The only crafty way to connect multiple treehouses is a bridge. But how to build a tree bridge? A well-built bridge saves a lot of time and energy in moving between treehouses. Being a reliable body, you must build it in a skillful and processed manner. Any compromise in design may invite fatal casualties. So, to avoid them, you’ll need a trustworthy guide. Don’t worry, for we brought you a more reliable manual. It contains every little aspect in detail. From the required materials to your queries, we got all covered. All you have to do is read and follow it with dedication.
Contents
How To Build A Tree Bridge For Treehouse?
The combination of skillful design and quality materials makes a bridge reliable. Keeping both aspects into account, we know what’s best for you. There are over tons of purchasable materials online. However, only a few serve the best. Materials such as cables, wood, and ropes are the basic materials needed. Based on their reviews in various shopping sites, we bring you the best. Along with quality, your crafty hands matter a lot. The design must be made in a square paper with precision. It is all up to you to decide and select the items for your tree bridge. Therefore, follow to know more about how to build a tree bridge.
Types Of Bridges
In general, there are three types of bridges:
1. Suspension Rope Bridges
Suspension rope bridges are the most commonly designed rope bridges for a treehouse. These brides are reliable and has a longer durability than any other bridges. Due to varying weather conditions, it remains as an ideal choice. Moreover, the maintenance cost is quite low for a reliable bridge. The availability of construction items is more. Therefore, in this topic, we’ll focus more on a suspension bridge.
2. Fixed-beam Rope Bridges
These bridges are rarely found in any treehouse. Due to its low durability, Fixed-beam bridges are ignored. However, they never fail to give a spectacular look to your treehouse. The maintenance cost is also higher as compared to other bridges. With a simplistic design, they fail to give you the adventurous feel. As the masses of wood is high, rotting starts even faster. Therefore, we recommend you to skip this type of bridge.
3. Log Rope Bridge
A log rope bridge is a type of suspension bridge. Bamboo or tree logs are used to cover the base area. This type of bridge is trending worldwide for treehouses. Durability and reliability are assured in these connective bodies. However, the maintenance cost is a bit more than normal suspension bridges. We shall add an element of these bridges in our instructions too.
Designing Tree Bridges For Treehouse
Tree bridges are organic, and there is less metal involved. The designing process determines are reliability of the bridge. Framework and geometry are two important aspects that require more focus. On a square paper, draw the layout of various supporting frame structures like side rails and base supports.
The main supporting unit consists of three structures. These are mainly the Bottom piece, the uprights, and the supports. To have a clear understanding, we made you some distinct points.
1. The Bottom Piece
The bottom piece is the structure where the cable will be attached. We recommend you to take its measurement by 5ft. in length, 6 inches in height and width. You will have to make channel cuts to prevent the frame from skidding. There will be three cuts in each log that will ensure the utmost stability. Mark the points taking any horizontal sides as reference. The first cut will be from 1 foot away from the side of reference. Mark that point with a pencil in the square paper. Now, mark the next two points that will be 1½ feet away from the previous mark consecutively. Also, remember that the cuts will be 8cm wide and 5cm deep.
2. The Uprights
The uprights are the supporting bodies for the side rails. Being of high-quality wood, it is one foot shorter than the bottom piece. However, you can vary the thickness of what you like. We would recommend you to choose blocks less thick than the bottom piece. You can also keep the thickness the same, but never increase it. Make sure the upright is made from high-quality wood.
3. Supports
The support logs the smallest units of the main support unit. It measures up to 2½ feet in length. However, the breadth and height are similar to the uprights. To make it adjustable we need to carve out wood from any of its ends. All you have to do is slender the ends at a 70° angle. A sharp and slender end will act as a slanted support between the two bodies. Without the supports, the frame can’t be held intact.
Materials You Need
The selection of materials is probably the most important factor in building a tree bridge. An improper selection will reduce the efficiency of your bridge. As a designer, you must have the right information of the required products. However, let us do the hard work. We brought you a list of items that are needed to build a reliable tree bridge. These value-for-money products will fit easily into your budget. It will give you an estimate on how to build a tree bridge.
1. Koch Industries 003292 7 x 19 Reel Galvanized Cable
Constructed of 7 outer strands of 19 wires per strand
Good strength and flexibility
Medium abrasion resistance
The cable is the main structure of the tree bridge. It supports the main supporting unit, bearing its weight. To ensure safety, don’t compromise with the quality of the wire. The Koch industries 3/8 inch cable serves as an ideal option. It has over 7 outer strands to provide maximum strength and flexibility. Each strand has 19 galvanized wire that has immense tensile strength. Moreover, it can bear a weight limit of up to 2,880 lbs. So, even a mature rhino can pass without any hindrance. However, in summer it won’t expand due to exposure to heat. Due to its galvanized steel, it will remain strong without catching rust. With an immense length of 250ft, it can even join two distinct treehouse. However, trimming the cable needs a saw motor and skillful hands.
🎈Good thread: deep lines, even lines, clear lines, balanced use and good fastening. The tail is smooth, easy to use...
🎈Bolt Characteristics: The main function of the external thread of the hexagonal bolt is to work with the nut, used...
For every crafty work, nuts and bolts are needed in varieties. Each dimension of nuts has its own characterizes. Among all types, we recommend you the hex nuts and bolts. It is easy to pile them into the wood and gives it a premium look. The newly 306 M6 nuts and bolts won’t let you regret about your choice. This pack consists of 3 different M6 sizes bolts and 40 M6 nuts. Sizes are 40mm, 30mm, 20mm, and 10mm respectively. Depending upon the areas, sizes will vary. Made from stainless steel, the nuts and bolts won’t catch rust even after decades. So, even if your treehouse is in a rainy place, don’t worry. For we brought it keeping everything into account.
3. POWERTEC 71429 Heavy Duty Right Angle Metal Brackets for Mounting
function: designed to provide you with a heavy duty and high precision 90 degree right angle mounting option for your...
premium build: each bracket possesses a flat, uniform profile with 6 “burr free” mounting holes, and 3 stamped...
For mounting, metal brackets are the ultimate choice. To ensure your safety, we got the best metal brackets for you. The Powertec 71429 is a perfect metal bracket that fulfills your measurements. With a 90° mounting, this piece of craft is made for heavy machinery. There are 3 stamped gussets for extra strength and flexibility. You will also find 6 mounting holes of a diameter of 3/16”. So, the heavy bolts can easily penetrate the bracket. With its 18 gauge thickness, it will hold your wooden blocks strong. However, you won’t have to worry about its quality. It is made from premium metal coated with zinc. The zinc coating will extend its durability to decades, and it won’t rust easily.
4. Wooden Planks
To serve as a reliable deck, good quality wooden planks are necessary. The Alexandria Moulding wooden planks are fit for the weight-bearing. Made from the wood of the pine tree, it will assure you quality. Pinewood has a natural resistance to rot and decay. Therefore, this wood will be a part of your tree bridge for long. It absorbs stain and paints in no time. So, you won’t have to spend a long time after waterproofing it. These planks come in different dimensions. We recommend you the plank of dimension 1”×4”×8’. Selecting a heavier dimension will add more force to your bridge. Besides, you’ll don’t want this to happen.
Procedure To Build A Tree Bridge
You may be still asking the question, “How to build a tree bridge?” It now reveals the entire process. However, the process is systematic and complex. To make you understand better, we will lay it in a step-by-step format. So, here’s how to build a tree bridge.
Step 1
The tree bridge will be exposed to the environment 24×7. Therefore, the furnishing of wood is very important. So, initiate the process by squaring the planks of wood. An uneven wooden surface will cause problems in taking measurements. Moreover, it will reduce the beauty of the bridge. You can use a manual or electrical planer to do so. We recommend you to use an electric one, as it will reduce time and effort. After making efforts, the wood will shine. Then, apply grease or an ingrain dye solutions on the exposed ends. However, we would recommend you to choose the ingrain solution. As the ingrain dye is more microbial-resistant, it will prevent the wood to rot shortly.
Step 2
After a clean furnishing, it’s now time to make the main supporting unit. As mentioned earlier, it is made of three sub-units. Assemble the Bottom piece, the Uprights, and the Supports. Lay down the Bottom piece and fix the Uprights in a V-shaped position. Remember to fix the Uprights at the level you shaped the channel cuts. You can use any polyvinyl acetate glue to fix on top of the Bottom piece. Now, do the same with the supports. Fix them at extreme ends and lay their slandered ends at the arms of the uprights. Remember to maintain the 70° to ensure symmetry of the structure.
Step 3
The third stage is to lay out the cables. As the Bottom piece is 5 feet in length, adjust the position of the cable. Mount the cable with the metal scrappers in both distinct treehouses. Drill the wood, insert the bolts, and tighten the nut with a pile driver. It’s that simple. Since there are their channel cuts, lay down 3 cables to be mutually parallel. It is just like the wires of an electric post. Also, make it waterproof.
Step 4
After laying down the cables, mount the main supporting unit on top of the cables. Due to the huge amount of wooden mass, it might be heavy for you. Therefore, we recommend you to take the help of a companion. You need to build the number of the main supporting unit depending on the distance. Lay each main supporting unit after every 1-2 meters. We recommend you lay two MSU(main supporting unit) on each plank joint. Also never forget to mount the MSU on the cable with a U- shaped metal bracket. Now, your bridge is stable as ever.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to put the side rails and planks between two MSU. Without side rails, you might end up falling. However, no one will like to get their legs broken. For young kids, side rails are a must. So, carefully lay down each plank between two MSUs. Use the big bolts in the box to insert the wood. After laying the planks as per your satisfaction, we’re all done.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much will the entire project cost?
Each average bridge will easily be completed under 500$.
2. Is the entire project reliable?
The guidelines of the project are laid under proper research. Hence, it’s reliable.
3. How much time will it take to complete a bridge?
Usually, it takes about 2 days for a reliable bridge to complete
Final Thought
A tree bridge for treehouse is a mark of reliability and trust. Keeping fears aside, people step into these bridges with a belief. A belief of reliability and safety is what it takes. Therefore, designing a well-established bridge is your responsibility. Our care and concern about you led us to do some research. The above-mentioned guidelines will help your connection to be stronger. All you have to do is to abide by the manual.
[…] Rope Bridge can be nicely built within the treehouse. First of all, it must be strong enough to track up a load of already for adults. Initially, you […]
[…] Rope Bridge can be nicely built within the treehouse. First of all, it must be strong enough to track up a load of already for adults. Initially, you […]
[…] Rope Bridge can be nicely built within the treehouse. First of all, it must be strong enough to track up a load of already for adults. Initially, you […]