Composite or timber decking.
Which suits an Irish garden?
For most Dublin gardens, composite is the lower-maintenance choice: no oiling, no splinters and a steadier colour. Hardwood and thermo wood look and feel warmer but need regular cleaning and oiling. Either one lasts in Irish weather only if the frame underneath is ventilated and drains well.
The short version
- Choose composite if you want a deck you mostly sweep and wash, and you like a clean, even finish.
- Choose hardwood or thermo wood if you want real timber underfoot and don’t mind an oiling routine, or if a silver-grey weathered look appeals.
- Whichever you choose, spend the effort on the frame: joist spacing, ventilation, drainage and fixings decide how long the deck lasts.
Upkeep in a wet climate
Composite boards don’t need oiling or staining. A wash in spring and autumn, and keeping leaves off, is usually enough.
Hardwood and thermo wood need cleaning and oiling to keep their colour; how often depends on how much sun and rain the deck gets. Left unoiled, timber turns silver-grey, which some people like, but it also shows wear and dirt more.
Grip, shade and algae
In Ireland the real slip risk is green algae in shade, not the material itself. Grooved or textured composite boards grip better than old smooth timber, and any deck in deep shade needs cleaning more often.
If your garden is north-facing or under trees, tell us: board choice, gaps between boards and airflow underneath all help it dry out faster.
Look and feel
Timber is warmer to look at, varies board to board and can be sanded and re-oiled. Composite is more uniform; better boards have a capped surface that resists stains and fading, and some imitate wood grain well.
Composite can get warm underfoot in strong direct sun, and it can show scratches from furniture. On most Irish summer days this is rarely a problem, but it is worth knowing.
Why the frame matters more than the boards
A deck rarely fails because of the boards. It fails because water sits underneath, the frame stays damp and fixings work loose. In a climate where the ground is wet for much of the year, we plan falls, ventilation and the base first: joists at the spacing the boards need, on supports or ground screws where the ground is soft.
What it costs
As a rough guide, a treated softwood timber deck is about €80–130 per m² installed and composite about €150–220 per m² (premium composite €220–300+). For a typical 20 m² deck that is around €1,600–€2,600 in timber and €3,000–€4,400 in composite. Ground, steps, access and removing an old deck change the final price, so send us a few photos and you’ll get a written price before anything is ordered. The full price guide is on our prices page.
General guidance from a Dublin deck builder, not legal or planning advice. Last checked October 2026.
Questions people ask.
Plain answers.
Does composite decking rot?
Composite boards don’t rot. The frame underneath is usually timber or aluminium, which is why ventilation and drainage under the deck still matter.
How often does a hardwood deck need oiling in Ireland?
It depends on sun, shade and wear. Many decks need cleaning and oiling about once a year to keep their colour; a very exposed deck may need it more often.
Is composite decking slippery when wet?
Good grooved or textured boards grip well. Algae in shade makes any deck slippery, so regular cleaning matters more than the material.
Is thermo wood a good option?
Thermo wood is timber that has been heat-treated to make it more stable and resistant to rot. It looks like natural wood and needs oiling like hardwood to keep its colour.
When you're
ready to build.
Send us a few photos.
We'll take it from there.
Photos of the garden and your Eircode are enough to start. We usually reply the same working day.