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Tell us about the job
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Decking installers that work in your area contact you with a price.
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Weigh up price, timing and what's included. Accept the one that suits you, or none.

Timber or composite?

The boards you walk on are the decision most people focus on, and there are three broad choices: treated pine, hardwood, and composite. Each behaves differently in South African sun and rain.

Board	Strengths	Watch out for
Treated pine	The most affordable; widely available; easy to work	Needs regular sealing; can split and warp if neglected; must be treated to the right hazard class
Hardwood (balau, garapa and others)	Dense and naturally durable; a warm, solid look and feel	Costs more; still needs oiling to keep its colour; quality varies by supplier
Composite (wood-plastic)	Little maintenance; no splinters; consistent colour	Higher price; gets hot in full sun, especially dark colours; can fade

What lasts: the part you don't see

Most deck failures start underneath: rotten posts, a substructure that holds water, or fixings that rust. A well-built deck has a frame that stays dry, drains freely and is fixed with materials that won't corrode.

Treatment classes for pine

Treated pine is graded by hazard class under SANS 10005, the standard for the preservative treatment of timber. Above-ground outdoor timber such as deck boards and joists should be treated to at least H3. Posts and anything in contact with the ground need H4, which is treated to resist the higher risk of rot and termites in soil. Ask for the hazard class of each part on the quote; untreated or under-treated timber is a common way to cut costs.

Fixings and spacing

Stainless steel screws don't rust or stain the timber, and are worth insisting on near the coast or around a pool. Boards should be laid with gaps so water drains through and air circulates underneath; boards butted tight together trap water and rot.

Raised decks and balconies

A deck built well above the ground is a structure carrying people, furniture and sometimes a braai, so it needs proper design: post spacing, bracing, and connections to the house that won't pull loose. Raised decks also need a balustrade. Depending on the height and your municipality, a raised deck or balcony may need plans and approval before it's built, so ask about it before work starts.

Looking after a deck

Timber decks need cleaning and re-sealing or oiling regularly to protect them from UV and water; in full sun that can mean once a year. Composite decking needs a wash rather than a seal. Whichever you choose, keep leaves and soil from building up between boards and against the house wall, where they hold moisture.

What decking costs

Treated pine decking typically costs R950 to R1,800 per m² installed, hardwoods such as balau about R1,400 to R4,500, and composite roughly R2,200 to R5,500. A small 15 m² deck generally lands between R25,000 and R80,000, and sanding and resealing an existing deck costs about R90 to R150 per m².

Treated pine deck, supplied and built: R950–R1,800/m²
Hardwood deck (balau, garapa, saligna), supplied and built: R1,400–R4,500/m²
Composite deck, supplied and built: R2,200–R5,500/m²
Sanding and resealing an existing deck: R90–R150/m²

See the full decking cost guide Get exact prices

Estimates only, last checked 28 October 2026. Get quotes for an accurate price for your job.

Before you hire: a decking checklist

Decks are built by carpenters, landscapers and specialist decking companies. Ask the same questions of each, and compare the substructure as closely as the boards.

Ask for the hazard class of every timber component
Boards and joists should be at least H3; posts in the ground H4. Under-treated timber is the most common hidden saving in cheap quotes.
Ask what the substructure is made of
Treated pine, hardwood or steel: each lasts differently. Get the joist size and spacing in writing.
Insist on stainless steel fixings
Especially near the coast or a pool, where ordinary screws rust and stain the boards.
Ask how the deck meets the house
A deck fixed against a wall should leave a gap for drainage and not trap water against the brickwork, where it can cause damp inside.
Check approvals for raised decks
For a deck or balcony well above ground level, ask whether your municipality needs plans, and who will prepare them.
Get the maintenance schedule in writing
Ask what sealing or oiling the deck needs and how often. Some guarantees depend on it being done.

Where these rules come from

Choosing the right preservative treated timber, South African Wood Preservers Association

Before you request quotes

The questions people ask us most.

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More than 200 registered service providers quote through our network. Compare quotes carefully, ask for references and photos of past work, and use the checklist on each service page before you hire.

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The decking installers who quote on your job contact you directly by phone or email.

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Decking questions, answered

Which lasts longer, timber or composite decking?

Both can last many years. Composite needs less upkeep and won't rot, but can fade and get hot in full sun. Timber lasts well if it's correctly treated and re-sealed regularly. In both cases, the substructure decides how long the deck lasts.

What does H3 or H4 treated mean?

They are hazard classes for treated timber under SANS 10005. H3 is for timber outdoors but above the ground, such as deck boards. H4 is for timber in contact with the ground, such as posts.

How often should a timber deck be sealed?

It depends on the timber and the exposure. A deck in full sun may need it every year; a shaded one less often. When water stops beading on the surface and the colour starts greying, it's time.

Is composite decking too hot to walk on?

Dark composite boards in full sun can get uncomfortably hot in summer. Lighter colours and shade help. Ask to feel a sample that's been in the sun before you choose.

Can a deck be built over existing paving?

Often, yes, using a low-profile frame on the existing surface. The paving must drain freely under the deck, or water will pool and rot the frame.

Do termites attack decks?

They can attack untreated or under-treated timber, especially where it touches the soil. Correctly treated pine, durable hardwoods and composite all resist termites much better.

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