Garden bridge-Add whimsy to outdoor areas

The garden bridge adds a unique beauty to gardens and lends your garden a picture postcard look. They can be used as a design element of the landscape in your garden or can provide a beautiful pathway over streams and ponds. These bridges are so versatile that they can be incorporated into any kind of garden landscape.

How did the garden bridge evolve?

The concept of garden bridges is relatively new. It did not figure in the gardens of Europe until halfway through the nineteenth century. But by the fag end of the century Japanese and Chinese bridges mushroomed in gardens across Europe. At around this time garden bridges made their debut in American gardens as well. The focus of American bridges was more on functionality than decoration.

The Japanese bridges borrowed their style from their Chinese counterparts. These bridges often sported latticework balustrades and carved trestles. Bright and vibrant colors were the hallmark of these bridges. The mid section often boasted of a resting cum viewing point. Some of the Japanese bridges were made from stone or unpainted wood to employ a more natural looking style. Zigzag bridges were often the trademark of the Japanese bridges.

The camel back garden bridge was one of the first bridges to be used in the Chinese imperial gardens. This type of bridge is in use till this day. These bridges were generally manufactured in stone or wood and had enough room under them to allow the comfortable passage of a small boat. Other Chinese bridges included arched versions that were equipped with roof tops and the simple wooden bridge.

What are the benefits of a garden bridge?

These bridges serve both an aesthetic and utilitarian function in your home garden. At vitalwares.ca, you can find a host of bridges tuned to be in harmony with your needs and budget. Visit vitalwares.ca for a seamless and exceptionally satisfying shopping experience.

• The garden bridge can be used to connect two areas of land that is separated either by a small water body or a dry marshy area. It provides an easy and charming way to cross the particular section of the garden.
• You need not necessarily have a pond in your garden to install a bridge. You can use it as an accessory to drape across a spread of plants and flowers.
• These bridges lend an element of beauty and tranquility to any garden space.
• Usually bridges are added to infuse an Oriental sense of style. But they can just as easily be incorporated in a western garden.
• At vital wares, they are available in many styles and materials which can complement your personal taste and enhance the existing decor of your garden.
• The bridges can be placed over dry areas too. For instance you can choose to install you bridge on a sandy spot or a bed of decorative stones.
• A garden bridge could serve as a linking accessory between your home and garden. For instance, if your outdoor furniture is of an Oriental style and the garden is of a contemporary style then the bridge could perform the function of bringing it all together.
• These bridges are useful in transforming an ordinary looking backyard into an exceptional and delightful escape for you, your family and friends.
• These bridges impart a personal touch to your garden landscape whether it is formal or informal in nature.

What are the different types of the garden bridge?

There are many ways to add an old world charm to the landscaping of your garden. This could be more than planting an ornamental plant or an exotic breed of tree. An Outdoor bridge will go a long way in beautifying and balancing the style of your home garden. These bridges are available in a wide variety of types and styles at vital wares.

• Wooden Bridge: Garden bridges also referred to as foot bridges are primarily made to be walked upon. But they also fulfill a decorative purpose. These decorative bridges are smaller in size and are generally used for delivering a style statement. Wooden bridges are available in mainly three types.
• Pine: Bridges made of pinewood are high on beauty and style and they are amenable to being easily stained. However the pinewood must be pressure treated for the purpose of prolonging its life.
• Redwood: The second type of wood used in the construction of these bridges is redwood. This type of wood is very attractive in its natural form. Redwood can also be easily stained. Untreated redwood has the ability to turn into an extraordinary shade of gray as it ages.
• Cedar: Cedar wood is an ideal component for accessories that have to be kept outside. This type of wood is highly resistant to insects and rots and is capable of enduring extreme climatic conditions. It can also withstand the onslaught of the elements.
• Villa bridges: Villa bridges come in sizes ranging from as miniature as 3 feet to as large as 10 feet. These types of bridges are usually made from white cedar wood which is naturally invulnerable to rot. Villa bridges have a single rail design and depending on its size have multiple posts.
• Estate Bridge: These types of bridges boast of two tiered hand rails which are slightly taller than the villa garden bridges. These garden bridges come with four posts and come in lengths of 5-6 feet. The estate bridge has an ample width of 27 inches, one of the widest among all types of garden bridges.
• Six post bridge: The six post garden bridge comprises of six posts with ball finials that support single rails on either side. This garden bridge has a lengthy design and can therefore be used over a large pond, creek or even over a segment of your home swimming pool. This type of garden bridge is renowned for its sturdy nature.
• Rope rail garden bridge: Rope rail bridges are available in different sizes. The rail of this bridge is constructed out of thick rope.

What are the styles of the garden bridge?

These bridges come in two primary styles.

• Standard Style: The standard garden bridge is an attractive version. They can be blended into different types of landscapes without drawing attention to themselves.
• High rise Style: The high rise garden bridge is an attention seeker. So you need to be careful when incorporating it into specific styles of gardens. Nevertheless they add charm and beauty to your garden.

How do I choose the right garden bridge?

• Size: The size of your garden and the space you are willing to concede will determine the size of the bridge that you intend to buy. A bridge will certainly take up space. You must also aim to be proportionate. A large bridge in a small garden will look out of place and a small one will look insignificant in a big garden. If you are bridging a pond or creek, then take accurate measurements so that the bridge does not fall short of its primary purpose of bridging the pond or creek. And once you are done with taking measurements, it is all about visiting vital wares and placing your order.
• Location: You must first pin down the area where you would like to install the garden bridge. The placement must be in such a way that ensures that it adds on to the elegance of the garden and complements the design of the landscape. Your bridge will definitely be the highlight of the garden. So place it in an area that you want to make the focal point of your garden.
• Bridge for fish pond: If there are fish and other living things in your pond then ensure that the material is safe for the water and fish. You do not want the garden bridge to contaminate the water.
• Features: When buying a wooden bridge consider the features that you need like ropes, railings and covers.
• Style: The arched models convey a more potent style statement. There are a wide variety of designs and styles at vital wares that cater to individual tastes and preferences. Handcrafted garden bridges are ideal decorative fixtures. It lends a distinct character and looks extremely attractive though you might have to shell out a considerable amount of money.
• Consider the weather: If you are intending to buy a redwood garden bridge then you need to consider several aspects of the weather. The amount of rain, the harshness of the sun and the dampness resulting from a pond should be factors to be considered. These factors will determine as to how the wood must be treated in order to prolong its life.

How do I maintain the garden bridge?

Irrespective of the type of bridge you have, it is important to follow some simple measures for its care and maintenance.

• If you have a wooden bridge, then ensure that the wood is stained and sealed in order to provide beauty and durability.
• You must clean your bridge with soapy water and a hose at regular intervals of time.
• If your garden bridge has been assembled with separate parts then regular checks should be done to ensure safety and tightness of the fittings.