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The Decksmith

An independent, installer’s-eye comparison of the composite decking brands sold in Sydney — verified specifications, warranties, slip ratings and real installed cost per square metre. No brochure spin, and no favouritism: every figure is drawn from each manufacturer’s own published Australian data, with the source shown beside it — including the brands I don’t personally install.

I’m Greg, The Decksmith. I build every deck myself across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs — 13+ years, 500+ decks. I’m Trex Platinum Pro and WoodEvo accredited, and I’ve personally installed Millboard and NewTechWood. Where I’ve got a view, I’ll say so — and where I haven’t installed a brand, I’ll tell you that too.

Trex Platinum Pro WoodEvo Accredited Licence 272840C Eastern Suburbs 5.0 ★ · 40 reviews

Brand-by-brand specification comparison

One entry per brand, shown for its flagship Australian decking range. Other ranges are noted, with full per-range detail on each brand page. Source document cited under every figure.

← Scroll the table sideways to see all six brands →

Specification TrexTranscend / Lineage MillboardEnhanced Grain WoodEvoAdvanced (PVC) NewTechWoodTerrace Eva-LastPioneer InnodeckPU (new to AU)
Type / composition Wood-plastic composite — ~50–60% recycled wood fibre, 40–50% recycled polyethyleneSDS-Trex, p1 Wood-free — natural minerals in polymer resin, long-fibre reinforced, resilient Lastane surfaceEnhanced Grain Spec Sheet, p1 Foamed PVC composite, 100% wood-free. (Home range is WPC)WoodEvo Master Brochure, p2 Capped WPC — 95% recycled; ~60–65% wood / 35–40% PEnewtechwood.com.au (AU); MSDS Glass-fibre reinforced mineral & PVC composite (~50% PVC), printed woodgrain. Not bambooEva-Last Pioneer TDS p4 / MSDS Polyurethane (PU) composite, fibreglass-reinforced core, elastomer surface layer. Wood-freeInnodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Capped / shell Yes — protective shell (capstock). Sides not statedTrex AU Install Guide, p12 No composite cap — integrated Lastane surface + 2K UV coatingEnhanced Grain Spec Sheet, p1 Yes — ASA cap (Advanced) / HDPE cap (Home)WoodEvo Master Brochure, p2 Yes — fully capped (360° UltraShield)newtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) Yes — PMMA/acrylic wear-layer cap over foamed coreEva-Last Pioneer TDS / AU PDS No composite cap — solid PU with elastomer surface (screw self-conceals)Innodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Country of manufacture USA (Virginia / Nevada)Trex CodeMark CM70206, p3 United Kingdom (Coventry)Made in Britain register (web) China (Anhui)WoodEvo CodeMark CM70187, p3 China (Guangdong)MSDS UltraShield, p1 China (Anhui)Eva-Last MSDS, p1 Not yet published (new to AU)
Board dimensions 140 × 25 mmTrex AU Install Guide, p7 176 or 126 mm × 32 mmEnhanced Grain Spec Sheet, p1 140 × 25 mm and 200 × 32 mmWoodEvo Master Brochure, p2 138 × 25 mmnewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) 145 × 21 mmEva-Last NSW AU PDS 175 × 30 mmInnodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Board lengths 5.48 m (4.8 & 6.1 m special order)Trex AU Install Guide, p7 3.6 mEnhanced Grain Spec Sheet, p1 5.4 m / 3.6 m (200 mm board)WoodEvo Master Brochure, p2 5.4 mnewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) 5.45 mEva-Last NSW AU PDS 3.6 mInnodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Max joist span (centres) 350 mm unshaded / 450 mm shadedTrex CodeMark CM70206 400 mm res / 300 mm commercial (90°)Millboard Install Guide, p7 400 / 450 mm res; 350 mm commercialWoodEvo Advanced Install Guide 450 mm res / 350 mm commercialnewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) 450 mm (AU spec figure)Eva-Last NSW AU PDS Not yet published (new to AU)
Min ground clearance No published figure; off-ground, drainage & ventilationTrex — not published (web-checked) No minimum clearance or ventilation required (wood-free)Millboard AU (web) 150 mm over soil / 28 mm over concreteWoodEvo Install Guide 300 mm over ground / 40 mm over concretenewtechwood.com.au (AU) Min 38 mm; ≥50% ventilation in confined areasEva-Last Pioneer Install Guide, p20 Not yet published (new to AU)
Surface finish Deep wood-grain embossedTrex Catalog 2026, p11–13 Hand-moulded from oak; tonal variance, matteEnhanced Grain Spec / Care Guide Embossed wood-grain, cappedWoodEvo Master Brochure, p2 Dual-sided — timber grain / slip-resistant reversenewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) Photorealistic printed wood-grain, embossedEva-Last Pioneer TDS Enhanced timber grain; grain wraps both edges, mini pencil-roundInnodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Edge profile Grooved (hidden clip) + square (face-fix)Trex Catalog 2026, p8 Square; fascia & bullnose optionsMillboard Install Guide Grooved (clip) + squareWoodEvo Master Brochure, p2 Groove-edge + square-edge; secret-fixnewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) Grooved + grooved starter boardEva-Last NSW AU PDS Mini pencil-round edge; face-fixInnodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Colour options 7 (Lineage); 30+ across full rangeTrex Catalog 2026, p8 10 (Enhanced Grain); WO 3, Lasta-Grip 2Millboard Spec Sheets 6 (Advanced); Home 9WoodEvo Master Brochure, p2 5 — Antique, Blackbutt, Teak, Ipe, Silver Greynewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) 3 — Blackbutt, Spotted Gum, Weathered BlackbuttEva-Last AU/NSW Brochure 7 oak tones — Limewashed, Silver, Buttered, Aged, Autumn, Midnight, NaturalInnodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Warranty term 50 yr res (Transcend/Lineage); Select 35, Enhance 25Trex Warranty p1; trex.com/lineage 25 yr res / 10 yr commercialMillboard Install Guide FAQ, p15 30 yr res / 15 yr commercial (Advanced)WoodEvo General Warranty, p2 25 yr res / 10 yr commercial (+25 yr stain & fade)newtechwood.com.au/warranty (AU) 30 yr res / 15 yr commercialEva-Last Pioneer Warranty, p1 Not yet published (new to AU)
Warranty scope Structural + fade + stain. Transferable once within 5 yrsTrex Limited Warranty, p1 Manufacturing defects; conditional on Durafix + correct installMillboard Install Guide No rot/split/termite. Original purchaser only. Fade excludedWoodEvo General Warranty, p1–2 Defects + stain/fade. Excludes wear/misuse; voids above 120°Cnewtechwood.com.au/warranty (AU) Structural + fade + stain. Original purchaser only — not transferableEva-Last Pioneer Warranty, p1–2 Not yet published (new to AU)
Fixing system Trex Hideaway hidden clips (grooved) / face screwTrex Catalog / CodeMark Durafix top-fix — Lastane flexes over the head; side-fix optionMillboard Spec / Install Guide QuickLock / TruLock hidden clips + screwsWoodEvo Install Guide Secret-fix hidden clips + face-fix screwnewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) Hidden Chain / HULK S-Series clips + CDS screwsEva-Last NSW AU PDS Face-fix Innofix self-embedding 316 SS screws; elastomer conceals the headInnodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
Bushfire / fire BAL-19 (certified). SunComfortable up to 35°F coolerTrex CodeMark; Marine Sell Sheet No current fire class — EN 13501-1 recert in progress; keep heat ≥1 mmillboard.com safety FAQ (web) BAL-29 (all ranges)WoodEvo BAL29 Report; Brochure BAL-29 ratednewtechwood.com.au Terrace (AU) Pioneer: no BAL (ASTM E84 tested). Eva-Last’s Infinity range is BAL-29Eva-Last Pioneer / Infinity TDS Not yet published (new to AU)
Slip rating P5 — AS 4586 wet pendulum (Slider 55). Dry not testedATTAR 18464-2 Slip Report Barefoot 53 wet / 89 dry · Shod 36 wet / 49 dry (PTV). “Low slip potential”Enhanced Grain Slip Reports P5 (AS 4586 wet pendulum) + R13 ramp. Home R11WoodEvo Advanced Slip Report P2 / P5 (AS 4586) — timber face P2, reverse P5newtechwood.com.au brochure (AU) P2 (Slider 55) / P3 (Slider 96); ramp R10. AU PDS summarises P4Eva-Last Pioneer TDS (AU) P5 (AS 4586, wet)Innodeck AU (timberprices.com.au)
AU compliance mark CodeMark CM70206 (decking)Bureau Veritas, exp. May 2029 No CodeMark. BS 7976-2 slip; ISO 14125Millboard test reports (UK) CodeMark CM70187 / CM70164 / CM70209Bureau Veritas certificates No CodeMark for decking. CM40405 = cladding onlynewtechwood.com.au/codemark (web) No CodeMark. AS 4586 slip; AS/NZS 1170.1; Infinity BAL to AS 1530.8.1Eva-Last TDS / Guides No CodeMark published; specs still emerging
Reading the slip numbers: higher is more grip. Barefoot (Slider 55) and shod (Slider 96) are measured separately — a board can grip well underfoot and less so in shoes, or vice versa. For a pool surround, the barefoot-wet figure matters most; for stairs and entries, the shod-wet figure. Both are shown so nothing is oversold.
On certification: Trex and WoodEvo decking both carry an Australian CodeMark certificate, the strongest local building-compliance mark for Australian conditions. Certification and testing vary across the other brands; the right choice for your project and council is something we confirm together as part of the quote.

What composite decking costs per square metre in Sydney

Supply-and-install, indicative. Where each brand sits, not a fixed quote.

TierBrandsInstalled cost /m²
EntryModwood, Ekodeck$750–950
MidTrex, WoodEvo, NewTechWood, Eva-Last$820–1,150
PremiumMillboard, TimberTech, Innodeck$1,100–1,450
Prices are supply and install per square metre, including subframe, boards, fixings, labour and waste removal. Site access, substructure height, ground clearance, demolition of an existing deck, stairs, balustrades and council requirements all move this figure. Every quote is measured on site.

Composite decking cost & brand FAQs

How much does composite decking cost per square metre in Sydney?
Supply-and-installed, composite decking in Sydney runs roughly $750 to $1,450 per square metre depending on the brand and the site. Entry-tier boards (Modwood, Ekodeck) sit around $750–950/m²; mid-tier brands like Trex, WoodEvo, NewTechWood and Eva-Last around $820–1,150/m²; premium boards like Millboard and Innodeck around $1,100–1,450/m². The figure moves with site access, how high the deck sits, ground clearance, removal of an old deck, stairs and balustrades — so every deck is measured and quoted on site.
Which composite decking is best around a pool?
For barefoot wet grip, look at the barefoot (Slider 55, wet) slip figure rather than the shod one. Millboard’s Lasta-Grip range and WoodEvo Advanced both test strongly wet, NewTechWood’s Terrace board has a dedicated slip-resistant reverse face, and Innodeck rates P5. The per-brand pages carry the full slip numbers by range.
Do composite decks get hot in the sun?
Yes — every composite gets hotter than the surrounding air in direct sun, and darker colours get hottest. Some ranges are engineered to reduce it: Trex’s SunComfortable colours run up to 35°F cooler than their standard boards, and WoodEvo Advanced’s foamed-PVC construction is promoted as cooler underfoot. Colour choice and shade matter more than brand.
What’s the difference between capped and uncapped composite?
A “capped” board has a protective outer shell bonded over the composite core, which improves fade, stain and scratch resistance. Trex, WoodEvo, NewTechWood and Eva-Last boards are capped. Millboard and Innodeck work differently — they’re polyurethane boards with a resilient surface layer rather than a composite cap, which is why screw heads self-conceal. Different approach, same goal: a hard-wearing surface.
Which composite decking is BAL-rated for bushfire zones in Sydney?
Of the brands compared here, Trex (BAL-19), WoodEvo (BAL-29), NewTechWood Terrace (BAL-29) and Eva-Last’s Infinity range (BAL-29) carry a bushfire attack level rating. Eva-Last’s Pioneer range and Millboard do not currently publish a BAL rating, and Innodeck’s rating isn’t published yet. If your site is in a designated bushfire-prone area, the BAL requirement is set by council and the board must match it — I’ll confirm this as part of the quote.
Trex vs Millboard — which is better?
It depends on the site. Trex Transcend is a capped wood-plastic composite with Australian CodeMark certification, a BAL-19 bushfire rating and a 50-year warranty, in the widest colour range. Millboard is a wood-free polyurethane board hand-moulded from real oak — the most realistic timber look, and it needs no minimum ground clearance, which suits low decks. Millboard sits at the top of the price range and is not CodeMark-certified here. Want certification and a long warranty? Trex. Want the most authentic look or a very low deck? Millboard. I install both, so I will give you a straight recommendation for your project.
Trex vs WoodEvo — which should I choose?
Both are boards I am accredited for. Trex Transcend carries a 50-year warranty and BAL-19, is made in the USA, and has the biggest colour range. WoodEvo Advanced is a capped foamed-PVC board — Australian CodeMark certified, BAL-29 for higher bushfire zones, P5 wet slip and a 30-year warranty — usually at a lower installed price. For the strongest bushfire rating and value, WoodEvo; for the longest warranty and widest colours, Trex.
Which composite decking brand is best in Sydney?
There is no single best — it comes down to your site and what matters most. For bushfire-prone blocks, choose a BAL-rated board (Trex BAL-19; WoodEvo and NewTechWood Terrace BAL-29). Around a pool, the highest wet-slip boards. For the most realistic timber look, Millboard. For certified value, WoodEvo or Trex. I am Trex Platinum Pro and WoodEvo accredited and I install Millboard and NewTechWood, so I will recommend what fits your deck — not what I am trying to sell.

Every composite brand we cover

Straight with you on all of them: the ones I build with regularly, and the ones I’ll happily install if you choose them but don’t specifically push.

Brands I install and recommend the most

Trex · Millboard · WoodEvo · NewTechWood

The boards I build with — real project photos, hands-on experience, installed pricing. Trex Platinum Pro and WoodEvo accredited; Millboard and NewTechWood personally installed. Dedicated brand pages: in build.

Compared unbiased — I’ll build these on request

Eva-Last · Innodeck · TimberTech

Brands I don’t specifically recommend or typically install, compared here purely on their published specs so you can weigh them fairly. If you choose one, I’ll build it properly — Innodeck’s a new premium Millboard rival I’m keeping an eye on. This is education, not promotion.

Also in the comparison

COEN · Futurewood · Innowood · Outdure · Deckorators · Modwood · Ekodeck · and more

Listed in the master table as reference. Specs to be added as verified.

Non-composite alternatives

Knotwood (aluminium) · HardieDeck (fibre cement)

Different materials, included for comparison — not composite, and not brands I install. Material type stated so nothing’s confused.

Not sure which board is right for your site?

Tell me about your deck and I’ll give you a straight recommendation and an on-site measured quote.

Get a quote

Data sources

Every figure above is taken from the manufacturer’s own published documentation. Where a value is not in a datasheet (noted in the cell), it is verified from the manufacturer’s website and flagged as such. Cells marked “not yet published” apply to Innodeck, which is new to the Australian market.

Specifications are each manufacturer’s published data as at August 2026 and may change — confirm current specs with the manufacturer before deciding. This is The Decksmith’s independent comparison, and is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, the brands shown.

Trex — source documents
  • Trex Decking & Railing Catalog 2026; 2026 Australian Decking Installation Guide
  • Trex CodeMark CM70206; SDS Wood-Polymer Products; Limited Warranty
  • ATTAR (AU) 18464-2 Slip Report; Soto (AU) span reports; AU BAL Bushfire Testing 2019; Marine Sell Sheet
Millboard — source documents
  • Enhanced Grain / Weathered Oak / Lasta-Grip Spec Sheets (UK); Decking Installation Guide (UK); Product Care Guide
  • BS 7976-2 Slip Test Reports (Slider 55 & 96)
  • Made in Britain register (web); millboard.com Safety FAQ (web); Millboard AU / maintenancefreedecking.com.au (web)
WoodEvo — source documents
  • WoodEvo Master Brochure; Advanced & Home Installation Guides; General Warranty; MSDS
  • CodeMark CM70164 / CM70187 / CM70209; BAL29 Report; Advanced (P5/R13) & R11 Slip Tests; Reaction-to-Fire & Load reports
NewTechWood — source documents
  • newtechwood.com.au — Terrace range (AU): dimensions, lengths, spans, colours, BAL-29, warranty, clearance, slip P2/P5
  • newtechwood.com.au/codemark (web) — CM40405 cladding only; MSDS UltraShield; US Install Guide / ICC-ES ESR-3487 (background)
Eva-Last — source documents
  • Eva-Last NSW AU Product Data Sheet; AU Full / AU-NSW Brochures
  • Pioneer TDS & MSDS; Pioneer Installation Guide; 30-Year Pioneer Warranty; Infinity TDS (BAL-29)
Innodeck — source documents
  • Innodeck PU (timberprices.com.au, AU distributor) — composition, board dimensions, lengths, colours, slip P5, fixing, surface
  • Warranty, spans, BAL, ground clearance and country of manufacture not yet published — to be added as Innodeck releases AU technical data