Building Guide
Timber vs Composite Decking
East London's salt air and summer humidity make material choice one of the biggest decisions in a decking project. Here's how treated pine, hardwood and composite compare.
Your Options
Timber vs Composite Decking
Treated pine
The most budget-friendly timber option, treated to resist rot and insects. Needs more regular resealing near the coast but keeps upfront cost down.
Hardwood (balau, garapa, meranti, saligna)
Denser, longer-lasting timber with a richer natural grain. Costs more than pine but holds up longer between resealing cycles.
Composite decking
A wood-fibre and plastic composite that doesn't splinter, fade or need oiling. Higher material cost, but the lowest ongoing maintenance of any decking option.
Balustrades & steps
Timber, steel or glass balustrading and stepped access down to the garden, designed to match the deck and the house's existing finishes.
The honest takeaway
There's no single right answer — it comes down to budget, how much resealing/maintenance you're willing to do, and how exposed your deck is to salt air and sun. We'll talk through the trade-offs honestly on the first site visit rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.
This guide relates to our Decking service — see full scope, process and FAQs there. View all guides →
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