A porch swing improves relaxation and adds fun to your porch. This is especially true if you’ve got children. It will look good on all types of porch In addition to that, if you have several basic knowledge and power tools, a porch swing can be an entertaining project. Building a porch swing could be challenging, and if you are in need of one now you can also buy a porch swing online if you are in need of one soon.
If you are thinking about building a porch swing, we are here to help you.
Measuring the Area First
You should first measure the area where you plan to install it. This will decide what length your porch swing will be.
Pick the Right Materials to be used for Building the Porch Swing
Any wood will be fine as long as the parts are thick and strong enough to support the weight. You can either use cedar, fir, cypress, juniper, or birch. But, for a lot of projects, most professionals use redwood. Thus, if you have redwood, it will be the perfect option.
Keep in mind that you should not use treated yellow pine.
Gather All the Required Materials
After you have the wood, you will need the tools. You will require circular saw, hammer, jigsaw, square, tape measure, and drill with bits. You will also require wood screws and eye bolts for the fasteners.
Set Up Your Work Area
Using a sheet of plywood and a pair of metal sawhorses, you can produce a temporary workspace for all kind of DIY projects. If you don’t have any of those two, you don’t have to worry. Just look for any flat surface.
Framing
You need to look for a sturdy 2x or 1x material. Most individuals utilize 2×6 tongue-and-grooves. This is because it enhances the porch swing’s stability. You should have at least 3 long pieces for the main framing. You can utilize kiln-dried cedar logs. Since it is resistant to harsh weather and resistant to pests, this material is ideal for many outdoor applications.
Cutting
Build the seat’s frame first. It’s simply a huge rectangle. You can do this by combining 2 longer sections of cedar with 2 short sections.
For the seat, you can utilize mortise and tenon joint by utilizing a unique structure of Forstner bits and tenon cutters. Using the tenon cutter, you can sharpen the bottom part of one log. Then, using a Forstner bit and a durable ½” electric drill, drill a corresponding hole where the two pieces will join.
Assembling
After all pieces are drilled and cut, combine and secure using exterior screws. For the opposite side of the lower frame, just repeat this step. Using the same technique of tenon cutters and Forstner bits, build the back of your porch swing.
For the back, set the vertical supports into the rear brace of the seat. For the upper back brace, use a log. You have to ensure it’s mortised to fit over the vertical support. Secure all the joints using exterior screws.
The armrest is basically an “L” that’s attached into the outer frame and vertical back supports of the seat with the same mortise and tenon woodwork.
Create Two Armrest and Its Supports
The armrest will be basically around 8 inches high and 18 up to 20 inches long. Cut 2 wedge-shaped boards. It should be around 13 inches long for the support of the armrest. You have to taper 2 ¾ inches on one end and ¾ inch on the other.
Cut two additional boards for the actual armrest. It has to be 22 inches long. For all armrests, you must taper them on one end from 1 ½ inch to full width in 10 inches.
Fill in the Back and the Seat
To hold the seat material, screw or nail a 1x support together with the interior of the bottom frame. Cut the seat’s material to the suitable width and attach it to the frame. Repeat this procedure for the back of the seat.
Attach the Hardware
You will be required 2 connection points to attach the chain to the porch and another 4 connection points to attach the swing to the chain. Cut holes and insert big hooks or screw eyelets into the backrest and frame of the seat. Attach anchors or hooks to the location where you plan to hang your porch swing. You might have to adjust the chains to get the swing to its proper form.
