Porch swings are a simple weekend project.
Porch swings provide comfortable seating options for your home's exterior and they enhance the appearance of the porch area. The swings hang from the roof or rafters using basic hooks that home owners can install themselves. However, it's important to choose a sturdy location that can support the weight of both the swing and the occupants who sit in it. Installing a porch swing is a basic home improvement project that takes less than a day. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Look at the porch area to identify the best hanging location for the porch swing. The location must have large wood beams, or studs, directly above it and have at least two-and-a-half to three feet of clearance in front and back to allow the swing to move freely. Use a tape measure to ensure there is enough room for this.
2. Measure the distance between the two arms of the swing, or the location of the bolts that hold the ropes or chains. Add two inches to the measurement, which positions the chains or ropes slightly to the sides and prevents rubbing.
3. Position a stool or step ladder under the area so that you can reach the porch ceiling. Locate two porch rafters positioned at the distance you measured for the swing. Mark each location with a small pencil mark. If your roof ceiling has wood paneling over it, use a stud finder to locate the underlying beams.
4. Don protective safety glasses and insert a 1/4-inch bit into a power drill. Drill a one-inch deep hole into each location of the porch ceiling.
5. Insert the tip of a threaded eye hook into each hole tightening it by turning it clockwise with your hand. Place the jaws of pliers around each eye hook and turn them an additional one to two times to ensure the threads grip the wood tightly.
6. Secure the porch swing chains or ropes to the hooks in the porch ceiling. Measure the distance between the porch seat and the floor to ensure it is 17 inches. If needed, shorten the chain or ropes until you achieve this height.
Tags: porch ceiling, chains ropes, distance between, each location, into each, location porch, Measure distance