Assembly Overview
The red cedar garden bridges are precut, predrilled, sanded, include hardware, and are carefully packed for shipment in an easy-to-assemble kit form. There are a few easy steps for assembly. First, attach the 2" x 10" beams with the cross braces on each end of the beams (this creates the arch and base for the bridge). Second, add the precut 1" x 6" decking with the zinc-plated screws to the 2" x 10" beam base. This process is all that is needed for our plank bridges.
To assemble the single-rail bridge there is an additional rail assembly. There are three posts for installation on each side of the bridge. All of the holes are predrilled in all of the 2" x 10" beams for the bridge. The predrilled holes are for the precut posts to attach to the 2" x 10" beams. Finally, attach the railing to the cutout in the posts with our zinc-plated screws, and attach the round post cap and finial on top of the posts.
Tools Needed For Red Cedar Bridges:
- Hammer for light tapping
- Drill (Bridge kit supplied with a # 2 drive bit for the square head screws)
Estimated assembly time: 20-25 minutes.
Assembly Instructions
STEP 1
Attaching the 2 x 10 Support Beams with the 2 x 10 Extension Boards (8' and longer bridges only)
Note: SKIP Step 1 for 4' and 6' long bridges which have one piece beams - there is no need to splice them together as they do not have "extension boards (wooden gussets)." The one-piece beams have boards already attached to the inside of each beam that are used as a ledger board for attaching cross braces.
Using the 3" Long Hex Head Bolts, join two beam sections together using extension boards. Be sure that the tops of the beams and the top of the extension boards are aligned and that the beams are butted together tightly. Extension boards are placed on the inside of the beams. Insert Bolts from the outside and tighten with 1/4" nut from the inside. Stand both beams up on end, with the extension boards toward the inside of the bridge (facing each other).
STEP 2
Cross Braces
Place the two 2 x 4 cross braces, so they are against the extension boards (or ledger boards) and tight against the beams. This is important as it prevents beams from bowing. To check proper installation, place a decking board across two beams above cross braces and make sure that the board is flush with the outside of both beams (do not attach this board). Using two 3" screws on each end of the cross braces, attach them to the ends of the extension boards. Do not screw into the beams. Be sure to position the cross braces so that they do not extend above the top of the beams.
STEP 3
Bridge Decking
The 1 x 6 decking is precut and have predrilled pilot holes. The end boards will be flush with the ends of the beams. Start from one end and work toward the other, making sure that the ends of each deck board is flush with the outside of the beams. You may have to adjust the beams slightly as you go by pushing in or pulling out. This will ensure the bridge is square and that the beams are parallel. Lay the first board ("X mark" on boards facing down). Screw down first board and lay second board tight against the first and screw it down. DO NOT Leave space between boards. Place remaining boards on bridge in the same manner. After you reach the mid-point of the bridge, lay all boards on bridge, but do not attach. This is to ensure that the last board will be flush with the beam ends. Continue to the end. If your bridge is a plank (no railing) bridge, you are now finished.
STEP 4
Installing the Posts
All bridges with railings, except the 4' length, have a total of 6 posts (4' bridges have 4 posts). Examine the six posts and look at the angles at the bottom notch. This will determine where they are placed. The two posts with the square cuts are for the middle posts - one per side, and the four with angled cuts are for the ends. Determine the location of each post. End Posts are positioned so that the outsides of the posts are 9 inches from the end of the beam. Be sure that the notch in the post is tight against the decking, and fasten with four 3" screws. Do this for all four outside posts. Center post is positioned at the exact center of the bridge.
STEP 5
Installing the Railings
Railings are screwed into the notches in each post. For shorter bridges, 4 and 6 feet long, each railing is one piece. Longer bridge railings come in two pieces. Single piece rails should be positioned in the notches and adjusted until the overhanging pieces at the ends of the bridge are equal.
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