If you’re planning on decking all or part of your garden so that you can really make the most from your outside space, you’re not alone. The chances are you’ve got a finished look in mind, but it may well be that your head is spinning with all the options that are available to you. Once again, you’re not alone. Not only does the quality of decking vary substantially, the price of decking also differs significantly depending on where you buy, how you buy and what you buy. We’ve put this guide together to help demystify exactly what you get for your hard-earned cash when it comes to paying for decking.
What you buy
There are plenty of options when it comes to garden decking: softwood, hardwood, PVC and composite products to name but a few and across the range, the prices vary enormously. While each type of deck has it’s advantages and disadvantages, the price you pay will, more often than not, match the quality of product you choose. Here is a rough guide to the order of prices (from cheaper to more expensive):
Softwood
Softwoods include the likes of spruce, fir and pine and are normally green in colour. Although softwood doesn’t simply mean that the wood used is necessarily less hard, it is fair to say that softwood is much less hard wearing than hardwoods. These faster growing trees that are used as the raw material for softwood decking are cheaper simply because they grow quicker and are easier to process. While these woods might be suitable for some indoor and outdoor uses, if you’re seeking a decking solution that will stand the test of time and look better as the years pass, then the savings you make at the outset by choosing this option will probably end up as false economy.
PVC
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride to give it is full title is a budget alternative to softwood. Low maintenance as well as cheap, this option is in many ways the poor man’s alternative to the real deal.
Hardwood/composite
Although hardwood and composite decking are completely different, we’ve grouped them here because some composite decking are so effective and attractive that they command prices as high as some of the most expensive hardwoods.
Hardwood
Hardwood decking, such as teak, ipe and cumaru comes from trees that take decades to grow and as such warrant a significantly higher price tag. That said, a hardwood deck, which is well laid and maintained will last significantly longer than a softwood alternative and will also get better looking as time passes. These are two great hardwood options from Wood and Beyond: Iroko Hardwood decking at under £40 ex VAT per m2 and Teak Hardwood decking at just over £100 per m2 ex VAT.
Composite
Although composite decking is a wood ‘lookalike’, there are now some really classy and stylish options on the market. Although not a natural product, many people choose this solution over hardwood because of its ecological characteristics as well as its low maintenance. This UPM Profi Deck in very dark grey is a stunning look for any modern outdoor space and at under £60 ex VAT per m2, it won’t break the bank either!
Where you buy
There are a huge number of garden decking suppliers both online and off and where you decide to buy your decking will have a significant impact on the price you pay. There are plenty of big high street chains that offer decking from under £4 for a 2.4m length. On the face of it, this may seem like a real bargain, but what you need to ask yourself is: what’s the real difference between this and a decking board that costs around £50 per square meter?
Like most things in life, the answer is down to quality. It’s quite simple really; a good quality deck costs more than a bargain-basement deck. When you buy decking at what seems to be ridiculously low prices, unless you are extremely fortunate, you’ll be buying a deck that will look great immediately after you’ve installed it and more or less immediately afterwards, it’ll start to deteriorate and look as if it has already been in place too long.
How you buy
Generally speaking, buying online will save you money, even with decking. Suppliers that locate themselves in low rental, out of town locations can generally offer significant savings in comparison with their high street counterparts. What you’ll find in most cases is that buying online, even if you have to pay delivery (which you’ll probably have to pay on the high street anyway) you’ll make substantial savings.
How much you need
It sounds obvious, but the more decking you need, the more it’ll cost. So, if you’re planning a big decking project but are struggling to stick to your budget to get the quality of deck you want, there may be other ways to tackle the problem rather than buying low quality, low price. For example, have you thought of tackling your decking project in two parts? For example, could you do ‘Phase 1’ this year and take on ‘Phase 2’ when you have the budget? Often, with a bit of planning, this is perfectly feasible and enables you to end up with a great quality deck that doesn’t leave you scratching around for funds for other things because you’ve over-spent.
Other things you need to take into consideration are the accessories you’ll need to finish the job. Quite often, the cost of this element will be minimal, but you should certainly budget for it anyway.
Which fitting option you choose
Clearly, if you bring in a decking professional to install your deck, the up front cost will be greater, however, you shouldn’t forget that even on a DIY basis there are often costs involved. If you need to hire or buy tools to do the job for example, this will add to the cost. Also, if you need to take time off work to complete the project, then you’ll potentially either lose income or days from your holiday allowance. While this mightn’t seem such a big deal upfront, do make sure you’ve done all the calculations to make sure the real costs of each option are clear before starting.
If you’d like help to work out the final cost of your decking, why not get in touch? We have a team of experts on hand to help you make the right decisions.
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FAQ
What are the types of decking materials I can choose from?
There are several options for garden decking materials, including softwood, PVC, hardwood, and composite products. The prices vary significantly across these types, with softwood and PVC being more budget-friendly, and hardwood and composite decking often commanding higher prices due to their durability and aesthetics.
How does the quality of decking affect its cost?
The cost of decking is directly related to its quality. While you may find decking options at seemingly low prices, these are likely to deteriorate and look worn out soon after installation. Higher quality decking materials may cost more upfront, but they will last longer and maintain their appearance over time.
What factors influence the cost of decking apart from the material?
Several factors can influence the cost of decking. These include where you buy your decking from, with online suppliers often offering significant savings compared to high street stores. The amount of decking you need will also affect the cost, with larger decking projects obviously costing more. The fitting option you choose, whether DIY or professional installation, can also impact the final cost.
What is a feasible solution if I’m planning a big decking project but struggling to stick to my budget?
If budget is a constraint, consider tackling your decking project in phases. You could execute ‘Phase 1’ in one year and undertake ‘Phase 2’ when your budget permits. This approach allows you to invest in quality decking without compromising on other budget requirements.
Are there any additional costs I should consider when planning for decking?
Apart from the cost of the decking material, remember to budget for the accessories you’ll need to finish the job. If you’re doing it yourself, you may need to factor in costs for tool hire or purchase. If you’re taking time off work to complete the project, you’ll potentially lose income or days from your holiday allowance. Therefore, consider all these costs before starting your project.