Treated pine
Treated pine is the most affordable decking timber. It is pressure-treated against rot and insects, but it still needs a sealer when new and resealing regularly to stop it greying, cracking and cupping — more often on the coast, where sun and salt air dry the surface faster.
Pine is softer than hardwood, so it marks more easily under furniture and braai traffic. Built well, sealed on schedule and kept clear of standing water, it gives good service at the lowest upfront cost.
Hardwood
Hardwood decking is denser and harder than pine, so it resists wear and marking better and naturally holds up longer outdoors. It costs more than pine and still needs oiling or sealing to keep its colour; left untreated it weathers to silver-grey.
Because hardwood is dense, boards are pre-drilled and fixed with stainless-steel screws, which also stops rust streaks — important in East London's salt air.
Composite
Composite boards are made from wood fibre and plastic. They don't need sealing or staining, don't splinter, and keep their colour far better than timber, which makes them the low-maintenance choice.
Composite costs more upfront, can get hot underfoot in full summer sun, and is fixed with its own clip systems on a properly spaced sub-frame. It suits owners who would rather pay once than reseal every year.
What matters more than the board
On any deck, the sub-frame decides how long it lasts: correctly spaced joists, treated or galvanised framing, airflow under the boards, and fixings that won't rust. A good board on a poor frame fails early; a well-built frame makes any of the three materials last.
