A number of companies have swings that come suspended in their own frames, or with an arched or flat-topped arbor from which to hang them. Lawns, patios, pools, gardens — if it involves having the sun shine on you, I'm probably interested. Where a swing is to be installed parallel to a single joist and older, full-dimension lumber isn't in place, the joist should be sistered.Style differences emerge mainly in the swing's back: It may be squared off or curved, and constructed with horizontal or vertical slats, which may be set close together or spaced wide apart. When hanging porch swings, allow for at least a 4-foot arc for the swing to move through. We offer 2 types of rope to choose from for hanging your Nostalgic Porch Swing. When I'm not keeping up my content schedule, I'm spending time with my wife and two kids (usually on my patio! Natural Manila rope is the standard rope offered with Nostalgic Porch Swings. (Norm, who doesn't have a porch, hung his under an arbor at the New Yankee Workshop.) It's heaven.”Even the simplest porch swing offers a taste of gracious living, perhaps because it's a reminder of more genteel times. Walpole Woodworkers offers both a rustic Lakewood Swing ($650) with facing loveseats that move in unison and the lattice-covered Plantation Arbor arch with cedar Kimball Swing ($1,985), left. Wrapping the swing chain with rope is not only easy, but gives your swing a custom coastal vibe. I wouldn't feel comfortable any other way.”For the most part, swing seats come 4 or 5 feet long; they may be contoured or flat. It's contagious.”“The biggest thing in installing a porch swing is to make sure it goes into something structural,” says TOH general contractor Tom Silva. They’re bolted directly to a wooden surface and a chain/rope connects the hardware to the porch swing itself. Porch swing hangers are the sturdy connectors for which the porch swing hangs. They serve an important purpose and if they fail, the entire setup fails.
In Seaside, Florida, where many of the porches feature exposed beams and joists, and most of the cottages were built in the past 15 years, town carpenter Jim Eichberger uses stainless steel screw-eyes with a 4-inch shaft as hanging hardware. “I listen to the birds, smell the ocean air, and slowly rock. Hanging chains can be stainless or galvanized steel; if you prefer the look of rope, make sure it is marine-grade braided nylon or polyester, and check it regularly for signs of wear.Tom Silva is more accustomed to working on the porches of older homes, where the condition of joists is often hidden by a finished wood ceiling. I want Captain Patio to become the best place on the internet to find, share, and learn about all things patio-related. To avoid a nasty fall, make sure to pick one as sturdy as the hanger you choose. This is what many folks do, but I’d urge you to reconsider that urge. While the peaked back of an Adirondack-style might seem more appropriate for the porch of a clapboard cottage than a brick Georgian, most swings can adapt to their architectural surroundings with the addition or omission of fabric-covered cushions.Get the latest This Old House news, updates and special offers every week, direct to your inbox.A deck, backyard, or garden is also a perfect place to site a swing. To make the comparison easy, I compiled a complete list of the various options. As for height off the floor, use 17 inches as a starting point, and adjust from there. First, let’s start with porch swing hangers.So, what do we need to look for in a porch swing chain?Porch swing springs ensure that the swinging action is smooth and fluid. A glider — a bench that gently moves forward and back on a mechanized base — is even more versatile, since it requires less space and can be relocated with ease. Rope is warm to the touch and won't rust or react with wood. Seat depth varies widely, from 18 to 36 inches. They’re bolted directly to a wooden surface and a chain/rope connects the hardware to the porch swing itself. “But it's the safest, strongest approach. To make sure your rope is strong enough, add the weight of the swing to the maximum weight you expect it to hold at one time (600 pounds is a reasonable estimate). As for height off the floor, use 17 inches as a starting point, and adjust from there. (A threaded connector and nut can be used to lengthen a 6-inch eyebolt, if needed.) They also serve the same purpose as shocks, providing a more comfortable feel to the swing (as well as preventing chain breakage).Have you ever thought about installing a tree swing on your property? They were particularly favored in the sultry South, where they provided a much-appreciated artificial breeze.Whatever way a porch swing is personalized, its appeal remains universal. This is especially important if your patio exists in hot, humid conditions.strong weight limitIt’s easy to look at the list of hardware available and simply pick the one with the highest weight capacity. They serve an important purpose and if they fail, the entire setup fails. Pull a chair up and stay a while!CaptainPatio.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When Suzanne Henninger bought her cottage four years ago, “the swing was the very first thing I added,” she says.