Decking transforms how you use your garden. A well-designed deck creates an outdoor space that works from spring through to autumn, adds real kerb appeal, and extends the habitable area of the house without the cost and complexity of an extension. In the North East, with its particular combination of rain, frost and damp summers, the material you choose makes a more significant difference than it would in drier parts of the country. The choice comes down to two main options: treated timber or composite. Both can look excellent when new. The difference shows up over the following five to ten years.
Timber decking — what to expect
Timber decking is the traditional choice and — upfront — the cheaper one. Most domestic decking is pressure-treated softwood, typically from Scandinavian pine. Hardwood alternatives (Bangkirai, Cumaru, Accoya) are available at significantly higher cost but with much better longevity.
- Pressure-treated softwood — from £30 to £50 per m² installed. Looks excellent when new, but requires annual oiling or staining to maintain its appearance and prevent graying, splitting, and rot.
- Hardwood (Bangkirai, Cumaru) — from £55 to £90 per m² installed. Harder, denser, naturally more resistant to moisture. Still requires periodic treatment but needs it less frequently than softwood.
- Both timber types require regular inspection for loose boards, raised fixings, and slippery surfaces — particularly important in North East conditions where algae and moss establish quickly on damp timber.
Timber decking can become very slippery in wet conditions — a genuine safety concern in the North East. Anti-slip decking strips or a specialist anti-slip treatment are worth including in the specification, especially on raised decks.
Composite decking — what to expect
Composite decking is manufactured from a blend of recycled wood fibre and plastic resin, creating boards that look like timber but behave very differently in use. Higher-quality composite is 'capped' — all four sides of the board are wrapped in a protective polymer layer that resists moisture, staining, and UV fading.
- Capped composite (Trex, Millboard, Cladco, TimberTech) — from £55 to £110 per m² installed. Near-zero maintenance: sweep off debris, occasional wash-down. No annual oiling, staining or treatment required.
- Uncapped composite (entry-level products) — from £40 to £65 per m² installed. The exposed wood fibre core absorbs moisture over time, which can cause swelling, discolouration, or algae growth — a real problem in the North East climate.
- Composite boards are non-slip by design — the surface texture performs consistently whether wet or dry, which matters on a North East garden deck.
Not all composite is equal. Premium capped composite has a realistic wood grain appearance and excellent durability. Budget uncapped composite often discolours significantly within a few years in high-rainfall areas. Ask to see product samples and check what's under the surface coating before committing.
Why the North East climate changes the equation
The North East receives significantly more rainfall than southern England, experiences genuine frost-thaw cycles through winter, and has fewer drying-out periods than comparable gardens in London or the South East. This matters because:
- Moisture is the primary enemy of untreated or poorly maintained timber. A softwood deck in Newcastle or Sunderland will show significant deterioration within 3–5 years without diligent annual treatment.
- Frost-thaw cycles cause moisture held in timber to expand and contract, accelerating splitting and cracking — particularly in softwood boards with exposed end grain.
- Algae and moss establish quickly on any damp surface. Capped composite resists this significantly better than timber, which is a meaningful practical advantage in a North East garden.
Cost comparison: supply and fit in the North East
These are realistic supply-and-fit costs in Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland and the wider North East, including the subframe, boards and fixings — but excluding steps and balustrades.
- Pressure-treated softwood — £30 to £55 per m²
- Hardwood decking (Bangkirai, Cumaru) — £55 to £90 per m²
- Entry-level uncapped composite — £40 to £65 per m²
- Premium capped composite (Trex, Millboard) — £65 to £110 per m²
When comparing the 10-year cost of softwood versus composite, factor in the annual treatment cost (typically £100–£250 per application for a medium deck) plus the time involved. Over a decade, a well-specified composite deck often works out comparable or cheaper in total cost — with none of the maintenance burden.
What affects the overall cost?
Several factors push the total cost significantly above the per-square-metre board price.
- Ground level vs raised — a ground-level deck on a flat garden costs significantly less than a raised deck requiring substantial post foundations, structural subframe, and balustrades.
- Steps — a single step adds £200–£400; a full staircase or multi-level deck adds £500–£1,500+.
- Balustrades — required for decks above 600mm from ground level. Glass, steel cable, timber, or composite balustrades vary significantly in cost and appearance.
- Size and shape — L-shaped, multi-level, or irregular decks require more cutting and more complex framing, which adds labour.
- Ground conditions — soft or uneven ground requires additional preparation and more substantial post foundations, which adds cost before a single board is laid.
Which should you choose?
For most North East gardens: if low maintenance is a priority and you want the deck to look good with minimal effort for 20+ years, a premium capped composite is the right material. If upfront cost is the main driver and you're genuinely prepared to treat the deck annually, good quality pressure-treated softwood is a perfectly capable option — provided the maintenance actually happens. What we'd steer people away from is cheap uncapped composite: it sits in an awkward middle ground, costs more than softwood without offering the maintenance benefits of proper composite, and underperforms in high-rainfall conditions. We build decking projects across Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland and the wider North East — all with a fixed price agreed before work starts. Get in touch to arrange a free site visit and we'll give you an honest recommendation for your garden and your budget.
