Having A Wood Bridge Built: 4 Tips

Posted on: 8 August 2023

If you have a stream or even a big low spot on your property, you may want to have a wood bridge built over it. Doing so will allow you and others to walk over the area without getting your feet and legs wet. But how do you go about having such a bridge built? In most areas, you should be able to find a few contractors to do it for you. But you should also follow these tips.

Hire a company that shows you drawn plans beforehand.

When looking for contractors to build your bridge, try to hire someone who can draw up plans and show you those plans beforehand. This shows you that the contractor is planning to engineer the bridge so it can be built stably. It also gives you a chance to look over the contractor's bridge design ideas, give them feedback on those ideas, and make changes. 

Choose a durable, rot-resistant wood.

A bridge will get wet and be exposed to plenty of moisture over the years. Not all types of wood will withstand this. You need to choose a type of wood that won't rot or deteriorate when exposed to moisture for a prolonged time. Pressure-treated lumber works well, but it does have a green tone that not everyone enjoys. Cedar and cypress are both naturally resistant to rot and deterioration because they have natural cedar oils that repel the organisms that cause rot. However, they do tend to turn gray over time. Oak is another good choice, but it is expensive.

Have the bridge mounted on concrete blocks.

You do not want the part of the bridge that extends into the ground and anchors the structure to be made from wood. You want it to be made from concrete. This way, it will not rot out. Most bridge builders should take this approach, but it does not hurt to check with them to ensure they'll take this approach before you have your bridge built.

Make sure the bridge gets sealed.

Whether you or the construction contractor do it, make sure your bridge gets sealed with a waterproofing agent. Some contractors will apply the sealer themselves, and others will give you instructions to seal the wood after it has rested for a certain period of time.

With these tips, you can have a lovely wooden bridge added to your property.

For more information about this, contact a local company like All Timber Structures, Inc. (ATS).

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