Decorative bridges in the garden, which are not so much a functional structure as a product that can decorate the landscape, you can make yourself. Initially, you need to decide what materials will be the basis, as well as think about the principle of placement of the structure. Only such an algorithm will allow you to create stylish and fairly original options.
Material selection
Decorative bridges, of course, are best made from natural materials such as wood or stone. They will harmoniously fit into the surrounding exterior, where there are flower beds, wooden buildings, sand and pebbles. However, as practice shows, metal and concrete products look much more attractive.
Making a bridge from a tree
If you want to cope with decorating a personal plot in a short time and without special efforts, it is best to create a composition from a wooden garden bridge and a reservoir, and these objects can be made by you yourself. You should focus on the construction of a wooden structure, but if you decide to do it on your own, you should prepare tools and materials, as well as familiarize yourself with the technology. When decorative wooden bridges are built, there is no need to build a concrete base or piles that drive into the soil. However, if the bridge will be located in such a way that it will connect the banks of the stream, it will be important to supplement this design with reinforcement.
Base manufacture
The basis of the design are curved beams in the amount of two pieces, the size of each of which should be 0.2 x 0.35 meters. The length of these elements should be equivalent to two meters. They should be prepared from direct blanks using a chisel and a jigsaw, the excess part of the wood must be removed. The beam is fixed to the flooring on the basis of boards, their size should be 3.5 centimeters. These elements are evenly distributed along the length of the beams.
The methodology of the work
When decorative bridges are made, a gap should be provided between the boards, the width of which should be 2 centimeters. Parts are dried before installation from all sides, and then treated with antiseptics and impregnations. The railing can be carved, the simplest design will be curved arcs that are fixed on several balusters. These elements can be decorated with bamboo inserts, rope or thick hemp.
Reinforced concrete bridge manufacturing
If you need a decorative bridge, then it can be created from metal. Carrying out such work will be somewhat more complicated than manipulations where wood is involved. This is due to the fact that the manufacture of blanks will take a lot of time, structural elements must be prepared in molds. The latter should be created from boards and wooden blocks. Outlines should follow the contours of the future part, while the lines do not have to be straight. For reinforcement, metal rods should be used that are placed inside the mold.
Pouring should be done with a solution of concrete, and the width of the layer should be 10 centimeters or more. In order for the solution to completely solidify, it will take 48 hours, after which it is possible to remove the workpieces and assemble them in a planned place in a single unit.
Cladding
The decorative bridge should be beautiful, so after installation it can be decorated using paving stones, artificial stone, clinker bricks or mosaics. The track that is made using the same facing material that was used to finish the main building on the territory will look great. It is important to remember that such a structure will expand and contract when the temperature changes, so the supports for the product must be driven in on one side.
Specialist recommendations
If you are interested in bridges and decorative bridges, it is important to decide not only what material the product will be made of, but also what design it will have, in which place it will be located. Even if there is no stream or pond on the site, the bridge will become an adornment of any landscape. If there is no fountain or brook, as well as an artificial pond, then you can install a bridge, which will be a good solution for decoration. It is important to follow the traditional rules for placing such structures above water bodies, if the latter have a place to be. It is necessary to install the structure in the narrowest place of the water body. This will solve two problems. The first advantage is expressed in the possibility of using a smaller structure. The second problem that you can solve is saving on materials, time and effort when smaller designs are made.
Quite often, the owners of suburban areas install bridges in the garden with their own hands. How to make a similar design yourself was described above. If you have already decided on the technology and methodology of the work, it is important to think about where such a product would look most appropriate. If there are no artificial reservoirs, then the bridge can be located over a ditch or a natural ravine. Another successful solution is the construction of a structure near a flower bed or a spectacular flower garden. If you want to use the most original solution, then the bridge can be built over country paths. It is only important to think about whether the design will naturally fit into the overall landscape. Among other things, it is important to consider safety, because people should not stumble over such a design.
An alternative way to make a wooden bridge
You can easily make a garden decorative bridge in the garden with your own hands. The erection process should begin with the formation of a reference site and fixing the slopes to the shore. For this, stones of different fractions and crushed stone are used. On the supporting platform should be wide bars, which will form the basis of the bridge. In those places where the elements will be in contact with each other, waterproofing work should be carried out. In order to exclude the displacement of the base, the bars must be fixed with a metal profile. At the next stage, you can lay the flooring from the boards, the master must take care of the installation of the clamping bars. The flooring is fixed with nails or screws. However, it is important to exclude their protrusion above the surface of the wood. At the final stage, you can begin to erect the railing. The most suitable height for them, if the bridge is functional, is considered an indicator in the range from 70 to 100 centimeters. You can choose other sizes of the bridge and the height of the railing, which will depend on your height.
Decorative bridge and its design can be made and produced on their own. Parts should be painted and treated with a protective compound. If the width of the reservoir is more than 6 meters, then a solid foundation should be prepared for the bridge, which is made of reinforced concrete blocks, as well as intermediate supports.