Choosing between composite and hardwood decking is one of the most common decisions homeowners face when planning a new garden deck. Both look beautiful. Both can last decades. But they perform very differently over time — and the right choice depends on how you want to spend your time and money.
Having installed both across East and North London, we've seen how each material holds up in the real world. Here's an honest breakdown.
What Is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is engineered from a blend of wood fibre and recycled plastic, then typically wrapped in a protective polymer cap. The result is a board that looks like wood but behaves more like a maintenance-free surface material.
There are several tiers of composite on the market:
- Entry-level composite: Uncapped boards with a hollow core. Lower cost, but more prone to fading and staining over time.
- Mid-range capped composite: Four-sided polymer cap protects against moisture, UV, and stains. Good long-term performance.
- Premium composite (e.g. Millboard, Trex Transcend): Mineral-based or deeply embossed boards that closely mimic natural grain. The most realistic and durable option in the composite category.
What Is Hardwood Decking?
Hardwood decking uses dense tropical or temperate timber — species chosen for their natural resistance to rot, insects, and weathering. Common species used in UK gardens include:
- Ipe (Brazilian Walnut): One of the hardest and most durable timbers available. Rich dark brown colour, extremely long lifespan.
- Balau: A popular and cost-effective hardwood with good durability. Common choice for East London gardens.
- Cumaru: Similar to Ipe, slightly warmer in tone. Very hard-wearing.
- Garapa: A golden-yellow hardwood that weathers to silver-grey if left untreated.
Hardwood decking is a natural product — and that's both its greatest strength and its biggest demand on you as a homeowner.
Cost Comparison: Upfront vs Lifetime
The upfront installed cost tells only part of the story. The true cost of a deck includes all the maintenance work over its lifetime.
| Material | Installed Cost (per m²) | Annual Maintenance | Expected Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated softwood | £60–100 | Annual staining/oiling | 10–15 years |
| Entry-level composite | £80–130 | Occasional cleaning | 15–20 years |
| Hardwood (Balau, Garapa) | £120–180 | Annual oiling to maintain colour | 25–30 years |
| Premium composite (Millboard) | £180–280 | Minimal — wash down occasionally | 25+ years |
| Ipe hardwood | £180–260 | Annual oiling, or allow to silver-grey | 40–50+ years |
The key insight: a hardwood deck that isn't oiled regularly will grey and eventually crack. A quality composite deck requires almost no intervention beyond an occasional clean — which makes the lifetime cost gap smaller than the price list suggests.
Maintenance: The Real Difference
This is where most homeowners make their decision.
Hardwood maintenance
To keep a hardwood deck looking its best, you'll need to:
- Clean thoroughly before oiling (usually with a specialist cleaner or diluted oxalic acid)
- Apply a quality hardwood oil every 12–18 months
- Sand back any raised grain or silvered boards before re-oiling
- Treat any mould or algae growth — common in London's shaded gardens
This isn't hugely onerous, but it's time and money every year. If you skip a couple of seasons, the wood can crack, silver, or develop persistent staining that's difficult to reverse.
Composite maintenance
Good quality composite decking needs very little. A seasonal wash with warm soapy water and a stiff brush keeps it looking fresh. Premium capped boards resist algae and staining well, meaning less scrubbing even in shaded London gardens.
If maintenance-free living is a priority, composite wins clearly.
How Each Material Performs in London's Climate
London gardens get a lot of moisture — wet winters, humid summers, and plenty of shade. Both materials can handle this, but in different ways.
Hardwood is naturally dense and resistant to rot, but moisture cycling (wet/dry/wet) causes timber to expand and contract. This can lead to cupping, warping, or surface checking in poorly maintained decks. Shaded London gardens are particularly prone to algae growth on hardwood, making the surface slippery if not cleaned regularly.
Composite handles moisture well and doesn't expand and contract in the same way. Capped composite in particular resists algae better than timber. It can get warm in direct summer sun, but most quality boards now have heat-dissipating technology to address this.
Appearance: Authenticity vs Consistency
This is the area where hardwood still has the edge for many people — though the gap is narrowing.
Real hardwood has genuine grain variation, warmth, and a quality that changes naturally over time. Many homeowners love the way Ipe or Balau silvers to a driftwood grey when left to weather naturally — it develops character. There's also a tactile quality to real timber that composite can't fully replicate.
That said, premium composite has improved dramatically. Millboard's embossed grain textures are now detailed enough that most visitors won't immediately tell the difference. The consistency of composite — no knots, no splits, uniform colour — also appeals to those who want a clean, controlled aesthetic.
Environmental Credentials
Both options have a reasonable environmental story when sourced well.
- Hardwood: Look for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification, which confirms the timber comes from responsibly managed forests. Ipe and Balau from certified sources are a legitimate sustainable choice.
- Composite: Most quality composite uses recycled plastic and wood waste, keeping material out of landfill. The polymer component isn't biodegradable, but its long lifespan offsets this to a degree.
Neither is perfect — but both are far preferable to uncertified tropical timber or short-lived softwood that needs replacing every decade.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose composite if:
- You want a genuinely low-maintenance garden
- Your garden is heavily shaded and prone to algae growth
- You want a long lifespan with predictable, consistent appearance
- You have young children and want a splinter-free surface
Choose hardwood if:
- You appreciate natural materials and the character they develop with age
- You're happy to oil and maintain the deck each year
- You want the very longest possible lifespan (Ipe especially is almost unbeatable)
- Authenticity matters more to you than convenience
There's no universally correct answer — only the right answer for your garden, your lifestyle, and your budget. What we'd caution against is choosing hardwood thinking it's zero maintenance, or choosing budget composite expecting it to look like real timber in ten years. Both materials reward an honest choice made with the right expectations.
If you're unsure, come and see both materials in person. We're happy to show you examples of our decking work across East and North London and help you decide.
Get in touch for a free consultation — we'll assess your space and recommend the right decking material for your garden.