Are garden bridges functional?

People often think that garden bridges are strictly ornamental, and just for their charming looks. Of course they do look classically lovely, but they are also very functional, and can be very helpful in the garden.

There are three main features which determine how accessible a garden bridge is: the strength of the bridge, the height of the rails and the width of the walkway.

In relation to the strength of a garden bridge, all of our bridges are built from FSC pressure treated timber, made from quality Scandinavian Redwood to ensure that the bridges are strong, and remain strong through the years.

The height of a garden bridge might not be something you think of when you think of functionality, but the height of the rails, or lack of rails makes a big difference. Garden bridges without rails or with low rails are still very functional, but might not be suitable for those who need a little more support, or who have young children around. The benefit of garden bridges without rails is that they have a more minimalistic look, and do not block the view around the bridge. Some people prefer to have high rails on their bridge, as it gives them more stability, particularly if they have young children or need help with accessibility – or even just if you're a little clumsy and don't want to take an accidental dip in your pond.

The width of a garden bridge can be very important in terms of functionality, depending on what the bridge is going to be used for. For example if the bridge is needed to support wheelchairs or prams, then it's important that it is wide enough. The average wheelchair is around 25” wide and the average pram is around 23” wide. Many of our bridges accommodate for this, but if you can't find a bridge in the size you would like, we can custom design to your needs.

There are also three main uses for a garden bridge; these are: crossing bodies of water, crossing uneven ground or as an ornamental feature. Bodies of water could include rivers, streams, or most commonly, ponds. Uneven ground could be anything from flower beds or stoned areas, to crossing raised ground.

In terms of some of the other specifications of your custom garden bridge, you might want to consider features and details such as the length of the bridge, the height and style of the rails and whether or not you want your bridge to feature steps or ramps. If you have a specific idea in mind that you can't see on the website then feel free to get in contact with us and we can try our best to accommodate your design ideas.

For more information get in contact with us via phone or visit our contact form here.