Hanging a porch swing is not a difficult undertaking, requiring only basic skills, tools and hardware to complete the task. Of utmost importance is to choose a sturdy, weight-bearing porch location that will handle the load of people swinging. What this means is that you should never try to attach a porch swing to regular ceiling material. Always look for a joist. Once the target joist is located, gather your tools and hardware and get ready to hang it. Does this Spark an idea?
Eye Bolts
The hardware that actually screws into the porch ceiling joist is called an eye bolt and can be recognized as a typical screw cast in a single piece with the traditional point at one end. The other is made into a circle about an inch across. These eye bolts, one for each end of the porch swing, support the entire weight of the swing and anyone sitting on it, so ensure they're strong and twist them in tight.
Hooks
The next bits of hardware you'll need to successfully hang your porch swing are s-hooks. Once again, these have to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the swing's occupants, so check with your local hardware or lumber expert to make certain the hooks are rated for the task. You'll need two s-hooks (called that due to their distinctive shape that resembles that particular letter) to hang your swing. The upper end of the s-hook goes through the eye-bolt. Loop the final link of your porch swing's chain over the lower part.
Chains
Attaching your chain to the porch swing before hanging is easiest. You need two lengths of chain to do the job, one for each side of the swing. With the swing sitting on the ground or on a work table, attach the chain to the porch swing according to the instructions included. If you're not sure how the process works your local hardware store clerk can be a good resource. As mentioned previously, the other end of the chain goes over the s-hooks that are screwed into the overhead joists.
Regular Bolts
Regular bolts with washers and nuts are a a good way to ensure the chain stays connected to the porch swing, which is always a good thing. By threading the bolt through the final link and running it back up to a previous link, you add a lock, of sorts, that keeps the chain from slipping free and any occupants of the porch swing from a quick trip to the floor.
Tags: porch swing, chain porch, chain porch swing, final link, hang your, local hardware