The raised deck
A deck perched above the garden in grooved Douglas boards, on solid posts, with a rope handrail that doesn't block the view. Made for low winter sun and long summer evenings alike.
Timber decks · Dordogne
A timber deck, for living outdoors.
I build made-to-measure timber decks around Belvès and Monpazier: perched above the garden, covered against the house, or at ground level. Usually in Douglas fir, a home-grown timber that copes outdoors without treatment, with a handrail, a pergola or a swing seat if you fancy one.
- Decks
- Raised, covered, at ground level, along a stone wall
- Timber
- Mostly Douglas fir, other timbers on request
- Area
- Belvès, Monpazier, Siorac, Cadouin, Saint-Cyprien, Sarlat… 40 km around
What I do
For the morning coffee and the evening drink.
Every deck starts from the ground it sits on: the slope, the sun, the view, and what you plan to do out there.
- 01
Raised deck
On a sloping plot or to catch the view: a frame on posts, so the deck sits level with the house rather than at the bottom of the bank.
- 02
Covered deck
Posts, beams and a proper roof: shade in summer, dry in winter. One side can be closed in with boards to keep the wind off.
- 03
Ground-level deck
The Sunday-lunch deck, flush with the garden or along an old stone wall that holds the day's warmth.
- 04
Handrails & steps
In timber, rope or both, plus the steps down to the garden. Designed for safety, and for the view.
- 05
Pergolas & canopies
Exposed rafters over the deck, for a vine, a shade sail or a proper tiled roof.
- 06
Swing seats & furniture
A Douglas swing seat under its own little roof, an armchair made from offcuts: something to make the most of the deck.
Recent decks
Four decks, four gardens.
The covered deck
A patch of bare earth against the house. Afterwards: chunky Douglas posts, beams, joists, a roof, and a wall of vertical boards to close off one side. Dry for meals outside, sheltered for the car.
The deck by the old wall
A ground-level deck running right up to an old stone wall. The boards stop against the stone, each one fitted by hand: the kind of detail you only notice when it's done badly.
The swing seat
A Douglas swing seat with its own slatted roof, at the bottom of the garden. A bed of cushions, some shade, and none of the squeak.
The timber
Why Douglas fir, most of the time?
Douglas fir grows in France, it's strong, it has a lovely honey colour and, once the sapwood is cut away, its heartwood copes outdoors without chemical treatment. For a deck in the Dordogne, it's often the best balance of lifespan, price and looks.
But what really makes a deck last is how it's built: the water has to drain away, and the air has to get through.
- The timber
- Douglas fir with the sapwood removed, naturally durable outdoors. Other timbers are possible, we can talk about them with the quote.
- The frame
- Posts and joists kept off the ground and ventilated: the timber should never sit in soil or in a puddle.
- The boards
- Spaced so the water runs off, laid with a slight fall, cut clean at the ends.
- Upkeep
- Left bare, Douglas weathers to a lovely silver grey. To keep the honey colour, a coat of oil every so often does the trick.
Common questions
Decks, people often ask…
Which timber is best for a deck in the Dordogne?
Most of the time I recommend Douglas fir with the sapwood removed: a French timber, strong, that copes outdoors without treatment and stays affordable. We can go for another timber if you have something particular in mind; we'll talk it through with the quote.
Does a Douglas deck need oiling?
It doesn't have to be. Left alone, Douglas turns a lovely silvery grey within a few months. If you'd rather keep its honey colour, give it a coat of oil every so often, usually once a year.
Do I need permission to build a deck?
A ground-level deck usually needs nothing, except in a protected area. Once it's raised or covered, it counts as built footprint: a déclaration préalable over 5 m², full planning permission over 20 m² (40 m² in an urban zone under a PLU). The rules vary from one commune to the next, so we check with the mairie, and I'll help you put the drawings together.
Can you put a roof over an existing deck?
Yes, as long as the deck is sound. I put up separate posts and beams, then a roof in tiles, sheeting or open slats for a pergola. One side can be boarded in to keep the wind off, too.
How long does it take to build a deck?
For an average ground-level deck, allow a few days on site. A raised or covered deck needs more structure, so more time. I'll give you a proper timescale with the quote.
What else I do
From the ridge to the bottom of the garden.
Roof frames & roofing
Extensions, pool houses & shelters
Insulation
Tiny houses
Our workContact
Got a project? Let's talk.
Send me a couple of lines and a few photos, by phone, WhatsApp or email. I come round to have a look, then you get a detailed quote. In English or French, whichever suits you.
06 49 75 18 73