Porch swings are timeless, and they can turn a standard porch into a work of art. When a homeowner had her heart set on one of her own, she called the Ask This Old House team for help. Carpenter Nathan Gilbert set to work, installing the required support and finally hanging the swing (with a little bit of help from his new apprentice).
How to Install a Porch Swing
- Measure out from the railing and overhead beam 2 to 3 feet to determine the swing’s mounting place. Mark the header across the front of the porch at this distance.
- If the trim needs to be removed, mark a square line at the measurement mark and cut it with an oscillating tool. To better hide the joint when finished, rip a piece of scrap lumber to a 30-degree angle and use it as a guide. Carefully remove the trim around the swing.
- If necessary, remove the ceiling covering (paneling, tongue-and-groove, beadboard, or other material). Use a prybar to get behind each fastener. Be careful and work slowly so you can reinstall it when you’re done.
- You’ll need to install a support beam above the ceiling for the swing to bolt to. Measure the distance between the ledge board on the house and the beam, and cut two 2x8s to match this measurement. Squeeze construction adhesive along the sides of the 2x8s and sister them together, driving screws through the sistered joints to create the beam.
- If the ceiling has strapping installed, use the oscillating tool to cut the furring strips in the way of the new beam.
- Raise the new beam up into the ceiling and install it. Place one end on top of the porch’s main beam, and attach the other end to the ledger board on the house with a joist hanger. Installing blocking between the new beam and the existing joists will prevent the beam from racking while swinging.
- Install strapping alongside the existing strapping to bridge the gap created for the beam. Add strapping to the underside of the beam where the swing hangers will attach.
- Start your layout with the ceiling open: Measure and mark the center of the ceiling. Measure the width of the swing, divide it in half, and add 1 ½ inches to allow the chains to bow out. Mark this distance from the center mark on both sides. Using a 3-point laser or a plumb bob, transfer these marks to the porch floor (with a piece of painter’s tape placed down first)
- Close the ceiling back up and reinstall the trim around the underside of the ceiling material. If the seam where the original cut was made is noticeable, conceal it with caulk.
- Using the laser or a plumb bob, transfer the marks from the ground to the ceiling.
- Drill into the ceiling using the appropriate size drill bit. Drill carefully at the marks to ensure you’re drilling into the new beam above the ceiling.
- Attach the ceiling brackets using the included lag bolts and an impact driver. It should be snug, but wait to finish tightening the lag bolts until they’re all threaded into the beam.
- Route the chain through the porch swing according to the instructions and hang the swing from the brackets.
Materials
- 2×8 lumber
- Construction adhesive
- Acrylic caulk
- Joist hangers
- Assorted screws
- Painter’s tape
- Porch swing kit (brackets, bolts, swing, and chain)
- Brackets
- Ceiling anchors
