Budgeting is integral to planning and preparation, especially for a project such as installing composite decking.
As such, it is imperative to know how much the materials for your project will cost and the type of composite decking suitable for your building landscape.
You also have to consider your outdoor space and how much of that space you want to be decked, whether it’s your garden, patio, or both.
With this in mind, we will consider the types of composite decking available, how much the cost (at the most affordable price), and the one that has a greater advantage.
Cost of Composite Decking
According to reports, the price range for composite decking in the UK is between £35-£55 per square metre and £20-£80 per board (not considering the type and quality of the material).
Composite Decking Prices According To Types and Quality
The prices for decking boards vary depending on the type and quality.
Based on the findings from most companies, the following prices of composite decking according to their type and quality are stated below:
Capped Composite Decking
This is one of the best varieties of composite decking based on quality. It has an additional layer of plastic covering on the outside of the capped board that is typically wrapped around to increase its waterproofness. It costs about £54.31 to £100+ per square metre.
Uncapped Composite Decking
Uncapped composite decking is the opposite of Capped composite decking. Also known for its first-grade quality, it does not have additional plastic covering on its exterior. As a result, it is not weatherproof—it can fade when exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Because wood powders and fibres make up its top layer, it has a more realistic-looking and tactile wood finish, less expensive compared to capped composite decking at the price range of £35-£75.
Grooved Composite Decking
In the UK, grooved boards are typically uncapped. Although capped grooved composite decking is available, the market supply isn’t much because most UK consumers tend to buy wood grain composite decking boards more than grooved composite decking whether capped or uncapped. The price for grooved composite decking is between £19.99 and £25 per board.
Wood Grain Composite Decking
Wood grain decking is also available in the capped and uncapped form, with different prices. The price for the uncapped depends largely on the brand/company you buy from and the quality they sell. But, based on research, the price is between £22.49 and £40 for a 3.6-metre board.
On the other hand, because of the benefit a capped board has over an uncapped board, the capped wood grain composite board is more expensive–costing £27 to £50 per 3.6m board.
Hollow Composite Decking
The price of hollow composite decking varies based on quality and design. There are two types of hollow composite decking; square hollow and circular hollow.
It is possible to get these composite decking boards with various surface patterns, like wood grain and grooves, and they also come in capped and uncapped versions.
A hollow composite decking board has a hollow core, as the name would imply. It is a great garden decking idea because homeowners can purchase these boards for less money because they require less material to make than solid-core boards.
We specifically address this to homeowners because square hollow boards were designed with homeowners at heart, not commercial clients.
A circular hollow or solid board would be required for commercial projects with greater foot traffic because they are stronger.
In general, hollow composite decking costs £19.99 to £35 for a 3.6-metre board.
Solid Composite Decking
These are the solid-core boards mentioned above. They have no raw material extracted from their core, hence the name solid-core. This means they are strong and can withstand harsh weather conditions and pressure for a long time.
Because of its strength, it is usually recommended to commercial clients with great foot traffic projects.
Solid composite decking is also available in capped and uncapped versions. The uncapped version costs about £57.48 per square metre, while the capped version costs about £68 to £107.20 per square metre.
Other decking materials and accessories like clips and subframes are meant to be incorporated into your budget. The average price of clips is about £9 per square metre but varies based on the kind of clips you purchase and the brand you use.
Conclusion
With this well-detailed price list, you shouldn’t have to conduct a market survey. All you need do is, budget according to the price list and start making purchases. It is advisable to buy these materials yourself instead of delegating them to your constructor, this way, you can understand how your money is spent.
Note that the total of your entire purchase depends on how big your decking project is and the type of installation you intend to use.
