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The Deck Building 101 group has opened entries for its 2027 annual deck building contest, introducing a new online submission platform designed to make it easier for professional builders to showcase their projects and compete for industry recognition.
For the fifth consecutive year, Deck Specialist will help promote the competition and recognize the builders behind the winning projects. As the contest’s magazine and media partner, Deck Specialist has helped bring national attention to the craftsmanship, creativity and technical expertise demonstrated by participating builders.
The competition, organized through the Deck Building 101 Facebook community of 111,400 members, is free to enter and encourages builders to share not only photos of their completed projects but also the construction details, materials and problem-solving techniques that make each build unique.
What’s New for 2027
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a dedicated online contest platform that streamlines the entry process. Builders can now create a free profile, upload multiple projects, select competition categories and provide detailed information about their work.
The platform also allows participants to save unfinished entries as drafts and return later to complete or revise their submissions.
The contest website also features a gallery of previous winners, including links to published Deck Specialist coverage, giving builders an opportunity to explore award-winning projects and learn from their peers.
The 2027 competition features multiple project categories. Each entry can be submitted in more than one category:
Overall Project - The complete build: craftsmanship, design, excellence, and the finished outdoor space;
Deck Tech - The technical solutions, details and problem-solving behind a build;
Curved Deck - Curves, flowing layouts;
StairCraft - Stair design, construction, transitions and finish details);
Inside Out - Projects that connect indoor living with the outdoor space)
Solo Builder - Work build by one builder;
Custom Railing - Railing design, fabrication, installation and detail;
Design Excellence - Creative design that makes the most of the site and the way people use it;
Tru-Star - Telling the story of an outdoor lighting project;
Visual Impact - Lighting that transforms the look and feel of the outdoor space;
Outdoor Lighting Experience - Lighting that makes an outdoor space more useful, welcoming and enjoyable.
Beyond the project awards, the competition also recognizes individuals and companies whose contributions have helped advance the decking industry. The 2026 awards gave the first Innovation Award to Eva-Last. NADRA’s Michael Beaudry was honored with the first Industry Impact Award, while Brendan Casey, Casey Fence & Deck, was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nominations are being accepted for three special honors for the 2027 awards: Industry Impact, Innovation and Lifetime Achievement.
Industry Sponsors Support the Competition
Tru-Scapes returns as the overall contest sponsor, with additional support from Owens Corning Lumber, PWT, Decks & Docks, Dexerdry, Under the Sun Concepts by David Settlemyer and Regal ideas.
The sponsors support different aspects of the competition, including design, construction innovation and industry recognition. Decks & Docks is associated with the Industry Impact Awards, while Dexerdry supports the Inside Out category. Owens Corning Lumber, PWT, Regal ideas, and Under the Sun Concepts are recognized as contest and design competition partners.
Builders of Authority, which provides marketing, website development and business-growth resources for professional builders, is featured as a community sponsor.
Entries Close July 4, 2027 CT
Builders have until July 4, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time to submit their projects and industry award nominations for the 2027 annual awards.
With its new submission platform, continued industry support and emphasis on recognizing exceptional craftsmanship, the Deck Building 101 contest provides professional builders another opportunity to share their work, learn from fellow craftsmen and gain recognition throughout the decking industry.
Led by Clint Webb, Webb Decks and five other admins including Andy Henley, Hen-House Decks; Mike Mitchell, Mitchell Construction; Mike May, and Builders of Authority’s CEO Adam McChesney and Client Success Mgr. Dony De Los Santos, the Deck Building 101 group is dedicated to excellence in the deck building industry and teaching and sharing deck building knowledge,
For contest details, categories and free registration, visit the Deck Building 101 Contest website.
