Wood vs. composite decking
A deck extends your living space and adds real value to your home. Here's how to choose the right material for your build.
Wood
Cedar and pressure-treated lumber remain favourites for a reason: the natural grain and warmth can't be replicated, and both hold up well to moisture and decay in our climate when properly maintained. Wood is also the more budget-friendly choice upfront, and it's easy to customize, stain, or refinish as your style evolves. The trade-off is upkeep, expect to clean, stain, and seal it every couple of years to protect it from our wet coastal winters.
- Natural grain and warmth
- Lower upfront cost
- Easy to stain or refinish
- Needs regular cleaning and sealing
Composite
Made from a blend of wood fibres and recycled plastics, composite boards resist rot, warping, and insect damage, and never need staining or sealing. We carry composite decking from Trex, in a wide range of colours and finishes that mimic natural wood without the upkeep. It costs more upfront than wood, but many homeowners find the time saved on maintenance, plus the longer lifespan, makes it well worth the investment over the life of the deck.
- Resists rot, warping, insects
- Never needs staining or sealing
- Longer lifespan overall
- Higher upfront cost
Jul 1, 2026
Wood vs. composite decking
A deck extends your living space and adds real value to your home. Here's how to choose the right material for your build.
Wood
Cedar and pressure-treated lumber remain favourites for a reason: the natural grain and warmth can't be replicated, and both hold up well to moisture and decay in our climate when properly maintained. Wood is also the more budget-friendly choice upfront, and it's easy to customize, stain, or refinish as your style evolves. The trade-off is upkeep, expect to clean, stain, and seal it every couple of years to protect it from our wet coastal winters.
- Natural grain and warmth
- Lower upfront cost
- Easy to stain or refinish
- Needs regular cleaning and sealing
Composite
Made from a blend of wood fibres and recycled plastics, composite boards resist rot, warping, and insect damage, and never need staining or sealing. We carry composite decking from Trex, in a wide range of colours and finishes that mimic natural wood without the upkeep. It costs more upfront than wood, but many homeowners find the time saved on maintenance, plus the longer lifespan, makes it well worth the investment over the life of the deck.
- Resists rot, warping, insects
- Never needs staining or sealing
- Longer lifespan overall
- Higher upfront cost