: The 10-Year Cost
Softwood decking is cheaper on day one. The difference is what happens afterwards.
Treated timber needs cleaning and re-staining or oiling roughly every year to stay presentable and resist rot. Over ten years that is materials plus a weekend of work each time, and boards that split or warp still need replacing. Our composite boards need washing down and nothing else — no stain, no sealant, no sanding — and keep their colour and structural integrity season after season.
Composite Decking Calculator: How to Work Out What You Need
You do not need a composite decking calculator for this — the maths is one line. Multiply the length by the width of your deck area in metres to get your square metres. Divide that figure by 1.74 to get the number of packs, then round up and add one pack for waste. For a deck 5m x 4m: 20m² ÷ 1.74 = 11.5 packs, so order 13. Composite boards need joists set closer together than timber decking — follow the spacing in the fitting guidance supplied with your boards.
Is Composite Decking Worth It?
For most UK gardens, yes — but for a specific reason. The British climate is the problem timber struggles with: months of damp, then freeze-thaw, then a short dry spell. That cycle is what wears timber down. Our composite boards are weather-resistant and UV-resistant and are built to hold their colour and shape through it. If your deck is small, shaded and you genuinely enjoy annual maintenance, timber still makes sense. If you want to lay it once and wash it occasionally, composite is the better buy.
Shop Composite Decking at Home Hub Direct
Browse our composite decking range in black, dark brown, grey, khaki and oak, with nationwide delivery across England, Scotland and Wales. Building the whole garden? Pair it with matching composite fencing and outdoor wall panels for a consistent finish. Every order includes a one-year manufacturing warranty and 30-day returns on unused products.
