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Most people price a deck by the board. That's the easy part. The fixings, trims, subframe, delivery and labour are where budgets go wrong.

This guide uses the real prices on our own site, not vague national averages. We'll show you what a board costs, what a square metre costs and what a typical 14.4m² deck costs to buy from us. Then we cover the parts of the job we don't supply, so you can budget for the whole project.

All prices include VAT and were correct when we wrote this guide. Prices can change, so check the product page or ask us for a quote before you order.

What does composite decking cost per square metre?

Our boards are sold individually, so the first job is turning a board price into a square metre price. Every 3.6m board in our deep embossed and enhanced ranges is 146mm wide. Each one covers 0.5265m², which means you need just under 1.9 boards per square metre.

Here's how our three main ranges compare on board cost alone.

Two things stand out. The enhanced range currently costs less per board than the deep embossed range, even though it has a protective cap. And the step up to our capped range adds around £10 per square metre. On a small deck, that's less than most people expect.

The capped figure assumes the same board coverage as our other ranges. Your quote will confirm the exact number of boards you need.

You can compare every colour and finish side by side in our full composite decking range.

What are you paying for with each board type?

The price gap between ranges reflects how each board is made and how it ages. Choosing the right one for the job matters more than choosing the cheapest.

Deep embossed boards

These are uncapped composite boards with a deep woodgrain texture for grip and a natural look. They suit family gardens and patios. They are for residential use only, and light fading in the first 8 to 10 weeks is a normal part of how they weather.

Enhanced range boards

These boards add a protective cap for better stain, fade and UV resistance. They also have a cross-grain pattern that gives grip in more than one direction. They're a strong choice when you want a tougher surface without the capped range price.

Capped boards

Our capped range has a co-extruded shell that resists stains, scratches, fading and moisture. Choose these for poolsides, coastal gardens, dining areas where food and drink get spilt, and any commercial project. Uncapped boards aren't suitable for commercial use, so talk to us before you specify decking for a pub, café or holiday let.

What else do you need to budget for?

Boards are usually the biggest single line on the bill. They're rarely the whole bill. Here's everything else that belongs in your spreadsheet.

Fixings and clips

Our hidden fixing clip kit costs £39.99 and covers about 10m², so allow roughly £4 per square metre. You'll also need starter clips for the first board. These cost £5.99 and cover about 20m².

Square edge boards around the border are face-fixed rather than clipped. For those, add colour-coded deck screws at £5.99 for a pack of 10.

Edge boards and trims

Exposed edges need finishing. Deep embossed square edge boards cost £27.99 each and give a clean picture-frame border. Capped bullnose boards cost £34.99 and suit step edges. L-shaped trims in 2.9m lengths cover the fascia.

Measure every exposed edge and every step before you add up the total. People forget these more than anything else.

Delivery

Composite decking travels on a pallet. Delivery to mainland UK costs £120 and is free on orders over £3,000. North and east Scotland costs more, and a few remote postcodes need a custom quote.

If you're within reach of Lancashire, free click and collect from our Accrington warehouse removes the delivery cost altogether.

The subframe

We don't supply subframe timber, but you can't skip it. Our boards need joists at 400mm centres, with a double joist at every butt joint. Ask a local timber merchant to price this from your drawing.

Don't treat the subframe as the place to save. Our warranty excludes movement caused by an inadequate subframe. Joists spaced too far apart will also make the deck feel bouncy underfoot.

Labour

If you're hiring an installer, labour is often the largest cost after materials. Checkatrade's decking cost guide puts typical installer day rates at around £260 to £340. Groundwork, uneven levels, steps and tricky access all add time.

Removing an old timber deck, clearing the site and hiring a skip all add to the bill. Ask any installer to list these separately so you can compare quotes like for like.

Plenty of our customers fit their own decks. The hidden clip system is designed with DIY in mind, and our installation guide covers the spacing and expansion gaps you need to leave.

Worked example: what does a 3.6m x 4m deck cost?

Let's price a real deck. It measures 3.6m by 4m, which gives 14.4m², and it uses Mist Grey boards from our deep embossed range.

We've laid the boards along the 3.6m side. That way every board is used full length and there are no end cuts. Across 4m, with a 146mm board and a 6mm gap, you need 27 boards.

That's about £62 per square metre, delivered, before trims and the subframe.

Trims come next. If the deck sits against the house on one long side, you have three exposed edges: 3.6m, 4m and 3.6m. That's 11.2m of edge, or four 2.9m trim lengths. Add square edge boards on top if you want a picture-frame border.

Now swap the boards. The same deck in capped Teak costs £809.73 in boards, which is £135 more. In enhanced Silver Ash it costs £620.73, which is £54 less. The gap between our cheapest and our premium board on this deck is under £190.

For most homeowners, that gap is smaller than a single day of installer labour. Price the upgrade before you rule it out.

Where can you save money without cutting corners?

The cheapest deck isn't always the one with the cheapest boards. These are the savings that actually hold up over time.

Design around the board length

Our boards are 3.6m long. Plan your deck around that length, or clean multiples of it, and your offcuts shrink. On odd-shaped decks, allow around 10% extra for cuts.

For layouts that make the most of tight spaces, have a look at our composite decking ideas for small gardens.

Stay inside permitted development

In England, a deck doesn't normally need planning permission if it sits no more than 30cm above the ground. Together with other extensions and outbuildings, it must also cover no more than half the garden. Read the Planning Portal guidance on decking before you design anything higher. Listed buildings and designated areas have tighter rules.

A raised deck can also mean you need guarding. Balustrading is typically needed where there's a drop of 600mm or more. Our aluminium balustrade kits start from around £135 per linear metre, so build that into the budget early.

Collect instead of paying for delivery

Click and collect from our Accrington warehouse is free. On a smaller order, that's a straight £120 saving. Just call first to book your collection day.

Register your warranty

This one costs nothing, and it protects the whole spend. Our composite decking warranty depends on registering your purchase within 90 days of delivery.

Once registered, uncapped boards carry 10 years of residential cover. Capped boards carry 15 years for residential use and 10 years for commercial use. Miss the 90-day window and that extra cover no longer applies.

Order samples first

A wrong colour is an expensive mistake. Our samples come with a brochure and free next day delivery. Lay them next to your paving and brickwork before you commit.

Is composite decking worth the higher upfront cost?

Composite costs more to buy than basic softwood. The saving shows up in the years that follow. There's no annual staining or oiling, just a wash with warm soapy water every three to six months.

That low upkeep comes with one condition. Painting or staining composite boards voids the warranty, so pick a colour you'll be happy with for years.

It also helps to know how warranty cover works over time. Cover depreciates by an equal amount each year. A 10-year warranty drops by 10% a year, and a 15-year warranty by 6.67% a year. It covers the boards themselves, not labour or the subframe.

For coastal and poolside decks, clean monthly to remove salt and chlorine. It's a small job, and it keeps your warranty valid.

Ready to price your own deck? Send your measurements through our contact page and we'll put together a free quote with the right boards, clips and trims.

Frequently asked questions

How much does composite decking cost per m² in the UK?

On our site, boards cost about £44 to £57 per square metre, depending on the range. Add roughly £4 to £5 per square metre for clips and screws. A fitted deck costs more once you include the subframe and labour.

How many boards do I need for 10m² of composite decking?

Each of our 146mm boards covers 0.5265m², so 10m² needs 19 boards. Add around 10% for cuts on an irregular layout. That takes you to 21 boards.

Is delivery included in the price of composite decking?

No. Pallet delivery to mainland UK costs £120 and is free on orders over £3,000. You can also use free click and collect from our Accrington warehouse.

Is capped composite decking worth the extra cost?

For many projects, yes. Our capped boards cost £5 more per board than the deep embossed range, which added £135 to our 14.4m² example. Once registered, they also carry 15 years of residential warranty cover instead of 10.