DIY Porch Swing

The Seat

• 1

  Cut two lengths of 2-by-4 inch pine, each measuring 48 inches. These pieces form the front and back of the seat.

• 2

  Cut two more lengths from the 2-by-4 inch pine, each measuring 19 inches. These will be seat sides.

• 3

  Place the two longer sides parallel to each other and 19 inches apart. Put the seat sides in between the long pieces to form a rectangle. Glue the meeting areas together, then screw them together with wood screws.

• 4

  Cut another 19 inch long piece of the 2-by-4 inch pine, and screw it onto the center of the rectangle. This rectangle is the seat frame.

• 5

  Cut four lengths of pine decking measuring 48 inches long apiece. These will be seat slats.

• 6

  Screw the seat slats to the seat frame. Screw each slat onto the frame in three places: the seat support in the middle, and the two seat sides.

The Back

• 7

  Cut two back supports from 2-by-4 inch pine. Each support should measure 16 inches long.

• 8

  Cut three pieces of pine decking measuring 48 inches long. These will be slats for the back of the porch swing.

• 9

  Place the two back supports on a flat surface. Position them so that they are parallel to each other, and 41 inches apart.

• 10

  Screw the eye bolts through the front and back of the arm supports.

Finishing

• 11

  Cut two pieces of 1-by-4 inch pine, each measuring 26 inches. These will be the arms for the swing.

• 12

  Cut four pieces of 2-by-4 inch pine, each measuring 11 1/2 inches. These boards will support the arms.

• 13

  Place the seat of the chair on a flat surface. On each corner, screw on the arm supports. Line the arms up perfectly with the ends of the seat. Secure each screw with a lag bolt.

• 14

  Glue and screw the two arms to the top of the arm supports. The arms will overhang a little bit on both sides.

• 15

  Position the back of the swing between the two arms. Ask an assistant to hold it on a comfortable angle, while you attach it with two lag bolts on each side. Make sure to attach it in the same place on both sides.

• 16

  Fill any cracks or holes in wood with wood filler. Sand all rough edges of the swing. Apply a high-quality outdoor stain.

Swing Installation

• 17

  Choose an area on the porch to hang the swing. There should be enough clearance for swing movement.

• 18

  Screw two eye bolts on each arm piece at equal distance apart. These will hold the chains.

• 19

  Measure the distance between the eye bolts on each side of the swing. Locate a sturdy beam where the swing will hang and mark this distance. Drill holes in the beam and install the lag hooks.

• 20

  Hang the heavy-duty chains from the swing. Ask a helper to lift the swing into place.