The Perfect Porch Swing

The Perfect Porch Swingcomfortable for whiling away those summer evening.
There is a magical quality to porch swings. In hisInstallation
summertime classic Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury•Allow a 4 foot (1.2 m) arc for the swing to move
describes the "ritual of the front-porch swing."freely.
"In the garage they found, dusted, and carried forth•Use galvanized or stainless steel chain or
the howdah, as it were, for the quiet summer-nightmarine-grade braided nylon or polyester rope, and
festivals, the swing chair which Grandpa chained toeye-bolts or S-hooks with 4-6 inch (10 cm-15) shafts.
the porch-ceiling eyelets…they sat, smiling at eachUsing S-hooks allows easier removal of the swing for
other, nodding, as they swung silently back and forth,winter storage but is not as secure as using
back and forth."eye-bolts.
Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring•ALWAYS hang the swing from a roof joist, not
creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps itthe roofing material itself. If the joists on your porch
is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Orroof are not exposed, cut away a section of roofing
maybe swings simply remind us of more genteelto find them. Otherwise, don't hang the swing from
times.the ceiling -- use a frame instead.
Materials and Construction•Drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the shaft of
Although porch swings can be purchased in a widethe eye-ring or S-ring. This will ensure a snug fit to
range of materials, the most common are wicker andthe shaft of the ring. Tighten the ring securely, using
wood. You can also make your own porch swingpliers or a screw-driver for the last turn.
from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns•Measure the required chain. As an example, seven
available at garden centers, hardware stores, or onfoot (2.1 m) chains hung from a beam 8 feet (2.4 m)
the Internet. You can even improvise with a ropeabove the floor will lift a swing about 18 inches (45
chair or a wicker chair with the legs cut off and acm) off the ground. If you have a measurement,
support base added.your hardware dealer can cut the exact length of
Whether you are buying or making, here are thingschain you need and you won't have to cut it with a
to look for:hacksaw.
•Seat depths vary from 18 to 36 inches (50-100•Use four chains to hang your swing -- two chains
cm). There is no one "correct" depth -- it's a matterfrom each hook, one to the front of the swing and
of personal comfort.one to the back. It's easier to hang swings with holes
•Chair slats should have some curve or slant toin the arms, but swings with chains attached to the
them to make a more comfortable seat, and thereseat or to the bottom supports give a more
should be enough space between slats to allow air tocomfortable ride without as much twisting and
circulate.wearing of the chains or the ropes.
•Swings can hold one to three people depending•Check your swing each spring and replace any
on the length of the seat. Of course, the bigger therusted chain or bolts. Also maintain the finish of the
swing, the heavier the load and the sturdier thewood because weathered wood eventually will
supports need to be.loosen fasteners and produce splinters.
•Swings with additional length-wise supports underNo porch?
the chair slats will be sturdier and will swing moreDon't despair if you don't have a covered porch.
evenly.•Some swings come suspended in their own
•All joints should be bolted or screwed together,frames or can be installed on decks on a wooden
not nailed.A-frame.
•Pine, maple or oak swings will not weather as well•Put one in your garden, hanging from an arbor.
as cedar or teak, but can be painted with an exteriorTrain vines up the sides and soon you'll have a leafy
paint to extend their life. They also suit a shelteredhide-away nook.
porch area.•Hang a board with rope from a sturdy, level tree
•Wooden bench backs come in a variety of styles.branch
Back slats can run horizontally, vertically with a topper•If you need something that takes up less space,
or even vertically at differing heights to form aconsider a glider -- a bench that gently moves
"round" back. Some styles will suit certain homesforward and back on a mechanized base. There are
better than others.even kits available that will turn a wooden garden
•Seat cushions, covered in durable outdoor fabrics,bench into a glider.
can adapt a swing to just about any architectural orSo don't just sit there this summer -- swing away
decorating style, and also make the swing moreand make some memories!