Joe Guraro asked:
Step 1
Determine a location for your bridge. The foundation of the bridge must be on solid, dry ground. Measure your space and buy materials.
Step 2
Place one pair of concrete pier blocks at each end of the bridge location. Dig down or build up in order to ensure that the blocks are level with each other.
Step 3
Connect beams to the pier blocks. Place the pier blocks one length of beam a part. Attach the beams using metal straps.
Step 4
Construct railing posts for each side of the bridge, if desired. Carefully measure the height of the posts to make sure they’re even. Set the posts in incremental spacing to ensure that the railing is supportive and strong.
Step 5
Lay planks across the beams to form the treads of the bridge. Cut the planks to a length that allows them to lay fully over each beam but not too far over the sides of the bridge.
Step 6
Attach hand railing to the railing posts. Measure the proper height and mark each railing post with chalk as a visual guideline, then firmly attach each hand railing section.
Step 7
Stain or paint and seal the bridge. Use a sealer specifically for use outdoors to prevent dampness from ruining the wood and destroying your bridge.
Part 2
1. Use 16′ 2x12s for the stringers. Square both ends of a 2×12 and cut it exactly 16′ in length.
2. Measure up 4″ on each end of the 2×12 and make a mark. Locate the center of the 2×12, measure 1 1/2′ (18″) toward the left and right ends, and mark. Draw cut-lines between the marks as shown below.
3. Use a circular saw to cut the stringer along the cut-line. Use the first stringer as a pattern to mark and cut the other stringers.
Marked stringer
1. Cut 2×6 decking boards to 36″ for decking.
2. Center the decking boards on the stringer frame so there’s about an inch of overhang on each side. Secure the deck boards with two screws at each stringer. Leave a 1/8″ to 1/4″ gap between each decking board. It may be necessary to cut decking boards to fit where the incline flattens out on the bridge.
Cut stringer
For this bridge, we decided not to install railings. In most areas, structures under two feet high are not required to have railings, but always check with your local building inspector for requirements in your area. If your local code requires railings or if you would like to add them to your bridge.
More Plans that might work good for you.
My wife had casually mentioned that a footbridge over the dry creek bed drainage culvert we created in the front and in the back would be a nice feature. I decided to surprise her and built the bridges in one day. I used 2×12 lumber for the sides, cut the arch shapes out with a jigsaw, and then transferred that shape to the other side and cut it out too.
I left a flat area on the bottom side at each end where it would rest on the ground. The only limit to design on the cuts is your imagination. If you don’t want a tall bridge, or if it isn’t spanning a wide area, you could use 2×10, 2×8 or even 2×6 lumber. I made mine 6 feet long and 24″ wide, and used 2×4 and 2×6 boards for the decking, and a 2×6 vertical support in the center to give it more rigidity. I used a square to make sure the board sides and ends were perpendicular and parallel.
I used redwood If you want to make a smooth arch shape, you can use 1/2″ PVC pipe, bend it to the shape you want, screw it to the board, and then trace out the curve on the board. The bridge is very sturdy, and looks pretty good too. Of course, you could use 2×8, or even 2×6 side boards, depending on the span and how you cut the side boards.
Build a Footbridge
Step 1
Determine a location for your bridge. The foundation of the bridge must be on solid, dry ground. Measure your space and buy materials.
Step 2
Place one pair of concrete pier blocks at each end of the bridge location. Dig down or build up in order to ensure that the blocks are level with each other.
Step 3
Connect beams to the pier blocks. Place the pier blocks one length of beam a part. Attach the beams using metal straps.
Step 4
Construct railing posts for each side of the bridge, if desired. Carefully measure the height of the posts to make sure they’re even. Set the posts in incremental spacing to ensure that the railing is supportive and strong.
Step 5
Lay planks across the beams to form the treads of the bridge. Cut the planks to a length that allows them to lay fully over each beam but not too far over the sides of the bridge.
Step 6
Attach hand railing to the railing posts. Measure the proper height and mark each railing post with chalk as a visual guideline, then firmly attach each hand railing section.
Step 7
Stain or paint and seal the bridge. Use a sealer specifically for use outdoors to prevent dampness from ruining the wood and destroying your bridge.
Part 2
1. Use 16′ 2x12s for the stringers. Square both ends of a 2×12 and cut it exactly 16′ in length.
2. Measure up 4″ on each end of the 2×12 and make a mark. Locate the center of the 2×12, measure 1 1/2′ (18″) toward the left and right ends, and mark. Draw cut-lines between the marks as shown below.
3. Use a circular saw to cut the stringer along the cut-line. Use the first stringer as a pattern to mark and cut the other stringers.
Marked stringer
1. Cut 2×6 decking boards to 36″ for decking.
2. Center the decking boards on the stringer frame so there’s about an inch of overhang on each side. Secure the deck boards with two screws at each stringer. Leave a 1/8″ to 1/4″ gap between each decking board. It may be necessary to cut decking boards to fit where the incline flattens out on the bridge.
Cut stringer
For this bridge, we decided not to install railings. In most areas, structures under two feet high are not required to have railings, but always check with your local building inspector for requirements in your area. If your local code requires railings or if you would like to add them to your bridge.
More Plans that might work good for you.
My wife had casually mentioned that a footbridge over the dry creek bed drainage culvert we created in the front and in the back would be a nice feature. I decided to surprise her and built the bridges in one day. I used 2×12 lumber for the sides, cut the arch shapes out with a jigsaw, and then transferred that shape to the other side and cut it out too.
I left a flat area on the bottom side at each end where it would rest on the ground. The only limit to design on the cuts is your imagination. If you don’t want a tall bridge, or if it isn’t spanning a wide area, you could use 2×10, 2×8 or even 2×6 lumber. I made mine 6 feet long and 24″ wide, and used 2×4 and 2×6 boards for the decking, and a 2×6 vertical support in the center to give it more rigidity. I used a square to make sure the board sides and ends were perpendicular and parallel.
I used redwood If you want to make a smooth arch shape, you can use 1/2″ PVC pipe, bend it to the shape you want, screw it to the board, and then trace out the curve on the board. The bridge is very sturdy, and looks pretty good too. Of course, you could use 2×8, or even 2×6 side boards, depending on the span and how you cut the side boards.
Build a Footbridge
