How to Plan for a Porch Swing

Walk around the porch and decide which side you want to face when you are swinging. If there is more than one location that you can mount the swing in you may prefer the scenery in one direction more than another.

Place a tape measure at the center of the porch floor directly below where the seat of the swing will be. Stretch the tape measure back 2 1/2 feet to ensure there is enough room for the swing to move. Then measure 2 1/2 feet in the opposite direction from the center of the seat. Although 2 1/2 feet is adequate, you may want to increase the distance to 3 or 4 feet to allow for more movement.

Look up above where you want to install the porch to ensure there are two thick wooden beams, called joists, running across the underside of the roof. You will need these to mount the swing. If the joists are covered by paneling, remove it with a pry bar to locate the joists.

Measure the width of the area, which must be at least 4 inches wider than the swing. This allows you to mount the chains slightly to the side of the swing so that they do not rub against it.