Garden bridges are rather original and attractive structures. Especially if there is a small pond or the murmur stream in the middle of the household site. In addition to the functional destination (transition through the aqueous stream), they will decorate any landscape design. Now the bridge can be used as an element of decor of a country territory.

Criterias of choice

There are a number of criteria when choosing a material from which the bridge for the cottage is manufactured. The main ones are:

• reliability of the design;
• security of the bridge;
• attractive appearance.

Reliable exploitation for a long time is achieved due to high-quality care for the construction. And it does not depend on the material used for the production of construction. And metal, and wooden bridges require processing with protective means. Only so you can increase their service life.

The device safe design provides for the creation of ideal conditions for finding people on it. There should be no threat to any person. There are such basic rules when creating strong garden bridges with their own hands:

• the framework must withstand 3-4 people;
• high-quality installation of the base for the foundation or on the soil;
• mandatory device for stable railing;
• equipment with good lighting (pillars with lanterns or the backlight of the bridge itself);
• non-slip flooring (the option with rubber inserts is suitable).

The decorative properties of garden bridges in the photo and in reality are implied by the presence of their complete compatibility with the surrounding landscape. You can create a design of one material that is harmonized with nature. And you can make a combined model of several materials that differ from each other with color, shape and texture.

Design Material Materials

Wood bridges are most popular. This is the consequence of the fact that this natural material is harmoniously combined with the natural landscape. The design of wood can be represented by a variety of models, starting with simple and cheap and ending with bulky and more expensive.

Absolute environmental friendliness, simplicity of installation and dismantling (if necessary), light weight and relative durability (after high-quality antiseptic treatment) - all these qualities of wooden bridges are attracted by numerous landlord owners.

There is an opportunity to buy a garden bridge, which is based on the manufacture of a metal billet. The service life of such a design is significantly larger in comparison with the wooden analogue. Typically, such a structure is bent beams and a metal track.

More luxuriously in the garden looks forged constructions. Such decorative garden bridges are more expensive pleasure. But as they say: "Sheepbank is worth it." Such structures are an excellent addition to any area design.

In some cases, natural stone and concrete applies for the manufacture of garden bridge. For most designs from these materials, significant financial expenses are characterized, the likelihood of attracting specialists and too much weight. We will have to pay close attention to strengthening the soil, which relies with the construction.

But on the other hand, the natural stone personifies the ancient and rich appearance of any design. With it, the countryside is supplemented with exquisite lines related to antique times.

An excellent option for creating a bridge in the garden will be a combination of materials. The combination of wood with a forging will look very stylish. For example, laying designs to make wooden, and the railing and the base of wrought metal. When creating a reinforced concrete base, the design will receive maximum stability and strength. The railing can be made wooden or in combination of metal and wood.

Basic elements of garden bridge and its placement in the garden

There are several forms of the bridge. The main ones are:

• monolithic structures;
• designs with a gap;
• symmetric bridges;
• constructions with a biased central part.

The classic version of the garden bridge has the following elements:

• supports;
• span;
• fence;
• floor.

When creating bridges, the length of which does not exceed 2.5 m, the logs can protrude. They can be laid on the prepared platforms. Usually they are a ledge on the shore of the pond or a stream. When the design length is more than 2.5 m, it is necessary to use intermediate supports.

The span is between adjacent supports. Choosing the form of the structure, it is immediately determined by which the span will be. In most cases, it is flat or convex.

The fence is the railing that are stacked by balusters. They may be:

• one-sided;
• double sided.

The main purpose of the fence is the creation of a decorative type of bridge.

The flooring is a coating that is in the cross position to supports. When it is created, a number of mandatory requirements should be adhered to. The main one is that it is not to be flexing.

Place a garden bridge follows from what function it will perform. If a decorative function is to prevail, it is better to carry out its installation in the backyard. This will be an unexpected surprise for guests.

When the practical properties of the structure come to the fore, the location of the bridge should be at a more sought-after place. The most optimal option will be the installation of a garden structure nearby with a seating area. For example, near the gazebo or barbecue.

Not recommended:

• place a small garden bridge under a huge tree (and on the contrary);
• to combine the two shores of the reservoir, which has a rounded shape.

The most successful design options are:

• connection of two coast of the stream or narrow pond;
• laying the bridge between the island of the artificial reservoir created and one of its shores;
• in the presence of a curved bridge, low-spirited plants are seared near it.

Stages of creating a wooden bridge

The most common is the design of wood. Its creation is completely under the power of every person. For a wooden structure, only one day will be required.

1. First they prepare the site under the bridge. The shores of the reservoir are strengthened by cobblestones or rubble, which is tightly trambed. There are laying two wooden bars. The distance between them will correspond to the width of the structure.
2. The place of adjustment of bars to the soil is necessarily covered by waterproofing material. For this, wood is processed by an antiseptic agent and is deceived by bitumen (or covered with rubberoid).
3. After laying the bars, they need to securely fix it. To them in a quivering it is necessary to knock the pegs from the metal. In the upper part of the supports are connected to the span clocks. The span brus themselves determine the length of the design and are attached with the help of metal brackets.
4. The creation of the flooring of the bridge begins with the feeding of boards (3 cm thick or more) to longitudinal bars. Boards are located in cross position. On top of them, the clamping bars are fixed. Immediately determine with a way to reduce the sliding qualities of a wooden flooring.
5. After the device flooring, railing is made and lighting elements are carried out. The easiest option of the railing is the fixation of vertical bars. Typically, a material is used, which has a length of 1 m. The fraction of the bars is 0.3-0.4 m. The place of their location is along the longest sides of the structure.
6. Horizontal bars are attached to vertical bars, which are actually and are railings. They must be maximum sustainable. Therefore, you should not regret the screws that all elements of the bridge should be reliably fixed. In order to prevent the appearance of the zoom, the railing is open.

The process of creating a garden bridge ends with the arrangement of the adjacent territory. In particular, you can:

• paint design;
• embellish with it by plants and stones;
• create a recreation area.

Video to create a garden bridge: