After assessing your backyard's future needs for expansion, you have decided that a garden bridge is the next logical item needed in your garden's progression. But you're worried that it won't serve the right purpose that you want it to fill. For instance, how are your parents and other elders visiting your home going to get across without a handrail? And what about children, running amok on your bridge, and jumping into the gorge beneath - how will they be affected by your decision in new décor? Will they see it as more of a launch pad or a level place of reflection?

Many of the garden bridges you have seen on the market don't usually come with hand rails - making you rather weary of creating landscaping that will justify putting one up in the first place. If the garden bridge you want doesn't come with several standard safety features recommended, you can always add on to them with a little know how, and some good old American work ethic. A little research never hurt, as well.

When considering your garden bridge purchase, consider how wide it will need to be in order to be effective for your guests. If your normal visitors are able-bodied children and adults, a standard width bridge of 35 inches should work well. If your guests include the elderly, or those in wheelchairs or other disabilities, you may want to consider buying a wider bridge, with at least 44 inches of clearance across. This will ensure that all of your guests will be able to enjoy your new feature with ease. Also, consider the maximum weight load your garden bridge will be able to accommodate. Depending on what materials your garden bridge is made of, it will be able to hold different maximum weights. And added apparatuses to your guests will weigh them down, putting them at risk if you buy the wrong bridge. Determine what weight threshold is appropriate for you, and then purchase accordingly.

Next, (for continuity sake, if nothing else), determine what your garden bridge is made out of. Many garden bridges are made out of some sort of lumber material - be it pine, fir, cedar, or otherwise. Many home improvement stores can match the woods your garden bridges are made of, and recommend the right screws and fastening materials to make your hand rails out of. If you're looking for a more exotic wood, the home improvement store should be able to point you in the right direction as to where you can get it. If they can not, open the phone book and start calling around to lumber yards around the area - they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Once you have your materials, its time to start measuring how high you need your garden bridge hand rails to be. If you are just keeping kids from jumping off the bridge and into the gorge or pond underneath, your hand rails do not need to be much higher than 12 inches to 20 inches. Many manufacturers consider foot-high rails to be nothing more than decorative additions to your bridge, so think about who exactly you are keeping on your path. The bigger the children, the higher you want your handrails to be. If you are looking for handrails for adults and the elderly to use while they cross over, then you will need to install rails that are at least 35 inches high, or higher. 35 inch high rails are the bare minimum to keep your guests walking across in comfort, while being effective as well; anything lower than that would be a fancy way to keep horse play off your garden bridge.

While buying a garden bridge can be a difficult decision, knowing how to make it safe can ease your mind in your purchase. By knowing how to make it accessible and safe for all your guests, you will be ensuring your investment for years to come.