Composite Decking Vs Wood: Which is Better?

Choosing between composite decking and wood is one of the most common dilemmas when designing outdoor spaces. While timber has a long-standing reputation for natural beauty and accessibility, composite decking offers a modern solution with engineered consistency and reduced upkeep.

This article explores the key differences between the two materials, highlighting where composite decking can offer the natural look of wood with added safety and durability.

Composite decking is an engineered material offering a long-lasting alternative to traditional timber decking while addressing many of its limitations. Unlike timber, which can splinter, rot or fade, composite boards offer high resistance to moisture, UV rays and surface wear without the need for treatment.

There are several composite decking options. Wood Plastic Composite material (WPC) encapsulates wood fibres and recycled plastic in resin. This more affordable option comes in many colours and finishes. Capped composite decking includes an additional protective layer for enhanced visual appeal, durability, and supreme performance.

High-quality composite decking options, such as those manufactured by Millboard, feature a wood-free core made from resins, minerals, fibreglass, recycled biopolymers and a unique UV-stabilised Lastane® surface. The hand-finished layer captures the appearance of real wood decking but with advanced benefits.

Key benefits of Millboard composite decking:

• Consistent finish with no knots, splits or splinters.
• High slip resistance, even in wet or frosty conditions.
• No sealing, staining or painting required.
• Surface and core are designed to resist fungus, mould and algae growth.
• Available in a wide variety of realistic wood-effect colours and textures.

Some collections, like Millboard’s Enhanced Grain and Weathered Oak ranges, are hand-moulded from real wood masters to preserve the character of the original hardwood timber, while avoiding its common problems.

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Wood decking is the typical choice of material for an outdoor area. Homeowners love it for its natural beauty and classic look. Timber decking, often made from softwoods like pine or hardwoods like iroko or teak, offers a warm, organic aesthetic. It can be cut and shaped easily and, when well-maintained, provides a characterful outdoor space.

However, its natural composition makes it vulnerable to the weather elements. Wood is porous, meaning that over time it can absorb moisture, leading to warping, splitting, and fungal decay. Even pressure-treated options require regular treating to maintain the desirable appearance of wood decking.

Disadvantages associated with timber decking:

• Requires frequent staining, oiling, or sealing.
• Susceptible to moss, fungus, rot, insect attack, and UV damage.
• Even hardwood decking can develop surface splinters and uneven wear over time.
• The colour of your decking is likely to change significantly with weathering.
• This type of decking material becomes slippery when wet unless treated or textured.

While hardwoods are more durable than softwood decking, they come at a higher initial cost and may still require significant maintenance.

Common types of wood decking:

• Hardwood decking: oak and maple
• Softwood decking: pine, cedar and redwood
• Pressure-treated wood decking

Composite decking offers clear long-term advantages, particularly in high-moisture, shaded or coastal environments. It maintains its appearance with minimal effort and is designed to deliver reliable performance for decades. Review the features of both decking materials below:

While there are many benefits of composite decking, there are a couple of potential disadvantages, such as the cost of composite decking vs wood. Polymer-resin composite boards are a bigger initial investment, but the lower maintenance needs, durability, enhanced performance and longevity offer excellent returns.

In hot weather, darker-coloured boards can become warm to the touch if exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, which is something to consider when choosing your board colour. If you live in a hot climate, consider a light-coloured composite decking.

Finally, some homeowners prefer to use natural construction materials, and composite decking is made from recycled plastics, fibreglass, minerals and resin.

At face value, timber decking may appear more affordable. However, it is important to consider the cumulative costs and hassle of treating, refreshing, or repairing the garden deck over a 10–20 year period.

Composite decking generally involves a higher initial cost, especially when seeking a premium result. However, the investment can be offset by minimal maintenance requirements, a longer lifespan, and improved functionality of the property.

When you factor in labour, cleaning products, and potential surface damage that’s likely to occur to natural wood, the long-term return on investment tends to favour composite decking.

Is Composite Decking Worth the Cost?

Despite the higher investment, many homeowners don’t regret the additional cost for the performance, maintenance, and longevity advantages. For more information about the cost of composite decking, read whether composite decking is worth the money.

Millboard’s Composite decking is completely wood-free, highly moisture and fade resistant. This means you will spend less on upkeep as the boards age. Plus, its longer lifespan and durability mean you needn't worry about replacing your Millboard decking.

Explore the reasons to choose Millboard composite decking:

• Composite decking is low maintenance.
• The wood-free core and Lastane® stand the test of time and add elegance for decades.
• Millboard is a high-quality decking option, offering better slip-resistance and other performance advantages.

Composite decking is often preferred for its low-maintenance nature. Because the decking boards are pre-finished, non-porous, and their surface is highly resistant to UV and wear and tear, there’s no need for intensive upkeep. A quick, occasional clean is adequate for keeping it in good condition.

On the other hand, wooden decking weathers more quickly. It can become easily damaged, and you will have to treat or refinish it yearly or even biannually on top of your usual cleaning routine. Moreover, splinters, cracks, and high-moisture environments can make wood decking more hazardous, requiring careful attention year-round.

Composite decking offers a variety of colours and finishes that mimic the look of real wood. However, some prefer the natural beauty of timber. Millboard's hand-moulded decking mirrors the original wood grain of the oak master boards, making them almost indistinguishable from genuine wood decking. Choose from a variety of shades to replicate the appearance of freshly stained timber.

Timber, while beautiful, changes with time and weather exposure. This can add charm, but it also makes design continuity harder to maintain, especially in partial shade or variable climates.

Aesthetic comparisons: composite vs wooden decking

• Composite decking replicates the beauty of milled timber. Only premium, treated hardwood decking would be able to match its appeal in the long run.
• Composite decking comes in various long-lasting shades and finishes. Meanwhile, wooden decking requires regular staining or painting.
• The unique Lastane© surface and UV-stable paint resists fading and scratching, helping to maintain their appeal.
• Due to their moisture resistance, composite decking boards maintain their beauty and integrity for longer, with minimal upkeep.

Our most popular collection - Enhanced Grain Decking offers ten stunning shades and two board widths. Weathered Oak Decking is available in three rustic colours. Meanwhile, Lasta-Grip can be specified in two natural shades.

Our most versatile decking solution, however, is the Modello range. Available in two styles and ten shades. The intricate design can be configured into over 50 patterns, giving your outdoor living space maximum impact with minimal work.

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Millboard uses purpose-made flexible edging, which makes curved decking installations a breeze. Manipulating wood decking for a curved design is more challenging, limiting the configuration options for your next project.

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Durability is very important when choosing the right material for your decking area. Timber is prone to rotting and general wear and tear, so it may need to be replaced after 10-20 years. Millboard Composite Decking doesn't come with the cons of wood decking, as it's completely free from wood fibres.

We’re so confident in the performance of Millboard decking that you’ll have a residential structural warranty in place for 25 years when using a trusted Millboard installer.

Sustainability is an increasing concern for homeowners and specifiers. Composite decking can offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional timber, but the answer depends on the materials used, the manufacturing process, and the product’s longevity.

Unlike hardwood decking, which often contributes to deforestation and may be sourced internationally, many composite decking products are made using recycled or reclaimed materials. At Millboard, our boards are manufactured with a mineral-resin composite core that includes recycled materials and do not use wood fibres. This reduces demand on forestry resources and avoids issues such as rot and insect damage, which can shorten the life of timber alternatives.

Sustainability also depends on how long a product lasts and how much maintenance it requires. Composite decking is highly durable and typically requires no staining, sealing, or chemical treatments, which lowers its environmental impact over time.

Ultimately, composite decking can be a sustainable choice when it avoids virgin timber, prioritises recycled content, and delivers long-term performance with minimal upkeep. It’s important to assess the full lifecycle and choose a product backed by transparent environmental practices.

Is it cheaper to maintain composite decking?

Yes, composite decking costs less to maintain than wood decking. It doesn’t need much upkeep. This means you will spend much less on cleaning supplies, stains, sealants, and repairs. So, over time, it's a smarter choice for your budget and schedule.

What is capped composite decking?

Capped composite decking has an external layer encasing the core to enhance its durability and moisture resistance. This layer is usually made of a mixture of polymers.

How does the cost of installation compare to composite and wooden decking?

Installation costs for composite and wooden decking are similar. There may be small differences based on factors like design complexity and local labour rates.

Are there any safety differences between wood vs composite decking?

Polymer-resin boards usually provide better slip resistance compared to wood decking, especially when it is wet. It will also minimise the possibility of dangerous splinters, cracks and warping. However, both materials can be more slippery when wet.

If safety is your top priority but appearance is important, opt for Lasta Grip decking, which has the highest slip resistance.

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