Ever wondered how to build a bridge? We’ve wanted a garden bridge over our pond for years, and we finally got around to building one when we added a creek between our two ponds.
Over the years we’ve turned our scorching backyard with 4 trees and lots of crabgrass into a gorgeous place that we can entertain in, spend long summer nights around a bonfire, and enjoy gorgeous weekends without ever leaving home. We’ve put in flowerbeds, planted trees, and my absolute favorite, added a network of ponds to create a magical space that we love spending time in!
Building A Backyard Bridge
After we chose to connect our two ponds with a creek [read about building a backyard river], which took out our walkway to the rest of the yard. So we had to solve the problem of getting across without getting your feet wet. How to build a bridge? We chose to go with a simple flat bridge so we didn’t have to worry about figuring out the right cuts to make an arch.
After a quick trip to Lowes, haha! When is a trip to Lowes ever quick? Anyway, we stopped by Lowes, to pick up the supplies we would need to make our backyard bridge and some landscaping essentials. Confession time, I can’t go to Lowes without checking out their clearance flowers. I know I’m horrible, but I get such great deals! And then it was home to assemble the bridge over a pond.
How To Build A Bridge
What you will need:
- 3 – 2×4’s
- 15 – 1/4 slats
- Wood Screws
- Solar Lights
- Drill
- Chop Saw
- Pencil
- Tape Measure
How To Build A Pond Bridge
Step 1: Measure the width of your river, creek or pond, make sure you add room for the bridge to rest soundly on the ground on either side of your water feature. Our creek is around 2 ft wide but we decided to make our bridge 5 feet wide just to ensure it’s not going to slip or slide.
Step 2: Cut the 3 2×4’s into 5-foot sections, using the chop saw.
Step 3: Cut 1X4 slats 4 feet long (you’ll need 15) this will leave you with 4 feet of walking space.
Step 4: Place your 2×4’s on end, lay the outer 2 4 feet apart and the 3rd in the middle.
Step 5: Predrill holes for slats.
Step 6: Space the slats over these 2×4’s about a ½ inch apart and screw securely to the 3 2×4’s.
Step 7: Using your drill and drillbit cut a 1/2″ hole (adjust this to the size of your solar lights), insert solar lights into the holes.
Step 8: Set your bridge in place and try it out.
Building A Pond Bridge
With any backyard bridge exposed to the elem01ts, this will eventually need repairing and even replacing. You can get it to last longer by sealing the wood or even painting it.
Last but not least on your how to build a bridge adventure, consider adding some landscaping around your ponds and garden bridge. Some of our favorites are roses, lilies, petunias, and moss roses.
Before you go, check these out!
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