Cheapest composite decking in Australia: how to compare

The cheapest way to compare composite decking is price per m², not per board. Our lowest is Wide 180 at $142.16/m², GST included, because a wider board covers more deck per metre.

BoardPer boardPer m²
Wide 180, 180 mm$142.02$142.16
Narrow 88, 88 mm$79.33$157.96
Classic 140, 140 mm$129.06$164.83

Four things to check on a cheap board

  1. Solid or hollow. Hollow boards are lighter and cheaper, and less forgiving on spans.
  2. Capped or uncapped. A cap layer protects against staining and fading; uncapped boards cost less and show it sooner.
  3. Warranty. Read what it covers (fading, staining, structural) and for how long.
  4. Test reports. For bushfire (BAL) and slip ratings the report must name the exact board. See BAL explained.

The hidden costs that change the total

Clips, subframe and delivery can swing a cheap-looking quote. Ask for them itemised and compare totals per m² of finished deck.

Work out my deck Cost per m²

Questions

What is the cheapest composite decking on this site?

Wide 180 (180 mm) at $142.16 per m², GST included. Per board, Narrow 88 is the cheapest at $79.33, but it needs more boards per m².

Is cheap composite decking worth it?

It depends on what was left out to make it cheap. Check whether the board is solid or hollow, whether it has a protective cap on all sides, the warranty, and whether the test reports cover the exact board.

How do I compare composite decking prices?

Convert every quote to price per m² including the gap, then add clips, subframe and delivery. Comparing price per board or per lineal metre is misleading when board widths differ.