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Hen-House Decks earned second place in NADRA’s 2025 Alternative Deck category. The project combined custom inlays, detailed borders, and a roof structure that required elevation changes. The work resolved a height restriction that directly influenced how the deck and roof could function together.
Layout Strategy Used to Coordinate Inlays, Elevation Changes, and Structure
Hen-House Decks received second place in the Alternative Deck 71k to 150k category of NADRA’s 2025 competition, recognized at the 16th Annual Deck Awards Celebration in Clearwater Beach. The project featured custom inlays, picture-frame borders, and a roof structure integrated into an expanded outdoor living space. The placement reflects how the team coordinated design elements with site conditions that required careful planning.
The inlays required consistent geometry because each line influenced how the pattern continued down the steps. The roof structure introduced an additional layer of technical review regarding its interface with the house and the supporting deck surface. The evaluation considered how the team managed these intersecting requirements without compromising usability.
The project succeeded because the team chose to lower the center portion of the deck to provide the roof with the headroom it needed, rather than keeping the deck at its original height and forcing a roof connection that would not meet clearance requirements. The original elevation created a non-negotiable constraint because the roof could not attach to the house without violating height limits. The lowered section provided the vertical space necessary for the structure to function properly. The adjustment also stabilized the relationship between the roof and the transitions created by the inlay pattern.
The completed deck shows a continuous pattern that moves cleanly across the field and down the steps. The new elevation creates comfortable headroom under the roof while maintaining clear pathways throughout the space. The pattern’s alignment provides a reliable footing and straightforward movement across multiple levels. These outcomes explain why the project earned recognition for coordinated planning and thoughtful response to site constraints.
Materials Used
- TimberTech decking
- Composite fascia
- TimberTech decking components
- CAMO Fastener products
- FastenMaster products
- Tru-Scapes Deck Lighting components
Partners
- CAMO Fastener
- Tru-Scapes Deck Lighting
- Under the Sun
- TimberTech
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Hen-House Decks is a custom deck builder serving Northeast Ohio since 2017. The company specializes in the design and construction of outdoor living spaces, including decks, porches, and related structures.
The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) is a trade association serving the outdoor living and decking industry. Award recognition is based on independent judging criteria established by the organization.
