Garden bridge construction instructions

Garden bridges serve many purposes. You can build your own garden bridge that offers a walkway over a stream or thin pond on your property. You can also use a garden bridge as functional decoration for your garden landscape. You can even join two separate little gardens and add stones to a path. Building your own garden bridge can be less expensive than hiring a professional carpenter to build one for you.

Instructions

Wood cutting

  • Measure and cut the five 6-foot lengths 1 by 8s into 10 pieces with 3 feet in length.
  • Measure and cut 10 feet long 1 of 8 into 3 pieces with 3 foot lengths. You should now have 13 1 by 8 boards with 3 feet length of joints 6 feet and 10 feet long 1 by 8.
  • Measure and cut four 2 by 4s to four lengths of 32 1/2 inches and eight lengths of 31 inches. You can cut two 31-inch pieces and 32 1/2-inch piece of 2 by 4, for a total of 12 pieces.
  • Measure and cut the remaining 2 by 4s to four lengths of 44 inches and four lengths of 40 1/2 inches, for a total of eight pieces.
  • Measure and cut 2 feet 6 of 8 into two pieces with 36 inch lengths.
  • Frame Assembling
  • Mark the center two 2 36 inches by 8.
  • Fit 2 8 feet by 8 to a 2 by 8 36 “end. Align the end of the 8-foot board so that it is flush with the corner end of the 36-inch board. Position the top of the leg 8 to the face of the inch 36. Fix with two 2-inch screws at the top and bottom edge, from the opposite side of the 36 inch through the foot 8.
  • Attach the second 36-inch gasket to the bottom of the 8-foot gasket, in the same way as the top.
  • Place a second 8-foot board between the two 36-inch boards, in the center of the mark you have made and attach. Place a third 8-foot board at the other end of the 36-inch boards, making sure they are flush.
  • Drill three 5/32 inch holes through the top and bottom 36-inch joints on the 8-foot boards. The holes should be in a straight line. Secure the screws and washers in each hole and adjust with the ratchet and 9/16 inch socket.

Guard rails

  • Use the Plaza Carpenter to mark and cut the corners of one end of eight 31-inch cards.
  • 2 by 4sLay two 40 1/2 inches and 2 by 4s 32 1/2-inch two out. Place the bottom edges against the long section of the frame to act as a guide stop. The high 2 by 4s should be parallel.
  • Mark a center line of width in the two 40 1/2-inch 2 by 4s. Mark a center line at the top and bottom of the posts. Use a straight edge to connect the two marks together along the two stalls.
  • Fit a 31-inch board to two of the posts, aligning the long-side edge, 31-inch with the top edges of the 2-by-4s and the short board edges should align with the center pattern you drew.
  • Mark 13 inches from the bottom edge of the board along the 2 by 4. Connect a second 31-inch board, aligning the edges of the top end with the 13-inch markings and the ends with the centerlines of 2 4. Secure with 3-inch screws.
  • Place both of the 2 by 4s 32 1/2 inches to the left and right of your mid-section. Each 32 1/2-inch should be spaced 21 inches from the workshop 2 by 4s.
  • Place one of the 31-inch angled joints on the left side, above the 2-by-4s short and high. Upper flush edge line with upper left corner of 2 32 1/2 inches by 4; the angled end should be butt against the end of the 31 inches connected to the 2 by 4 high. Secure with 3-inch screws at both ends. Repeat for the right side, connect the center section with the two side sections. The boards should be slowing down.
  • Attach a second plate to each side 12 1/4 inches from the top panel.
  • Repeat steps 2 to 8 for the second lane. Temporarily fasten the side rails to the 8-foot lengths of the frame with 2-inch screws covered, making sure that the 2-by-4 rails are flush with the ends and the bottom edge of the 8-foot boards.
  • Drill two 3/8 inch holes in every 2 by 4, through 8-foot boards. Avoid hitting the screws in the rack. Remove the screws and bars.

Final assembly

  • Place the bridge frame in the desired location. Replace sides using locking bolts, nuts, and washers. Hammer the bolts through the holes if necessary.
  • Place the nuts on the end of the bolts and tighten the ratchet cap and 9/16 inch.
  • Place the remaining 31 inches together along the structure between the bars. To allow water to drain through the space the each 3/8-inch joint apart.
  • Fit each board, using three 2-inch screws, for each of the three 8-foot boards. The first and last joints will also need four 2-inch screws between the three fastening screws.
  • The desired stain or stain and allow to dry.

Tips & warnings

  • You can paint or stain the pieces before moving them to the desired location.
  • Add gravel or soil, if necessary, to the ends of the bridge at the level of the deck joints with the ground.