Choosing between timber and composite decking comes down to balancing low ongoing maintenance against natural appearance and upfront cost. Composite decking boards cost more to buy and almost nothing to keep. Natural timber costs less on day one, then asks for oiling, staining or sealing every one to two years to hold off rot and fading.
In Perth, that trade-off is not academic. Intense UV, dry summer heat, salt-laden coastal wind and constant termite pressure decide which material is still worth having in fifteen years.
Timber vs Composite Decking at a Glance
Here is the short answer before the detail.
| Timber Decking | Composite Decking | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years with regular upkeep | 25 to 30 years or more |
| Maintenance | Oiling every 6 to 12 months, sanding and sealing every few years | A gentle scrub with soapy water |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Ongoing cost | Oils, cleaners and sanding, year after year | Effectively nil |
| Moisture | Absorbs water, can rot, warp and grow mould | Waterproof, fully capped against moisture penetration |
| Termites | Vulnerable without treatment | Resistant |
| Underfoot | Stays cooler, can splinter with age | Splinter-free, retains more heat in full sun |
| Appearance | Authentic grain variation | Consistent colour, wider range, closely mimics natural wood |
Why Perth Conditions Decide the Decking Material
Perth experiences intense UV radiation and dry summer heat, and both start working on a deck the day it is laid. UV greys and fades unprotected timber faster here than in most of the country, which is why a sealing schedule that sounds optional in a brochure is not optional in February.
Salt is the second factor. Composite can be more durable in coastal conditions because it resists salt spray, which matters from Yanchep down through City Beach and Cottesloe, where the wind carries salt well back from the water.
In the hills and fringe suburbs, bushfire risk puts material ratings on the table alongside looks, and requirements vary between local councils.
Timber Decking: Natural Warmth, Regular Upkeep
Timber decking is still what most homeowners picture when they picture a deck. Hardwood decking in jarrah, spotted gum or merbau has a grain variation and depth of colour no manufactured board quite reproduces.
Where Timber Wins
Natural timber brings a warmth that reads differently up close, and it weathers rather than simply ageing. It stays cooler underfoot than composite, which is worth real money if the family is walking barefoot between the pool and the back door.
The upfront cost is lower than composite for the same area.
Timber boards can also be painted or stained later, so the colour is not locked in on the day you buy, and sourced from certified forests, it is a genuinely renewable resource.
What Timber Asks of You
Timber decking needs oiling every 6 to 12 months, an annual deep clean to prevent mildew, and sanding and sealing every few years.
Skip that, and the deck does not simply look tired. Timber absorbs water, which leads to mould and decay, and it is susceptible to rot and warping without sealing.
Wood also splinters as it ages, a real safety issue in a backyard built around kids and dogs, and a wet timber deck turns dangerously slick once algae takes hold.
Kept up properly, timber gives you 10 to 15 years. It rewards owners who will actually do the maintenance, and punishes the ones who only intend to.
Composite Decking: Enhanced Durability, Less Upkeep
Composite decking boards are made from wood fibres bound with recycled plastic, and high-quality composite uses up to 95% recycled materials.
It is neither plastic decking nor timber but a third material with its own behaviour, so comparing it to wood on looks alone misses most of what you are buying.
Where Composite Wins
Composite decking lasts 25 to 30 years or more with minimal upkeep. The boards are waterproof, with full capping that prevents water ingress, and they resist termites, rot and mould. Maintenance is a gentle scrub with soapy water.
They stay splinter-free for their entire lifespan and safe for walking barefoot, and the deep wood grain embossing on quality products gives genuine slip resistance, which is why the material turns up so often around pool surrounds.
Composite also holds up against salt spray and comes in a wider range of colours that keep a consistent appearance over time.
Where Composite Falls Short
The upfront cost is higher than timber. Composite boards also absorb and retain significant heat in direct sunlight; timber typically stays cooler underfoot.
There is a straightforward fix. Selecting a lighter coloured composite reduces heat absorption, which makes light colours the sensible choice for unshaded areas in Perth. Where a deck sits in full afternoon sun, pair it with a patio or pergola, and the problem largely disappears.
Quality varies enormously between products too. Cheap boards fade and cup, so this is one material where the budget option is a false economy.
The Cost Across a Deck’s Entire Lifespan
Compare the two on purchase price and timber wins. Compare them across the deck’s lifespan and the picture changes.
Timber is the cheaper board to buy, and labour is broadly comparable either way because both sit on the same subframe. The gap on day one is a materials gap, not a build one.
Then the running costs start. Timber wants oils, cleaners and sanding every year, plus the weekends that go with them. Composite eliminates ongoing costs for oils and stains entirely, and over the life of one composite deck you would lay two timber ones.
The counterpoint is real, though. If you are selling in a few years, or you genuinely enjoy the annual oil, timber remains the cost-effective choice.
Environmental Impact of Each Decking Material
Neither material is clean, and the honest comparison is closer than either industry admits.
Composite uses recycled plastics and wood fibres that would otherwise reach landfill, and its durability reduces how often the deck is replaced. Timber is a renewable resource, but sourcing without certification can contribute to deforestation, and the oils and sealers keeping it alive are chemicals entering your garden every year.
In practice, the longest-lasting deck is usually the lowest-impact one.
Making the Right Choice for Your Outdoor Space
Timber suits you if you want authentic grain and natural warmth, the deck sits in shade or gets afternoon relief, the upfront budget is tight, and you will realistically keep up the oiling.
Composite suits you if the deck is coastal or poolside, you want it low-maintenance and splinter-free, you are staying long term, or the honest answer about annual upkeep is that it will not happen.
There is also a middle path. Mixing materials across zones works well, with timber under a shaded alfresco and composite out where the sun, the water and the traffic are.
Want Decking Done? Contact Landscape by Design!
There is no single right answer here. Timber and composite both build a good deck, and the winner is decided by your site, your budget and how much upkeep you will realistically do.
Sun, salt, shade and how the space gets used all shift the recommendation, and those are best assessed on site rather than from a spec sheet.
We will walk the space with you, talk through timber, composite or a mix across zones, and give you a clear cost for the build.
Call us to arrange a site visit and start planning your deck!
