Build a Porch Swing 

By Wayne Lennox

                                                  Photo: Roger Yip

Sometimes, you just happen upon a good idea. This was the case during the 2002 Lake Wahwashkesh Poker Run. Our group was boating from location to location collecting our cards (they turned out to be a losing hand, by the way). These events are great because you get to visit different places on the lake, meet new people or get reacquainted with old friends, and generally have a good time. We had stopped at the Summersides’ place in Shanty Bay, and were enjoying a bit of a gab. Naturally, someone in the boat – that’d be me – needed a pee-break. On the way up from the dock, I passed a suspended swing that Jim Summerside had built. It just so happened that the folks at Cottage Life had suggested a porch swing for my next project. I had looked at a number of designs and found all of them rather complicated, but I was immediately impressed with the simple structural design of Jim’s swing. Aha!, I said to myself, this is it! All it needs is a bit of prettying up.

Here are some general tips for building a porch swing for your cottage. To see complete plans for the Cottage Life swing, see the June 2003 issue of Cottage Life magazine.

Project Tool Box

• circular saw (and, ideally a radial saw)
• router
• drill
• jigsaw
• sander
• clamps
• socket set
• tape measure
• paint brush

Hardware List

• carriage bolts, nuts, and washers
• eyebolts and nuts (for backrest)
• washers
• eyebolts and nuts (for seat)
• washers
• wood screws
• plated deck screws
• chain (galvanized for outdoors
• heavy-duty ceiling hooks
• quick-links
• outdoor or regular carpenter‘s glue

Selecting Your Saw

A radial arm saw is the ideal tool for cutting half-lap joints like the ones that connect the backrests to the seat frames in our porch swing project. If you don’t have one, you can use a router and jig. Alternatively, a circular saw and a chisel will do the job. Make several passes with the saw, and then carefully remove the waste with a sharp chisel. The circular saw method is quicker, but a router will produce cleaner results.

Finishing Tips

I originally planned to make the Cottage Life swing out of cedar – and then I got a load of the price tag. With pine coming in at roughly 35 per cent of the cedar cost, I figured that it was a better (cheaper!) option. Finish the chair according to your taste (natural oil, solid-hide or semi-transparent stains are popular for outdoor use). I used an interior/exterior stain called Wood-Shield Best, Natural Cedar (from Home Hardware). It was easy to put on, and gives the swing (and frame) a warm look. The treatment should be refreshed every one to two years if it is used outside. For the average cottager, that means about once every 10 years!

Hanging the Swing

The chain for the Cottage Life swing is comprised of links with an outside measurement of 3/16" x 11/4". I screwed two heavy-duty ceiling hooks about 50" apart to two rafters in our porch, hung a suitable length of chain from each (you know what that means: I eyeballed it!), and then attached these to the eyebolts at the top of the backrests with two quick-links. Quick-links have a threaded piece in the middle of one side so they can be opened to accept a chain link.

Use only heavy-duty ceiling hooks (minimum 3/8") and screw them in at least 1/2" past the threading. The rafters or support structure from which the swing is suspended must be sturdy enough to carry the swing and the weight of two adults (at least 225 kg).

You may find, as I did, that you will have to re-evaluate the ceiling location for the hooks, depending on the swing’s anticipated arc: The younger the children using it, the greater the probable arc. If your porch rafters have a pitch, moving the swing further from the wall will mean that the swing is closer to the floor. Adjust the swing height accordingly (main chain only). Wait until you’re completely satisfied before cutting any excess chain.

Things to Keep In Mind

If your cottage doesn’t have a porch, you might consider an A-frame design. The Cottage Life magazine plans include information on building both porch and A-frame versions. If your swing will be hung outside, use   outdoor glue. If suspended in a covered porch,   regular carpenter’s glue will do.

Before you permanently attach the armrests, screw them temporarily to the armrest supports with a single screw, then thread the chains through the armrest holes and hang the swing. This enables you to more easily adjust the armrest’s position in relation to the chain. Get it just right before you put all the screws to it.

Cautionary note: If you decide to build a hanging swing on an A-frame, rather than a porch swing, take into consideration the kind of surface area the swing will rest on. A basic A-frame, like the one featured in Cottage Life magazine, is meant for use on rough surfaces (such as a lawn, gravel, and so on) where the legs can gain purchase through friction or indentation. If you want to use it on a smooth-surfaced deck or porch, the front legs should be secured with L brackets to prevent slippage.

Complete plans and instructions for building a swing are available in the June 2003 issue of Cottage Life magazine.