According to the landscape design tradition, a decorative bridge is made over “dry” streams and artificial reservoirs. Such a design can take on bizarre shapes, or it may look like a standard bridge in miniature. The choice of the type of bridge and its decor depends on the design idea of the entire suburban area.
The installation of the bridge on the site carries not only an aesthetic, but also a practical function. Bridges are installed where it is necessary to step over something or bypass the barrier. Among the various varieties of designs, the following can be distinguished:
Wooden;
Bamboo;
Stone;
Metal;
Concrete
These are the most used materials in the construction of vertical structures and elevations. They are in free sale, so it is not difficult to construct a bridge with their help.
Bridges are also divided into those that you can walk along, and those that carry only a decorative load. Decorative options are usually small. They are made in those places where it is necessary to diversify the monotonous landscape with boring accents.
Wooden
Wooden products fit naturally into any landscape. They harmoniously complement the space around, making the appearance of the site even more interesting. The advantages of wooden structures include aspects such as:
Simplicity of preparation and assembly;
Eco-friendly material;
Ease of construction;
Long term of operation;
Ample opportunities for decor.
The most common wood for such bridges is pine. More expensive options are made of oak, ash and cedar. The wooden bridge can be painted in any color. Its shape can be made more sloping or flat. A repair of such a bridge will cost inexpensively.
Bamboo
Bamboo designs look delicate and delicate. They fit perfectly into the landscaping of the garden and outdoor area. If there is an eastern corner at the cottage, then the bamboo version of the bridge will come in handy.
A Japanese-style site will simply not look finished if it does not have a bamboo bridge. Lightweight and airy material is strong enough to withstand long-term use. And its appearance reminds of the beauty of oriental gardens and parks.
Stone
Stone options are considered one of the most durable. They fit perfectly into the European landscape style. They look solid and presentable. Such bridges are well combined with other stone structures on the site.
The easiest option for a stone bridge is the location of stone blocks above a stream or pond. The landscape in the antique style will require finer work. Therefore, marble or granite can be used here. And the construction itself can be erected using publicly available drawings and cement.
Metal
Metal bridges decorate the site in the Gothic style. They are suitable for the modern style. And the forged options are perfectly combined with romantic notes in the landscape of the site.
Metal structures can be bought in a specialized store, or you can weld yourself. Such a bridge has a long service life. Not afraid of serious temperature extremes. It is easily combined with other materials.
Metal to create a bridge is suitable for those who do not like change. The material can stand for decades. And changing its shape is quite difficult. Therefore, metal bridges will appeal to true conservatives.
Concrete
Concrete products are among the most durable decor items. Fountains and artificial reservoirs for water are equipped next to them to emphasize the beauty of concrete bridges. To make such a bridge high, you need to integrate metal reinforcement into its structure. Low options can be created from solid concrete blocks.
Concrete bridges not only have a decorative function, you can safely walk on them and carry a tool trolley. A properly designed bridge can withstand significant loads.
Accommodation options
Where to place a decorative bridge so that it becomes a bright accent of the landscape? Make it better in the following areas:
Near lakes, ponds, streams;
At natural ravines and ditches;
Over dry streams;
Near flower beds, rockeries and flower beds;
Above paths and paths.
Sometimes such structures are placed as a continuation of the path on a hilly terrain. Step-by-step bridges are made right in the water.And part of the suspension bridge construction is installed under water.
The construction of the bridge according to the rules should be placed above the narrowest section of the path or stream. A small bridge is not made high, so it will not look harmonious. Traditionally, a large wooden walkway can be raised to a considerable height. Then you can even fish from such a bridge, if the owner of the site is interested in fishing and all its derivatives.
Metal is installed on flat surfaces. And stone options are embedded in earthen ramparts and edges near the water. The tree can be placed on any piece of the garden or lawn. Nice decorations for terraces.
Shape selection and design design
The choice of bridge design design begins with a detailed study of the site. When a place for a bridge is defined, you can simply check the relevance of its placement. It is enough to photograph the site and put on the photo a schematic drawing of the structure. It is still possible to place a painted bridge on the site plan to see how it fits into the general concept of the landscape.
After the place for placement is checked, it is necessary to choose a certain type of structure. Consider the most common options:
View
Description
Straight
Easy to make with your own hands, suitable for different styles and directions.
Zigzag
It brings eastern flavor to the site, it is mounted from strong and wear-resistant materials.
Arched
It has a familiar look, combined with different landscape styles.
Step by step
Suitable for streams, dry and true bodies of water.
Stepped
It fits perfectly into the concept of a children's corner on the site, is made in the form of two stairs with a common platform in the middle.
Suspension
It is installed by professionals, as it is a complex structure with increased danger during operation.
Direct installation options are installed along with a drain for water. At wooden walkways - these are the gaps between the boards.Stone bridges involve the use of a drain gutter.
Oriental-style zigzag designs are treated with antiseptics. Additional protective equipment is used when such a bridge is installed near the water.
The supporting beams of the arched structure are initially selected as curved. So the appearance of the bridge looks really right and sloping.
Exclusive step-by-step constructions are made of flat natural stones of a suitable size. The distance between them is selected in such a way that it is convenient to walk along it without soaking your feet.
The landscape version of the stepped design is installed on a hill. Here the main task of the bridge lies in its overview function.
Suspension bridges are placed on stilts in the water. Therefore, the foundation for them must be strong and durable.
Suspended structures are not installed in areas with increased seismic activity due to the high probability of displacement of the earth layers beneath them.
In general, each type of bridge can be successfully and organically placed on a site of any type. Summer residents prefer small wooden options, and owners of spacious areas choose long and intricate products.
Master class make a bridge of wood
Making a bridge yourself and cheaply is quite possible. The most inexpensive material for this type of landscape decoration is wood. Some craftsmen manage to construct a full-fledged bridge from improvised materials, such as boards from an old barn. But to increase the aesthetics of the structure, as well as to increase its strength, it is worth using specially purchased boards.
Before starting work, a suitable place is chosen. Then a work plan is drawn up, a detailed drawing of the product is drawn. For a wooden bridge, there is no need to fill a concrete foundation or install piles. Do not forget about the gaps between the boards. After all, they will save the design from excessive moisture and dampness.
The basis of a homemade bridge is two wooden beams, the length of which varies in the region of two meters. They are curved with a jigsaw. The rest of the structure will be attached to these beams.
To increase stability, special wooden supports can be installed under the bridge. The banks of the reservoir over which the bridge will pass are reinforced with stone or cement in advance. When pouring concrete, you can immediately install piles of wood in it, so as not to make a support for the bridge separately.
After installing the entire structure, a fence is mounted on it. This part can be double-sided and single-sided. It not only enhances the safety of the bridge, but also serves as its decoration.
Wooden flooring of the bridge is made of boards, the thickness of which should be at least 3 cm.
The final part of the work on the bridge is its lighting. In the dark, it’s dangerous to cross a bridge without lighting. Therefore, you can install solar-powered garden lights near it, it is still possible to use LEDs. Illumination of the product may be different. Sometimes steps are illuminated at decorative bridges, there are options for lights that are placed under water. With the standard lighting method, street lamps with long “legs” are selected. They cope best with their lighting function. When the bridge is installed near the house, it can be lit by lights from the terrace or balcony.
If desired, a wooden bridge can be decorated with a layer of varnish or wood carvings. It is best to saturate it with an antiseptic in a collapsible form, so the joints of parts will be less prone to decay and will last longer.
Structures that will be in continuous contact with water must be carefully insulated with special materials, otherwise the base of the bridge will be unsteady and will quickly deteriorate.
Conclusion
A decorative bridge is a huge space for creativity, a functional thing and a real decoration of the site.You can make a drawing of such a design yourself, but it is best to turn to professionals. They will be able to offer different options for bridges for every taste and budget. And there are many options for these in the world: bridges with pallets, decorative structures with mosaic supports, forged bridges and many other variations. And many of these options are suitable for different landscape styles.
According to the landscape design tradition, a decorative bridge is made over “dry” streams and artificial reservoirs. Such a design can take on bizarre shapes, or it may look like a standard bridge in miniature. The choice of the type of bridge and its decor depends on the design idea of the entire suburban area.
Content
Varieties of designs
The installation of the bridge on the site carries not only an aesthetic, but also a practical function. Bridges are installed where it is necessary to step over something or bypass the barrier.
Among the various varieties of designs, the following can be distinguished:
These are the most used materials in the construction of vertical structures and elevations. They are in free sale, so it is not difficult to construct a bridge with their help.
Bridges are also divided into those that you can walk along, and those that carry only a decorative load. Decorative options are usually small. They are made in those places where it is necessary to diversify the monotonous landscape with boring accents.
Wooden
Wooden products fit naturally into any landscape. They harmoniously complement the space around, making the appearance of the site even more interesting.
The advantages of wooden structures include aspects such as:
The most common wood for such bridges is pine. More expensive options are made of oak, ash and cedar. The wooden bridge can be painted in any color. Its shape can be made more sloping or flat. A repair of such a bridge will cost inexpensively.
Bamboo
Bamboo designs look delicate and delicate. They fit perfectly into the landscaping of the garden and outdoor area. If there is an eastern corner at the cottage, then the bamboo version of the bridge will come in handy.
A Japanese-style site will simply not look finished if it does not have a bamboo bridge. Lightweight and airy material is strong enough to withstand long-term use. And its appearance reminds of the beauty of oriental gardens and parks.
Stone
Stone options are considered one of the most durable. They fit perfectly into the European landscape style. They look solid and presentable. Such bridges are well combined with other stone structures on the site.
The easiest option for a stone bridge is the location of stone blocks above a stream or pond. The landscape in the antique style will require finer work. Therefore, marble or granite can be used here. And the construction itself can be erected using publicly available drawings and cement.
Metal
Metal bridges decorate the site in the Gothic style. They are suitable for the modern style. And the forged options are perfectly combined with romantic notes in the landscape of the site.
Metal structures can be bought in a specialized store, or you can weld yourself. Such a bridge has a long service life. Not afraid of serious temperature extremes. It is easily combined with other materials.
Metal to create a bridge is suitable for those who do not like change. The material can stand for decades. And changing its shape is quite difficult. Therefore, metal bridges will appeal to true conservatives.
Concrete
Concrete products are among the most durable decor items. Fountains and artificial reservoirs for water are equipped next to them to emphasize the beauty of concrete bridges.
To make such a bridge high, you need to integrate metal reinforcement into its structure. Low options can be created from solid concrete blocks.
Concrete bridges not only have a decorative function, you can safely walk on them and carry a tool trolley. A properly designed bridge can withstand significant loads.
Accommodation options
Where to place a decorative bridge so that it becomes a bright accent of the landscape? Make it better in the following areas:
Sometimes such structures are placed as a continuation of the path on a hilly terrain. Step-by-step bridges are made right in the water.And part of the suspension bridge construction is installed under water.
The construction of the bridge according to the rules should be placed above the narrowest section of the path or stream. A small bridge is not made high, so it will not look harmonious. Traditionally, a large wooden walkway can be raised to a considerable height. Then you can even fish from such a bridge, if the owner of the site is interested in fishing and all its derivatives.
Metal is installed on flat surfaces. And stone options are embedded in earthen ramparts and edges near the water. The tree can be placed on any piece of the garden or lawn. Nice decorations for terraces.
Shape selection and design design
The choice of bridge design design begins with a detailed study of the site. When a place for a bridge is defined, you can simply check the relevance of its placement. It is enough to photograph the site and put on the photo a schematic drawing of the structure. It is still possible to place a painted bridge on the site plan to see how it fits into the general concept of the landscape.
After the place for placement is checked, it is necessary to choose a certain type of structure. Consider the most common options:
Direct installation options are installed along with a drain for water. At wooden walkways - these are the gaps between the boards.Stone bridges involve the use of a drain gutter.
Oriental-style zigzag designs are treated with antiseptics. Additional protective equipment is used when such a bridge is installed near the water.
The supporting beams of the arched structure are initially selected as curved. So the appearance of the bridge looks really right and sloping.
Exclusive step-by-step constructions are made of flat natural stones of a suitable size. The distance between them is selected in such a way that it is convenient to walk along it without soaking your feet.
The landscape version of the stepped design is installed on a hill. Here the main task of the bridge lies in its overview function.
Suspension bridges are placed on stilts in the water. Therefore, the foundation for them must be strong and durable.
In general, each type of bridge can be successfully and organically placed on a site of any type. Summer residents prefer small wooden options, and owners of spacious areas choose long and intricate products.
Master class make a bridge of wood
Making a bridge yourself and cheaply is quite possible. The most inexpensive material for this type of landscape decoration is wood. Some craftsmen manage to construct a full-fledged bridge from improvised materials, such as boards from an old barn. But to increase the aesthetics of the structure, as well as to increase its strength, it is worth using specially purchased boards.
Before starting work, a suitable place is chosen. Then a work plan is drawn up, a detailed drawing of the product is drawn. For a wooden bridge, there is no need to fill a concrete foundation or install piles. Do not forget about the gaps between the boards. After all, they will save the design from excessive moisture and dampness.
The basis of a homemade bridge is two wooden beams, the length of which varies in the region of two meters. They are curved with a jigsaw. The rest of the structure will be attached to these beams.
To increase stability, special wooden supports can be installed under the bridge. The banks of the reservoir over which the bridge will pass are reinforced with stone or cement in advance. When pouring concrete, you can immediately install piles of wood in it, so as not to make a support for the bridge separately.
After installing the entire structure, a fence is mounted on it. This part can be double-sided and single-sided. It not only enhances the safety of the bridge, but also serves as its decoration.
The final part of the work on the bridge is its lighting. In the dark, it’s dangerous to cross a bridge without lighting. Therefore, you can install solar-powered garden lights near it, it is still possible to use LEDs. Illumination of the product may be different. Sometimes steps are illuminated at decorative bridges, there are options for lights that are placed under water. With the standard lighting method, street lamps with long “legs” are selected. They cope best with their lighting function. When the bridge is installed near the house, it can be lit by lights from the terrace or balcony.
If desired, a wooden bridge can be decorated with a layer of varnish or wood carvings. It is best to saturate it with an antiseptic in a collapsible form, so the joints of parts will be less prone to decay and will last longer.
Structures that will be in continuous contact with water must be carefully insulated with special materials, otherwise the base of the bridge will be unsteady and will quickly deteriorate.
Conclusion
A decorative bridge is a huge space for creativity, a functional thing and a real decoration of the site.You can make a drawing of such a design yourself, but it is best to turn to professionals. They will be able to offer different options for bridges for every taste and budget. And there are many options for these in the world: bridges with pallets, decorative structures with mosaic supports, forged bridges and many other variations. And many of these options are suitable for different landscape styles.