Garden Bridges

As a homeowner you know that the landscaping can either bring value to your home or make it look despicable. Millions of dollars a year are spent on beautifying and maintaining a home's landscape and/or garden.

When we think of landscaping our first images are of trees, bushes, flowers, and grass but the term "landscaping" really means so much more. A home's landscaping is its surroundings and generally homeowners want their surroundings to be impeccable. A beautiful landscape takes a lot of preparation, care, and commitment.

There are ways to add charm and relaxation to your home's landscaping that go beyond planting an extra bed of flower bulbs or adding a new breed of tree. Landscapes are somewhat like the rooms within a home. They take more than a coating of color to make them complete and inviting. So, when striving to create a blissful impression for your landscape, you should consider including accessories such as garden bridges.

Adding a garden bridge to your landscape will accentuate the beauty and charisma of your home. Garden bridges come in a variety of styles with an abundance of shapes and sizes to choose from. Your decision will be based on how the garden bridge will be used, where it will be placed, and the decor of your homes exterior.

Garden bridges are generally usable; made to be walked on. This type of garden bridge is also referred to as a foot bridge. But, there are also garden bridges produced specifically for decorative purposes only. Decorative garden bridges are primarily for show, are usually smaller in size, and are constructed out of less expensive materials.

Consumers can choose garden bridges made from three types of wood. The first type of wood is Pine. Pine wood must be pressure-treated in order to increase its longevity and it is very easy to stain. The second type of wood is Redwood. This wood is a popular choice for garden bridges and is beautiful in its natural form. But, if you choose, you can stain Redwood as well. If this type of wood is left untreated it will turn to a fabulous gray color as it ages. And the third type of wood used for garden bridges is Cedar. Cedar wood is a classic when it comes to any type of outdoor items. It is rot and insect resistant and it can endure the worst of weather conditions.

As any outdoor accessory, garden bridges will need maintenance from time to time. No fears though because maintaining wooden garden bridges is very simple. A few suggestions for bridge preservation are catching any construction problems before they surface, occasionally spraying off excess grime, and reapplying sealer (if used) every two or three years. Maintenance really is a snap!

Homeowners can choose from two styles of garden bridges and varying lengths; standard and high rise. The standard style will blend into its surroundings while the high rise will draw attention to the area in which it is placed. Also, you will have to select from one of four handrail settings which include no handrails, low handrails, or single or double handrails. The setting of handrails you choose will depend on the size and style of garden bridge you have opted for. And, for an added bonus, a homeowner might even install lighting on their bridges.