Garden Decking in Worcestershire

The complete garden decking guide for Worcestershire homeowners.

A well-built garden deck adds genuine living space outdoors – flat, level, weather-tolerant, dog-friendly, perfect for outdoor dining, hot tubs or just a morning coffee. At Cathedral Landscapes we design and build garden decks across Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich, Pershore and Upton-upon-Severn, in composite or timber, always on an engineered sub-frame that's specified for the load and the span.

How much does decking cost in 2026?

Per square metre, fully installed in Worcestershire including sub-frame, post anchors, board fixing and edge trim:
• Pressure-treated softwood decking – entry-level deck
• Hardwood (oak, iroko, balau) decking – premium natural-timber tier
• Wood-plastic composite (Cladco, basic Trex) decking – mid-range, long-life composite
• Premium capped composite (Trex Transcend, Millboard) – high-end composite finish

Balustrade, steps, concealed lighting and removal of an existing deck are priced separately in your itemised quote. Final cost depends on deck size, elevation, sub-frame and add-ons. Free written and itemised quote in 24 hours.

Composite vs timber decking – honest comparison

Composite decking – wood-plastic composite (WPC) or capped composite boards. Lifespan 25-30 years. Virtually maintenance-free – no annual oiling, no splinters, no rot. Resists fading, food and drink stains, algae. Available in modern wood-effect grain or smooth/grooved finishes. Costs more upfront but lower lifetime cost. Downside: heats up more than timber in direct sun (especially dark colours).

Pressure-treated softwood – tanalised pine or spruce. Lifespan 15-20 years with yearly cleaning and re-staining or oiling. Cheapest option, traditional warm appearance, easy to repair. Boards do need replacing eventually; will splinter if neglected.

Hardwood (oak, iroko, balau) – the premium natural option. Lifespan 25+ years with annual oiling. Beautiful dense grain, weathers to a silver-grey if left unoiled. Best for traditional or high-end contemporary gardens. More expensive material, slower to fix.

Why the sub-frame matters more than the boards

Every problem we get called out to repair on a 5-year-old deck traces back to the sub-frame, not the boards. The right build is pressure-treated joists at 400mm centres (300mm for composite, which needs more support), supported on either pressure-treated timber posts set in concrete, galvanised steel post anchors bolted to concrete pads, or full concrete pad foundations for taller decks. The whole frame sits on a weed-suppressing membrane over compacted hardcore. Joist ends, cut surfaces and bolt holes are end-treated. We use stainless steel or external-grade galvanised fixings throughout. Done this way, the sub-frame outlasts the deck boards and is reusable when boards are eventually replaced.

Planning, building regs and decking

Decking under 300mm above ground level (measured at the highest point) falls within permitted development and does not need planning permission. Above 300mm, or covering more than 50% of the rear garden, planning is required. Listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 Direction zones have additional restrictions.

Building Regulations require balustrade on any deck more than 600mm above ground level – spindle, glass, cable or composite, all to a minimum 1.1m height. Steps with more than 3 risers require a handrail. We design every deck to comply.

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