How To Hang a Porch Swing | My Old House Fix

Make sure your porch swing is safely and correctly mounted to the ceiling with these simple tips from My Old House Fix. We'll show you how to hang a porch swing - finding the studs, installation, hardware, mounting, tools, and tips.
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00:08 - [ Intro ]
00:20 - [ Porch Swing Setup/Overview ]
01:00 - [ Locating the Ceiling Joists with Stud Finder ]
02:20 - [ Porch Swing Placement and Hanging ]
03:45 - [ Mounting Hardware, Chains, and Springs ]
04:25 - [ Porch Swing Installation Summary ]
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#porchswing #frontporch #swing #porch #porchswingideas #porchswinginstallation #frontporchliving #frontporchlife #myoldhousefix #studfinder
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[@darrenrubendall3020]

Good video. My setup is just like this one, and now I know what to do

[@myoldhousefix]

Awesome! Glad to help! 😁

[@tuvoca825]

Instead of a safety chain... can you just have the one chain go all the way to the top but then have the chain slack between the top and the spring?

[@myoldhousefix]

@tuvoca825 great question! Yes you can. Our chain kit was too short, but if your chains are long enough, you won't need separate safety chain sections.

[@IdeenSolhtalab]

Helpful video! Do you know what you screwed into specifically? Mine are same direction as yours, but only 2x4s; so I imagine I would need to sister the joists to reinforce them. Also, I want to orient my two chairs towards the street and my desired placement doesn't quite line up with the joists; a couple other videos suggest installing 4x4s perpendicularly with joist hangers and then connecting to those. Which does mean I'm looking to hang the two chairs more towards the middle of the porch (compared to your preferred setup where your nice and close to the load bearing points). Any insights you have that would educate us amateurs would be appreciated!

[@myoldhousefix]

Hi, yes I located the joists, used the stud finder to mark the exact center and bolted the brackets to the joist. Now, it did seem a little weak, bit I didnt want to remove the ceiling to sister the joist, so 1) sister the joists or 2) add support brackets like I did here. 3) add the 2x4s perpendicular as you mentioned - you can paint or stain to match and add decorative trim around them so it doesnt look so out of place. Also router or round off the edges of the 2x4s so it looks nicer! 👍

[@dieseldown]

I e never seen a swing with spring kit, what is the advantages of a spring compared to just chains?

[@myoldhousefix]

Hi @diesel down, well they are kinda like shock absorbers...but for your swing. The give a nice "cushioned" motion while swinging and some up down movement when sitting and getting up. Not rigid like 100% chain mounted

[@myoldhousefix]

@diesel down , check out my blog. It has a lot of hardware, accessory, and install info. www.myoldhousefix.com/blog/porch-swing-selection-installation-made-easy

[@kevchivy]

Where did you get your parts? Was it from a kit? I am having some trouble finding the parts at Home Depot

[@myoldhousefix]

Hi Kevin, click the drop down with the video description and hit the blog link. All the info is in the blog. Thanks!

[@RobAllen51]

I couldn’t tell if you had to remove the paneling and reinforce with 2x4’s or not. Did you? My joist’s run the same direction as yours so I’m thinking I can use the same brackets you did. My only concern is that my swing is much heavier than yours and I’m not sure if I have to reinforce.

[@myoldhousefix]

Hi Rob, We have a heavy duty 4.5 ft swing, and Id say its good up to about 350lbs as is, with our one 2x mount. We didnt remove the bead board, but the fact that swing mounts are out toward the ends and the added brackets keep the load supported out on the ends vs the weaker , more flexible middle.

[@myoldhousefix]

Also, for the reasons above, it was important to find the exact centers of the 2x joist. If I had installed a smaller 3ft swing, it would definitely stress the joist more, as the central load would be pushed inward.

[@lovelydianna5930]

How do you balance the swing?Hang from the back first & make sure that's even then do the front? Im having trouble with mine hanging twisted.

[@myoldhousefix]

Hi Dianna, if your chains are like mine and make a "triangle" a foot or so above the armrests...remove the chain connection at the "triangle" and move it higher or lower to achieve the angle you want. If the height is off from the side to side, then adhesive the chains at the ceiling connection. Count your chain links to keep both sides on sync on all the adjustments 👍

[@billyoung6939]

Where do you get the kit with the brackets?

[@myoldhousefix]

Hi Bill, I've listed all the hardware in the blog - see the link in the description

[@vargasmx]

What size of screw did you use and did you drill a pilot holes first also what size drill bit

[@myoldhousefix]

Hi Juan, if I remember correctly I used 1/2" lag screws and pre-drilled a pilot hole with 1/4" bit.

[@myoldhousefix]

Update - 1/2" socked head, 1/4" lag screw size.

[@manuelestrada1827]

What type of blots did u use

[@myoldhousefix]

Blots?

[@myoldhousefix]

Bolts/Lag screws - bracket to ceiling?

[@AngelissimaASMR]

I'm so afraid my historic house porch wont hold a swing!

[@myoldhousefix]

I was too! You can add supports like. I did. Check out the video and notice the galvanized brackets on each end - they are reinforcing the single 2x4 ceiling joist. If its.old growth wood that is super hard and you get your mounting screws in the center of the joist, you should be ok. Also, the wider swing allows the weight to be distributed out on the stronger edges vs the middle where the joist may sag easier.

[@philmurphy7487]

Does this type of ceiling have a name?

[@myoldhousefix]

Yes Phil, it's called Beadboard.

[@philmurphy7487]

@@myoldhousefix thank you!

[@myoldhousefix]

@@philmurphy7487 you're welcome!

[@bmwrulesforeternity5218]

The other (brain-less) way of mounting the swing is to simply put a strapping along several joices .. it would certainly look uglier ... but trying to centre the hanging screw bolts would not be as critical, .. and one would still get a very secure, if not MORE secure, eye screwbolt placement

[@myoldhousefix]

Yep, there's more than one way to accomplish a swing install, but this one has a "cleaner" look.

[@chewningwitmer5806]

I prefer to build with Woodglut plans.

[@myoldhousefix]

For porch swing installation?