Review author: Terrari School of Design
When there is a body of water on a site, whether natural or artificially created, most often the owners build a bridge across it. This attractive decorative element fits harmoniously into the natural landscape.
A decorative bridge can be made even if there is no pond. This design has a wide variety of options.
Types of bridges for the garden
There are a great variety of garden bridges; depending on the design, the following types can be distinguished:
- straight, suitable for any style of landscape design;
- the suspension bridge looks very attractive, but this masterpiece must be created in such a way that it meets safety rules;
- the zigzag garden bridge looks very original;
- stepped, looks like two stairs between which there is a platform;
- arched, one of the popular forms of bridges;
- stepwise represents a collection of individual elements.
How to make a pontoon
A pontoon in everyday life is a structure not built on stilts, but on floating supports. You can assemble a pontoon with your own hands, and many FORUMHOUSE users choose this option.
The piles are just a hassle. Make from empty plastic bottles. I’ve had this raft myself for about 5 years now. We take it ashore in the fall. It is easy to build, and the structure will not be carried away by the ice drift.
A pontoon structure is indeed simpler than a pier on stilts. There is no need to calculate the height of the piles or think about at what level to make the strapping. And the issue with ice drift is resolved very simply - the pier can be dismantled in the fall and built again in the spring. The mobility of the structure allows it to be moved to another place.
Most often, this design is made on plastic (or metal) barrels.
For a small design you will need:
The structure is assembled on the shore of a reservoir. Work order: 1. Make a frame from beams, fasten it with nails or self-tapping screws (bend them with a hammer from the back). 2. Nail several cross beams to the frame. 3. Inspect the barrels with full responsibility. It is unacceptable for them to have cracks or holes. 4. Lubricate the barrel threads with silicone and screw the lid tightly. Place the barrels at the corners of the frame. 5. Fasten the structure using one of the proposed methods.
- if the barrels are metal, then weld ears to them, thread ropes into them and fasten the barrels to each other and to the frame with a strong rope web; - connect the barrels and the frame with mounting tape; - drill several holes in the top of each barrel and thread the ropes through them.
6. Nail planks to the frame.
7. Turn the structure over so that the barrels are at the bottom. Take it to the water.
8. Fix the pontoon to the shore as securely as possible. To do this, drive metal corners into the ground to a meter depth and attach the structure to them.
In autumn, the pontoon is pulled out of the water until ice appears.
Best place for a bridge
If you place the bridge on a flat surface, it will not look organic. When there is no body of water on the site and the terrain is flat, a pond or stream for a bridge can be created artificially, as well as uneven landscapes; a bridge can be placed on one of the paths to be used.
There is an opinion that bridges look great only in large areas; this is a misconception. Made in a small size, appropriately integrated into the landscape, a bridge decorated with flowers will be a wonderful decoration even in a small area.
Under the bridge, you can make a dry stream from a string of green plants or colorful flowers. If the bridge is installed near a gazebo or recreation area, it will add additional picturesqueness to the landscape.
Operating procedure
Securely secure the support piles at a width of 1.5 - 2 meters. This is the optimal width: you can put a sun lounger or chair on such a walkway, and if the walkways are narrower, it will be cramped even for a fishing chair.
Bridge material
In order to decide on the shape and material for the bridge, it is necessary to decide what function the structure will perform and where it will be located. A bridge over a pond or dry stream is usually made of concrete, metal, stone, wood, or a combination of several materials.
The most common option for a summer house is a wooden bridge, as this is the most budget option. This is a photo of bridges for a summer house. You can buy a metal bridge ready-made, or you can make it yourself if you have the right tool.
Such a bridge looks very presentable, especially if it is decorated with ornaments. Stone and concrete bridges are not a cheap pleasure. Their main advantage is that they will look harmonious in any style of landscape design.
We are building a bridge.
There is a river, width 4, depth 1.5-2 m, and the desire to cross it on a loaded Niva, a chainsaw, forest around, stones along the river, the ability to bore concrete on the spot, + nails, staples, etc. and I. in the nearest villages there are only very old women who have spent their whole lives moving over logs, so I will have to build it on my own if I understand how to build it (the bridge). I searched the Internet, but nothing caught my eye. Who will advise what?
Geher
There is a river, width 4, depth 1.5-2 m, and the desire to cross it on a loaded Niva, a chainsaw, forest around, stones along the river, the ability to bore concrete on the spot, + nails, staples, etc. and I. in the nearest villages there are only very old women who have spent their whole lives moving over logs, so I will have to build it on my own if I understand how to build it (the bridge). I searched the Internet, but nothing caught my eye. Who will advise what?
I would advise you to recruit volunteers in ward 151 and conduct practical training on the construction of the crossing.
Geher
I searched the Internet, but nothing caught my eye.
All. It will definitely be enough for a couple of years.
Geher
There is a river, width 4, depth 1.5-2 m, and the desire to cross it
RikiTiki
So look for it yourself. And in general Google is general
