Independent comparison. Teosad may earn a commission from some retailer links; this never changes the order or the numbers. Disclosure
What is the cheapest decking you can buy?
Treated softwood boards. Wickes’ range runs from £7 for a 1.8 m board to £25 for a 4.8 m “Pro” board, with the 2.4 m standard board at £8. Among composites, the cheapest board with a dated price on our list is Cladco’s hollow Signature at £24.32 for a 4 m board, or about £39 per m² of deck. Ecoscape quotes £18 to £33.25 plus VAT per 3 m board in an undated article.
What are the cheapest composite decking boards?
| Board | Size | Price per board | Per metre | Per m² of deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cladco Signature (hollow) | 150 mm by 4 m | £24.32 | £6.08 | £39.23 |
| Envirobuild Explorer (uncapped) | 145 mm by 4 m | £25.99 | £6.50 | £43.32 |
| Cladco ProDeck | 143 mm by 4 m | £30.82 | £7.71 | £52.06 |
| Cladco Signature Solid | 150 mm by 4 m | £35.26 | £8.81 | £56.87 |
| Envirobuild Frontier (capped) | 142 mm by 4 m | £38.99 | £9.75 | £66.31 |
Envirobuild’s Explorer is an uncapped board, and the price we recorded was a sale price. MyJobQuote’s table puts uncapped hollow at the bottom end of the market: £35 per m² for materials.
What do you give up with cheap composite?
Each saving has a cost:
- Uncapped surface. EnviroBuild says uncapped boards absorb more moisture and need more upkeep outdoors. Ecoscape says they last about 20 years against 25 to 30 for capped. Envirobuild’s Explorer carries no fade or stain cover, while the capped Frontier does.
- Hollow core. Hollow boards are lighter and cheaper. Cladco recommends its own end caps on hollow boards, which exposed edges need to keep water out.
- A short warranty. Envirobuild Explorer has 15 years residential and 10 commercial. Cladco’s Signature has 10 years residential and none for commercial use.
- Tied accessories. Cladco’s Signature warranty requires its clips and its recycled-plastic subframe.
A UK DIYer who ordered samples says she shopped around and found boards cheaper online, and argues that lifetime cost beats timber once you count yearly upkeep. That’s her opinion.
How can you pay less without buying worse?
Compare per m², keep an eye on the frame (often the dearest part), and buy fixings from a specialist rather than a big DIY chain. One UK builder found the same screws about three times the price in store. Use the decking calculator to see the total, and the prices page for how each board converts.
Questions
What is the cheapest decking?
Treated softwood, at £7 to £25 a board at Wickes. The cheapest composite among our priced boards is Cladco's hollow Signature board at £24.32 for 4 m.
Where can I find decking boards on clearance or in deals?
Merchants run clearance and sale stock, and Envirobuild's Explorer price we recorded was a sale price. Ask the seller whether the line is being discontinued, and check you can get matching boards later.
Is discount composite decking material any good?
It can be, if you know what you're buying. Check whether it is capped, hollow or solid, the warranty (Cladco's cheapest board has none for commercial use), and whether clips and subframe are required to keep it valid.
Sources
- Timber Decking Boards - Wickes
- Hollow Vs Solid Composite Decking - Ecoscape
- Composite Decking Cost - MyJobQuote
- Composite Decking Board Guide - EnviroBuild
- Hollow vs Solid Composite Decking - Cladco
- Composite Decking Warranty (EnviroBuild)
- Signature Composite Decking installation guide (Cladco)
- Composite Decking (Cladco category page)
- Installer video: Decking design ideas & installation tips (Georgina Bisby DIY)