Merbau vs Composite Decking: Which Is Right for Your Queensland Deck?

Merbau vs Composite Decking: Which Is Right for Your Queensland Deck?

It's the question almost every customer asks us at some point: should I go with a natural hardwood like Merbau, or a composite board like Modwood, EvaLast or Trex? Both are excellent choices and we stock all of them — the right answer really comes down to your budget, how much maintenance you're happy to do, and the look you're after. Here's an honest, side-by-side breakdown to help you decide.

Merbau Decking: The Natural Hardwood Classic

Merbau is a Class 1 durability hardwood — the highest rating available — and a well-maintained Merbau deck can last 40 years or more. It's naturally resistant to rot, decay and termites thanks to its density and high natural oil content, and it's dimensionally stable, meaning it resists the twisting, cupping and warping that lesser timbers can suffer from.

The trade-off is maintenance: Merbau needs an oil or stain every 6 to 12 months (more often in full sun, less in shaded spots) to keep its rich, warm colour. Left untreated, it will naturally weather to a soft silver-grey — which some customers actually prefer for a coastal, driftwood look.

Where Merbau wins: upfront cost, natural grain and warmth that composite can't fully replicate, and the option to choose your finish — we stock it raw (DAR), reeded, and pre-oiled in both 90mm and 140mm widths.

Composite Decking: Low Maintenance, Consistent Finish

Composite decking from brands like Modwood, EvaLast and Trex is made from a blend of recycled wood fibre and plastic. It won't rot, split, splinter or attract termites, and it doesn't need oiling, staining or sanding — a sweep and an occasional wash with soap and water is all it needs. Most composite boards carry structural warranties covering 25 years or more.

The trade-off here is upfront cost (composite typically sits higher per square metre than Merbau) and a slightly more uniform, manufactured appearance compared to natural timber grain — though modern composite ranges have come a long way with realistic wood-look textures and grooved profiles.

Where composite wins: near-zero ongoing maintenance, consistent colour and finish year-round, and total peace of mind if you don't want a re-oiling job on your calendar every year.

Side by Side

• Upfront cost: Merbau is typically the more budget-friendly option; composite carries a higher initial spend.
• Ongoing maintenance: Merbau needs oiling every 6–12 months; composite needs an occasional sweep and wash.
• Lifespan: Both are built to last decades — Merbau 40+ years with proper care, composite 25+ years with minimal upkeep.
• Look and feel: Merbau offers genuine timber grain and warmth; composite offers a consistent, engineered finish that won't fade or grey.
• Termite resistance: Merbau is naturally resistant; composite is effectively termite-proof due to its plastic content.

So, Which Should You Choose?

If you love the idea of a natural timber deck, don't mind a bit of yearly maintenance, and want to keep upfront costs down, Merbau is hard to beat — and every Merbau product on our site comes with our Price Beat Guarantee, so you know you're getting a competitive price. If you'd rather spend your weekends relaxing on the deck instead of maintaining it, and you're comfortable with a higher upfront cost for a 25-year low-maintenance warranty, composite is the smart move.

Not sure how many boards or how much material your project needs either way? Try our free Decking Calculator, or get in touch with our team — we're happy to talk through your specific project and budget.