For a few years it was considered hopelessly outdated, this comfortable mixture of garden bench and swing. The porch swing is currently experiencing a great comeback in the wake of retro trends and is finally once again an absolute feel-good object in the garden. Unfortunately, finished models are not exactly cheap. Nevertheless, a wooden porch swing doesn't have to remain a dream, because with a little craftsmanship, experienced DIY enthusiasts can build one themselves relatively inexpensively. We have summarized the exact procedure clearly in the following construction instructions.
How do I build a porch swing myself?
To build a porch swing yourself, you need a frame, supports for the swing, seat, optional sun canopy, wooden materials, chains, swing hooks and tools. Build the seat, frame and awning before hanging the swing and protect the swing from weather conditions.
The blueprint
In detail, the porch swing consists of the following parts:
- Frame
- Support for the swing
- Seat
- and optionally a sunroof.
When choosing the wood, make sure that the material is sufficiently thick, after all, two to three people want to sit safely on the seat. This also applies to the support beams, which should under no circumstances be thinner than 10 x 10 centimeters.
Step 1: The seat
There are a variety of options here. You can make these yourself from sturdy plywood panels, build a frame with slats or, which is very popular at the moment, use a construction made of Euro pallets, comparable to that of our beach chair made of pallets. The frame construction made of beams and stands is also suitable for hanging a rocking chair made of cotton fabric thanks to the swing hooks attached to it.
The simplest form of the seat is the connection of plywood panels with a thickness of at least 18 to 20 millimeters. In this case, the continuous back and seat are glued and additionally screwed.
The variant with lower cheeks on which cross struts for the seat are attached is also quite easy to implement. For a comfortable sitting position, choose a slightly flattened angle. Two backrests on the sides stabilize the seat and at the same time ensure good seating comfort.
Material list for the stand
This consists of two side beam structures with a cross beam above.
The building material
The beams should be 15 centimeters thick. Specifically you need:
- 4 square stud beams
- 1 cross beam in the length of the planned finished dimension
- 2 cross braces, approximately 1.50 meters long
- 2 short crossbars with a length of about one meter
- Threaded bolt with screw connection and lock nut
- Angle
- Wood screws and washers
- 4 massive chains as suspension
- stable swing hooks
- if you want a sun roof, additional awning logs and slats for stiffening.
Tool list
- Saw with miter box, jigsaw or a miter and cross-cut saw
- Cordless screwdriver and/or drill
- Wood drill bits that match the screw size
Making the frame
In the first step, the stands are mitred at the top so that they are at the angle specified in the construction instructions. The screw connections are pre-drilled, glued and screwed with carriage bolts.
The crossbars are then inserted. To do this, measure the length of the frame posts and divide it by three. The stiffeners are installed at the height of the first and second thirds. Here too, the pre-drilled screw connections are additionally glued.
Short the crossbar to the desired size and attach it to the two stand parts using the angle fittings. Additional slanted supports that are screwed with threaded bolts provide additional stability.
Mark and pre-drill the drill holes for the swing hooks. Push the hook through and tighten the lock nut.
Install awning
Cut the awning fabric according to the dimensions given in the construction instructions. Even though this fabric doesn't fray much, we recommend hemming the raw edges that will later be open with a sewing machine. Alternatively, you can fold it over and staple it so that the hem is held in place by the staples.
Build an awning frame from round wood and slats attached to the sides. Then screw the fabric-covered framework onto the stand so that it remains movable. Use suitable washers and wing screws for this purpose.
Hang up the swing
Now you can attach the swing. To do this, the chains are shortened to the desired length using an angle grinder, for example. Comfortable seat cushions, which are available in a variety of designs, provide the finishing touches to your homemade porch swing. This frame is practical: you can also use it for a self-made children's or baby swing on the terrace.
Tip
Since raw wood that is left unprotected and exposed to the weather conditions quickly becomes unsightly, you should varnish or glaze the porch swing after completion. Match the tone to your garden furniture or add a contrasting accent to the seat cushions.
