Timber vs Composite Deck for Queenslander Reno – Confused About Council & Material Longevity

Cath Vasquez · Jul 24, 2025 9:59 pm

Hi,

I’m working through plans for a rear deck extension on our Queenslander in West End (Brisbane) and hit a few snags that I’d love some experienced opinions on.

We originally planned a spotted gum timber deck (around 25m²), but now we’re second-guessing due to maintenance demands and Queensland’s harsh weather. Thinking of switching to composite (ModWood or Ekodeck), but unsure if it’ll suit the house style, trigger council heritage restrictions?

Budget is around $18K, but that doesn't include potential design tweaks if council wants something “period-appropriate.”

Anyone been through this balancing act—aesthetics vs longevity vs red tape? And can anyone recommend a deck builder who’s familiar with heritage overlay rules in Brisbane?

Really don’t want to spend thousands only to be told “no” at the end.

Thanks!

ML24WA · Jul 25, 2025 2:36 pm

Hi

I built a jarrah deck in WA a few years ago. It was really nice and i looked after it by oiling/sanding every spring time. Once i missed doing this one year it started to degrade and then with life getting in the way it started to look worse. Structurally the timber was fine, it just 'greyed' and looked a bit tired. The deck was in shade most of summer and open to the elements otherwise.

I'm building another deck shortly that will be under cover and i'm going with composite material this time purely for the maintenance aspects. The only problem with composite decking material is it heats up quickly and stays quite warm. Natural timber gets warm but never gets hot and then cools off quickly.

I'd consider the pros and cons of natural vs composite decks and if you can spend a few hours each year doing maintenance such as sanding and oiling and if the area is exposed or undercover for the thermal aspects.

Good luck.

Bailey T · Jul 31, 2025 6:57 pm

Cath Vasquez

Hi,

I’m working through plans for a rear deck extension on our Queenslander in West End (Brisbane) and hit a few snags that I’d love some experienced opinions on.

We originally planned a spotted gum timber deck (around 25m²), but now we’re second-guessing due to maintenance demands and Queensland’s harsh weather. Thinking of switching to composite (ModWood or Ekodeck), but unsure if it’ll suit the house style, trigger council heritage restrictions?

Budget is around $18K, but that doesn't include potential design tweaks if council wants something “period-appropriate.”

Anyone been through this balancing act—aesthetics vs longevity vs red tape? And can anyone recommend a deck builder who’s familiar with heritage overlay rules in Brisbane?

Really don’t want to spend thousands only to be told “no” at the end.

Thanks!

—it's such a tricky balance when you’re dealing with heritage overlays. We ran into similar roadblocks trying to update our deck on a Queenslander in inner Brisbane. The key thing we learned was that it’s less about the material and more about the visual presentation—council tends to focus on whether it maintains the character from the street view.

Composite can actually fly under the radar if you keep the design sympathetic (same lines, balustrade style, etc.). But it’s definitely worth double-checking with a heritage planner or even flicking through past approvals on the council DA tracker. It gives you a sense of what’s been allowed.

Curious to hear what you end up going with! It’s a minefield, but doable with the right prep.

Emma Brix · Aug 06, 2025 4:08 pm

Cath Vasquez

Hi,

I’m working through plans for a rear deck extension on our Queenslander in West End (Brisbane) and hit a few snags that I’d love some experienced opinions on.

We originally planned a spotted gum timber deck (around 25m²), but now we’re second-guessing due to maintenance demands and Queensland’s harsh weather. Thinking of switching to composite (ModWood or Ekodeck), but unsure if it’ll suit the house style, trigger council heritage restrictions?

Budget is around $18K, but that doesn't include potential design tweaks if council wants something “period-appropriate.”

Anyone been through this balancing act—aesthetics vs longevity vs red tape? And can anyone recommend a deck builder who’s familiar with heritage overlay rules in Brisbane?

Really don’t want to spend thousands only to be told “no” at the end.

Thanks!

Hi! That’s definitely a tricky balance with Queenslanders, especially in heritage areas. From what I’ve seen, timber like spotted gum offers authentic character but does require regular upkeep, especially with Brisbane’s climate. Composite decking can be a good low-maintenance alternative, though some councils are quite particular about maintaining the “period look,” so it’s worth checking early on.

If you want a builder familiar with heritage overlays and council processes, I’ve heard that No1 Decks Brisbane have experience navigating these rules while helping clients find solutions that fit both aesthetic and practical needs. They might be worth a chat to see how flexible your design can be within the council’s guidelines.

Good luck with your reno!