How to Build Porch Swings
The perfect end to any fine day is a relaxing swing on your porch to enjoy the sunset or watch the kids play outside. For many homes with enclosed or open porches and decks, the inclusion of a porch swing can be the perfect way to get you outside when the weather is fine. It is also great when you want to take a moment to relax comfortably. Building your own porch swing is not that hard when you take the time to build a swing to compliment your home and porch during outside activities or use. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 4 4"x4"x48" Treated wood studs Drill with ½-inch bit by 5-inch long 20-feet Hemp rope or natural fiber rope, 1-inch diameter 2 16-inch Lag bolt and nuts 4 Eyelet fasteners with screw thread Tape Measure Adjustable wrench Socket
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut the 4 treated wood studs so that they are all the same length. Be sure to check the lengths because, when you buy this wood from the lumber store, they may have variations in each piece, so you need to make a cut to keep all these studs the same length.
-
2
Drill holes through the 4 studs so that you can connect the studs together at the ends using the lag bolt and buts to secure them together. Place the drill holes 6 inches in from each end, and going through the side of the studs until the lag bolt can be inserted into the drill hole and you can tighten the four pieces together.
-
-
3
Drill holes into each corner of the swing seat now that the 4 studs are connected into a seat with the lag bolts. Now, drill holes into the top of the four corners of your swing seat. These holes will receive the fiber rope which will suspend the swing from the porch ceiling. After the holes are drilled, insert the rope through the hole and create a large knot on the underside of the swing seat for each end of rope you place through the holes.
-
4
Measure the length of rope you will need to suspend the swing at the proper height below the porch ceiling. Screw the 4 eyelet fasteners into the porch ceiling where the porch swing will hang under. Be sure to find secure points to screw these fasteners into. Always look for studs to secure the swing into. Look for the rafter beams, which will be 2-inch by 6-inch boards set on their side. These are a perfect place to secure your swing to, and will ensure the swing can support the weight of the rider well into the future.
-
5
Hang the porch swing from the four new eyelet fasteners secured into the rafter beams of your porch. Measure and cut the fiber rope so that you can put an unused end through the eyelet and tie a large knot, so that the rope cannot pass back through the eyelet fastener. Once all ends have been secured and measure for levelness, your new porch swing is ready for use.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Sand the studs so that the swing seat will have a smooth surface which will eliminate and slivers or damage to clothing done by ragged and jagged wood pieces that make occur when wood is not sanded smooth.
Always wear safety equipment to protect yourself from injuries that can be caused by cutting tools and pieces of wood that can fly into your face when cutting and sanding you porch swing seat.
