How to easily build an arched Pond Bridge
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
Do you want to make a bridge over your pond, or maybe one in your garden as a beautiful feature?
This is one of the best bang for buck builds I've ever done. It's surprising how easy it is and what you get in return looks absolutely amazing.
I'd never built a bridge before, let alone an arched one, so was worried that it was going to be complicated. On the contrary, this was one of those builds that had me pinching myself at how quickly it all came together, and the result makes the pond look so much better.
Cutting list:
2 x 1600mm - 140mm x 35mm (approx 5.25' x 5.5" x 1.4") treated structural pine beams (arches)*
2 x 600mm - 140mm x 35mm (approx 2' x 5.5" x 1.4") treated pine beams (cross braces)
19 x 800mm - 90mm (approx 2.6' x 3.5") treated pine decking timber
* my arch is only over 1500mm, the additional 100mm tapers down because that side is lower so you may want to adjust yours to suit.
Other items:
16 x 90˚ braces
18 x long screws
140 x decking screws
Paint / Stain as desired (I recommend you use a pre paint prep on the treated pine to make painting easier and last longer - I should have).
Tools you need:
Safety glasses and ear protection
Pen / pencil
Tape measure
Jigsaw
Drop Saw (or circular / hand saw if that's all you have)
Cordless drill
Sander
Decking spacer
Let me know in the comments if you've got any questions, and sorry it's taken so long to finally get this video finished!!
Пікірлер: 64
Mate.. brilliant vid.. straight to the point and easy to follow.. Your a legand cheers👍👍👍
Any time I see someone doing construction projects with flip flops on, I know it's going to be a quality, knowledgeable process.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
2 ай бұрын
They were heavy duty safety ones... but yeah, I'm definitely guilty of doing way too many jobs in unsuitable footwear.
Thank you for showing how the arch was created. Clever and simple. 👍
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
A very well-made and super informative video with the added benefit of providing a cut list. I'm gonna make this. thanks.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Ай бұрын
Good luck. Hope it goes well!
Wow, I did not expect it to be this easy. Thanks for the video!
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Ай бұрын
Glad it helped!
I always wondered about building a curved bridge... thank you SO much!
@TheBiteSizedGarden
6 ай бұрын
Happy to help!
You are a lifesaver. I am doing two bridges and always thought i had to make two cuts on the support beams. Your method is sooooooo much simpler. Thank you.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
11 ай бұрын
Good luck!
@EL-em3mn
11 ай бұрын
@@TheBiteSizedGarden so i already finished it up. It took a day and a half to do a snake skin shoi sugi ban technique on the walking beams and a more traditional brushed shoi sugi ban technique on the fame. The result was pretty good with my only complaint being, i created the arch to round so it's not a soft arch like yours but that's all on me. I will make that adjustment next time. Anyway thanks for the tip and i am proof this works really well and it really simple.
Love it mate. Love it. Well done. Thanks.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
9 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
Simple as and looks schmick, great build!
Measure 15 times. Yep. This is my kind of instruction.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
😆
Excellent video and construction . Just what I’m looking to build for the garden stream I’m planning to build next year in mine. Thank you from England 😊👍🏻
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, and good luck with your project!
Beautiful! And you make it look easy. I think I can do it. Thank you!!!
@TheBiteSizedGarden
2 жыл бұрын
It is actually pretty easy. I’m sure you’ll do a great job!
Brilliant, I want to put a curved bridge over my pond but none of the pre-mades are wide enough to work so I will have to build my own. I was wracking my brain thinking I would have to warp the lumber using water and clamps but your way is brilliant! Do you think it would still work with a 16 ft board or would that weaken the span too much?
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Ай бұрын
16 foot is quite a span. I’m not an engineer so couldn’t say for sure. My guess is it would hold the weight but it might be bouncy. You could always go to a lumber yard and see if they’ll put some long beams on a couple of pallets and see how it feels.
Thanks, I’m thinking of making one for my side garden, I don’t have enough flagstone to cover the middle of the pathway. That’s how I got the house when I bought it, kinda random but a bridge is just the ticket!!
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
Sounds like a perfect solution. Good luck!
Good job. I wanna get some pallets, cut them apart with my new reciprocating saw and build a little bridge for a ditch in the yard.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
Sounds like a fun project!
Be nice to see an after 2 year video since you've had it for how long now. just curios as to how is the wear on the stain and is it slippery when wet?
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Ай бұрын
I just tagged you in some photos I took of the bridge today.
Nice job
Thank you! I'm going to try it!
@TheBiteSizedGarden
10 ай бұрын
Did it work?
very nice!!!😊🌲🌼
@TheBiteSizedGarden
7 ай бұрын
Thank you! 😊
I didn't see the things you needed in the description box. Could you put them in there so it is easier to reference.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
9 ай бұрын
Sorry it took so long, I have now done this.
Enjoyed the video.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
Good to hear. Thanks!
Very helpful - I’ll try it - Your pond is beautiful! Can you share your secret for keeping the pond water clean and healthy?
@TheBiteSizedGarden
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Alex. It took a couple of months for the pond to fully clear up on its own. Running water is important for oxygenation, so I have the pump running the little waterfall. Plants are also very important. They take up the excess nutrients that would otherwise grow as algae or slime. I don’t use any chemicals, add any nutrients or put any food in there as all of those things mess with the natural balance. If you pond is in full Sun all day you will need lots of plants. I’ve also got some freshwater mussels in there as they help filter the water. If you have fish in your pond, too much food is a big problem. Fish need little or no food in a pond. Overfeeding will quickly lead to poor water quality. Good luck and be patient, if you do the right things a pond should find it’s natural ecosystem and thrive.
Thanks so much!!! I followed your video step by step with an impressive result (not as pretty and accurate as yours but still)
@TheBiteSizedGarden
8 ай бұрын
Awesome! Glad you were able to follow along and thanks for letting me know.
when you showed the “actual time” I started laughing. This video was wonderful very informative
@TheBiteSizedGarden
2 жыл бұрын
😅 Thanks Raquel!
I wonder how much all those tools were? Jigsaw, miter saw, electric sander, cordless drill. He has been doing jobs like these for years. Someone like me who works behind a desk and rarely picks up a $4 screwdriver, this is challenging. Easy is relative.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Ай бұрын
Sure, I've been building stuff since I was a kid, so have built up a decent set of tools. Nothing like a workshop though and I've never had any official training. There is nothing technically difficult about this build and I'm sure you could borrow or rent everything I used pretty easily.
Great video, thanks for making it simple to understand. Can you please let me know how Height this bridge above the ground? And if I wanted to make it more curveee do I have to go for 8 inches or even 10 inches of width?
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! In the middle it’s about 4 inches off the ground. Yes, if you want more height you’ll need framing timber higher than mine was but the same technique should still work.
what is the thickness of the decking board? loved how easy and simple your video is. I watched another video and they said deck thickness of 22 which is the standard here, doesn't do well over 45cm expansion. Yours I believe is 60cm maybe even little more to include the thickness of the side beams. Just wondering how it's holding up?
@TheBiteSizedGarden
Жыл бұрын
Hi Malorie, thanks for the kind words. The width of the frame is 60cm, the decking timber on top is 80cm. It’s all really solid and still in great shape. The framing timber is 14cm x 3.5cm, 160cm long and 60cm wide. Hope that helps!
Would this design work as.2.2m length bridge over pond?
@TheBiteSizedGarden
23 күн бұрын
Yes, I think it’d be fine. I’d probably go for a taller beam so you get more height on the curve.
What was the measurement you used for the arch 3 x6
@TheBiteSizedGarden
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Maria, the measurements are not critical. The frame on mine is 160cm by 60cm, roughly 5' x 2 1/4'.
Do you have a cutting list for the bridge?
@TheBiteSizedGarden
9 ай бұрын
I have now updated the description to include this.
Only just found this, but you made a comment about how decking should be installed groove side down which blew my tiny little mind because every single deck I have seen has the grooves up - but that's all been in the UK really. I was thinking "Surely not everyone has been doing it wrong??" and so I found this kzread.info/dash/bejne/g4apyrRwj9Pdk8Y.html I like this guy's DIY channel because he takes time to research and try a load of products. Anyway, in short, which way up you install decking is really up to you. But yes, airflow is important so I learned something today, thank you :)
@TheBiteSizedGarden
2 жыл бұрын
You make a good point, and thanks for sharing the video. You're right, personal preference should always win! It seems that there are many more decking options in the UK than in Australia but I was taught (interestingly, by a builder from England) to put the grooves down and I definitely think it works nicely on this build having the smooth, almost reflective surface. I've also never had any issues with it being slippery, even in the wet.
Having rocks in front of the bridge can be hazardous. I would of done something else. Maybe mulch, small rocks, or another plank that would go into the ground..
Ummm next time get a 2×12 and don't pice it together lol
Sorry, two glaring mistakes and I quit watching. Flip flops and putting hand in blades way when cutting. You are not someone I want to learn from. All the best.
@TheBiteSizedGarden
16 күн бұрын
It's a wonder I still have all my fingers and toes!