The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) recognizes and promotes excellence in the outdoor living & decking industry. Each year we celebrate and honor outstanding successes in the industry at a prestigious Industry Awards presentation & celebration.
The 10th Annual Awards Celebration was held on November 7th, 2019 in Louisville, KY. Professionals of all levels & categories, from across North America (and beyond) enter the deck competition. We invite you to scroll through the first, second and third place winners of NADRA’s 2019 National+ Deck Competition. Prepare yourself for some serious backyard envy. Enjoy!
First Place Winners
Click on an image to see a photo gallery for each project
First Place Overall Winner: DeckRemodelers.com
Official Partner: Wolf Home Products, lighting
After working with several architects, these homeowners finally contracted us to design and build the entire backyard from the back door to the back yard down to the calming view of the lake. The attention to every detail is evident from the deck, outdoor kitchen, concrete counter and privacy screen, fire lounge, hidden cabana, Equinox Louvered Roofs, grand staircase down to the unique pool and hardscape. Taking advantage of the space below the deck, we designed a hidden cabana, featuring a full bathroom and changing room, Ipe walls and custom frosted French doors. This allowed us to provide an unobstructed view from the deck and pool, down to the lake. The beautiful stone wall, to be used as a lighted art display, matches the stone pillars of the bar area and gourmet kitchen. The custom concrete bar was carefully placed as a transition between the decks. The louvered roofs provide the best of both worlds; open air space and dry heated areas when needed. The double helical staircase is curved to hug the fire lounge and provide a grand entrance from the pool to the deck. The curves and straight edges of the pool echo those on the deck.
Wood Deck Under $25k
Blue Chip Decks
This large two tier cedar tone deck features a large decorative pergola with 6×6 post sleeves, aluminum railing with glass panel inserts, wrapping staircases and two opposing privacy screens with decorative inserts.
Wood Deck $25k – $50k
WWG Design & Build Inc.
Partner: CAMO
This large waterfront beauty held some interesting construction challenges. The first of the hurdles to master was the material transportation to the work zone. With no way to mechanically move the lumber to the lakeside, every piece had to be hand balmed from the rear of the house down the embankment and then down to the water’s edge. The design mandate was to create a platform that would allow uses of the area during the spring high water season. The high water level is 8 inches below the deck surface, but only for a few weeks each year. Once the deck area complete, we then had to figure out the meandering path and stair system to traverse the steep hill, which has large outcrops of granite bedrock. Due to the rock face angle, the ledger was tied into the granite using heavy masonry anchors and many small segments with multiple compound cuts. The deck materials are pressure-treated lumber, and the decking is Pre-coated all sides with a Cutek Extreme stain. Decking is fastened by Camo edge fastening system for clean barefoot approved finish.
Wood Deck $50k – $100k
USI Custom Outdoor Living, LLC
This project is an two level ipe deck with aluminum railing with cable rail. It’s completed with and UnderCover System under deck ceiling, Bromic outdoor heaters and a hottub.
Alternative Deck Under $25k
Infinite Decks
Partner: TimberTech
This project was a replacement of an existing deck. We we’re able to build this deck in to the existing landscaping.
Alternative Deck $25k – $50k
Hodgkiss Construction
Trex Transcend deck with Deckorators sunburst pattern. The radius work is all done in house to the 64th of an inch. This project also features large PVC wrapped columns and beams along with an extremely substantial lighting package. Every detail is absolutely flawless, it’s just very difficult to show everything we did in only 4 pictures.
Alternative Deck $50k – $100k
Dr.Decks LLC
Partners: TimberTech, In-Lite, Regal Ideas, FastenMaster
This TimberTech Azek deck was a challenge from the beginning due to the extreme slope it was designed to be on. Diamond Pier Pin foundations were used to anchor the deck into the 45 degree slope of the hill. once framed, there were several curved features added to enhance the look and design of the deck. Several PVC planks were heat manipulated into various shapes to create borders, line breaks, steps and benches in the design. The only seams in the deck are created intentionally, on a curved surface border to eliminate all butt joining of deck boards. This is why you see the difficult curves flow seamlessly through the deck as they take priority of the design creating more art than construction. The greatest feature, in my humble opinion, is the Regal ideas Crystal Rail with custom curved glass that lights up at night to display a one of a kind beautiful work of art. A 6′ fire feature anchors the reverse curved bench seating that migrates from the curved steps that flow right into the bench with a unique overlapping pattern. All end grains were heat folded and glued to keep them from separating.
Alternative Deck Over $100k
DeckRemodelers.com LLC
Partner: Wolf Home Products
After working with several architects, these homeowners finally contracted us to design and build the entire backyard from the back door to the back yard down to the calming view of the lake. The attention to every detail is evident from the Zuri deck, outdoor kitchen, concrete counter and privacy screen, fire lounge, hidden cabana, Equinox Louvered Roofs, grand staircase down to the unique pool and hardscape. Taking advantage of the space below the deck, we designed a hidden cabana, featuring a full bathroom and changing room, Ipe walls and custom frosted French doors. This allowed us to provide an unobstructed view from the deck and pool, down to the lake. The beautiful stone wall, to be used as a lighted art display, matches the stone pillars of the bar area and gourmet kitchen. The custom concrete bar was carefully placed as a transition between the decks. The louvered roofs provide the best of both worlds; open air space and dry heated areas when needed. The double-helical staircase is curved to hug the fire lounge and provide a grand entrance from the pool to the deck. The curves and straight edges of the pool echo those on the deck.
Refinished / Restored Deck
All Decked Out
Partners: TimberTech, CAMO
This project took an old deck that was drab, into this century and increased the value of this already gorgeous home overlooking the Ohio River! We did have the challenge of working off a small existing deck, we replaced the decking with composite and built on additional square footage on the top tier allowing for a living room complete with gas fireplace and TV and the other half of the top tier was transformed into an outdoor kitchen. The top level was then enhanced further by the addition of retractable screen along the edge of the home to allow protection from the elements/bugs when needed turning into an excellent screened in porch but with no compromised views like a typical screened room. We then added additional dry living space below the deck using a DekDrain system, which included additional seating and another tv for rainy days or a second sports game to view below. The outdoor kitchen and fireplace had custom stone veneer work. The island had granite countertops and the kitchen setup included a gas grill, refrigerator and additional side burner. The new deck paired perfectly with the new patio and pool addition to make a spectacular outdoor space!
Open Porch
Hodgkiss Construction
Gable center with shed hipped sides with all dimensions maxed out to accomplish customer objective. the roof is 33×20 with all wide open spans. We have a floating PVC crown inside and out to hide RGB lighting. the entire ceiling is tongue and groove mahogany with PVC trimmed beams and overhangs
Closed Porch
Decks & More Inc.
Partner: Haven Underdeck System
**Use of space** Our client wanted a screened in porch, large deck, and outdoor Kitchen. Next, our Design team designed a Plan for an amazing Porch with Curved Ceiling inside the porch and easy access to the large Deck. The porch is 14ft x 19ft = 266 Sq ft and a Side deck 14ft x 40ft = 560 Sq ft. Creativity / Innovation a Curved Dome ceiling A high vaulted ceiling Integrating it into the home. **Evidence of craftsmanship ** 1. Curved Radius Roof 2. All columns finished in PVC, (Poly Vinyl Chloride) with Decorative trim work. **** 3. Outdoor Kitchen with Curved Cedar cover. **Degree of Difficulty** Next, we Centered the Dome ceiling and used the golden ratio = 1.610834 to obtain a proper proportion. and Finally, a Flex Trim for the Curve Dome ceiling. **Overall Visual Appeal** Curved Radius Roof Under deck System Outdoor Kitchen is simply amazing … Columns……….trimmed out with PVC Metal roofing for the dome ceiling. Thank You for our Client for hiring us, our design team, our carpenters, project manager, electricians, painter, and under deck installer. We truly appreciate all hard work and efforts.!!!
Unique Feature
Hen-House Decks
Partner: Trex Company Inc.
500 Sf Guitar Deck: The guitar design came from the owner’s love of music, especially rock-n-roll, as well as his ownership of a “Fender Stratorcaster”, the guitar the deck is modeled after, there was no better fit to be the center of the deck design. As an example of ‘Duck Architecture’ the goal was to highlight as many details on the guitar as possible, including the over all shape being the body of the guitar, the neck, frets, pick-ups, inlays and the change of color. Creating a space for the owner to entertain or relax was the main goal, but creating an artful conversation piece which highlights the owner’s interests became the true driving force behind the design.
Illumination
DeckRemodelers.com LLC
Partner: Wolf Home Products
The custom lighting design transitions this amazing space from day to dusk to evening without notice, with three fire elements and expertly placed LED light. Under the counter lights on the kitchen, bar and backsplash. Tempest torches are mounted on top of the backsplash in the kitchen overlooking the yard. Curved LED lights down the helical stairs accentuate the curve of the stairs. The extraordinary circular fire lounge features a round gas fire pit and a ring of LED lights that create a soft ambient feel. There is a full fireplace below the deck as well as LED lights in the ceiling of the Haven underdeck system.
Dock
Midcoast Marine Group, LLC
Partner: TimberTech
Project consisted of Two Docks/Boardwalks on opposite sides of Orange Lake in New Port Richey, FL. First major difficulty/obstacle was this is in a spring feed lake; which means the bottom is solid limerock, each individual piling had to be drilled into the limerock then the annualar space concrete grouted between the wood piling and limerock. Water depths were up to 17′ deep and all of this was performed underwater by Barge & Crane. The Board-walkouts were built on a radius, so each piling had to be specifically placed to meet the radius, along with all the decking and framing requiring to be finish cut on a radius. In addition, with docks on a radius, roughly every 12′ a triangular section must be constructed perpendicular to the deck boards. These require over 136 precisely angled cuts to make the deck work around radius. You add in Stainless Cable Rails, LED Lighting, and then lastly two 7,000lbs Steel Powder Coated Canopy Structure, Fixed mounted to the top of the piling, & set on a Angled Tapered Pier. This was all built in the field and over the water. 7,000SF of Decking, 100+ Drilled Piling, 1,000LF of Railing, Cost $1Million & 7 Months of Construction.
Limitless Creation Under $25k
Decks Unlimited
Partner: Trex Company Inc.
Triple TRUE Radius front deck with sunk in area with Radius inlay through raised portion with radius rails with curved steps.
Limitless Creation $25k – $50k
Hodgkiss Construction
Curved Trex Transcend decking with V pattern and custom sunburst inlay. The project also has Versatex wrapped posts and beams along with 140 ft of recessed RGB lighting along with 30 cap lights.
Limitless Creation $50k – $100k – TIE
All Decked Out
Partners: TimberTech
The main challenge of this amazing project was our client wanted a roof structure off the rear of their home but had a unique yard grade that did not allow the roof and pool to sit right off the back of his house but instead uphill from his home. So we designed a poolside party pavilion which included a composite pool deck area for sunbathing, an existing concrete pool deck which was overlayed in Unilock pavers and the entire outdoor living room area under the pavilion-style hip roof with deck. Both decks had a custom, two board picture frame border in the matching composite decking color. This project also required two large retaining walls to be reconstructed to hold back the hillside. We worked with the clients to incorporate many wish list items they had such as a fireplace, tv area and custom poured concrete bartop, wrap-around countertops. Full lighting package, multiple fans and full sound system was installed also which required electrical work to be run from the house up the hill to the pavilion as well.
Limitless Creation $50k – $100k – TIE
Dr Decks LLC
Partners: TimberTech, In-Lite, Regal Ideas, FastenMaster
This Timbertech Azek deck was a challenge from the beginning due to the extreme slope it was designed to be on. Diamond Pier Pin foundations were used to anchor the deck into the 45 degree slope of the hill. once framed, there were several curved features added to enhance the look and design of the deck. Several PVC planks were heat manipulated into various shapes to create borders, line breaks, steps and benches in the design. The only seams in the deck are created intentionally, on a curved surface border to eliminate all butt joining of deck boards. This is why you see the difficult curves flow seamlessly through the deck as they take priority of the design creating more art than construction. The greatest feature, in my humble opinion, is the Regal ideas Crystal Rail with custom curved glass that lights up at night to display a one of a kind beautiful work of art. A 6′ fire feature anchors the reverse curved bench seating that migrates from the curved steps that flow right into the bench with a unique overlapping pattern. All end grains were heat folded and glued to keep them from separating.
Limitless Creation Over $100k
DeckRemodelers.com LLC
Partner: Wolf Home Products
After working with several architects, these homeowners finally contracted us to design and build the entire backyard from the back door to the back yard down to the calming view of the lake. The attention to every detail is evident from the Zuri deck, outdoor kitchen, concrete counter and privacy screen, fire lounge, hidden cabana, Equinox Louvered Roofs, grand staircase down to the unique pool and hardscape. Taking advantage of the space below the deck, we designed a hidden cabana, featuring a full bathroom and changing room, Ipe walls and custom frosted French doors. This allowed us to provide an unobstructed view from the deck and pool, down to the lake. The beautiful stone wall, to be used as a lighted art display, matches the stone pillars of the bar area and gourmet kitchen. The custom concrete bar was carefully placed as a transition between the decks. The louvered roofs provide the best of both worlds; open air space and dry heated areas when needed. The double helical staircase is curved to hug the fire lounge and provide a grand entrance from the pool to the deck. The curves and straight edges of the pool echo those on the deck.
Commercial Outdoor Living Project
Deck and Basement Company
Partners: Pro Deck Supply, TimberTech, SPI
Project Features: everything. Every color, every product line, every profile, every rail, everything Timbertech/Azek offers. 4,200 square feet of decks; curved decks, herringbone decks, parquet decks, multi-width decks, inlayed decks, elevated decks; even a statue made from decking. A key tagline for TimberTech’s 2019 marketing strategy; “Imagination does not run in straight lines”; the booth was focused on showcasing the flexibility of the product and the different ways elite deck builders were applying it in the field. With only six days allotted for install and the scope and design complexity involved, a modular system was the only option. The booth was pre-built in sections, packaged into shipping crates and trucked halfway across the country. When we were initially selected for the build, I expected to be told the designs that we would be using. I was instead given a blank canvas and asked to create the designs and color combinations as a custom deck builder saw them. There are 23 individual decks within the booth, every one has a different color combination, curved accents, inlay pattern or directional change. It’s more than a whole season’s worth of custom deck designs all wrapped into one incredible project.
The Greatest Showroom Under 3,000sf
Custom Decks
Partner: Trex Company Inc.
After dreaming of opening a showroom for over 15 years it was time to start pursuing the dream in the fall of 2018. After searching for a space for several months we found the ideal spot in Centennial, CO. We signed the lease but were unable to start construction because it was now tradeshow season! Luckily, the new space allowed us build all 3 booths indoors. After show season concluded it was finally time to start putting the showroom together. Starting with a completely empty warehouse we needed to get permits, build the “house” walls, run electric, put up the forest wallpaper, build roofs, pergolas, kitchens, stairs and decks and finally install turf. In the beginning it was all hands on deck and progress went quickly. As it started to warm up though, the builders needed to go back to building decks, so most of the work fell on Dale, the owner, and his father. Once we felt we were close, the invitations for the grand opening went out! As the date grew closer, we weren’t even close to being ready so Dale had to work several nights until the sun came up. But the hard work paid off!
The Greatest Showroom Over 3,000sf
Distinctively Outdoors Inc
Distinctively Outdoors is not a showroom of samples and typical displays, rather a gathering of true-to-life environments designed to depict exactly what something will look like in someone’s backyard. Over 7,000 sqft featuring decking, kitchens, grills/appliances, shade structures, hot tubs, sunrooms, & more, we tried to build a place where customers can walk through different environments ‘experiencing’ their outdoor possibilities not just ‘seeing’ them. Building residential applications in a commercial space has its own share of challenges because of differences in code. We took to the walls to display 5 major decking brands w/14,000 sqft of composite & PVC decking and 3,500 sqft of hardwood installed on top of 10-gauge steel walls. While trying to depict different outdoor flooring options, we painted the concrete floors and used the new submersible 2×2 Deckorators sleeper frame which enabled us to put down both composite and PVC decking showing how decking can be installed on the ground despite environmental challenges (and uneven concrete floors!). The initial side-door entrance was not big enough to accommodate larger product offerings, so we found someone to manufacture a custom 10 x 9 iron door w/a 2’ deep door jam and it’s our favorite custom product offering yet!
Manufacturer Project
TimberTech
AZEK believes in our contractors, and for 2019 decided to put our faith to good use and hire Pat Noonan and team to build our IBS booth. The build was not easy; with new material, tight timelines, and a tradeshow learning curve, but the outcome of the 50×80 booth was simply stunning. The 21 decks, including a rooftop deck, that made up the floor of the booth, were built in Minnesota and shipped to Vegas along with much of the rail and some of the booth’s design elements. Many of the decks featured intricate patterns and inlays. The result of this first-time contractor/exhibitor/manufacturer partnership was nothing less than fabulous. Customers, both current and future, were able to meet, educate and experience the products in a booth that was built by one of their own. The pride and workmanship showed not just physically in the booth, but through the entire AZEK team as we showed the audience our product line up and brand relaunch in our new booth.
People’s Choice Award – First Place
Infinite Decks
Second Place Winners
Click on an image to see a photo gallery for each project
Second Place Overall Winner: Dr. Decks, LLC
Official Partners: TimberTech, Regal Ideas, FastenMaster
This TimberTech Azek deck was a challenge from the beginning due to the extreme slope it was designed to be on. Diamond Pier Pin foundations were used to anchor the deck into the 45 degree slope of the hill. once framed, there were several curved features added to enhance the look and design of the deck. Several PVC planks were heat manipulated into various shapes to create borders, line breaks, steps and benches in the design. The only seams in the deck are created intentionally, on a curved surface border to eliminate all butt joining of deck boards. This is why you see the difficult curves flow seamlessly through the deck as they take priority of the design creating more art than construction. The greatest feature, in my humble opinion, is the Regal ideas Crystal Rail with custom curved glass that lights up at night to display a one of a kind beautiful work of art. A 6′ fire feature anchors the reverse curved bench seating that migrates from the curved steps that flow right into the bench with a unique overlapping pattern. All end grains were heat folded and glued to keep them from separating.
Second Place – Wood Deck Under $25k
Casey Fence and Deck
Our client was adamant about one thing, they wanted a tropical hardwood deck. When they saw samples of Brazilian Teak they were hooked. Next request was to create something unique in an otherwise limited space. We wanted to use shorter boards but not have any unsightly and potentially hazardous butt joints, so we came up with the design idea of having a double picture frame border and a matching criss cross inlay. To make that stand out we opted for the more exotic looking Brazilian Tigerwood and did a basketweave pattern in the center. Of course all the material was brought out to the site ahead of time and prefinished on all 4 sides, all cuts were waxed. Our client opted for white 6×6 rail post sleeves and black rails that blended into the wooded back drop. We finished them with a Tigerwood Cocktail rail and added some under rail lighting for accent. The inside of the home had natural wood over white features so we tied that together with the outside trim on the deck for a magnificent finishing detail.
Second Place – Wood Deck $25k – $50k
Custom Decks
This homeowner needed their deck replaced badly and while they loved the layout of the deck, they had one major concern to address, southern exposure! The way things were, they were not able to enjoy their backyard in the summer until the sun went down! They wanted to build a gable roof and somehow incorporate a pergola as well and after discussions with the design team decided on this final look. They did still want some light coming into their bedroom, so it was important to keep the window above the door free of obstruction. This posed a challenge during the design process since there was not very much room to attach the roof between the window and the existing roof. It took over a month of conversations between the design team, engineers and the plans examiner at Jefferson County before coming up with the best solution. We designed and engineered custom scissor trusses to solve the problem. After waiting for several months to get through the full permitting process we had our permit and were ready to begin! It should also be noted that these customers were some of the most patient and understanding we’ve encountered!
Second Place – Wood Deck $50k – $100k
Decks & More Inc.
Partner: Haven Underdeck Systems
**Use of space** Our client wanted a space above and below and to keep them protected below, also they did not want to block the view of the Swimming pool. Next, our team designed a Plan that provided protection from the Sun and rain and gave them easy access to the pool. **Creativity / Innovation** 1. A Pressure treated Engineered Beam for the header. 2. An Under-deck system. 3. Stacked stonework on the steps. Evidence of craftsmanship 1. Chippendale Rails custom hand-made 2. All columns finished in PVC, (Poly Vinyl Chloride) with Crown molding. 3. Stunning stonework on the staircase. **Degree of Difficulty** Our team Consulted with an engineer to design the proper size beam. Next, it took us 5 to 6 hours to install the Beam properly. Hand-made the Chippendale rails. **Overall Visual Appeal** Clear Span of 22” ft… Under deck System Chippendale handrails Rails Stonework Columns work with Crown Molding Staining 2 Colors: Lights We want to thank our Client for hiring us, our design team, our carpenters, project manager, electricians, painter, and under deck installer. This was total team effort we are nothing without our team!!!
Second Place – Alternative Deck Under $25k
Decks Unlimited
Partner: Trex
Triple TRUE Radius front deck with sunk in area with Radius inlay through raised portion with radius rails with curved steps