How to Curve Railings for a Footbridge

Arched footbridges are a common sight in large gardens where they span small ponds or streams. Most of the building process for such a bridge is fairly straightforward, but figuring out how to bend the wood for the railings that follow the arch of the footbridge can be tricky. In such a situation there's nothing better than imitating the greats — by using the same method as the Wright brothers did to curve the wings on the first airplane.

Lumber
Saw
Wood glue
Rope or plastic ties
Drill and screws

Instructions

- 1
  Cut your railing lumber lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips. The cuts should be horizontal, so the strips stack on top of each other.
- 2
  Spread wood glue evenly on each strip and stack them, flipping every other board to stagger the grain. Tie the boards together at the ends and the middle to keep them from separating before the glue dries.
- 3
  Hold the railing in position against the endmost post of your foot bridge and screw it in place. If the railing is tall enough, put in two or three screws for a stronger hold.
- 4
  Bend the railing slightly by hand until it aligns with the point at which you intend to screw it to the second railpost. Attach it here as before. Keep bending and screwing, one post at a time, until the entire railing is in place. Do the same with the railing on the other side. Wait 48 hours before removing the ties.

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