The short answer
Whether decking is cheaper than a patio depends on the materials chosen for each. A basic pressure-treated softwood deck is often cheaper to install than a quality natural stone or porcelain patio, while a composite or hardwood deck can cost as much as or more than a mid-range paved patio. Both typically land in a similar broad band of around £100 to £250 per square metre supplied and fitted, so the cheaper option is decided by the specific materials, the site and access rather than by decking versus patio in the abstract. Over time, timber decking needs regular treating, whereas a patio usually needs only occasional cleaning, so lifetime cost can shift the comparison. There is no single answer that fits every garden.
It is a common question with no blanket answer. The honest comparison is material-by-material and site-by-site, looking at both the day-one cost and the upkeep each surface needs over the years.
Decking versus patio cost at a glance
- Lowest-cost to installOften basic softwood decking
- Similar mid-rangeComposite deck vs paved patio
- Typical band (both)Around £100–£250 per m2
- Timber upkeepRegular cleaning and treating
- Patio upkeepMostly occasional cleaning
How the up-front costs compare
Both decking and patios span a wide price range depending on materials, so they overlap heavily. At the budget end, a pressure-treated softwood deck is usually cheaper to install than a quality stone patio. At the premium end, a composite or hardwood deck can match or exceed a porcelain or natural stone patio. The figures below are indicative supply-and-fit ranges for guidance only.
| Surface | Indicative cost per m2 (supplied and fitted) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Softwood decking | Around £100–£150 | Lowest-cost mainstream surface, needs treating |
| Composite / hardwood decking | Around £150–£250 | Higher up front, varies by board |
| Concrete slab / basic paving | Around £80–£130 | Often the lowest-cost hard surface |
| Natural stone / porcelain patio | Around £120–£250 | Premium paving, durable, low upkeep |
Indicative UK figures for guidance only; ranges overlap and depend on site and material. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote 2026 cost guides.
Why the site decides as much as the surface
The headline material price is only part of the story, because decking and patios respond differently to the garden itself. The same plot can make one option cheaper and another dearer:
- Sloping ground: decking can be built up on a frame to bridge a slope, often more cheaply than the heavy groundworks, retaining and levelling a patio would need on the same slope. On flat ground this advantage disappears.
- Soft or wet ground: a deck sits on a frame above the ground, which can suit damp plots, whereas a patio needs a solid, well-drained base.
- Access: paving is heavy. Where access is poor, moving slabs and aggregate by barrow adds labour to a patio that a lighter deck build may avoid.
- Height changes: raising a surface to meet a door threshold is often simpler with a deck frame than with a built-up patio.
So on a flat, accessible garden, a basic patio and a basic deck can be close in price, and a premium version of either is dearer. On a sloping or awkward plot, decking's ability to span uneven ground on a frame can make it the cheaper route — which is exactly why no single answer fits every garden.
Lifetime cost, not just installation
Comparing only the installation price can mislead, because the two surfaces behave very differently once down. The ongoing cost over the years can tip the balance even when the day-one figures are close.
Timber decking is a natural material that weathers. To stay sound and presentable it needs cleaning once or twice a year and treating with oil or stain every year or two, which has both a money and a time cost. Composite decking avoids most of that, needing only occasional cleaning, but it costs more up front. A patio, whether concrete, stone or porcelain, is generally low maintenance — an occasional clean and the odd re-pointing or weed removal — and a quality patio can last a very long time with little spent on it.
Weighing this up, a few points stand out:
- Softwood decking is lowest-cost to install but carries the most upkeep, so its lifetime cost is higher than the installation figure suggests.
- Composite decking and quality patios both cost more to install but ask little afterwards, so their lifetime cost is closer to their installation cost.
- Lifespan matters: a deck that is maintained lasts well, but a neglected timber deck fails sooner than a patio that is simply left clean.
The fair comparison, then, is total cost over the years you expect to use the surface, including the treating, cleaning and likely lifespan — not the installation price alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is decking or a patio better for a sloping garden?
Decking often suits a slope better and can be cheaper there, because it is built up on a frame that spans uneven ground without the heavy excavation, retaining and levelling a patio would need. On flat, firm ground this cost advantage largely disappears and the two become closer in price.
Which lasts longer, decking or a patio?
A quality patio in stone or porcelain generally lasts longer with less effort than timber decking, which depends on regular treating to reach its full life. Composite decking narrows the gap, lasting for decades with little maintenance. Lifespan therefore depends heavily on the material and on how well a timber deck is looked after.
Does decking or a patio cost more to maintain?
Timber decking usually costs more to maintain, needing cleaning and treating with oil or stain regularly. A patio is typically low maintenance, needing only occasional cleaning and the odd re-point. Composite decking sits in between, costing more to install but needing only occasional washing afterwards.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific garden. They are guidance, not a quotation.