A garden or pond bridge is rarely really necessary, but it can be a pretty and practical piece of jewelry - as long as it is not purely a decorative bridge that is not allowed to be walked on. Read which criteria are important when buying a garden bridge and which models are particularly recommended.

A garden bridge is a real gem for the garden

Our recommendations

our recommendation
GASPO pond bridge | Solid Pine Garden Bridge | 152x67x50cm | Quality from Austria | simple kit system
99.99 EUR To the product
material pine wood
length 152 centimeters
broad 67 centimeters
height 50 centimeters
accessible yes, max. load 150 kilograms

This small garden bridge is made of solid pine, has a slight curvature of about six to eight centimeters and is 152 centimeters long and 67 centimeters wide. It comes as a kit and requires assembly by yourself, but according to customer descriptions this is quite doable. The bridge is stable, can be walked on by people and has a handrail on both sides. The passage width is just over 50 centimeters. Tip: Jack up the bridge ends resting on the banks on supports, otherwise they will be in the water. Paving stones or bricks are suitable for this, for example. The sturdy material is treated with an environmentally friendly water-based glaze for better weather resistance.

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DanDiBo metal garden bridge with railing 111252 iron bridge 145 cm bridge garden metal bridge pond bridge garden decoration
199.99 EUR To the product
material metal
length 145 centimeters
broad 87 centimeters
height 80 centimeters
accessible Yes

If you like it romantic and antique, then this playful metal bridge might be the right choice for you. The slightly curved garden bridge - the highest point of curvature is 15 centimeters - has a length of 104 centimeters and a stable railing, which prevents falling into the water even on slippery surfaces. The decorative bridge is 145 centimeters long and 87 centimeters wide, with the passage width being quite generous at 83 centimeters. The model is a pretty eye-catcher for small garden ponds or as a transition over the garden stream. With a weight of only 18 kilograms, the bridge is also quite light.

our recommendation
Nexos large wooden bridge pond bridge pond garden wooden bridge with railing red - brown
259.95 EUR To the product
material softwood
length 250 centimeters
broad 90 centimeters
height 110 centimeters
accessible yes, max. load up to 300 kilograms

If you are looking for a garden bridge with larger dimensions and a higher load capacity, you will find an inexpensive offer in this XXL model from Nexos. This bridge has a maximum load capacity of up to 300 kilograms, is 250 centimeters long, around 90 centimeters wide and around 110 centimeters long. It consists of solid coniferous wood, which according to various customer descriptions is of rather inferior quality (what else can you expect at this price!) and should therefore definitely be treated with a weather protection varnish again. The bridge, which weighs around 40 kilograms, is delivered disassembled and has to be assembled by yourself, which the reviews describe as easily doable.

Purchase Criteria

intended use and load capacity

The most important purchase criterion is the intended use, because this determines the type, size and processing of the garden bridge. Is it a purely decorative bridge or should the bridge also be accessible? And if it should be entered: Does this only happen occasionally for the fun of it or because a stream has to be crossed regularly? Pure decorative bridges do not have to be as robust and stable as a model that is part of a frequently used path and that sometimes has to carry heavier loads.

material

Garden bridges are available in different materials. One of the most popular are wooden bridges, which are beautiful to look at and last a long time - provided the wood is of good quality and treated. Make sure that solid hardwood (e.g. beech or ash) is used. In addition, the planks and boards should be as thick as possible so that they are stable. A weather protection glaze is essential. Even a metal bridge cannot do without weather protection, so you should give preference to galvanized steel or similar materials.
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Ultrament full protection glaze 7-in-1, colorless, 5l
35.58 EUR To the product

shape

There are basically two types of garden bridges: straight and curved. The curved shapes are probably particularly popular because (depending on the degree of bending) they do not rest on the water and also have the characteristic "bridge bend". Strongly curved bridges often look attractive, but are difficult to walk on, especially in wet weather - it's easy to slip. If, on the other hand, the bend is too small, the bridge can rest on the water and should be raised accordingly on the bank sides.

handrail / railing

A handrail or railing - whether on one side or on both sides - is important if the garden bridge is used frequently. Lateral fall protection is particularly useful in damp weather or when children could play on the bridge. A railing is also an advantage on narrow walkways. But be careful: Make sure that the passage is wide enough for adults to pass through. A passage width of 50 centimeters is extremely small, at least for a frequently used bridge. For a decorative bridge, on the other hand, it is sufficient.

measurements and weight

When it comes to dimensions, the length, width and height of the garden bridge are relevant. When choosing the length, remember that the bridge still needs a bearing surface on both banks, i. H. must be at least 2 times 30 centimeters longer than the width of the water to be crossed. The width is usually measured from outer post to outer post, so that the actual passage width is narrower. The height means the highest point of the bridge, which is in the middle.

Assembly

A garden bridge ordered on the Internet is always delivered disassembled, so you have to assemble it first. Assembly instructions are usually included. You can often find out whether the bridge is easy to set up or whether the instructions are difficult to understand by taking a closer look at the customer reviews. Some models also have good instructions on YouTube that provide valuable information. There are also models that only have to be plugged together. Certain tools - such as a cordless screwdriver - are indispensable, sometimes you also need long screws or other materials.
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Stainless steel TORX countersunk screw made of V2A, 8 mm thick, 100 mm screw length, 10 pieces, 80 mm partial thread, wood screw 8x100
17.95 EUR To the product

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frequently asked Questions

What is a garden bridge?

A garden bridge is a construction mostly made of wood or metal for crossing a garden pond, a stream or the like. It is usually primarily ornamental and only sometimes has a practical use, such as when a creek runs across the property.

What types of garden bridges are there?

There are different types of garden bridges. Some, for example, are only decorative and should not be entered. Others look nice and can be walked on, but are not suitable for regular crossings. There are also stable bridges that can be installed as part of a walkway. In addition, bridges are curved to different extents, which is not only for visual reasons - curved bridges are further away from the water.

Where to buy garden bridges

You can buy garden bridges in hardware and garden stores, order them from special dealers or on the Internet. Not only do the large Internet department stores such as Amazon offer a wide range of products, the online presences of Bauhaus, Obi, Toom, Hagebau, Hornbach etc. also offer an attractive range. Compare carefully and don't buy the cheapest model! You will most likely not enjoy this for very long.

How much does a high-quality garden bridge cost?

The prices vary greatly: A really high-quality and well-made, slightly larger wooden bridge is usually not available for less than 600 to 800 euros. Of course, there are much cheaper offers, starting at around EUR 100 for a small model and EUR 250 for a slightly larger model. With these, however, you often have to compromise on the quality of material and workmanship.

Can fish be damaged by the bridge?

If the bridge is to run over the fish pond, you don't need to worry about your swimming darlings: Since the garden bridge usually has no contact with the water, any toxins cannot be washed out and affect the fish. If in doubt, you can also use ecologically treated materials.

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