Ideas for stylish garden bridges. The bridge, as a decoration in landscape design Do-it-yourself wooden bridge

It is not difficult to make a bridge in the country with your own hands. If on suburban area there is a ravine, stream or ditch, then to give an aesthetic appearance and to simplify movement, you can make a decorative bridge. If there is an artificial reservoir in the country house, then if it is stocked with fish, the bridge will also be a fishing bridge. Garden bridges used to transition between artificial islands on the dacha pond will look most impressive. The cheapest way is to build a bridge in the country with your own hands. If possible, you can order forged metal garden bridges. Country bridges are always an excellent decor element for gardens.

Decorative bridge can be made from various materials: boards, concrete, pallets, metal rods, plastic, thick tree branches.

Preparatory work

Before construction, the functionality and type of the bridge should be determined. The bridge should not be built on level ground, otherwise it will cause confusion among visitors. A bridge in the garden must be built over any landscape object: a flower bed, a ravine, a ditch, through decorative pond(lake), bridges across the stream. To improve the landscape design, paths or paths should be drawn to the bridge.

Bridges can be of various types:

1. Direct. The easiest to make yourself.
2. Arched. They have an aesthetic appearance and will decorate the site.
3. Suspended. The most difficult to manufacture, require accurate calculations and careful preparation.
4. Stepped. They look like stairs with a common platform.
5. "Zigzag". Asian type.
6. Step by step. They are even flat stones that are laid at a step distance (0.8 m). Construction is not difficult.

It is necessary to determine the main material for the manufacture of the bridge. Wooden bridges are less labor intensive, stone bridges have a monumental appearance (but the stone is heavy, so they are most often used artificial stones) and so on.

After determining the type and location of the bridge in the garden, you should draw a sketch of it and put down the dimensions for calculation required amount materials.

Tools and materials

To work, you will need the following tools and materials:

• shovel;
• plane;
• screwdrivers;
• a hammer;
• Grinder;
• saw;
• drill;
• file;
• measuring instruments (ruler, level, protractor);
• paint brush;
• cement;
• sand, gravel (crushed stone);
• nails and screws;
• varnish and paint;
• timber, boards (thickness from 4 cm);
• marker for marking;
• waterproof glue for wood.

All wooden materials worth taking from conifers, because they are more durable.

Site preparation for bridge installation

After determining the type and place of construction, preparatory work should be carried out. All bars and boards should be treated with an antiseptic and waterproof solution. You can not build a bridge on a wet surface, as dampness will start the processes of decay and it will deteriorate in 2-3 years.

Drawing of a humpbacked bridge: 1-3 - the location of the bases.

At the beginning preparatory work space should be cleared for the installation of the bridge. There should be no trees at the place of the proposed installation and at 0.5 - 0.7 meters from it, large plants with a strong root system.

After clearing the territory, it is necessary to strengthen the stops of the bridge and the place over which the bridge is installed (the bottom of a lake, stream or ravine). If the bridge is installed over a reservoir, then the latter should be drained. Then strengthen the edges (shores) and the bottom.

Strengthening the bottom is done as follows: all silt is removed from the bottom and banks, sand is poured 5-10 cm high and a width equal to the width of the bridge plus 0.3-0.5 m, after which approximately the same layer of gravel (crushed stone) is poured over the sand and rammed. Concrete supports should be placed at the bridge abutments. Concrete supports are made as follows: holes are dug under the foundation, into which a pillow of sand and gravel is poured, and after the pillow is compacted, formwork is made and the remaining volume is poured with concrete.

Bridge piles should be installed before concrete is poured. As piles, a beam of 150x150 mm or 200x200 mm is used - it depends on the dimensions of the bridge. Then you need to wait for the concrete to dry.

Construction assembly

The device of a wooden bridge: 1 - logs, 2 - flooring, 3 - railing posts, 4 - railing, 5 - cross member (dimensions in cm).

Lags (guides) are attached to the piles. Before installing the guides, they should be marked for fixing the flooring.

Beams 0.2x0.35 m are used as lags. Further actions depend on the type of bridge, for example, for an arched bridge, the lags must be bent. To bend the beams, you need to cut off the edges, soak in water, and then bend them according to the sketch. Beam-lags should have the same shape after soaking. They are treated with an antiseptic and waterproof solution after drying. It makes sense to fix the guides in several places metal profile. This will prevent the lags from shifting.

Pipes or fittings can be used as lags for an arched bridge - they are easier to bend.

If the length of the lags is less than the expected length of the bridge (or end-to-end), then additional piles should be driven between the banks. Driving additional piles will also be required for a stepped bridge.

Further, according to the marking, the flooring is stuffed onto the guides. The size and location of the deck depends on the size of the barrier over which the bridge is thrown. The distance between floor boards can be from 10 to 35-40 mm. The flooring should protrude from the load-bearing beams by about 0.5 m. You can fill the flooring with nails or self-tapping screws. Fastening the flooring with self-tapping screws is more preferable. Before nailing the floorboards, it is recommended to drill holes in the fixing points with a diameter half that of the nail. This is done to prevent cracks in the boards and beams.

After fixing the flooring, the wooden bridge is ready. Observation platforms can be provided on the long bridge. For them, before stuffing the flooring, additional guides (logs) are fixed perpendicular to the main ones, on which the flooring is stuffed in the same way as on the main guides.

When building a stepped bridge, additional beams are stuffed onto the guide lags. The dimensions of the beams depend on the size of the "steps" of the bridge.

If the garden bridges will perform not only a decorative function, but also be actively used, railings should be installed on them to prevent injury.

Do-it-yourself installation of railings on a garden bridge

In addition to preventing injuries, the railings installed on garden bridges also have significant decorative functions. Therefore, it makes sense to use not primitive lattices, but curly balusters. Can be used under balusters wooden bars, which with the help grinder can be given nice shape, or you can buy ready-made products.

The most effective railing height is 0.7 - 1 m, so the balusters are selected to the selected height minus 10-15 cm (margin for the handrail).

To simplify the installation of balusters in the floorboards, grooves should be made. The size of the groove depends on the length and width (or diameter) of the base of the baluster. The depth of the grooves should be 5-10 mm. After sawing out the grooves, balusters are driven (or screwed) into them with glue.

After installing the balusters, handrails are laid on them. Bars can be used under the handrails. Before installation, the bars are processed with a planer and a grinder. To install the handrails, you need to measure the length of the beam and determine the balusters on which the joints of the two handrails will be, then use the ruler to divide the top of the baluster in half. Before installation, the top of the balusters is coated with glue, after which a handrail is laid on them. After the glue has dried, the crossbars should be screwed with self-tapping screws, it is advisable to attach the handrail to each baluster: due to the fact that the handrails will often be taken, they will loosen, and additional fasteners allow you to evenly distribute the load and extend their service life.

Installation of the structure can be carried out both on site and in the workshop with further removal to the garden and installation of the finished bridge.

If necessary, you can make a railing from ropes, a parachute sling or climbing ropes are perfect for this.

Final stage

After stuffing the flooring and installing the railing, sand finished structure and varnish. wooden version, varnished, will look great surrounded by trees in the garden.

If there is a rock garden on the site, then the bridge should be painted “under the stone”. Modern industry issued great amount paintwork materials, allowing you to paint a tree like marble, wild stone and so on.

The iron bridge should be treated with an anti-corrosion solution. Some time after the installation of the bridge in the garden, it will begin to darken slightly - a patina will begin to form on it. Patina will give the design a more aesthetic appearance.

To give more decorative look bridge concrete foundation can be overlaid with stones. On the bridge you can organize a flower bed with climbing plants, then the railing will become "alive". It is also worth installing lanterns for lighting on the bridge - they will give the structure an additional charm.

In order to make your site truly unique and unlike others, landscape designers have come up with another great solution - decorative bridges. They can be laid not only through the stream or be sure to use during the design of garden ponds. Such bridges can be safely entered both in a plant composition, and decorate a ditch, or hide any other lack of territory. Great importance it also has a range of materials - the bridge can be stone, wooden, forged, or combined (pictured), so you can make such a decor with your own hands without the cost of extra work designers, on the design and appropriate installation of such a product.

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Before embarking on the construction of a bridge at your dacha, you need to take into account a number of mandatory requirements that must be presented to such a product during its operation.

1. In addition, to make the bridge safer, it is necessary to provide it with proper care, which includes painting and timely application of varnish, because this will protect the decor from pests and from the harmful effects of the external environment.
2. Second, safety is paramount. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions during the installation of such a bridge, in addition, the frame must be so strong that it can easily support the weight of several people.
3. Firstly, the design must be strong and reliable, because this is, first of all, a guarantee of its durability and your safety. A bridge made of any material should be strong - be it stone, forged, wooden.
4. And the main requirement is decorativeness, as a purpose this product. First of all, it is worth remembering that such a bridge in your country house should harmoniously fit into the style of the site (pictured).

If you decide to make this decor yourself, without interfering with the design landscape designers, then universal advice only one remains - the bridge should be a crossing, not an obstacle. It is best to throw it over a stream, ditch, pond or lake. In addition, you need to choose a single material and texture, then the composition will look more complete and harmonious.

Material

Since you are going to make a garden bridge with your own hands, you need to deal with possible materials suitable for the construction of this structure. The modern range of garden and park decorative services most often offers products made of wood, stone, as well as forged.

Wooden garden bridge

The wooden bridge is a classic and hit of all time (pictured above). Such popularity came to him for the reason that they can be of completely different cost, a variety of shapes and designs, everything is relative to your wishes.

1. In addition, wood products are easy to process and can be given the most incredible shapes.
2. Even if you have basic skills carpentry then you can easily bring your idea to life.

But even if you are new to this business, you will also be able to build the desired decoration, the main thing is to follow the basic rules of wood processing and safety precautions.

Stone garden bridge

The stone bridge has external solidity and presentability (pictured). In addition, we can safely say that this is an almost eternal product with its proper construction.

1. The main disadvantage is that a significant amount of attention must be paid during its installation.
2. A stone bridge is a heavy product, and when it is hoisted to the required place, it will be difficult to do without the help of special equipment.
3. In addition, a stone bridge can be attributed to the most expensive structures, since the material itself is not cheap, the processing process is rather complicated, and it is almost impossible to install this type of decor with your own hands.

Decorative stone bridge with forging elements

A stone bridge is perfect if you need to make a path across a stream, because it has much the best performance regarding strength and better resists water erosion and high humidity.

Forged garden bridge

A garden bridge with wrought iron elements is also one of the most popular, commonly used types (pictured above).

Its feature is a wide adaptation to absolutely any design in your country house.

The only thing worth remembering is in no case to spare money for specialists who are engaged in the creation of forged products.

DIY decorative bridge for the garden

The main function of a decorative bridge is to create a convenient and aesthetic passage through a stream, lake or ditch. But, if you are not planning a similar ecosystem in your area, you can also resort to such a technique, which is called a “dry stream”.

In this case, a wooden or stone bridge will look great if it is laid through a flower bed or any other plant composition.

Forged bridge

1. Before construction, it is necessary to clean as much as possible the place where you plan to place this decor.
2. It is desirable to completely level the area.
3. In the event that you are going to install a stone bridge, it is important to take into account the type of soil so that it does not subsequently sag.
4. After the site is prepared, you can start pouring the foundation with your own hands. Thanks to this, the structure becomes more resistant.
5. After that, you need to choose the material and make the base for your bridge.
6. It will be very easy to do this with your own hands, taking two parallel wooden beams for warping.
7. Then the base is installed across the stream on the foundation and the flooring is prepared.
8. It is best to use boards for flooring, because they are the easiest to process.
9. In addition, if your wallet allows you, you can choose a more refined material for these purposes.
10. After the flooring is done, you can take on the decoration of the product, which can also be easily done with your own hands.

Decoration includes painting, varnishing, planting your favorite plants, lighting, as well as finishing handrails.

Diversity garden bridges allows you to choose the right design for any style. The first requirement for their construction is the arrangement of the foundation. If a DIY garden bridge is being built on the shore, its shores must be strengthened and waterproofed additionally. Large cobblestones, thick logs, concrete, crushed stone are used to strengthen the slopes. After creating the support platform, the construction of the bridge begins.

The main elements are:

• Supports are load-bearing components on which the entire structure rests. If the bridge is small (up to 3 m) and not subjected to heavy loads, 4 supports are sufficient, which are installed along the edges on the support platforms. For long bridges, intermediate supports will be needed.
• The span is the part of the bridge between the supports.
• Kosour, lag or bowstring - the supporting beam of the canvas, on which the flooring is laid.
• Flooring (roadbed) - the covering of the bridge, which is laid across the support beams.
• Fences are decorative and functional elements that allow you to have additional support.

Do-it-yourself hanging garden bridge

Suspension bridges are widespread in the world. Such structures are installed in places where it is difficult to make additional supports. They are flexible structures on which the roadway is attached. The main posts, called pylons, are mounted on support platforms. For the construction of a small suspended DIY garden bridge in the country, thick beams, metal pipes, concrete piles are used as pylons. Chains, cables or ropes are stretched between the pylons. If the bridge is up to 2 m long, it is enough just to fix the cables on the pylons. For a longer bridge, the main cables continue behind the pylon and are anchored to the ground to provide stretch for the supports.

Vertical parts, which are also made of ropes, cables or chains, are attached to the bearing part of the rope or cable. An example of knitting a vertical warp:

A footpath is laid on the base. For flooring, boards 2-3 cm thick are usually used. They can be tied together and attached to the base.

For the manufacture of DIY garden bridge wood will need 2-4 wide boards at least 5-6 cm thick - these will be stringers or logs. The length of the boards should be 40 cm longer than the length of the bridge. If the bridge is flat, it is enough to treat the boards with protective materials and install them on the support platform.

For an arched (humped) bridge, the appropriate bend is cut out of the boards according to the template. It is most convenient to do this - with its help you can cut a clear contour, the tool does not slip from the canvas and gives an even saw cut.

The height difference in the arched bridge should not exceed 20 o. The cut logs are fastened together with stiffeners - the wider the bridge, the smaller the gap between the logs.

Connect the parts with screws. Racks for fencing and balusters are attached to the lags. Then proceed to the manufacture of flooring. The flooring is made of boards 2.5-3 cm thick or a picket fence. The narrower the board, the less the canvas will sag. The step between the shtaketins is taken equal to 1-1.5 cm. The distance between the boards contributes to the runoff of rainwater, which increases the service life of the coating. Fasten boards with self-tapping screws of stainless steel.

Fences are attached to the spans, decorative balusters can be installed between them. They decorate fences with ropes, chains, and other decorative elements. You can use forged crate. Comfortable Height fences - 80-100 mm. Small wide do-it-yourself bridges look good without a fence.

concrete bridges

Capital construction made of decorative natural stone Suitable for any style of garden. The monolithic stone bridge will take you back to the Middle Ages. It is more difficult to make it, but the investment of time and money justifies itself.

To begin with, a frame is made of wood. Shape contours can be cut out of boards in the same way as logs for wooden bridge- according to the template.

The frame is reinforced from the inside with stiffeners. For reinforcement, rods with a thickness of 2-5 mm are used. The formwork is poured with a layer of concrete of at least 10 cm. After two days, the concrete will harden, and the details of the bridge will be ready for decoration with natural stone.

It is possible to separately cast the bridge trusses, canvas and railings, and then assemble the structure on site. And you can pre-drain the reservoir and install the frame-formwork on the support platform and perform further work.

Decorative bridges for the garden can not be found on every site, because this landscape element not received such a wide distribution, as, for example, flower beds or flower beds. However, decorative bridges for giving extremely enliven the territory and bring diversity to the landscape. Bridges across the pond are arranged quite often, but you can build this structure without having a water artery on the site. To do this, it is necessary to arrange a “dry” reservoir in the country.

Landscape bridges in the country

Bridges in the country - not just small decorative elements akin to garden figurines. Their impact is much stronger. Even the smallest garden bridge is perceived as a full-fledged object of the landscape.

Look at the photo: decorative bridges for the garden are beautiful, and most importantly, effective elements of the design of the site. Of course, in most cases there is no direct practical need for building bridges in a private garden, especially if there are no reservoirs, but from the point of view of landscape design, they have a deep meaning.

Landscape bridges are vertical elements and a means of forming or highlighting the relief of a site. There are many elements with similar functions, but bridges have a special effect on our perception.

Firstly, because purely psychologically, we perceive a landscape with such a detail as larger in size, and the space is more complex in structure. It's pleasing to the eye.

Secondly, bridges are decorative element, and not natural, and it has many types, finishes, it “catches” the eye and always decorates. In any, even the smallest garden (2-3 acres), there is always a place for at least a small decorative bridge. Try it and you'll see how it wins right away!

Location of garden bridges (with photo)

Bridges are necessary if there is some kind of landscape object or terrain feature on the site that needs to be stepped over or crossed. It can also be an object on a plane, the beauty of which needs to be emphasized.

The most common location of garden bridges is ponds, canals, streams. Sometimes designs are placed in the most unusual places.

As you can see in the photo, garden bridges look just as impressive over “dry” reservoirs; over a sharp decrease in relief; in places with a beautiful view.

Decorative wooden bridge on the pond

There are many varieties of these structures, but the most important division is as follows: there are bridges functional purpose, that is, "real", and purely decorative.

Functional bridges can be safely used for their intended purpose: you can walk on them. First of all, this is, of course, regardless of their type. Then a decorative wooden bridge on the pond can be arranged across a stream, canal, pond or swamp, or you can make a bridge that only approaches the water or slightly “goes” into the water. But a real reservoir is not at all required condition for bridges.

Decorative bridges on the pond differ from the functional ones in that they are smaller and do not walk on them. They are installed "for beauty". But in their design role and in the effect they produce, they almost do not differ from large, real bridges. They can be installed over a small stream, and indeed in any beautiful corner of the garden.

bridge structures across the pond

The designs of bridges across the pond can be different: high or low, straight, in the form of a simple flooring, flat-curved, in the form of an arc, consist of separate elements, have a railing various shapes and designs.

As you can see in the photo, decorative bridges are often made of wooden planks, logs, forged metal, made of bricks, natural stone, from concrete or can be combined, using several materials at the same time. Which bridge to choose for your site? This issue is unambiguously resolved based on the prevailing shapes, lines and style of your particular garden.

How to make a decorative bridge in the country

Before you make a decorative bridge, prepare a solid frame - it is most often made of metal and wood, but it can also be concrete. If this is a real bridge, especially over a pond, it needs a foundation. Further installation takes place on the frame decorative materials and bridge finishes.

In some styles, for example, in Japanese, the bridge is simply large flat stones laid in a chain. Given the severity of the stones and the simplicity of the design, a foundation is not required for such a bridge.

But if the same bridge is made of large diameter wood stumps, a foundation is needed. But manufacturing according to all building codes is required only for functional bridges, while decorative bridges do not need such serious “preparation”.

For example, a small decorative bridge made of thin logs is made as follows: first, arched supports of the future bridge are cut out of wood required sizes, then slots are sawn into them, into which thin logs are then installed. Any other elements can be installed in such slots. The railing for the bridge can be made, for example, from thick branches.

A decorative bridge in the country can be folded independently from beautiful brick or natural stone:

But the easiest option is to install a ready-made bridge in your style. Decorative bridges can be purchased at ready-made or order.

Particularly beautiful are small forged bridges, as well as those in which skillful forging is combined with wooden elements.

Bridge across the "dry pond"

The device of "dry reservoirs" is a spectacular technique in landscape design and a great opportunity for those who, for some reason, cannot arrange a real reservoir on the site.

A dry pond is a symbol of water, its imitation with the help of natural means of a different origin, for example, with the help of pebbles, decorative gravel (natural color or tinted), tree bark, low flowers and, as well as many other means.

If you want to arrange a "pond" of bulk materials, then first you need to mark out the shape or channel of the future "reservoir", remove a small layer of soil, lay a black film and fill in a layer of sand, and then fill in the material imitating water. For example, you can make a stream of pebbles, or you can make a "pond" of blue gravel or greenish bark. If you want to make a pond bigger size, there is an effective technique: polyethylene film, and on it - a scattering of blue or white gravel. Despite the elementary nature of the material, the film will look spectacular: in some places it will shine in the sun, creating the illusion of real water.

If you have conceived a “flower reservoir”, then the channel of the future reservoir needs to be dug up, a low flexible plastic curb is dug around the perimeter, and then tightly, in curtains, plant the “channel” with flowers or herbs. It will turn out especially beautiful if these are plants of the same species with flowers of the same color, for example, a “stream” from ageratum, or a stream from white alyssum.

Bridges across the "dry pond" are always functional. Even if there is no reservoir or stream on your site, you can arrange a bridge in the relief difference zone, as a stand for something. Show your imagination and your garden will sparkle with new colors!

You can also use low ones with decorative foliage, for example, arrange a "stream" of miniature hostas of variegated colors.

decorate your household plot possible indefinitely. If your homestead lacks zest, a decorative bridge can become a new decor. In order to please yourself and your family with this structure, you will have to plunge into the wonderful world of landscape design. Here is where to roam your imagination. But there are rules that you still need to consider.

Preparatory stage

First, it will be necessary to choose the style or design of the bridge. Your chosen appearance design should be combined with other buildings. Secondly, your task is to carefully choose the material that is used to build decorative bridges. It is diverse: metal, wood, stone, concrete, they can also be combined.

Near water, stainless steel structures should be used. Peculiarity metal structures that they need to be treated against corrosion. When choosing this material, it is important to take care of the product, since regular painting will provide the materials with their original qualities and a decent appearance for a long time.

Further, which is very important, the structure must be safe. This quality of the bridge is the most important. A person crossing it should not suffer. The design cannot be shaky, all elements and parts must be securely fastened. The frame must be designed to withstand several people at the same time. The base of the structure will need to be firmly installed on the ground or a special foundation. You can, of course, build garden bridges for this one. But for heavy or big wooden structure will most likely have to do strip foundation, otherwise its supports will go into the ground, quickly deteriorate from moisture.

Last: determining the location for the structure. Where can you put it? The bridge can be installed not only across the stream or next to the lake. If your area has beautiful path, a picturesque flower garden or a ravine is a good idea to build there too.

Variety of designs

Before you build your structure, you should find out what bridges are:

• straight;
• zigzag;
• arched;
• step-by-step (for dry streams and shallow reservoirs);
• stepped;
• suspended (technically complex structures, installed in compliance with safety rules).

Making your own bridge

You can make a decorative bridge for your dacha with your own hands. You will need the following tools and materials:

• boards, planer, screwdrivers, saw and hammer, sandpaper;
• drill, file, fixing material;
• varnish, paint brush, protractor, ruler and pencil.

You can't do without measurements. First, decide on the basis. Prepare two boards. The width of the bridge is approximately 1 m 20 cm. The length of the base is the length of the future structure, usually it is no more than 3 meters. You need to think about how to give the base a rounded shape, because the straight bridge is not noticeable and does not make an impression.

There are two ways: to make steps that will rise from both sides, or, using properly turned boards, to create a rounded base. Additional guides will need to be attached to it, which will create a semicircle. In the flooring between the boards, leave a distance of about 2 cm so that it does not flood when it rains. Its surface should not be perfectly smooth, because slipping on your bridge will be unpleasant, and maybe even traumatic.