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 13th Annual Awards Celebration was held on March 30, 2023, in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Professionals of all levels & categories, from across North America (and beyond) enter the deck competition. See photos from the event >
We invite you to scroll through to see the winning entries of NADRA’s 2022 National+ Deck Competition. Be sure to click on images to see a gallery for each project.
Overall Winners
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First Place
Neighbourhood Fence and Deck Inc
Every inch of this project includes fine detail you would normally see on the inside of a home. For example, the fully trimmed post wraps, the sublimated aluminum wood grain ceilings, custom laser cut privacy panels, the sound system, TVs, the full-service kitchen, and the bar just to name a few.
Outdoor features include the Sedum “Green” roof, natural putting green, and cantilevered pool deck, along with the water and fire features, taking this build to the next level. Lighting plays a big part in completing this “dream”. One of the biggest challenges was planning the irrigation and water draining systems on this build. Each zone and area are carefully designed and controlled. The other challenge was the retaining walls hidden behind some of these feature areas that allow us to create the various entertainment areas.
This build pushed our boundaries as a team. It allowed us to grow mentally and physically while exploring different materials and installation methods to keep this backyard “resort” sustainable for years to come. It was a real honor for us to be able to work on a project like this and to have clients that allowed us to be creative and make us a part of their home.
Second Place
Windeck Ltd.
One of the biggest challenges was installing the first louvre roof slide in Canada. With no training or videos, we had very small tolerances that had to be maintained. The 12mm thick ceramic frit-printed privacy glass was extremely heavy and needed a crane. With each piece of glass costing roughly $5,000.00, it was very nerve-racking working around trees and power lines trying to get them installed. One of our favourite features on this deck is the pop-up TV which was also a first for us. The size of the TV the customer chose threw a curveball at our framing because we then had to recess the TV into the deck so that it didn’t pop up too high for proper viewing. This TV can swivel 360 degrees for viewing from either the hot tub or the living area. All electrical was run under the deck and with the proximity to the ground, all wire had to be run before the decking went on. Another modern but challenging aspect of this project is that all 17 motors (between louvre roofs, pop-up tv, & drop-down screens) 250 lights, 5 fans, & 6 heaters are operated via the customer’s home automation system.
Third Place
Majestic Outdoors
Through the design process, the client asked us “do decks have to be square or rectangle and have corners?” Well, no they do not, and we specialize in curved decks and railings, so we designed curved corners for a rectangular-shaped deck. Then realized after some conversations with the client that the stairs are straight, and we can’t have that on a curved deck. The client agreed and that would be cool. Now we need to design breaker boards, but can’t make them straight, that will mess with a no-corner curve deck. After some doodling, we have a Ying and Yang design, which flowed perfectly. Now the homeowner wants to add a firepit, we agreed only if it was round. With that, now we are going to design and build you a curved bench. It was truly a fun challenge to keep the design going for no corners and great that the client gave us the freedom to design this deck with no restrictions. Decking, lighting, and railing products are TimberTech and all curved decking is done with Azek products.
Fourth Place
Erdmann Exterior Designs
This project was special to us for many reasons. The client has a beautiful early 1900s home situated on an acre lot back in the ravines. This brings us to our first difficulty which was staging a project with such uneven landscaping and unexpected challenges working with a ravine. This is the largest deck we have ever built clocking in over 1800 square feet using Ipe decking. This was our first time installing Viewrail and using Tempest Torches. We were able to add unique elements to this project such as a sunken firepit seating area with built-in Ipe benches, Ipe storage closets & containers. The upper deck was set up to be an all-weather space including an outdoor kitchen, dining area, and bar seating using a Struxure Pergola and Challenger Kitchen. We designed this project to be the ultimate entertaining space. The client described the finished product as better than they could have ever imagined – and we agree!
Fifth Place
Northern Outdoor Living
This project contains many things out of the ordinary. Ranging from 3.5 to 7.25 alternating deck board widths, a “rod and clevis” suspended balcony, and the one and only TREE OF LIFE “Fiber Wall”. The “Tree Of Life” FIBER WALL is a feature that I invented this year that brings a privacy wall to life. It gives a feel of ebb and flow as the twinkling stars (motorized fiber optic lighting) swell from color to color over a plasma cutout of our tree of life and gives a deeply relaxing environment.
We had to fabricate a 3′ by 3′ “L” bracket made from 1/4″ steel to support the outer side of the Fiber Wall for wind pressure. This combines custom metal, innovative lighting, and creative logistics with an overall vision in mind. We added rock to the fascia of the suspended balcony. For the balcony, 4 engineered structural brackets were designed and then manufactured in-house. 2 to insert into the balcony framing and 2 to insert and integrate into the framing of the house. Lighting is installed on all post caps, centered under the balcony and around the underdeck room for safe travels to the hot tub around the side.
Commercial
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First Place
California Deck Pros
Partner: New Castle Steel
4000 sq ft viewing platform that was built over the roots of the 2nd biggest tree (width) in California. The deck allows families to get close to the tree as it was closed to the public for the past 40 years due to the soil being compacted, threatening the life of the tree.
The tree’s health was a priority on this build and we conducted a sonar scan of the root system and installed above-grade footings and several below-grade footings in between a mapped root system. We utilized sonar and GPS to achieve the mapping and layout with an accuracy of 1/4 inch.
Second Place – TIE
California Deck Pros
Rooftop decks and entertainment space on top of 8th story of a parking structure at a luxury condo complex.
Second Place – TIE
Deck and Basement Company
Partners: TimberTech by Azek, ProDeck Supply, PHI Decks
“Setting the stage” for a premiere PGA event was the goal of the grand entry deck at the Royal Palm Yacht Club, and it delivered. An 80’ foot long walkway of TimberTech Reserve Dark Roast flanked by tropical plants and featuring side decks of Reclaimed Chestnut and Driftwood colors to create an inspiring journey through the tournament admission. Built-in planters flanking the ramp and deck perimeters provide a unique and open alternative to the railing. TimberTech Pinnacle Railing surrounds the coastal-inspired deck, providing a striking and complimentary backdrop along with shadow accents for the space. Colorful and fun furniture on the opposing deck also allowed for backyard inspiration and a space for attendees to have a lively conversation on their way into or leaving the event. Simply stated, the Entry Deck at the TimberTech Championship was much more than a walkway to the admission area, it was a unique execution of design that created a show-stopping entry and product showcase.
Third Place
Deck and Basement Company
Partners: TimberTech by Azek, PHI Decks, Prodeck Supply
With front-row views of the meticulously manicured 9th and 18th greens, this clubhouse deck at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club is certainly the premiere place to be to take in a PGA event. Over 2000 square feet of TimberTech Landmark decking is built into grade and abuts the central water hazard. Raised French White Oak viewing platforms crowned with Struxure Cabanas flank the double herringbone center inlay, the first-ever install of the new Boardwalk Landmark color. The center inlay is backed by a built-in bench anchoring the flagpole, the perfect place to take a load off and enjoy the view or the golf. Horizontal French White Oak cladding encloses the deck perimeter to grade, topped by Impressions Express railing with American Walnut drink rail top. The primary design consideration was to make the deck look and feel like a continuation of the historic clubhouse building and create a viewing and entertaining area in an otherwise unusable space. Grade challenges, fluctuating waterlines, and orientating the design layout to the surroundings were all challenges to overcome. Along with wearing a toolbelt with waders on.
Best Product Display
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First Place
LS Underground
Partners: TimberTech by Azek, Regal ideas, in-Lite, Deckorators, Simpson Strong-Tie, FastenMaster, Backyard and Beyond
Built with help from numerous builders around the country, we thank them all! This showroom piece has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative design, combining unique characteristics and elements of two states, Texas, and Colorado, in a collaboration that resulted in a completely one-of-a-kind deck. The deck showcases the logos of each state and highlights the manufacturer’s color and texture variations through the use of a diverse range of flooring combinations and patterns. The attention to detail and expert manipulation of the product is evident in the extraordinary shape of the deck, which has been a major draw for clients upon entering the space. The creative design inspires clients to consider the full range of possibilities for their own decks and has been successful in converting interest into sales. In addition, the added inlay of a star in the Texas-shaped portion of the lower deck enhances the overall accuracy of the design, while the curved glass rail and complimentary lighting draw the eye to this visually stunning piece, even at night as evidenced by security footage of onlookers admiring the deck through the storefront window. Overall, this showroom piece has truly elevated the art of deck design to new heights.
Second Place
Holloway Company
Partners: TimberTech by Azek, StoneDeks Systems, Deckorators
Approximately 1 acre of outdoor showroom consisting of a dry base and concrete base patio/walkways, multiple fireplaces and fire pits, a timber pavilion with cedar shake shingles, a pavilion with white PVC trim, privacy wall, gas fireplace, and drop screens. Our decking displays include Trex, Dekorators, and Azek porch board all surrounded by well-manicured landscaping for the client’s full experience.
Third Place
Holloway Company
Partner: Trex
Located at the Trex University this indoor deck display comes complete with curves, inlays, multiple levels and of course Trex decking.
Railing
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First Place
Erdmann Exterior Designs
This client wanted an unobstructed view of the ravine, so we of course chose glass railings. This was our first time installing Viewrail, which is always a challenge installing any new product, but our guys did a wonderful job.
Second Place
Wood Bully
This railless glass guard rail was able to meet code by using an engineered 8mm tempered glass. We managed to keep things clean by mounting our spigots to the rim of the structure rather than the deck floor. We used the same glass custom cut to match the angle of the stairs for the handrail while meeting code and client needs by fitting an aluminum graspable rail to the top of the stair glass.
Third Place
Wood-N-Works
Partners: CAMO, Digger Specialties, Inc., FastenMaster, in-Lite Outdoor Lighting, TimberTech by Azek, Talbert Building Supply
These Verticable rails by Westbury almost speak for themselves. They introduce cable railing in a whole new way by turning traditional, horizontal cables on their axis…literally. The vertical orientation of the cables makes them disappear in this project. You have zero obstructions whether you’re standing on the deck looking out at the beautiful landscaping or in the yard looking up at the house with its vertical siding. For our clients, we love that they require less tensioning maintenance compared to horizontal cables. And one major plus from the contractor’s point of view is they come in 6′ and 8′ pre-built panels that you just cut down to size and drop in between your surface mount posts. We hope to utilize these more often in the future. What do you guys think?
Dock
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First Place
Dock & Deck
Partners: ProWood, CAMO Fasteners, Deckorators, FastenMaster, Koppers
This customer bought the house and did not like the way the existing dock looked. They contracted us to tear it down, completely remove all pilings and start with a fresh state. We had to stay within the same footprint, so we got creative to incorporate everything they wanted (closet, pontoon slip, TV on the dock, picture frame border, hanging swing, and multiple jet ski lifts/ports).
Second Place
Dock & Deck
Partners: ProWood, Deckorators, CAMO Fasteners, FastenMaster, Koppers
This project features a 992 sqft footprint dock (not including the walkway). This dock is in deep water so we ended up having to have all pilings underdeck and build the roof structure on top of the pilings with 8×8 treated posts. The customer wanted everything to match the house as close as possible so we used the same colors and metal roofing for it to all tie in.
Third Place
Dock & Deck
Partners: ProWood, Deckorators, Koppers, FastenMaster
This project was a big one! Double boat slip, 1598 sqft footprint (not including the walkway). The customer had a vision from the beginning and with the design we presented, they said it was EXACTLY what they wanted. We went to work to bring that vision to life with Deckorators Voyage Mineral Based Composite, UFP Edge thermally modified ceiling, multiple boat lifts, and a closet. The attention to detail with the trim work on the closet and ceiling really makes this one stand out!
Open Porch
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First Place
Decksouth
Design / Build: Outdoor ‘Rustic’ Living – 1000 SF Large Doug Fir Timber, Open Porch with six (6) different roof framing angles. This 1000 SF open porch has a standing seam metal roof and sits on a 1000 SF porcelain paver patio. We installed a metal roof to the existing section of the house that the new porch attaches to – for a nice, seamless look. To marry the existing pool patio with the new porcelain paver patio we introduced real flagstone between the two spaces. Our flagstone patio extends out front to the firepit. Anchoring the front gable, we built a 30′ tall tapered stacked stone fireplace. This fireplace burns real wood and has built-in wood storage on the backside. We built a 35 LF kitchen in the back corner. The cabinets are faced with distressed metal which we continued using as wainscoting on the house wall. The countertops are concrete. Hidden within the Timbers is all electrical powering the heaters and lights. The detail of the large arched timbers and tongue and groove ceiling is unique and simply special.
Second Place
Hen-House
Partners: Trex, TimberTech by AZEK
After building a beautiful deck for the neighbor, these homeowners wanted us to build them the perfect outdoor living space. They had an existing deck and wanted us to add on. After listening to the customer’s wants and needs we came up with a perfect layout. The deck has two levels. The upper space is off their master bed room, which provided them with a great space for winding down after they put the kids to bed. The lower deck has a beautiful decorative ceiling that is surely one of a kind. and a fireplace with a TV providing entertainment. From the details, we put into this project to the design. We are happy to say we built the perfect open porch for our customers.
Third Place
Deck Remodelers
Partner: Wolf Home Products
This porch is really more of a covered outdoor living room and features a floor-to-ceiling fireplace with TV wall, a gorgeous PVC ceiling complete with heaters, and a granite rail top bar overlooking the pool. The standing seam black metal roof has an eyebrow detail that lets natural light through and gives it an open feel.
The sunken circular lounge is adjacent to the Naturekast kitchen. Notice that the cabinets match the black rails, and both tie into the black metal roof. Natural stone veneer on the columns and fireplace complements the free-form hardscape. No detail was overlooked in the design and execution.
Closed Porch
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First Place
Holloway Company
Partners: Deckorators, Trex Company, Inc.
This project is a 600 SF deck platform with a 480 SF three-season porch and with Lincoln Folding Doors leading into the existing living room. The interior wall of the porch has a Deckorators porch board and Hardie Board Panels with a smooth finish. A Gable style open beam roof with Shingles and Gutters to match the existing home. The interior ceiling of this porch has exposed rafters with a white and light brown Sherwin-Williams stain to give a rustic look. The entire interior and exterior are trimmed out with white PVC. This porch is fully enclosed using Sunspace WeatherMaster vinyl windows and an 8ft tall storm door. The outer landing and steps are Trex Transcends Decking with a Transcends Rail, white post sleeves, black balusters, and white flat post caps were used. The entire porch skirt is composed of white PVC. The interior of this porch also contains a prefab wood-burning insert fireplace, the front is veneered with Old World Stone. This beautiful porch is adjacent to the brand-new paver patio, fire pit, and seat wall.
Second Place
Decks and More
Partner: MoistureShield
Our client desired a superb outdoor living space, so we sat down and listened, learned, and took great notes, We design a plan that best suited their needs. Our plan creates a warm welcoming Screened Porch that displays 2 distinctive spaces: a Dining space and a Lounge area.
Third Place
Decksouth
Partner: MoistureShield
We removed an old unused, unsafe deck and built a screen porch. With an interesting alcove on the back of the house, we tied in a shed roof to look as if it were built with the house. A spiral staircase leads up to the porch entrance. Once inside you are staring at the stone-faced fireplace. Looking to your left, the unobstructed view of the golf course created by the cable handrail is really nice. For year ’round enjoyment we added sliding windows to the screen openings. The ceiling is 6″ tongue and groove and the electrical package includes heaters. Below the deck, we opened up (eliminating support posts) the view of the golf course by installing a 21′ engineered beam and two corner posts.
Illumination
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First Place
Northern Outdoor Living
Partner: Deckorators
On this privacy wall’s iconic scene – the Split Rock Lighthouse of Two Harbors, MN – we used 3 types of lighting. One set of neon led rope lighting for the backlighting of the metal plasma cutouts, a 1000-strand fiber optic system for the twinkling stars, and an 8-second flash beacon for the Lighthouse itself.
Hundreds of holes were drilled for the fiber optic twinkling stars. the overall desired vision was constantly thought of when drilling the holes to create natural randomness in the star scene. Even the client’s Astrological signs were incorporated into the scene.
The backlighting was created to give the illusion of the Aurora Borealis, sunrises, or sunsets. They run behind the plasma cutouts and through “chase conduits” that we installed through the wall for any future maintenance. And lastly, I installed an 8-second flash beacon bulb just like the historic lighthouse. It sits hidden inside the lighthouse cutout and its wires run through the same chase as the rope lights. All of the backlighting, stair tread lighting, path lighting behind metal lattice skirting, and fiber optic lighting is controlled via the phone app. It can all be changed to any color on the spectrum.
Second Place – TIE
Windeck Ltd.
Partner: in-Lite
Along with making sure the deck was well-lit, we also wanted to make sure that the shapes the light created on the various surfaces were pleasing and soothing to the eye. Over the table, we used rope lights to achieve uniform lighting for a pleasant dining experience. All the walls were finished with lights to define the spaces at night. We cantilevered the pergola using a beam complete with ceiling lights to provide lighting to areas of the deck that would otherwise be dark. The goal was to eliminate any dark space on the deck and we accomplished that while creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Second Place – TIE
Northern Outdoor Living
Partners: Trex Company, Inc., Deckorators
We built the “Tree Of Life” FIBER WALL on this project. It is a feature that I invented this year that brings a privacy wall to life. It gives a feel of ebb and flows as the twinkling stars (motorized fiber optic lighting system) swell from color to color and gives a deeply relaxing environment.
The “Fiber Wall” is a privacy wall about 1′ thick. It is a framed wall, offset studs 16″OC, with plywood front and back and totally “dried in”. The front was clad in motorless stone panels except for a 4’x8′ space centered in the middle. This was donned in Deckorators Mineral-based deck boards. Different colors for the sky and earth were used. We cut out aluminum 3-panel sections of the Tree of Life design with our own plasma cutting table. After we powder-coated the sections we installed them flat on the deck boards. We then started our task of predrilling hundreds of 1/16″ pilot holes through the face of the boards and threaded the fiber optic cables through each and everyone from the back before we closed it up. 25 other lights dress this deck. Post cap, soffit, and side wall.
Third Place
Erdmann Exterior Designs
Partner: in-Lite
We believe lighting adds the final touch to an outdoor living space. This client wanted to have evening events and parties, so we of course wanted proper lighting for safety and ambiance. We incorporated In-Lite riser lights, Tempest Torches, and lighting throughout the Struxure Pergola. The addition of the fire table creates a final lighting feature to tie everything together.
Inlay
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