Arbordexperts Trex Installer Awards:
WHAT THE JUDGES WANT

There’s still time to enter the Arbordexperts Trex Installer Awards, with two months left to submit your decks for consideration. To help you shape a strong entry, we asked our judges exactly what they look for. Read on to find out more.

We’re lucky to have a knowledgeable judging panel reviewing the entries we receive.

First up is Sarah Francis, decking category manager at Arbor Forest Products, one of the UK’s largest timber importers and parent company of Arbordeck, the UK distributor of Trex composite decking boards.

Sarah has worked with Trex in the UK for more than two years and has valuable insight into how the product is used across a wide range of projects.

What Sarah looks for

When reviewing entries for the Arbordexperts Trex Installer Awards, Sarah is focused on the environment the deck creates and the sense of aspiration it brings to the space.

• Has it created a beautiful new outdoor space?
• Does it inspire other people to consider a Trex deck?
• Has the installer done something different or unexpected?
• Has the owner added details that make the space feel welcoming and homely?

Trex market manager Alan Hodkinson is the second judge on the panel and has worked with the brand in the UK for 18 months.

Through his work with UK merchants and the TrexPRO scheme, Alan has developed a strong understanding of what makes a successful Trex installation.

What Alan looks for

Alan pays close attention to the technical quality of the installation.

• Has the deck been installed correctly, with the right fixings and board spacing?
• How advanced is the installation? Are there mitre joints, patterns or more complex layouts?

Joining Sarah and Alan on the judging panel is Pro Landscaper Magazine managing director Jim Wilkinson.

With 14 years of experience in the landscaping sector, Jim is particularly interested in projects that fit naturally into their surroundings and enhance the overall setting.

What Jim looks for

• Does the design suit its environment and sit comfortably in the space?
• Do the products used match the client’s needs and the project brief?

Also on the panel is Andy Tudbury, founder and designer at Halcyon Days Garden Design, founder of The Belvoir Flower and Garden Festival, and a regular contributor at BBC Gardener’s World Live.

As a professional designer, Andy is especially interested in creativity, originality and how well a Trex installation works with its surroundings.

What Andy looks for

• Creativity, functionality and balance within the design
• Good use of materials in relation to the surrounding environment
• Originality and a strong sense of design

Completing your entry form should only take a few minutes. Just make sure you include photos with your submission.

For more hints and tips, explore our Trex composite decking boards or speak to our team for advice.