How to Build Wooden Porch Swing

With the proper tools and materials, you can easily put together a porch swing to enjoy the time outdoors.

Instead of purchasing a high-priced porch swing that may not be of good quality, build one for much less than buying one in a store, and with much better quality. Building a porch swing is not difficult when you use the proper tools. When you build your own porch swing, you can design it to fit your exact needs and taste without settling for just anything.

Things You'll Need

• 2 sawhorses
• 2-by-4 studs
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Jigsaw
• Sander
• 4-inch carriage bolts, 10
• Carriage bolt nuts, 10
• Carriage bolt washers, 10
• Drill
• Drill bit set
• 1-by-4 planks
• 1 1/4-inch wood screws, 68
• Screw bits
• Circular saw
• 1-by-6 plank
• 2 Swing chains
• 6 eye bolts
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Set up two sawhorses on a level surface to use when making cuts in your lumber. Determine the seat depth and back height that you want the swing to be and then measure that length on the 2-by-4 studs and mark it with a pencil. Cut six supports out of the 2-by-4 to the proper length by laying the boards on the sawhorses and cutting at the marks using a circular saw. This will give you three supports for the back of the swing and three for the seat.

2. Cut contours into the supports if you desire giving it curves in the seat and perhaps rounding the back support using the jigsaw. The contours are entirely up to you. The design is not important as long as all pieces are the same. Sand each support smooth using a sander. Connect a seat support and a back support together using two carriage bolts, four washers and two nuts on each section by drilling holes large enough to hold the carriage bolts using a drill and drill bit.

3. Determine the length you want the swing to be. Measure the 1-by-4 planks using the tape measure and mark the length you need the slats to be on the planks using a pencil. Place the planks on the sawhorses and cut them to size using the circular saw. The total number of planks you will need will depend on the seat depth and the back support height. Sand each of the planks using the sander.

4. Connect one plank to the front of the seat supports using the drill, a screwdriver bit and one wood screw into each support. Repeat the process at the top of the back support. Lay enough planks on the seat portion of the frame to finish that section. Space the planks out evenly before you attach them with screws. Do not butt one board against another. If you do that, the weather will cause the board to warp and buckle when they expand and contract.

5. Install one screw to connect the plank to each support section using a drill and screw bit. Continue until the seat is complete. Place the swing on its back and repeat the procedure with the back support planks. Determine the size of your arms rests. These should about 2 inches longer than the overall size of the seat depth so that they extend beyond the seat 1 inch. Measure the 1-by-6 using the tape measure and mark your cuts with the pencil.

6. Place the 1-by-6 plank on the sawhorses and cut the armrests from it using the circular saw. Cut a design into the armrests if you desire using a jigsaw. Sand the armrests using the sander until they are smooth. Cut eight sections of 1-by-4 planks to the desired height using the circular saw. You will use these to put together your armrest supports. Connect four of these sections together by sandwiching two vertical sections between two horizontal sections. The edges of the vertical sections should be even with the horizontal sections so that the armrest will lay on top flat.

7. Repeat the process for the armrest support for the other side of the swing. Connect the armrest supports to each side of the swing using the remaining carriage bolts by drilling holes for the bolts using a drill and drill bit. Use two washers and a nut with each carriage bolt. Attach the armrests to the supports using a drill, screw bit and wood screws. Stain or paint the swing to your own taste and allow it to dry thoroughly before you hang it.

8. Install four eye bolts in the swing. Two of these go in the outer back supports of the swing and the other two connect to the front of the armrest supports. Use a drill and a small drill bit to drill pilot holes for the eye bolts. Use a pair of pliers to twist the eye bolts into the swing. Be sure to position the hook of the eye bolts so it is facing down. Connect the swing chain to the eye bolts.

9. Install two eye bolts into the ceiling of the porch. Locate ceiling joists on the porch using a stud finder and install the eye bolts in the joist using a drill and drill bit to drill pilot holes. Twist the eye bolts into the ceiling using a pair of pliers. Connect the top end of the swing chains to the eye bolts in the ceiling of the porch.

References

• BuildEazy: How to Make a Porch Swing Seat
• Shopsmith and Son: Porch Swing Plan
• Cleghorn Creations: Home Porch Swing
• Lee's Wood Projects: How to Build a Wooden Porch Swing

Resources

• Front Porch Ideas: Porch Swing Ideas