Porch Swings are as much a part of American culture as any symbol I can think of. My own personal connection to porch swings dates back to my summers spent on the farm in the middle of Kansas. My sister and I would go to our grandmother’s home for several weeks during school breaks and some of my fondest memories are from conversations had while swinging on the front porch of my nearby aunt and uncle’s farm. I can still reach back to the sound of the birds chirping at sunset with the combines whirring in the background as we sipped lemonade and soaked in the surroundings far away from the city.
Today porch swings come in a wide variety of styles and many choices of materials. Cedar, pine, oak, and teak are all commonly used woods for construction. If a painted swing is your preference, all of these will perform well. If you prefer a more natural swing, stick with cedar or teak, both of which will weather naturally to a soft gray over time. Wicker, both natural and synthetic varieties as well as metal are other possible choices.
As with any outdoor furniture, the hardware used to secure the parts of the swing and to connect the entire swing to the ceiling or free-standing frame should be stainless steel or galvanized to prevent rust from rain and snow.The support beam of the ceiling should be located beneath the surface material for adequate strength.Look for joints that are bolted or screwed together instead of nails.
The seat depth can vary from 18″ to 36″ depending on your personal preference. The back slats of the swing usually are designed with a slant or curve and, again, the exact degree of the design is a matter of personal comfort and preference.
Quality porch swings will have added support beneath the chair slats and the larger the swing the more important this becomes.
To prevent warping, it is important to check with the manufacturer to determine what type of methods they use to cure the wood. For teak, the kiln-dried method is preferable.
Most bench lengths run an average of 4 ft. but there are shorter and longer styles available if space is limited or more available.
Always be sure that the space allows for 2 feet of clearance both in front and in back of the swing for ease of motion.
Slats can be vertical or horizontal and the curve of the back can be styled straight or in a variety of curves for your individual style preferences.
If you are a do-it-yourself type, the porch swing is one of the easiest home furniture projects you can tackle. Many plans are available at your local hardware stores or home project stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. Just make sure to do your homework first and choose a plan that is in line with your own skill level.