Quick Answer
Decking costs £100–£200/m² and lasts 15–20 years with maintenance. A patio costs £50–£200/m² and lasts 25+ years with minimal upkeep. Patios generally offer better long-term value; decking is better for raised gardens or a warmer aesthetic. Both require planning checks in some situations.
Choosing between decking and a patio is one of the most common decisions for UK homeowners improving their outdoor space in 2026. Both create a functional, attractive hard-standing area — but they differ significantly in cost, lifespan, maintenance, and suitability for different gardens. This guide gives you everything you need to decide.
In this guide
Cost Comparison: Decking vs Patio
Installation costs for both options vary by material quality, garden size, and how complex the groundwork is. Here's a breakdown of typical costs across common specifications:
| Specification | Decking | Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Budget option (per m²) | £100–£130 (treated softwood) | £50–£80 (concrete slabs) |
| Mid-range (per m²) | £130–£170 (hardwood/composite) | £80–£130 (natural stone) |
| Premium (per m²) | £170–£200+ (composite) | £130–£200+ (porcelain) |
| 20m² typical total (budget) | £2,000–£2,600 | £1,000–£1,600 |
| 20m² typical total (mid) | £2,600–£3,400 | £1,600–£2,600 |
| 20m² typical total (premium) | £3,400–£4,000+ | £2,600–£4,000+ |
| Ground prep / groundwork | Minimal (posts and joists) | Higher (excavation, hardcore, sand) |
| Raised installation | Well suited, lower extra cost | Requires retaining walls |
For full patio cost detail, see our dedicated guide: How Much Does It Cost to Lay a Patio in the UK?. For broader garden context, our garden landscaping costs guide covers how these elements fit into a complete outdoor project.
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Factor | Decking | Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Average lifespan | 15–20 years | 25–40+ years |
| Annual maintenance | High (oiling, cleaning, board checks) | Low (occasional jet wash) |
| Slip resistance | Can be slippery when wet | Good (especially textured stone) |
| Heat in summer | Comfortable on bare feet | Can get very hot (stone/porcelain) |
| Raised installation | Ideal, lower cost | Expensive (retaining walls needed) |
| Planning permission risk | Over 30cm height may trigger rules | Rarely needed |
| Drainage impact | Good (water drains through boards) | Needs permeable or run-off plan |
| Repair ease | Easy (replace individual boards) | Harder (relaying slabs) |
| Aesthetic warmth | Warm, natural wood feel | More formal / architectural |
| Property value impact | Neutral to slight positive | Positive, especially quality stone |
| Environmental impact | Timber sourcing matters | Stone quarrying impact |
| Winter performance | Algae and frost risk | More robust in cold/wet |
Longevity and Durability
A well-laid patio of quality natural stone or porcelain will reliably last 30–40 years or more with minimal intervention. Concrete slabs can degrade faster if laid without proper sand bedding, but good workmanship gives 20–30 years easily.
Pressure-treated softwood decking typically lasts 15 years before boards start to split or rot. Hardwood decking (ipe, cumaru, or oak) can last 25+ years. Composite decking — made from wood fibre and recycled plastic — lasts 25–30 years and is now the most popular choice despite higher upfront cost, because it eliminates annual oiling and resists algae far better than timber.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance is where patios pull clearly ahead of timber decking. A patio needs an annual jet wash to remove moss and algae and occasional re-pointing of grout joints every 5–10 years. That's broadly it.
Softwood decking needs cleaning and oiling or treating every year to prevent greying, splitting, and moss growth. It should be inspected annually for rot in the frame and joists below — problems found early are cheap; problems ignored become expensive structural repairs. Anti-slip strips should also be checked and replaced as needed, particularly for steps.
Composite decking sits between the two — it needs cleaning 1–2 times per year but no oiling, and the boards won't rot. However, the subframe (usually timber) still needs checking and treating periodically.
Planning Permission Rules
Most patios and ground-level decking are covered by permitted development rights and don't require planning permission. However, there are key exceptions:
- Decking over 30cm above ground level may require planning consent, particularly near boundaries.
- Decking covering more than 50% of the garden area typically requires permission.
- Conservation areas and listed buildings — additional restrictions apply. Always check with your local planning authority.
- Front garden paving — Paving over front gardens with impermeable materials requires planning permission to protect drainage. Using permeable paving avoids this requirement.
For a broader understanding of planning rules, see our guide on planning permission for single-storey extensions — the principles around permitted development apply to garden structures too.
Environmental Factors
If sustainability matters to you, both materials have impact. For decking, insist on FSC-certified timber (Forest Stewardship Council) to ensure sustainable sourcing. Avoid cheap timber with no certification — it may come from unsustainable forests.
For patios, UK-quarried sandstone has a lower carbon footprint than Indian sandstone (which is cheaper but has travelled thousands of miles). Porcelain is manufactured rather than quarried and has higher embodied energy, but is extremely durable. Recycled aggregate concrete slabs are increasingly available and have a reduced carbon impact.
Both options reduce your garden's permeable surface area. The larger the hard surface, the more important it becomes to include drainage channels, soakaway systems, or permeable joints to prevent surface water run-off.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose decking if…
- Your garden is on a slope and a raised platform makes more sense than cutting into the ground
- You prefer a warm, natural wood aesthetic over a stone or tiled look
- You want a quicker installation with less groundwork disruption
- You're planning composite decking and are happy with the higher upfront cost for lower maintenance
Choose a patio if…
- You want the longest-lasting, lowest-maintenance option
- You plan to stay in the property long-term and value quality stone
- Your garden is flat and groundwork costs are standard
- You're concerned about annual maintenance commitment with timber
- You want to maximise property sale value — quality stone patios consistently impress buyers
Whichever you choose, finding a skilled installer makes all the difference. Our guide on how to find a reliable gardener or landscaper walks you through the vetting process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lay decking or patio myself to save money?+
Both are possible as DIY projects if you're reasonably skilled, but the groundwork is critical. A patio without proper compacted hardcore and sand bed will sink and shift. Decking without adequate post depth and treated frame timber will rot. For anything over 15m², professional installation typically pays for itself in longevity.
Does decking or patio add more value to a house?+
Quality stone patios are generally viewed more positively by UK homebuyers than decking. Estate agents consistently report that well-laid porcelain or natural stone adds perceived value, while older softwood decking can sometimes be seen as a maintenance liability. Composite decking in good condition is viewed neutrally to positively.
How long does it take to install decking or a patio?+
A 20–30m² decking area typically takes 2–4 days for a professional installer. A patio of the same size typically takes 3–5 days due to groundwork requirements (excavation, compaction, bedding). Weather delays are common in the UK — always build extra time into your project schedule.
What is the best decking material in the UK?+
For the best balance of longevity and low maintenance, composite decking is the top choice in 2026. Brands like Trex, Millboard, and Eva-Last are popular. For a natural timber look, FSC-certified hardwood (ipe or cumaru) outlasts softwood considerably, though it costs more and needs periodic oiling.
Which paving material is best for a UK patio?+
Porcelain is currently the most popular choice for new patios in the UK — it's frost-resistant, extremely durable, doesn't stain, and needs almost no maintenance. Natural sandstone looks beautiful but is more porous and needs sealing. Concrete slabs are the budget option and perfectly functional when well-laid.
Is decking slippery in wet weather?+
Untreated or algae-covered timber decking can be very slippery when wet — a genuine safety hazard. Anti-slip strips on steps are essential. Regular cleaning and treatment reduce algae build-up. Composite decking with a grooved, textured surface has significantly better slip resistance in wet conditions.
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