Old Town Roofs · Sea-View Villas · Patios · Steep Access
Altea is built up a hillside, and its best outdoor spaces are tucked onto roofs, patios and terraces facing the water. We build shade and seating that fits awkward sites, carried in by hand where it must be.
Climb through the whitewashed lanes of the old town and you notice how little ground there is. Houses press together, and the places to sit outside are small patios, first-floor terraces and roofs chosen for the view. A well-built pergola can double the time those spaces are used.
Getting a structure onto them is the real challenge. Steps are steep, lanes are too narrow for vehicles, and some roofs can only be reached through the house. We cut and finish timber beforehand in sections light enough to carry, then assemble in place with a minimum of noise and dust.
On the slopes above the centre, villas have broader terraces facing the bay. These need shade against a stronger sun, protection from salt, and an eye on the view, because a handsome frame that blocks the horizon defeats the purpose of having bought the house.
Old Town
Old houses here were built of thick walls and mixed materials, and the roof terrace may have been added long after the house. Before fixing anything we look at what the structure beneath actually is: concrete slab, old beams, or a patchwork of repairs. Anchor points go only where the building can carry them.
Neighbours are close, so an overhead structure affects light and views for others. We keep frames slim, keep to the existing lines of the building and, where it matters, talk the plan over with the people next door before work. A tidy, well-judged pergola is rarely a problem; an oversized one often is.
The look needs care. A pale or natural timber finish sits comfortably against whitewash, while heavy dark frames can dominate a small space. We bring finish samples to the house and agree the colour with you before anything is sealed or fitted.
Access
Access decides cost, time and design, so we walk the route from the nearest road before quoting. We note every turn, step and doorway, and design members that will actually pass through them. A beam that will not fit up the staircase is no use, however good it looks on paper.
Where a lift by hand is impractical, other methods may be needed, and we agree them in advance. Delivery times matter in old centres, where a parked van can block a lane. We schedule deliveries and keep the working area clean so residents are not inconvenienced.
Working in sections also means the job moves quickly on site. Posts, beams and slats arrive treated and numbered, and the final fitting happens over a few short visits rather than weeks of sawing on a terrace above other people's windows.
Villas
A villa terrace above the sea gets the benefit of the view and the full effect of sun and salt air. We choose treatments and fixings for that exposure, and avoid detailing that traps moisture where the sea mist settles. Metalwork is specified for the coast instead of the cheapest bracket available.
Shade has to be placed with the sun's path in mind. Late afternoon light comes in low from the west and can be hard to block with an overhead roof alone, so side screens or a slatted wall are sometimes added. We watch how the light falls on the terrace across the hours when you sit out.
Around the structure we can renew paving with a non-slip finish, add steps or railings where the terrace falls away and install low-level lighting, so the evening outlook over the bay is not spoiled by glare from fittings, whether you are sitting out or just walking to the steps.
How it works
We begin with a visit, usually on foot from the nearest point we can park. We measure, photograph the route in, and look closely at the surface where the structure will sit. You tell us how you want to use the space, and we suggest a size and style that works.
A written quotation follows, covering the design, the finish, how the pieces will be carried in and any floor work that is needed. Pieces are made in the workshop and brought in stages, so the lane stays clear. Owners who are away receive photos at each step.
Questions
Often it can, if the roof can carry it and any rules for the area allow it. We check the structure, plan the access, and say on the visit if the town hall is the next place to ask.
We prepare it in the workshop in light, numbered sections that can be carried by hand along steps and lanes, then assemble on site. That means less noise, less dust and fewer deliveries blocking neighbours.
Not if it is positioned and proportioned with the view in mind. We mark out the layout with you on the terrace, and often choose slim members, open slatting or a lower beam line so the horizon stays visible.
Salt affects metal fixings more than wood, but it also wears finishes. We use suitable fixings, choose a treatment for sea exposure and explain how often the finish will need renewing, so you know what to expect.
Across the area
Not every home here is on a hillside. Pages for the neighbouring towns describe how outdoor work adapts to flatter ground, bigger plots and inland settings away from the bay.
Pergolas and outdoor living for Benidorm apartments: wind-aware shade, decking and lighting for balconies and penthouse roofs. Free quotation.
View Benidorm →Pergolas, decking and covered dining areas for La Nucía villas on sloping plots, with poolside shade, garden steps and lighting from one team. Free quotation.
View La Nucía →Pergolas, railings and shade for Finestrat view terraces, hillside villas and homes near Cala de Finestrat, designed for exposed wind and sun. Free quotation.
View Finestrat →Pergolas and outdoor living in Calpe: salt-resistant timber, fixings and finishes for seafront flats and hillside villa terraces. Free quotation.
View Calpe →Pergolas and outdoor living in Alfaz del Pi and Albir: shade for apartments, hillside villas and village fincas, with cabling planned early. Free quotation.
View Alfaz del Pi & Albir →Pergolas and outdoor living in Polop: shade frames for village patios, stone-house terraces and hillside villas, built for hot inland summers. Free quotation.
View Polop →Pergolas and outdoor living in Benissa: large finca terraces, old town patios and coastal villas, with covered dining, stone and timber. Free quotation.
View Benissa →Pergolas and outdoor living in Villajoyosa: shade for old town rooftops, seafront flat balconies and inland villa gardens, for year-round use. Free quotation.
View Villajoyosa →Pergolas and outdoor living in Callosa d'en Sarrià from a local team: shade for village houses, hillside fincas and terraces above the valley. Free quotation.
View Callosa d'en Sarrià →Pergolas and outdoor living in Albir: low-maintenance shade for holiday apartments and hillside villas near the Sierra Helada and seafront. Free quotation.
View Albir →Get in touch
Photos of the roof, patio or terrace are a good start. We will walk the route in, measure up and write a quotation for you, for nothing and with no commitment on your side.
Our own people build, carry, fit and finish the work, and message or call you with updates whenever you happen to be away from Altea during the weeks it takes.
Customer reviews
Genuine Google reviews from Dragon Reforms customers.
Professional Collaboration & Complete House Renovation – Calpe
“We have been collaborating for many years on projects both large and small, with excellent results. Our latest collaboration was the complete renovation of a house in Calpe. Thanks to their professionalism and reliability, they were able to handle all phases of the project. We hope to continue working together for many years to come.”
Complete Apartment Renovation – Benidorm
“I would like to say a huge thank you to Dragonreforms. Nico and his team did an excellent job renovating our 2 bedroom apartment in Benidorm. This included a beautiful new bathroom, kitchen, flooring, interior doors, plumbing and complete electrical works. Truly amazing workmanship. You have made our dreams come true.”
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