Covered Bridge Construction
Concept Design.
Concept Design.
The suspension bridge pieces were part of an existing display that we purchased from a Halloween store. We built a 12" high platform and center cavity to house a buried pirate scene.
The suspension bridge pieces were part of an existing display that we purchased from a Halloween store. We built a 12" high platform and center cavity to house a buried pirate scene.
My husband, Blake, was a huge support and help with the building of this prop.
My husband, Blake, was a huge support and help with the building of this prop.
The roof trusses before being aged.
The roof trusses before being aged.
The roof trusses are placed on 2x4' side supports.
The roof trusses are placed on 2x4' side supports.
We built the frames for the roof panels using 2x2 furring strip boards sheeted with plywood. We then added discarded wooden fence slats that Blake had spent months gathering across three counties.
We built the frames for the roof panels using 2x2 furring strip boards sheeted with plywood. We then added discarded wooden fence slats that Blake had spent months gathering across three counties.
The inner side walls are made from 2x4s then covered with the reclaimed fence slats.
The inner side walls are made from 2x4s then covered with the reclaimed fence slats.
The lower side sections.
The lower side sections.
We used a vinegar stain, (which was made by dissolving a steel wool pad in a gallon of vinegar,) on the new wood to match the new wood to the aged fence slats.
We used a vinegar stain, (which was made by dissolving a steel wool pad in a gallon of vinegar,) on the new wood to match the new wood to the aged fence slats.
The roof panels are placed on top of the trusses and crowned with a fence-slat top cap.
The roof panels are placed on top of the trusses and crowned with a fence-slat top cap.
The door on the right was given to me by a friend. I used it as a template to create four identical doors to add to the outer side walls.
The door on the right was given to me by a friend. I used it as a template to create four identical doors to add to the outer side walls.
The main structure is complete.
The main structure is complete.
I left the area in the side sections hollow to accommodate the electrical and fog equipment, and to allow space for future effects.
I left the area in the side sections hollow to accommodate the electrical and fog equipment, and to allow space for future effects.
The stairs were constructed from 2x4's. I intentionally left spaces in the stairs for lighting and special effects.
The stairs were constructed from 2x4's. I intentionally left spaces in the stairs for lighting and special effects.
We distressed the stairs by using the grinder with the wire wheel brush attachment.
We distressed the stairs by using the grinder with the wire wheel brush attachment.
We further aged the stairs with vinegar stain.
We further aged the stairs with vinegar stain.
Blake used a handheld grinder with a wire wheel brush attachment to make the new lumber look aged
Karen chiseled out the knotholes in the wood to make them look more dramatic.
Chiseling knotholes.
The finished knothole.
The center of the suspension bridge features a buried pirate under a glass panel. The following photos outline the build process for this part of the prop.
The center of the suspension bridge features a buried pirate under a glass panel. The following photos outline the build process for this part of the prop.
I used GreatStuff foam to build up the scene and look like a hole in the ground. For more detail about the pirate, see the link called "Buried Pirate Skeleton."
I used GreatStuff foam to build up the scene and look like a hole in the ground. For more detail about the pirate, see the link called "Buried Pirate Skeleton."
I covered the foam with dirt and dead leaves, then added the skeleton and effects.
(Click here to see how he was made!)
I covered the foam with dirt and dead leaves, then added the skeleton and effects.
(Click here to see how he was made!)
You walk over the buried pirate scene as you cross the bridge.
You walk over the buried pirate scene as you cross the bridge.