Best Decks

The North American Deck & Railing Association presented awards for the year's best decks during the recent Deck Expo in Chicago,Il.

"This year's Deck Competition was as tough to judge as last year's-probably tougher!" said judge Glenn Mathewson, NADRA technical advisor. "From simple elegance to massively elaborate, judging these decks made me wish I was still building them. It was obvious that these builders are making dreams come true for their clients."

Among the winners: pressure treated framing, with tongue-&-groove white pine for the ceiling.

BEST ALTERNATIVE DECK OVER 500 SQ. FT. was for this Rockv Mountain showplace by Barry Streett, Rolling Ridge Deck Co., Evergreen, Co. The 1,500-sq. ft. project incorporated Brazilian slate decking, Grate Dex outdoor flooring, custom-designed wrought iron rail, native moss rock columns, exposed tongue-&-groove ceiling and glulam beams, antique barn beam mantel, and 90+ copper low-voltage lights.

BEST WOOD DECK UNDER 500 SQ. FT. went to this southern oine beauty from Frank Pologruto, Decks & More, Smyrna, Ga., featuring a stunning bow curve and Dekorators custom rail system with black aluminum balusters.