How to Make a Yard Swing

Build a swing to enjoy in your yard.

One of the best ways to enjoy mild autumn or warm summer weather is to relax on a yard swing. If you would like to make the most of your yard, consider installing a yard swing. Rather than purchasing an expensive swing from a home and garden store, try building your own out of cedar. By building your own yard swing, you will not only be able to enjoy your yard to the fullest, but you will also have the satisfaction of enjoying something made with your own two hands.

Things You'll Need

• 2, 24-inch lengths of 2-by-6 inch cedar
• Curved template
• Pencil
• Jig saw
• 8, 25-inch lengths of 1-by-2 inch cedar
• 6, 48-inch lengths of 1-by-2 inch cedar
• 2, 13 1/2-inch lengths of 2-by-4 inch cedar
• 2, 24-inch lengths of 2-by-4 inch cedar
• 1, 48-inch length of 2-by-4 inch cedar
• 2, 3 1/2-by-20 inch lengths of cedar
• Power sander
• Wood stain (optional)
• Soft cloth (optional)
• Polyurethane (optional)
• Galvanized wood screws
• 4, 6-inch lengths of 2-by-4 inch cedar
• 8 screw eye bolts
• 8, 12-foot lengths of 2-by-6 inch cedar
• Anchor bolts
• Metal chain
• S-hooks

Instructions

1. Saw two pieces of untreated 2-by-6 inch cedar into 24-inch lengths. Using a curved template, draw a slight curve in pencil on both pieces so that the height of the curve is centered on the top edge and the bottom of the curve hits about 2 inches below the top edge on either side. Cut out the curve with a jig saw.

2. Cut eight 25-inch lengths of 1-by-2 inch cedar for the back seat slats and cut five more into 48-inch lengths for the bottom seat slats. Cut one more 48-inch length of 1-by-2 inch cedar for the top rail.

3. Make two 13 1/2-inch pieces of 2-by-4 inch cedar for the front uprights and two 24-inch pieces for the arm rails. Cut one 48-inch piece of 2-by-4 cedar for the back cleat. Cut two final pieces of cedar to 3 1/2-by-20 inches for the armrests.

4. Sand down the edges of all the wood with a power sander. If you want to stain your swing, do so now before you assemble it. Use a soft cloth to spread a small amount of stain on all the pieces of wood, wipe away the excess then allow it to dry for 48 hours. Apply a polyurethane coat if desired.

5. Assemble the frame for your yard swing. Lay the two curved seat supports flat on the ground and align the bottom edge of one 28-inch back upright with the bottom and left edges of each seat support. Line up a 13 1/2-inch front upright with the bottom and right edge of each seat support and screw all four supports into place with galvanized wood screws arranged in a square shape.

6. Flip the seat support over and lay one 24-inch arm rail horizontally, aligning the top edge of the arm rail with the top edge of the front upright. Screw the arm rail into place with four galvanized wood screws arranged in a square on both ends. When finished, you should have a rectangular frame attached to each seat support.

7. Attach the 48-inch seat bottom slats. Stand the seat support frames up on the ground with the uprights facing out and lay one seat support horizontally between the two frames, resting the edges on the curved seat support and aligning the outside edges.

8. Secure the first seat bottom slat in place with two galvanized wood screws on both ends then attach the rest of the slats. Leave about 1/4 inch of space between each slat. The outside edge of the final seat bottom slat should almost align with the inside edge of the back uprights.

9. Attach the 48-inch back cleat along the top of the swing with two galvanized woods screws on each side, aligning the top edges of the cleat with the top edges of the back uprights.

10. Attach the seat back slats, aligning the top edges of the slats with the top edge of the back cleat. Align the bottom edges of the slats with the outside edge of the final seat bottom slat. Place the first seat back slat in the center of the swing then attach the rest, securing each slat in place with two galvanized wood screws on each end.

11. Finish the swing by laying the 48-inch piece of 1-by-2 inch cedar flat across the top of the swing between the two back uprights on top of the back cleat and top edge of the seat back slats. Lay the 3 1/2-by-20 inch armrests flat on top of the arm rails and secure all three pieces of wood in place with galvanized wood screws.

12. Cut four pieces of 2-by-4 inch cedar to 6-inch lengths and mount one under the swing in each corner so that it sticks out the side of the swing by several inches. Mount a screw eye bolt in the center of each of these pieces of wood and drill a 1-inch hole through each armrest centered directly above the screw eye bolt below.

13. Assemble an A-frame for your swing. Cross two 12-foot lengths of 2-by-6 cedar at a 45-degree angle and secure the joint with anchor bolts. Repeat this process to build the second half of the frame.

14. Measure the width across the frame about 6-feet from the top and cut two pieces of 2-by-6 inch cedar to that length. Mount one of the cut pieces horizontally across each of the frames about six feet from the top to make an A-shape. Secure the supports in place with anchor bolts.

15. Cut two 12-foot lengths of 2-by-6 inch cedar to 8-foot lengths and use them to connect the two halves of the A frame. Position the 8-foot lengths on either side of the A frame points and secure the joints with anchor bolts.

16. Mark the center of the crossbeams on the A frame then measure the width between the screw eye hooks on opposite sides of the swing. Divide the measurement in half and, using that measurement, mount one screw eye hook on each crossbeam on either side of the center mark.

17. Attach one end of a length of chain to each of the four screw eye hooks on the swing with an S-hook and attach the other end of each chain to the screw eye hooks on the A frame with another S-hook. Adjust the height of the swing by moving the S-hook up and down the chain.

Tips & Warnings

• To make assembling your yard swing easier, you may choose to pre-drill the holes in the cedar. This save time, but will also prevent you from making mistakes as you assemble it. For greater support, you may choose to sink the feet of the A-frame for your swing into the ground. Use an auger to dig holes into the ground at the appropriate intervals and slip the feet of the A-frame inside. Fill in the hole with dirt or concrete to secure the A frame in place. To make your yard swing more comfortable, purchase seat cushions at your local home and garden supply store.

References

• Creative Homeowner; Building a Stand-Alone Swing Frame
• Home and Garden Ideas; How to Build a Porch Swing
• Extreme How To; Building a Swing Arbor; Tom Matthews