Need ideas for finishing bridge

[KentT]

Building on those previous ideas.

Use stone pillara on the "street side" but perhaps use wooden posts on the "house side." In either case, add an additional wood post in the center. Then, add at least two wooden railings or guard rails that match the look of the house.

You could also add wooden "turnouts" on either end that angle down to the ground, similar to how the ends of highwqay guard rails are flared out. This would serve to gather your attention and "funnel it" across the bridge to the house. Would also add a safety factor...

If this is too much wood and stone for you, consider using wood posts and metal chains or cables for the guard rails....

IMO, you certainly need to add guard rails or a "bump strip" on each side. Wet metal is slick, even if it is a metal grate....

 

[npaden]

From a looks perspective the pillars and rails are a great idea.

I would hate to need to get something 12'3" wide through there when they were 12' apart though.

Probably won't ever be an issue but just something to keep in mind.

 

[wushaw]

Wood stained to match the wood on the house to keep the rustic look. If any lights are used use same color as roof for the covers.

 

[KubotainNH]

I agree with wushaw, wood with lights to match (solar or too dark?). It looks like you could easily sandwich 4x4 posts between 2x8's and bolt the whole thing to the side I beam. Then put horizontal rails. You could probably make them removable. I wouldn't touch the deck, it would be slippery if you add decking. You could build a rock wall on each side leading up to the bridge. You have tons of potential for that site. Very nice house too. Good luck and make sure you post as things progress.

 

[Mavrik02]

Thanks for all of your suggestions so far! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I am going to use colums like Eddie posted to cover the wood posts on the front porch steps...I never thought to use them at the bridge. I will have to think about that. Thanks also to Eddie and NSBound for the picture and creative editing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I like the idea of using wood railing. I was thinking either log railing or split rail fencing. Flairing it out would be good (another good suggestion Mike).

If you can see the white pipe in the pictues that is conduit I am going to use to pull 120VAC all the way down the driveway. I was thinking about installing AC powered lighting that was on a motion detector. That way everytime a deer or turkey (or any one of a zillion other creatures) walk buy the lights will come on...all night long...every night...maybe I should think about that agian. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Any ideas on how to connect the fense to the bridge (the middle protion, anchoring it at the ends could be with a post in the ground or the pillars)?

Thanks again!

 

[TOMDUALLY]

I like the idea of a split cedar rail fence along your driveway, it's not offensive but creates an attractive border.
not to resistant to blown snow when you clear your driveway /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif You can also use the split rail between the stone columns on your bridge.

 

[1948berg]

One way to do it
http://www.kroderbanen.museum.no/image_.php?objectId=63

 

[gsganzer]

I see stone and cedar when I look at the photo's. I like the stone pillar ideas. You could make them with stone veneer and then add some railings made of cedar.

 

[Mavrik02]

Gunnar,

I love that bridge! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'm stuck between form and function (normally I'm a function over form guy). I see that type of bridge and love how it looks and I think I could do that exactly if I planked over the steel...however the snow would lay on it and we would not get the benefit of the open steel design.

I do like the split rail suggestions.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[radair]

To attach posts, you could use short pieces of angle iron bolted (or welded) vertically to the web of the outer I-beams. The leg size of the angles would have to be greater than the offset of the web to the outside of the flange. With holes in the angles, you can thru-bolt steel or wood posts.

The image attached used welded stiffeners, but the concept is similar.