Which decking material is best for Melbourne?
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It depends on what you value. For the look and feel of natural timber at the best price, Merbau is Melbourne's most popular hardwood. For sustainable Australian-grown hardwood with dramatic grain, Spotted Gum wins. For zero-maintenance entertaining and pool surrounds, modern capped composite (Trex, Ekodeck, NewTechWood, Modwood) is the best choice. We install all three and recommend the right one at the free on-site consult.
Hardwood vs composite decking — which lasts longer?
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Both can last 25+ years in Melbourne when correctly built. Hardwood (Merbau, Spotted Gum) needs re-oiling every 12–24 months to maintain colour and water resistance. Composite needs only a seasonal wash and carries a manufacturer-backed warranty (commonly 25–50 years). Lifespan is similar — maintenance effort is very different.
How much does decking cost per square metre in Melbourne?
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Supplied and installed in Melbourne: Merbau runs $380–$620/m², Spotted Gum $420–$680/m², and composite $450–$750/m². Final price depends on substructure height, stairs, picture-framing, balustrades and site access. We provide a fixed, itemised quote after a free on-site measure.
Is composite decking really better than timber now?
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Modern fourth-generation capped composite (Trex Transcend, NewTechWood UltraShield, Ekodeck DesignerPlus) is genuinely competitive with timber on look and clearly ahead on maintenance and warranty. It will never feel like real timber underfoot — but for pool surrounds, full-sun decks, and families who want their weekends back, it's now the right call as often as not.
Which composite decking brand do you recommend?
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We install all the major capped composite brands — Trex, Ekodeck, NewTechWood and Modwood — and choose based on your colour preference, deck location, budget and how you'll use the space. Trex Transcend leads on warranty and colour depth; NewTechWood UltraShield is best for full pool encapsulation; Ekodeck and Modwood are strong Australian-made options.
Is Spotted Gum or Merbau more sustainable?
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Spotted Gum, by a clear margin. It's grown in PEFC and AFS certified Australian forests on the NSW and QLD east coast, so transport emissions are a fraction of imported Merbau. We source Merbau only from FSC or PEFC certified mills, but local Spotted Gum is the more sustainable pick if that's your priority.
Do you supply and install all three decking materials?
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Yes. Deck It Out Decks & Pergolas has been building Merbau, Spotted Gum and composite decks across Melbourne since 1999. Marc walks you through the trade-offs at the consult so you choose the right material for your home, budget and how you'll use the deck.
Can you mix materials on one deck?
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Absolutely — and we do this a lot. A common combination is composite boards in the pool zone (zero maintenance, splinter-free) and hardwood on the main entertaining deck for the natural timber look. Picture-framing and inlays let us transition cleanly between materials.
