The short answer
It depends on the materials. Timber decking is often cheaper upfront than a paved patio, while composite decking and premium paving cost more. As rough UK guidance, softwood timber decking can start around £60–£100 per m² supplied and laid, a paved patio commonly runs £70–£150 per m², and composite decking often sits at £120–£200 per m². Beyond the upfront figure, the gap narrows or reverses over time: timber decking needs regular treating and eventually replacing boards, whereas a quality patio is low-maintenance and long-lived. The right choice depends on budget, the look you want, ground levels, and how much upkeep you are willing to do. Decking suits sloping or raised areas; paving suits low-maintenance, ground-level spaces.
Patios and decking are the two main ways to create an outdoor seating area, and the cost comparison is not as simple as one being cheaper. Material choice and long-term upkeep both shift the answer.
Patio vs decking at a glance
- Softwood timber deckingAround £60–£100 per m²
- Paved patioAround £70–£150 per m²
- Composite deckingAround £120–£200 per m²
- Lower maintenancePatio / composite decking
- Suits sloping groundDecking
Upfront cost compared
On the day the work is done, the lowest-priced option is usually softwood timber decking, but the picture changes quickly depending on materials. The figures below are indicative UK supply-and-lay guidance for comparison.
Beyond the day-one figure, the two surfaces diverge on upkeep and lifespan, which is where the real comparison lies. Timber decking needs regular cleaning, treating or oiling and will eventually need boards replacing, while composite decking costs more upfront but asks little maintenance. A well-laid patio, by contrast, can last for decades with only occasional cleaning and re-jointing. The right choice often comes down to the site as much as the budget: decking suits a sloping or raised area where a patio would need costly groundworks, whereas a patio suits level ground at door height.
Site preparation can tip the balance either way. A patio on level ground at door height is straightforward, but on a slope it needs costly groundworks or retaining, where a raised deck on posts can be cheaper to build. Conversely, decking over an awkward, damp or shaded spot may rot or grow slippery, where a patio would shrug it off. Matching the surface to the site, not just the budget, usually gives the better long-term result.
| Option | Indicative cost per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Softwood timber decking | Around £60–£100 | Lowest upfront, needs treating |
| Concrete or sandstone patio | Around £70–£130 | Low maintenance, long-lived |
| Porcelain patio | Around £110–£150 | Premium, minimal upkeep |
| Composite decking | Around £120–£200 | Low maintenance, higher upfront |
Indicative UK figures for guidance only; both need proper sub-structure or sub-base.
Maintenance and lifespan
Upfront cost is only part of the comparison — upkeep and how long each lasts can change which is better value:
- Timber decking: the lowest-priced to install, but the most demanding to maintain. Softwood needs regular cleaning, treating or oiling to resist rot, algae and weathering, and boards can warp, split or need replacing over the years. It can become slippery when wet without anti-slip treatment.
- Composite decking: costs more upfront but needs far less maintenance — no annual treating, and it resists rot and fading. It is a middle ground between timber's low cost and a patio's low upkeep.
- Paved patio: generally low-maintenance, especially porcelain, which needs no sealing. Natural stone benefits from occasional sealing, and any patio needs the odd clean and joint top-up, but there is no annual treating or board replacement.
Over a long period, a low-maintenance patio or composite deck can prove better value than cheap timber that needs frequent attention and eventual board replacement, even though timber wins on day-one cost.
Which suits your garden?
Beyond cost, practical factors often decide the choice:
- Ground levels: decking is ideal for sloping or uneven ground, or for creating a raised seating area, because it is built on a frame that bridges level changes. A patio on a slope needs more excavation, retaining or steps, adding cost.
- Drainage: decking allows water to drain through the gaps between boards, while a patio must be laid to a fall to shed water. On poorly draining ground, decking can be simpler.
- Look and feel: decking gives a warm, timber feel underfoot; paving offers a solid, durable surface and a huge range of styles. This is largely personal taste.
- Furniture and use: a flat, solid patio is steady for tables and chairs, while decking has a little give and can be more comfortable underfoot.
In short, decking tends to win for sloping or raised areas and a lower upfront budget, while paving wins for low-maintenance, ground-level spaces and long-term durability. Composite decking bridges the two. Weigh the upfront cost against years of upkeep, and match the choice to your ground and how you will use the space.
Thinking about whole-life cost
Comparing a patio and decking on the installation price alone can be misleading, because the two diverge sharply once you account for the years of use that follow. A more honest comparison looks at the whole-life cost — what you spend to install, plus what you spend to keep it sound:
- Softwood timber decking: lowest-priced to install, but the most demanding to maintain. Regular cleaning and treating or oiling are needed to resist rot, algae and slipperiness, and boards can warp, split or need replacing over time. Those recurring costs and tasks add up across the years.
- Composite decking: higher upfront, but very low upkeep — no annual treating, and good resistance to rot and fading. Over a long period its whole-life cost can compare well despite the bigger initial outlay.
- Paved patio: moderate upfront, low ongoing cost. Porcelain needs only cleaning; natural stone benefits from occasional sealing; any patio may want the odd joint top-up. There is no annual treating or board replacement.
Seen this way, the lowest option on day one is not necessarily the lowest over a decade. Softwood decking can demand repeated spending on treatment and eventual board replacement, while a quality patio or composite deck largely looks after itself once laid. That does not make timber the wrong choice — for a lower upfront budget, a sloping site, or a deck you are happy to maintain, it can be ideal. But for households who would rather spend once and do little afterwards, the higher-upfront, lower-upkeep options often work out better value. Matching the choice to both your budget and your appetite for maintenance gives a decision that still feels right several years on, rather than one that surprises you with ongoing costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is decking always cheaper than a patio?
Not always. Softwood timber decking is usually the lowest-priced option upfront, but composite decking often costs more than a paved patio. And over time, timber's regular treating and board replacement can erode its initial saving, so a low-maintenance patio may prove better value in the long run.
Does a patio or decking need less maintenance?
A paved patio, especially porcelain, generally needs the least maintenance — occasional cleaning and joint top-ups, with no annual treating. Softwood decking needs the most, requiring regular cleaning and treating to resist rot and slipperiness. Composite decking is low-maintenance but costs more upfront than timber.
Is decking better than a patio for a sloping garden?
Often yes. Decking is built on a frame that can bridge sloping or uneven ground and create a raised, level seating area without major excavation. A patio on a slope needs more groundwork, retaining or steps, which adds cost. For level ground, a patio is usually the more durable, low-maintenance choice.
Sources & further reading
- Checkatrade — Decking cost guide
- Checkatrade — Patio cost guide
- HomeOwners Alliance — Garden improvements
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific site. They are guidance, not a quotation.