DIY Arbor Swing: How to Hang a Porch Swing
We’re sharing step by step as we build a DIY arbor swing in a beautiful backyard! This is Step 15: how to hang a porch swing on an arbor beam. This is the last step before the reveal!
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In the last installment, we showed you how we installed the porch swing hangers on the 2×8 rafter beam so now it’s finally time to hang the porch swing! This DIY swing arbor has been a great project and it’s so satisfying to see the results.
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Durable Outdoor Porch Swing
This client purchased a 4-foot Highwood Lehigh porch swing to install on the swing arbor. This 2-person porch swing is made to be really durable and long-lasting and very easy to care for – it’s made in the USA from recycled plastics so it’s weatherproof and looks like real wood, but without the maintenance of a solid wood swing. The durable plastic porch swing’s stainless steel construction means that it weighs only 38 lbs, but can support a 400 lb weight limit.
PURCHASE AT
or this DIY swing arbor will look great with these other options, too:
Hanging a Porch Swing
When hanging a porch swing, you want to make sure you have 3 strong elements in the equation:
- Support: the beam, rafter, or ceiling joists where the swing will hang
- Hardware: the swing bracket *and* the attachment points for the swing
- Hanging: the chain or rope to hang the swing
See the details about the swing hanger installation here.
Once you have the swing hangers installed, it’s a quick job to add the chain or rope to hang the swing from the hanging hardware.
If your wooden porch swing doesn’t already have attachment hooks for the chain, carefully drill a pilot hole to install eye bolts. The chain or rope will attach at the top of the back of the swing and then either to the arm of the swing or (preferably) to the base of the swing seat where there is more structural support.
The Highwood swing has steel attachment points, and most other porch swing kits will also have designated attachment points. This swing also came with the chain, but not the hooks.
To hang swings like this (and like our indoor swing chairs) I prefer to use quick link connector carabiners. There are lots of different links available at the hardware store and online – for a porch swing, make sure the connectors are designed for outdoor use and for the weight limit required (which includes the swing *and* the chain *and* the occupants of the swing).
Attach the swing hooks to the chain, then hang the swing from the swing brackets. The bench of the seat should be 17-19 inches off the ground and as level as possible. (This is where you get to see how close to level you installed the rafter beams!)
To adjust the height of the swing, change the length of the chain. I typically keep the extra chain links attached during adjustments, in case it needs adjusted later after an initial period of use.
Stay tuned and subscribe to see more projects and the plans for this DIY swing arbor!
Step By Step: DIY Arbor Swing
We’ll share the step-by-step details as we go, right up until the final beautiful reveal! Here are all the steps:
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I am the husband of the amazing Cassity of Remodelaholic. I love to problem solve and to design and build things inside and outside the house to make life better. I am a professional Landscape Architect by trade and love the outdoors.
Lorene has been behind the scenes here at Remodelaholic for more than a decade! She believes that planning projects and actually completing them are two different hobbies, but that doesn't stop her from planning at least a dozen projects at any given time. She spends her free time creating memories with her husband and 5 kids, traveling as far as she can afford, and partaking of books in any form available.
