How to Make Wood Patio Swings
A patio swing is good for having private conversations or just relaxing. An easy wekend project, a wooden patio swing can be completed with basic tools. You can create your own designs within the wood to offer a unique look to the swing. Accenting your swing with a decorative cushion can add to your own personal style.
Materials
- saw
- drill
- 2x4 boards
- 1/4 inch wood boring bit
- 1/4 inch drill bit
- carriage bolts and nuts
- wood screws
- hooks
- chain
- stud finder
- Cut four pieces of the 2x4 wood, making each cut 24 inches. These are the end frames that will be used to support the seat and the back.
- Cut two 36 inch pieces of the 2x4 lumber for the back support of the swing. These pieces should be secured to the end frames
- Set one of the pieces for the back support vertically between the 24 inch boards. The boards, flushed together, should make an “L” shape. Make a hole through the three pieces of wood, using a 1/4 inch wood boring bit and your drill. Secure the boards together with a carriage bolt through the hole, and fasten with a nut. Repeat this step to create the end frame for the other side.
- Cut two 2x4s to 48 inches. Place the boards on the front and back of the end frames. Use the wood screw to fasten the 48-inch boards in place. Repeat this process for the boards on the back, also.
- Cut fourteen 2x4 boards to 48 inches. Position six of the boards across the swing’s seat. Fasten them with wood screws at each end. Use the remaining eight boards as the back support; screw the boards at each side. If you would like to have larger spaces between the boards then you can use fewer boards.
- Drill a pilot hole at the top of the back support boards with a one-fourth-inch drill bit and also at the top of the 2x4-inch board that goes across the front of the swing.
- Insert hooks in all of the drilled pilot holes.
- Use the stud finder to locate the roof beam in the ceiling. This step is necessary in finding a spot that will be able to hold the weight of your bench. Insert hooks into the ceiling where you would like the swing positioned. Place the hooks 48 inches apart.
- Connect the end of the chain to the hooks. The chain should be twelve feet long. Connect the middle of the chain to the hook in the ceiling. Repeat this step to the other side.