www.myoldhousefix.com - My Old House Fix
Posted 07/01/2018 in Outdoor Living

Porch Swing Selection and Installation Made Easy!


my old house fix blod on porch swing selection and installation

Updated: 05/10/2024


Who doesn’t like a good porch swing?


The weather outside is nice, but your porch is looking a litte...COLD and uninviting. What to do? I know the feeling…we had a concrete “island effect” going on for years, as seen below. Are you looking to transform an area of your porch, but don’t know where to start, and don’t know what is involved?



old red house front porch my old house fix


So why not add a beautiful porch swing?

 

If you have an Old House, chances are your porch already had a swing installed at some point within the last 100 years! Additionally, everyone needs a place to lounge and relax in between the work week, and work around the house. Am I right?


 

old house front porch with swing


So let’s do it! Here are the FOUR steps to get you started with a new porch swing and don’t forget to check out the video below and the BEFORE and AFTER at the end!




Finding a Good Porch Swing



Types of Porch Swings

The selections here are almost endless! From materials to styles, there are many options to choose from whether you are on a budget, or want the Taj Mahal of porch swings! Oh yeah!!!



Wood Swings (many species to choose from)

wooden front porch swing with ropes



classic wooden front porch swing



rollback wooden front porch swing



Painted Swings


painted front porch swing with ropes



Wicker Swings


wicker front porch swing



Wrought Iron Swings


wrought iron porch swing



Recycled Plastic


recycled plastic front porch swing



Budget Swings


budget wooden front porch swing



... and many more!

 


The Porch Swing Company is one of many online resources where you can find a quality porch swing. Ours pictured, is the “Amish Heavy Duty Rollback”, 5 ft, with up to 700 lb capacity. They start at only $284.00.



front porch of an old house with wooden swing installedCenterville Amish Heavy Duty Roll Back Swing



Styles of Porch Swings

So you just want a porch swing, right? Well, there are many styles to choose from, so, if you are picky, it might not be a simple, or quick purchase. Some of the most popular and stylish porch swings are:



Amish

 amish wooden front porch swing



Classic


classic wooden front porch swing with ropes



Highback


highback wooden front porch swing



Rollback


amish rollback wooden front porch swing



Rustic




Swing Beds


front porch swing bed with ropes



...and many more!

 


Porch Swing Sizes

Porch swings are available in many different sizes (depending on manufacturer), so you should be able to accommodate any outdoor living space with the proper size porch swing. Common sizes (width) are:

  • 2 Foot Swings

  • 3 Foot Swings

  • 4 Foot Swings

  • 5 Foot Swings

  • 6 Foot Swing

  • 7 Foot Swings


NOTE: In situations where overhead support is minimal, a wider swing (wider mounting points) will distribute the load out toward the edges (less stress), rather than the middle of the span (more stress).   



Porch Swing Options

Just like car options, porch swings have many, many different options, which allow you to customize your swing to your exact specifications. Some options include:


porch swing and rope bed hanging ropePorch Swing Mounting Rope




porch swing chain kit for installationChain Kits




porch swing confort kit install hardwareComfort Kit – hanging hardware, hooks, PLUS “comfort springs”

Comfort Kit – hanging hardware, hooks, PLUS “comfort springs”


porch swing stainless steel hardwareOptional Stainless Steel Hardware - minimize rust and corrosion



Porch Swing Accessories










Protect Your New Porch Swing



Exterior Finish

So now that you have a new porch swing, it is a good idea to protect your investment, especially if you buy it “unfinished”. At a minimum, apply at least 3 coats of exterior polyurethane or equivalent, before assembly.

Ours arrived with only a “honey” colored wiping stain applied. No sealer! So we did the following, to ensure it will last a long time, outside in the elements:

  • Added a wiping stain to achieve a color match to our existing house colors (storm windows/porch ceiling.

  • 3 coats of Sikkens CETOL Door and Window Clear Satin wood finish. 

  • Then assembled the porch swing per the manufacturer’s instructions (back, sides, chains, etc).



new wooden porch swing installed


Storage

  • Store your porch swing away in a garage, basement, or utility building, to protect it in winter months.

  • Proper care and storage in the “off season” will make your swing last for a long time!




Installing a Porch Swing



Swing Mounting Location

Before mounting your swing, you want to make sure that the location is sufficient and safe to handle the added weight load. Caution: Always install any porch swing per the manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions.  Prep the ceiling:

  • Locate the ceiling joists – assess direction in which they run (see video below). Assess ceiling joist condition and size (2×4, 2×6, etc).

  • Assess swing mounting hardware locations (new and/or old) – space out per manufacturer’s instructions.


TIP: Overhead swing mounts are usually placed 2-4 inches wider that the overall swing width. This adds stability and decreases chain interference along the sides, as it swings forward and backward. 


  • Reinforce mounting locations as needed (see video below). Or, if ceiling is replaced or planned for repairs, that is a good time to reinforce the ceiling joist(s) for the added swing weight.

  • Locate the CENTER of the ceiling joist or support (this is very important).

  • In the video we used the ProFinder 6000+ Stud Finder. Unlike others, it can scan up to 2 inches deep, and it’s also great for plaster walls! Check out the “Cool Fix Tools page” for an additional demo and more info!



stud finder used to find ceiling joist for porch swing install


  • Drill a pilot hole to prevent wood splitting, and mount the hanging brackets with proper sized screws/bolts, per manufacturer’s specifications.



porch swing mounting hardware




  • Attach and adjust porch swing chains/ropes to your preferred height.



porch swing install hardware



  • Don’t forget to attach “safety chains” (usually sold separately) when using springs or a “comfort kit” – (see video).

 

NOTE: In situations where overhead support is minimal, a wider swing (wider mounting points) will distribute the load out toward the edges (less stress), rather than the middle of the span (more stress). 

 



Porch Swing Installation Video






Enjoy Your New Swing



Well, that concludes this short guide on how to select and install a new porch swing. Sit back, relax, pour your favorite drink, and enjoy your new swing! DOn't forget to catch the BEFORE & AFTER pics below! The space was really transformed! 


front porch swing installed with hardware and chains


front porch swing installed with hardware and chains





Porch Swing - Before & After




Before


Pld house front porch before swing install


After


Pld house front porch after swing install



Have a favorite porch swing or in the process of installing one? Share your experience with us over on the My Old House“Fix” Facebook Group!

 


Best of luck, and keep on Fixing!   

Christopher Hewett My Old House Fix









For more info visit:  www.myoldhousefix.com




Posts may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Full disclaimer HERE.


 









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