Why Are Covered Bridges Covered?

Why are covered bridges covered?

Why are covered bridges covered? There is a lot of speculation as to why old covered bridges were covered.

Covered bridges may have been covered for many reasons. To speculate, the biggest reason was to protect the wooden structure from the weather. Rain, snow, ice and the sun all make wooden bridges fail much faster. By covering the wooden bridge, the bridge would last longer. Most claim that is the reason why covered bridges are covered.

Covered bridges may have also been covered to help get cattle over the bridge, the sight of the rushing water scared the cattle and made them hesitate going over the bridge. It would also prevent the cattle from stampeding across the bridge. Some towns used to fine people if their horses or other cattle went over the bridge too fast, claiming it was damaging to the bridge.

The bridges may have also been covered to keep the rain off the wooden deck of the bridge which would make it very slippery. The roofs on covered bridges also kept the snow off the bridge.

Some also say the roof and walls on a covered bridge covered up the “ugly” trusses (which aren’t so ugly now), and also provided shelter in bad weather.

Engineers also claim that the reason why covered bridges are covered was that the roof and walls help strengthen the covered bridges, adding to the reason to cover a bridge.

Today, covered bridges are built only to attract tourists and really serve no modern day purpose. The old covered bridges that remain are usually restored for historical purposes, and their beauty.