Timber decking, the joiner's way.
Classic pressure-treated timber decking, built by a master joiner with every cut made on site. The most affordable way to a proper deck — from £180 per square metre fitted, with a fixed written quote before we start.
Get a free decking quote
Free on-site survey. Fixed written quote within 1 working day.
Real wood, built by a real joiner.
Timber is the affordable, classic route to a proper deck — and ours are built by a master joiner, not rushed off a price list.
Timber decking — wooden decking, if that’s what you call it — gets you the most deck for your money — from £180 per square metre fitted, that's roughly 25–30% less than composite for the same footprint. Pressure-treated softwood boards on a pressure-treated structural frame, warm underfoot and stainable any colour you like.
The honest part: timber asks for a coat of oil or preserver every 12–18 months. Keep that up and you'll get 10–15 good years from the boards; skip it and the surface greys and gets slippery. We hand over every deck with a plain-English care sheet so you know exactly what to do and when.
What makes ours different is who builds it. Paul — master joiner, thirty years on the tools — leads every timber deck personally, with every cut made on site. Mitred picture-frame borders, consistent gapping, no split board ends. You can see the difference from the patio door.
Built by a joiner Craft
Timber rewards skill and shows up shortcuts. Every Wolsten timber deck is Paul's work — set square, gapped evenly, finished like furniture.
Treatment cycle Honesty
Every 12–18 months, a clean and a coat of oil. It's an afternoon's work — and the difference between a 15-year deck and an 8-year one.
Smooth over grooved Local knowledge
Grooved 'anti-slip' boards trap water and grow algae in the North West climate. We fit smooth boards with proper falls — and real anti-slip inserts where they're actually needed.
Want a number right now?
Set your deck size with two sliders on the timber tab and get an instant indicative fitted price — supplied and installed, sub-frame included.
Takes about 30 seconds · No details needed to see your price
How we build timber decking.
Four stages, no shortcuts — the same frame standard as our composite builds.
Ground prep
Levels set, compacted base, weed membrane and drainage falls. Wet ground under a timber deck shortens its life — so the water gets managed first.
Sub-frame
Pressure-treated structural timber joists at tight centres, square and level. The frame typically outlasts the boards on top of it.
Boards & fixings
Pressure-treated softwood boards, stainless steel fixings, even gapping for drainage and movement, mitred picture-frame border.
Finish & aftercare
First protective treatment applied, steps and balustrades if you want them, care sheet at handover. Anything needs a second look — we come back.
What decking actually costs.
Real 2026 prices, supplied and installed, for a standard ground-level deck. Every Wolsten quote is fixed in writing after a free survey — the price you see is the price you pay.
Timber · supplied & installed
A typical 3.6m × 3.6m timber deck lands around £2,300–£2,400 fitted, including sub-frame, ground prep and first treatment.
Budget further to go?
Steps, balustrades, built-in seating or deck lighting — all priced clearly in the same fixed written quote, never sprung on you later.
Most timber decks are 3–5 days on site. Final price fixed in writing after a free survey — ground conditions and access are confirmed there.
Timber vs composite decking — the honest version.
Composite costs more upfront — from £230/m² — but never needs treating and typically lasts 25+ years. If you'd rather pay once and forget it exists, that's the better buy. We'll give you a straight comparison at the survey.
The three of us on every deck.
No subcontractors, no sales reps, no call centres. Liam, Ryan or Paul is on site every day of your build.
Paul — Master Joiner
Paul leads every deck build personally. Thirty years on the tools, every cut made on site — frames square, boards true, picture-frame borders mitred properly. The difference shows from the first board.
Ryan — Site Lead
Ryan handles the ground: levels, sub-base, drainage falls and any brickwork or steps the deck ties into. A deck is only as good as what it sits on, and that part never gets skipped.
Liam — Project Lead
Liam does the survey and your fixed written quote within 1 working day. He's also a qualified electrician — so if you want deck lighting or an outdoor socket while we're there, it's done properly and certified.
Timber decking — straight answers.
How much does timber decking cost?
From around £180 per square metre supplied and installed. A typical 3.6m × 3.6m timber deck lands around £2,300–£2,400 fitted, including the pressure-treated sub-frame and ground prep. Our decking price calculator gives you an instant figure for your exact size; the final price is fixed in writing after a free survey.
Is wooden decking the same as timber decking?
Yes — wooden decking and timber decking are the same thing: solid wood boards, usually pressure-treated softwood, on a timber sub-frame. The trade says timber; most homeowners say wooden. Either way, ours start from £180 per square metre fitted and are built by a master joiner.
How long does timber decking last?
With sensible care — re-treating every 12–18 months — expect 10–15 years from a pressure-treated softwood deck. The frame we build it on is treated structural timber and typically outlasts the boards. If you'd rather never pick up a brush, composite from £230/m² typically lasts 25+ years.
What maintenance does timber decking need?
An honest answer: a clean-down each spring and a coat of decking oil or preserver every 12–18 months. Skip it for a few years and the surface greys, holds water and gets slippery. We hand over every timber deck with a plain-English care sheet as part of our aftercare.
Smooth or grooved boards?
We usually recommend smooth, laid with a slight fall. Grooved boards are sold as anti-slip but the grooves actually trap water and grow algae — the opposite of what you wanted. If slip-resistance matters (steps, shaded gardens), we'll fit proper anti-slip inserts where they count.
How long does a timber deck take to build?
Most standard ground-level timber decks are 3–5 days on site, including ground prep and the sub-frame. Paul — our master joiner — leads every build, with every cut made on site to fit your garden exactly.
Do I need planning permission for timber decking?
Usually not. Decking under 30cm off the ground covering less than half the garden generally falls under permitted development. Raised platforms, listed buildings and conservation areas are the exceptions — we flag any of that at the free survey.
Ready for a proper timber deck?
Free on-site survey, fixed written quote in 1 working day, no deposit, no pressure. Or get an instant indicative price from the calculator first.
