Chicken wire application ?

[SANTA_CRUZ]

So I am considering putting chicken wire or something like it on a new 32 foot bridge I just built to keep it from getting slippery when wet. My question to anyone that has done this is what did you use to fasten it to the wood
that would be safe, secure and not cause any flat tires ? Any tips on putting it on would be appreciated. Thanks !

[c0nsumer]

We've done it a bunch using galvanized wire cloth nailed down with galvanized roofing nails. Just be sure to wrap the ends around boards so that the pointy wire ends don't poke up and pierce tires. Also be sure to look it over occasionally for damage which may have broken the mesh and made for pointy bits.

[centralRH]

I have not tried it yet, but I hear that coarse play sand mixed with paint can provide traction for wood structures. I am sure it wears out in time, but replacement would be cheap and you are sure not to pop any tires. Also, I personally think it would look a bit better.

[c0nsumer]

I have not tried it yet, but I hear that coarse play sand mixed with paint can provide traction for wood structures. I am sure it wears out in time, but replacement would be cheap and you are sure not to pop any tires. Also, I personally think it would look a bit better.

It's also really hard to do, because if the wood isn't nice and dry it'll quickly flake off.

[Mack]

We've done it a bunch using galvanized wire cloth nailed down with galvanized roofing nails. Just be sure to wrap the ends around boards so that the pointy wire ends don't poke up and pierce tires. Also be sure to look it over occasionally for damage which may have broken the mesh and made for pointy bits.

The galvanized wire cloth works better then anything I have used so far. I have not had good luck with the
sand/paint combo, chickened wire is to flimsy.

[xcrdr]

Shingles work pretty good as well. Tack them down with some roofing nails (of course) And they offer plenty of traction. Wire mesh seems to help traction but it scares me, like a big cheese grater. I guess that's why I try hard not to crash on it.

[utabintarbo]

I guuess that's why I try hard not to crash on it.

Kinda the idea, no?

[Mack]

Shingles work pretty good as well. Tack them down with some roofing nails (of course) And they offer plenty of traction. Wire mesh seems to help traction but it scares me, like a big cheese grater. I guess that's why I try hard not to crash on it.

I have seen roofers slip and and go down, when the get their arms and palms are tore up. I would hate to think
what would happen if you went down on a bike.

[xcrdr]

Shingles work pretty good as well. Tack them down with some roofing nails (of course) And they offer plenty of traction. Wire mesh seems to help traction but it scares me, like a big cheese grater. I guess that's why I try hard not to crash on it.

I have seen roofers slip and and go down, when the get their arms and palms are tore up. I would hate to think
what would happen if you went down on a bike.

*beep* drunken roofers.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

On the other bridges in the park I have used spars urethane and sprinkled sand on it while it's still wet which works
very well and doesn't flake off. From what I've read/heard it's actually an IMBA approved method. But, due to the length
and angle of this particular bridge I wanted to try something new. Shingles was another idea, but I've seen it after
a few years when the little pebbles wear off over time.

My next question is: where do you guys procure this galvanized wire cloth ? How much does it cost ? Does it come in
three foot wide rolls ?

Thanks for the feedback !

[Exodus]

You can get the wire at home depot and its between 5-25.00 depending on the roll size.

You could staple down a thin rubber threshhold on the edge of the wire to prevent it from rolling up and puncturing tires.

[Sherpaboy]

a better solution is to build bridges that are straight!

Adding a curve to any wooden structure will always have issues. Stony creek is a great example of this and they have finally had to use wire mesh to make it work in wet weather with out riders sliding off all the time.

Shingles are a bad idea...the tear and wear then you are left replacing them all the time. Plus shingles are designed for a pitched roof...which means the water does not pool on it...when it does it adds to their deterioration.

Again the best solution is the simplest - design a better bridge for the use. No curves or turns at least not on wood. Maybury is a good example of 2 small straight bridges linked with a small patch of limestone where a turn is needed.

[xcrdr]

I guess every one is an expert but shingles have worked fine for many years. I have not seen water pool on them. They are as easy or easier to replace than mesh would be. Maybe a better option is to have a bypass when possible for wet weather.

[jonw9]

I guess every one is an expert but shingles have worked fine for many years. I have not seen water pool on them. They are as easy or easier to replace than mesh would be. Maybe a better option is to have a bypass when possible for wet weather.

There is that one A-frame kind of bridge at burchfield. It has been at least 3 years of no maintenance (AFAIK) and the shingles look fine.

[Exodus]

Wouldnt rolled roofing work much better than shingles?