Brief
To build multiple decks in the woods at Eavestone, situated at various points maximising the viewpoint of each Deck
Key Features
Two initial ‘T’-shaped decks were built on ground screws with 4”x4” posts at 2m intervals, featuring sunken firepits, dining areas, and central hot tubs.
One deck was centrally located; the other, tucked into a lower corner, became a favorite due to its tree-surrounded setting, elevated feel, and stunning views.
A third deck was constructed at the top of the site to maximize the outlook, requiring a different approach due to the steep slope.
Rear support was provided by three ground screws; front support required 2.5m high posts, making the standard design impractical.
The front was instead supported with chunky 8”x8” posts set at 45-degree angles, anchored into steel shoes on three concrete pads, with opposing angled posts supporting the center.
Three pairs of 9”x3” joists spanned from the rear ground screws through the angled posts, creating a dramatic cantilevered deck with spectacular views.
Building decks in the woods at Eavestone was a dream job for me. Turning up to the stunning surroundings that I know so well every day, working outdoors in the fresh Yorkshire air and building with an imaginative and creative freedom couldn’t be beaten.
The site and locations of the individual decks were established and it was hoped that they were suitably well spaced apart to give each one privacy. Consequently, each site location varied in terms of its steepness, orientation, surrounding trees/other obstacles and access. It was broadly known that the yurts required a bathroom, dining area, bbq/seating area and a hot tub.
We opted for ground screws as the best means of foundations for the yurts. As the installation took place however it was found that large areas of the site were solid rock only a shallow depth below the surface and so not all screws were able of being installed.
Where the ground screws had been successfully installed in the ground we decided to build the first decks. These were designed with multiple ground screws and 4”x4” posts supporting the deck at approximately 2m intervals. These decks were intended to be ‘T’ shaped and have sunken firepit areas on one side, dining areas on the other and a hot tub front and centre. Two such decks were built like this, the first centrally to the site and the second tucked nicely in the lower corner. To many this is the choice deck on the site due to its setting in the trees and stunning view over the tops. Also due to the feeling of height as the ground slopes down steeply at the front.
The third deck was at the top of the site and to maximise the outlook it was decided to get as high as reasonably possible. 3no ground screws were installed to anchor the rear of the deck. To support the front of the deck meant that the posts would have to be approximately 2.5m tall and so the previous deck design with 2m spacings wasn’t feasible. I had the opportunity to make something special of this deck and so decided to support the front with chunky 8”x8” posts at 45 degrees angles. The posts were fixed into specially manufactured steel shoes on a series of only three concrete pad foundations which also had posts facing in the opposite direction at 45 degrees supporting the middle of the deck. 3no pairs of 9”x3” timber joists were installed from the rear ground screws through the tops of the two posts and fixed in place with further steel post holders. The deck cantilevered over the front and was spectactular.
Access to this deck was a challenge and so we built steps and a gangway leading up to the rear. We built a separate deck for the hot tub to sit off to the side of the gangway. The bathroom also had its own exacting deck built off to the rear.
The next deck site was even steeper than the last and the front was over 3m above ground. The ‘V’ arrangement of support wasn’t appropriate here for various reasons although the same principals of large timber posts and joists spanning long distances was required. We opted for a cantilever of some kind at the front but instead, large vertical posts carried the front of the deck and braces fixed at the base of the two posts supported the middles sections in both directions. The bathroom and hot tub had to be built further up the hill and so a further platform was constructed with steps up.
We had more fun building the other decks too. Each location required thought and imagination as to what the best means of support was going to be. The higher the deck, the fewer supports and in turn, the more visible the underside would become. For this reason the posts were aligned perfectly regular and had braces mortice and tenoned to prevent any movement.
The final deck was potentially going to be a communal space and so it needed to be much larger with room for a bigger yurt and an outdoor deck area. The site was relatively flat although the front did fall to height of 1.5m approximately. We wanted to give this deck something special to boast about comparatively to all the other decks and so we came up with the idea of making the front curved with the same radius as the yurt itself. It took rather a lot of building to achieve but once finished it looked amazing.
Bespoke Buildings,
Chapel Hill Cottage,
Thornborough,
Bedale,
DL8 2RF
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