Porch swings have been popular pretty much since they were invented. One of the draws of having a house with a porch is the opportunity to hang one. They are often associated with happy and simple times that are best spent hanging out at home with friends and family.
Choosing one, however, can be a somewhat daunting task. After all, there are so many kinds available. They are available in plastic, metal, wicker and wood. They can be installed to the rafters on the porch or come with their own stand. The swing can have cushions or be a simple seat. They come in different sizes and colors and prices. How do you choose the right one for your family?
The two most popular types are wicker and wood and the wooden ones can be made from cedar, pine, teak, oak and maple woods. Of these, the white oak is the strongest wood, but it is also heavy. Cedar is the strongest and the lightest. Cedar is also the most durable wood.
The physical features of a swing can vary a great deal. The depth of the seat, the back's angle and, if the seat or back is slatted the space between the slats can be very important. The construction of the joints can also vary between swings. Typically the depth of the seat is usually between eighteen and thirty six inches. There is no "standard" seat depth. It can also usually fit between one and three people, but it depends on the seat depth and the seat length.
When choosing your swing, here are some things to keep in mind:
Because there is no standard seat depth, its seat is chosen based on personal preferences. Do not be afraid to sit in any of the swings you are thinking of buying.
When choosing it might be tempting to get the largest one available. You probably have visions of everyone managing to fit on swing together, but the more people that it is designed to hold, the stronger the supports need to be. Typically a two-seater is recommended to start with.
Always check to make sure that its joints are bolted or screwed together. Stay away from one whose joints are collected together because bolts and screws are meant to keep something together for a long time. Nails always come loose.
You will want to think about what kind of an installation process you need to accommodate. If your porch has exposed joists, then you will have a much easier time of installing it. You need to find out how much weight your porch's joists can hold.
The porch swing is a must for any porch. Choosing one can be a long process if you do not know what to look for.