Garden Swing Bench

Garden Swing Bench – Traditionally, when I think of porch swings, I think of a wooden bench seat hanging by rope or chain on a covered porch, something traditionally American. But porch swings are not limited anymore to a wooden bench that comfortably seats two adults, but are available in a variety of sizes, styles and materials.

Besides the traditional style of porch swings, there are many people who would like to enjoy sitting on a swing on a lazy summer day sipping lemonade, but do not have anywhere to hang one. But there has long been an answer to this dilemma with covered canopy swings. These are often seen in gardens and on patios. My in-laws have one in their garden where they like to sit together or with grandchildren to watch their waterfall. I am sure that you have seen these before, they are often made of metal with a colorful fabric cushioned cover that can easily be removed and washed. The swing hangs from from a metal frame which has a matching shade cover. So, you kind of get the swing and the covered porch all in one!

I have also seen some really nice wood, free hanging porch swings. Sometimes these are painted, a nice antique white finish gives your garden a quaint victorian feel. This is further accentuated by their frame. Sometimes these porch swings have a basic A-frame, other times the frame is an arbor style. These are sometimes called cottage swings. The look of these are more romantic and classic than the metal canopy swings.

In today’s eco friendly world, you should not be too surprised that you can find porch swings made out of recycled plastic. From a distance they often look like wood, minus the potential for slivers! You can get ones that hang from a chain on your porch, or one that comes with its own steel frame.

Hard to believe that outdoor porch swings come in a variety of materials. The classic porch swing is made of domestic woods like cedar and cypress, and tropical woods and their special qualities. Which wood you choose is going to be based upon exposure to the elements and use. For example, wood has to be stained and maintained to keep its magnificent look. Left untreated, it will slowly dry up, with wood splintering and the color turning to a dismal gray potentially. Yet, selecting an ideal outdoor stain with the proper application, and your swing can enjoy a long and lustrous life.

The thought of a wicker swing is certainly inviting. Yet, there is always that worry with wicket and how it will hold up. Most wicker outdoor swing and furniture manufacturers now offer all-weather or resin wicker instead of natural fiber wicker. This type of wicker can remain outdoors all the time, is UV resistant, and is much simpler to clean.

For something more durable, Polywood is one of the most popular recycled materials on the market. It is a high-density polyethylene resin product, formed to resemble painted “lumber” and comes in a variety of colors.

How you hang a porch swing is really not the issue. It is like hanging a heavy potted plant. The trick is getting the proper hardware. There are hardware kits available that include the screw hooks and chain. Be sure to get either galvanized or stainless steel. Otherwise, you will be switching hardware out every year because of rusting.

If possible, use four chains to hang your swing from its hooks: two chains from each hook/eye bolt, one to the back of the swing and one to the front. You want the height from the ground to be between 17-and 19 inches. (Most folks opt for 17 inches – unless they are taller in which 19 inches is preferred.) Your height from the ground is what determines the length of each piece of chain.

While you will be in a hurry to get your front porch swing up and functional, take your time to ensure that it is safe and secure. This will give you piece of mind the more it is used.

Outdoor swings can be placed anywhere around your property, but there is something to be said about a front porch swing and the pleasure it brings.