Composite vs Timber Decking: Which is Right for Your Perth Home?
So, you’re finally ready to get your act together and do something about that garden. Or maybe you’ve spent years looking at a drab backyard and can’t wait to do something about it. In any case, you’ve determined that a deck is the solution. Smart move.
Here is where things get interesting, however. Enter any decking conversation these days, and you will hear two words: traditional timber or composite decking. Each will insist their only choice is the rational one. Which is helpful, isn't it?
The truth? Both products have been in Perth backyards for some time. It’s not a matter of which one is “better”—it’s about which works for your life, your budget, and how much hassle you’re willing to tolerate.
Now let’s put away the sales pitch and break this down.
What We're Actually Talking About Here
Timber decking is straightforward. Hardwoods (usually Australian hardwoods) or treated pine. The grain is right there, its natural texture beneath your fingers — and yes, splinters do occur. It’s an old one, because of course it is.
Then, there is the new kid on the block: composite decking. Constructed of wood fibres and recycled plastics, it’s designed to emulate timber without the upkeep. It’s the plant-based burger of the decking world — same experience, but with a different composition.
In composite, the name you are likely to hear most is Trex. They’ve been perfecting it since the ’90s, and for good reason: they’re the world’s number one brand.
Eco Carpentry are Trex Pro installers; it’s more important than you might imagine. Composite, you don’t leave right to chance.
The Case for Timber: Why Wood Still Works
Nothing beats real timber in some not-so-small way. Maybe it’s in our DNA or whatnot.
The Good Stuff
Lumber has been the deck material of choice for decades, and it’s not a case of too much familiarity breeding contempt. Only Polls And People Who Win Them There are very practical reasons why so many Perth homeowners still favour real wood over composite. Some of these... * Hmmm, what's a common language here? I w
This is what wood does:
Aesthetics That Don’t Lie: Timber has a hundred layers of depth that can’t be duplicated with even the best composite. The grain, the colour variance, and how light plays on it – that’s real.
Feels Good To Your Feet: Wood is warmer on the feet than cold linoleum or marble. You can definitely feel your feet being much perkier in the colder months, even on a mild (and relatively balmy) Perth winter’s day.
Can Be Refinished: Deck looking a little tired? Sand it back, re-oil, done. Composite cannot be just reloaded that way.
Initial Cost: Timber is cheaper at the outset. How much varies by species, but there’s generally a pretty decent hole that people feel when they’ve got kids and money is tight.
That is a pretty solid advantage, especially if appearance and cost are high on your list of priorities.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
Ok, now for the reality check. Timber is sexy, but it has baggage. If you are planning on building wood decking in Perth.
You need to be clear about what you’re agreeing to:
Maintenance Is Real: You’ll need to oil or stain them every year or two more in full sun.
It’s Not A Gentle Climate In Perth: Our summers are brutal, and timber takes a bashing.
Splinters and Warping: Natural wood is a living material. It grows, shrinks and can warp.
Water Sensitivity: Treated wood doesn’t even like water. Failure to drain properly or damp conditions may result in rot or mould down the track.
These won’t be deal-breakers for everyone, but they are certainly considerations to weigh up. Maintenance is doable for some.
For other people, it's the very reason they start shopping around for composite choices. Which brings us to the darkness in this comparison.
The Case for Composite: When Plastic-Wood Makes Sense
Composite decking has shifted from being a ‘quirky’ option to the main event, and it’s easy to see why – more Perth homes have composite decking than ever before. There are reasons for that.
The Good Stuff
Composite decking transformed from being an “alternative” to “competitive…and in many cases…the greater value." Especially if you’re one of the time-poor Perth homeowners who wants to be using your deck, not looking after it.
Here's how composite makes sense for your budget:
Almost Zero Maintenance: No oiling. No staining. When dirty, rinse it with a hose. That's it.
Same Look: Composite is fast to fade like wood. It’s UV-damage resistant as well as being mould, scratch and stain resistant.
No Splinters, No Warping: Composite is Smooth. No splinters, no warping after a few years.
Perth Climate? No Sweat: Hot summers, intense UV and so-called humid patches – this composite tackles it all.
Eco Credentials: Trex is made from 95% recycled materials, stopping plastic waste from entering landfill. According to the American Chemical Society, composite decking helps reduce waste while providing durable outdoor living spaces.
Sounds pretty good, right? It is. But composite has its drawbacks too, and there are a few things you’ll need to take into account in order to make an informed decision.
Curious about Trex? Remaking your outdoor living area with Trex decking. Or consider the alternative premium composite option with Millboard decking.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
OK, composite isn’t some kind of magical solution to all the world’s decking problems. It has its own trade-offs – and some of them are fairly substantial, depending on your situation.
Here’s what you need to know before you apply:
More Expensive to Install: Composite decking is more expensive to install than other types of composite materials, as well as wooden decking.
Warmth Retention: This is the main one for Perth. Composite can become properly hot in the direct summer sun.
Can Look Less Natural: Even the finest composites carry a somewhat manufactured appearance.
Cannot be Refinished: If you scratch the boards, spill nail polish on them or hate the colour a couple of years down the track? You can't sand and restain.
Not everything on this list will be a dealbreaker for everyone, but they are certainly worth serious consideration.
Really, the heat retention thing? So, now that we’ve heard from both sides, let’s discuss what all this amounts to for you.
The Perth Factor
Perth's climate genuinely matters here. We also have brutal summers, hard sun (UV) and dry heat that will age decking faster than many other places.
Perth, as described at any point in time where the UV index level reaches the 9-11+ "or greater" slab, is above the definition of "High" and falls under "Very High" according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Throw in damp spots and the occasional rain, and you have got conditions perfect for testing materials. Timber weathers fast. Premium hardwoods, too, require regular protection — you can’t just put down planks and ignore them.
Composite, like Trex, is specifically designed for extreme climates. These fade- and mould-resistance claims matter more here than they do in subtropical cities.
Full western sun exposure? That is the sweet spot for composite and timber ages the quickest.
So... which one?
Here's the thing. There's no universally correct answer. Anyone who says there is probably has something to sell.
You might want timber if:
You want the real wood look, and nothing else will suffice.
You’re fine doing regular maintenance or even like that shit.
You're short of an initial budget but have time to spend.
You would like the ability to refinish and update the look later.
Your patio and deck areas will have shaded parts.
Composite is likely a better bet if:
You lead a busy lifestyle and have little time for maintenance.
You’re looking for something that will cope with the Perth weather without making too much of a song and dance about it.
You’re one of the people who can take in the premium of an upfront cost.
You like things to look the same rather than have natural differences.
Your deck receives full sun Your deck gets little to no sun.
Neither choice is wrong. They're just different.
Getting It Right Matters More Than the Material
Here’s the thing: installation quality is more important than many people realise. A perfectly adequate material improperly installed will cause you years’ worth of headaches.
Composite especially needs proper installation. The spacing, the fastening system and the substrate preparation – it all counts. That’s why Eco Carpentry’s Trex Pro certification is actually meaningful. You have to get composite right, because it’s a bear to fix if you don’t.
The same goes for timber. Correctly framing the deck is essential, as well as using the right fasteners and ensuring that all joists are properly spaced to help prevent a bouncy deck in our climate.
Making Your Call
After all, at the end of the day you're going to be the one living with this deck. Think about your actual life. The way you actually spend your time. How much you actually care about maintenance. What your (budget) life really looks like.
Perth is conducive to both timber and composite. The right choice is the one that fits with your reality, not other people’s opinion of what decks “should be”.
Still not sure? Eco Carpentry can help you look into both of these options, based on your individual circumstances. Nothing, no pressure, no agenda – we’re just going to give you honest advice about what will work best for your Perth home and how you live in it.
After all, the very finest deck is the one you won’t mind using.