Composite Decking Cost in Merseyside & Cheshire (2026 Guide)

Millboard Smoked Oak composite decking installed by Duralive Decking on a terraced garden project in Cheshire.

A clear, honest cost guide from local composite decking specialists

If you’re considering composite decking for your garden, one of the first questions you’ll naturally ask is:

“How much does composite decking actually cost in Merseyside or Cheshire?”

You’ll find plenty of prices online — but many are vague, outdated, or don’t reflect how composite decking is actually designed and installed in real UK gardens.

In this 2026 guide, we’ll break down realistic composite decking costs, explain what drives the price up or down, and help you understand what you’re paying for — without sales pressure or unrealistic headline figures.

At Duralive Decking, we design and build premium composite decking projects across Merseyside and Cheshire, working with trusted systems such as Millboard, NewTechWood, and Trex. This guide is based on real installations, real labour costs, and real-world site conditions — not marketing estimates.

How Much Does Composite Decking Cost in 2026?

For homeowners in Merseyside and Cheshire, typical 2026 pricing looks like this:

Typical Composite Decking Costs

• Supply & Install: £250 – £325+ per m²

• Supply Only: £150 – £220 per m²

  
  

These figures assume:

• Quality composite boards (not budget imports)

• A correctly built, long-lasting sub-frame

• Professional installation to UK best practice

  
  

⚠️ Very low online prices often exclude groundwork, drainage provision, fixings, or structural detailing — which can lead to problems later.

What Actually Affects the Price of Composite Decking?

Composite decking costs aren’t just about the boards. In many cases, the structure beneath the deck is the biggest cost driver.

1. Size & Layout

• Larger decks cost more overall, but the price per m² often drops slightly

• Complex shapes, curves, steps, or multi-level designs increase labour time

  
  

2. Ground Conditions

• Flat, solid ground is cheaper to build on

• Sloping gardens, poor drainage, or existing structures that need removal increase costs

  
  

3. Sub-Frame Construction

A professional composite deck requires:

• Correct joist spacing (manufacturer-specific)

• Treated timber, recycled plastic or aluminium framing

• Proper ventilation beneath the deck to manage moisture

  This is where many cheaper quotes cut corners.

4. Height & Access

• Raised decks require more structure, fixings, and often balustrades

• Restricted access (terraced houses, narrow alleys) increases labour time

Composite Decking Costs: More Than Just the Boards

Many homeowners assume that the price of a composite deck is driven almost entirely by the deck boards themselves.

In reality, while decking materials do account for a significant portion of the budget, a professionally built composite deck is a complete system — made up of structure, fixings, labour, design input, and often safety features such as balustrades.

To show how this works in practice, here’s a real cost breakdown from one of our recent composite decking projects in Merseyside.

Real Project Cost Breakdown

Real-world composite decking cost breakdown from a recent project in Merseyside, showing how the budget is typically split between materials, structure, labour, and waste removal.

• Decking materials – 40% (NewTechWood composite deck boards plus approximately 18 metres of matching balustrade)

• Sub-frame materials – 20% (Pressure treated timber frame)

• Waste removal & disposal – 10% (Including removal and disposal of an old timber deck)

• Labour & design – 30%

  
  

This reflects how composite decking projects are priced in the real world — not simplified online examples that focus only on board costs.

Why This Matters

Although decking materials are the single largest category, 60% of the total cost on this project went into everything required to make the deck:

• Structurally sound

• Safe to use

• Compliant with manufacturer guidance

• Durable in UK weather conditions

  
  

Labour and design costs don’t just cover fitting boards. They include:

• Accurate layout and structural planning

• Correct joist spacing and manufacturer-approved fixing methods

• Allowance for ventilation, drainage, and expansion gaps

• Clean detailing around steps, edges, doors, and balustrades

• Design input to ensure the deck layout, structure, and safety features align with current UK building and safety guidance

  
  

This design stage is especially important on raised decks, stepped gardens, or anywhere balustrades, stairs, or changes in level are involved. Getting it right early avoids costly changes later and helps ensure the finished deck is safe, durable, and compliant.

A Note on Project Variations

This particular project included a substantial run of balustrade, which is included within the “decking materials” figure, as well as the dismantling and disposal of an existing timber deck, which is reflected within the waste removal costs.

On simpler, low-level decks — or projects where there is no existing structure to remove — the percentage split will naturally change. However, the principle remains the same: a well-built composite deck is far more than just boards fixed to timber.

This is why unusually low composite decking quotes should always be approached with caution — if one part of the system seems cheap, something is often being compromised.

Comparing Composite Decking Systems

Not all composite decking systems perform the same, and price alone rarely tells the full story. Differences in construction, surface finish, fixing methods, and long-term stability all affect how a deck looks and performs over time.

Millboard

• Moulded polymer boards with no wood fibre

• Highly realistic wood-grain finish

• Excellent slip resistance and colour stability

• Higher upfront cost, very low maintenance

Best suited to: High-end gardens, long-term homes, and design-led projects.

NewTechWood

• Capped composite boards with strong UV resistance

• Good balance of performance, appearance, and value

• Seven colours options available across two board ranges

Best suited to: Most family homes looking for a durable, mid-range composite solution.

Trex

• Established global composite decking system

• Proven durability with strong manufacturer warranties

• Wide choice of fifteen colours across four board ranges

Best suited to: Homeowners wanting a well-known brand with a long track record.

Choosing the right system isn’t about picking the “best” brand — it’s about selecting the most suitable product for your garden, budget, and expectations.

For a deeper, side-by-side breakdown covering performance, appearance, maintenance, and long-term value, see our full guide:

👉 Millboard vs NewTechWood vs Trex: Which Composite Decking is Best for Your Garden?

Cheap Budget Composite Decking Imports: What to Be Aware Of

Alongside established composite decking brands, there has been a rise in cheap, imported composite boards sold online and through DIY marketplaces. While these can look attractive on price, they often come with compromises that aren’t obvious at the point of purchase.

Common issues we see include:

• Higher levels of movement, often leading to gaps opening and closing

• Poor colour stability, with fading or patchiness within a few years

• Inconsistent performance that requires larger expansion gaps or additional framing

  
  

From an installer’s perspective, these products often increase labour time and structural requirements, which can quickly cancel out the initial saving.

Why This Matters for Cost and Longevity

Cheaper boards don’t always mean a cheaper deck overall.

If a product requires:

• Extra sub-frame support

• Increased labour to achieve an acceptable finish

• Early replacement due to movement or surface failure

  
  

…the true cost over time can be significantly higher than using a proven system from the outset.

This is why we typically work with established systems like Millboard, NewTechWood, and Trex — not because they’re the most expensive, but because their performance and technical guidance are predictable and well suited to UK conditions.

Ongoing Maintenance & Long-Term Value

One of the main reasons homeowners choose composite decking is reduced maintenance — but it’s important to have realistic expectations about what “low maintenance” actually means.

Composite decking won’t need sanding, staining, or painting like timber, but it isn’t completely maintenance-free.

Composite Decking Maintenance

• Occasional washing with warm soapy water

• Clearing debris from gaps to maintain drainage and ventilation

• No sanding, staining, or painting required

• Resistant to rot, splintering, and insect damage

  
  

For a more detailed and honest breakdown, see our guide:

👉 The Truth About Composite Decking Maintenance: What You Really Need to Do

Common Cost-Related Mistakes Homeowners Make

Many composite decking issues aren’t caused by the boards themselves, but by decisions made early on to reduce upfront cost.

Choosing the Cheapest Quote Without Understanding What’s Included

Low quotes often hide exclusions such as:

• Ground preparation or waste removal

• Proper sub-frame materials

• Drainage allowances

• Design time or structural planning

Two quotes may look similar but result in very different decks.

Poor Sub-Frame Design

Common problems include:

• Joists spaced too far apart

• Inadequate fixing points

• Insufficient support at board ends

This leads to bounce, movement, and long-term structural issues.

Inadequate Moisture Management

Poor ventilation beneath the deck can cause:

• Persistent damp conditions

• Accelerated sub-frame degradation

• Slippery surfaces due to algae growth

  
  

Incorrect Fixing Methods

Ignoring manufacturer guidance can result in excessive movement, distortion, or voided warranties.

Why Cutting Corners Rarely Saves Money

Fixing these issues later almost always costs more than doing the job properly the first time. Good design and installation protect your investment and ensure the deck performs as intended for decades — not just the first summer.

Why Professional Design Matters (Even for Small Decks)

Composite decking systems are less forgiving than timber. Every manufacturer sets specific requirements that must be followed, including:

• Joist spacing limits

• Expansion and movement gaps

• Approved fixing systems and edge detailing

Professional design ensures:

• The correct structure for your chosen system

• Safe step heights and level transitions

• Proper allowance for drainage and ventilation

• Clean, durable finishes around doors and edges

• Peace of mind through an installation guarantee — not just a manufacturer’s material warranty

  
  

This becomes even more critical on raised decks or sloping gardens. We explore this in more detail here:

👉 How to Design a Raised Composite Deck That Lasts for Decades

Final Thoughts: What Should You Budget?

For most homeowners in Merseyside and Cheshire, a realistic 2026 budget is:

• Small to medium garden decks: £4,000 – £7,500

• Larger or raised projects: £8,000 – £15,000+

  
  

Exact costs depend on layout, access, height, and system choice.

Why Size Context Matters

Many homeowners underestimate how much usable space they need. Furniture, walkways, and circulation all take up room.

As a guide:

• Small decks suit seating or bistro layouts

• Medium decks suit outdoor sofas or coffee tables

• Large decks allow dining areas, zoning, steps, and balustrades

We always design around how the space will be used, not just square metres.

Example of a small composite deck, typically used for a bistro-style seating area or compact garden space.

Example of a medium composite deck, offering comfortable space for outdoor seating and everyday garden use.

Example of a large composite deck, suitable for dining, entertaining, and zoning larger garden spaces.

Thinking About Composite Decking?

If you’re based in Merseyside or Cheshire and want clear, honest advice — not sales pressure — we’re happy to help.

Duralive Decking offers a free initial design consultation, where we:

• Assess suitability for composite decking

• Explain system options clearly

• Provide realistic budget guidance before you commit

  
  

👉 Get in touch to start planning your composite decking project with confidence.