Composite vs timber decking: an honest comparison
We build both, so we have no barrow to push. Here is how timber and composite decking really compare in Adelaide conditions, and how to pick the right one for your place.
Timber costs less upfront and stays cooler underfoot. Composite costs more, but needs no oiling and will not rot, splinter or feed termites. In Adelaide, composite earns its keep on full sun, coastal and pool decks where upkeep is hardest, while hardwood suits shaded yards and character homes.
The short answer
Choose timber if...
You love the look and feel of real wood. You are happy to re-oil every 12 to 18 months. You want the lowest upfront cost. You like that it can be sanded, restained and refreshed for decades.
Choose composite if...
You want near zero maintenance. The deck cops full sun or salt air. You plan to stay ten plus years and want the upkeep saving. You want colour that stays consistent board to board.
Side by side
| Timber | Composite | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower. Pine cheapest, hardwood mid range | Higher per square metre |
| Installed price | $250 to $600 /m² (pine to hardwood) | $450 to $750 /m² |
| Maintenance | Oil every 12 to 18 months | Wash down. That is it |
| Lifespan | 15 to 25+ years, well maintained | 25+ years, long board warranties |
| Look and feel | Real grain that ages to character | Consistent colour, wood look finishes |
| Heat underfoot | Cooler in full sun | Darker boards can run hotter |
| Repairs | Sand and re-oil, easy board swaps | Swap individual boards, no refinishing |
| Termites | Boards and frame need protecting | Boards are not eaten; the frame still needs protecting |
| Bushfire areas | Spotted gum and blackbutt are listed as bushfire resisting (AS 3959) | Some ranges are BAL rated; check the product |
| Pools | Can splinter and soaks up splash without oiling | No splinters; choose a good slip rating |
What actually matters
Maintenance is the real difference
A timber deck rewards you for upkeep: an oil every 12 to 18 months keeps it rich and protected, and even a grey, neglected deck can be sanded back to glory. Composite rewards forgetfulness: no oiling, no splinters, no fading worth arguing about. Be honest about which owner you are and the choice mostly makes itself.
Cost now versus cost over ten years
Timber wins the day you pay the deposit; composite claws it back one skipped re-oil at a time. Over a decade the totals land closer than most people expect. For the actual numbers, see our Adelaide decking cost guide.
Adelaide heat, sun and salt
Forty degree summers and serious UV are the local test. Timber stays cooler underfoot in full sun, which matters for bare feet and dogs. Composite shrugs off UV and, near the coast, salt air, where we pair it with stainless or coated fixings. Both work here when they are built and detailed properly.
Common questions
Does composite decking get hot in the Adelaide sun?
Dark composite boards can get hotter underfoot than timber in full sun. Lighter composite colours and shading make a real difference. If bare feet in January matter to you, tell us and we will steer the board choice.
Does composite decking look fake?
Modern composite has come a long way, with variable grain and colour streaking through the boards. Up close, real timber still wins on character, and that is the honest trade off.
Which is better for termites?
Composite boards are not eaten by termites, which is a real plus. But every deck, composite or timber, sits on a frame, and that frame needs the right materials and clearances for your site.
Can you mix timber and composite?
Yes. Plenty of clients run a hardwood deck with composite in the harshest spots, or composite boards over a timber subfloor. We will design what suits your site.
Still tossing up? We will bring samples.
The fastest way to decide is to stand boards side by side in your own backyard. Book a free quote and we will bring timber and composite samples with us. SA owned and operated, 15+ years experience.
Read more about our timber decking and composite decking services, or see what decking costs in Adelaide.