Porch swing doesnt line up to joists
robdog09
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I purchaed a 5 ft porch swing that Id like to fit into a 6 ft wide area. Its a perfect little section of my front porch that we carved out when we built for an eventual swing. I located the joists, but as you’d expect, they dont line up perfectly to hang the swing. My plan as of now is to get a 2 x 4 (or glue two of them together), and lay them across the ceiling, and lag it into the three joists it will touch. Then from there, hang the swiing from the 2×4’s on the ceiling.
Here is the hanging kit i got, which allows for a flush mounted approach. http://www.hayneedle.com/product/porchswinghangingkit1.cfm
I wanted to get thoughts on this approach. thanks!
Replies
That kit is expensive and you don't need the springs. I would use a piece of (heavy) aluminum square tubing lagged to the ceiling (use non corrosive screws) with eye bolts screwed through the tubing to hook the chains to.
I recommend plugging the ends and any other holes in the tubing to minimize insect habitation.
You should be able to purchase the material from an awning company.
I like that idea and see how it would come together. I was thinking of doing my original idea with the two 2x4s lagged to the ceiling joists, but then use eye hooks through the 2x4s with bolts on the other side. I will need to put a paddle bit into the oak ceiling to give a place for the bolt and screw to sit.
Bottom. My ceiling is tounge and groove stained oak. So im thinking of taking the 2 2x4s and lagging them to the joists sitting behing the oak. When done, the 2x4s will be sitting below the oak ceiling laggged to joists, giving me the flexibility to mount the swing wherever i need it.
Here is an idea of what im talking about, but i was considering running the wood all the way across and staining it. And i probably would just use a 4x4 like this guy instead of stacking 2 2x4s -- just makes it easier.
http://gallery.thebrowntribe.net/index.php?kohana_uri=SpringSummer10/IMG_0012
Aside from being ugly, that will work just fine. You do lose 3.5" of height, of course, if that matters.
Rob
however you do the blocks, dress them up with some trim.
and countersink your blocks on the backside, rather than plowing out big holes in the ceiling, If later you change the swing.
Use a 4x4 and dress up the edges with a router. Run it all the way from one logical spot to the another so it looks like you wanted it there. Through bolt the eyes from the top in countersunk holes. I would use 1/2" S/S eyes. They are under more lateral stress than you would guess.
I did mine that way . Worked just fine . My house was painted t g so I was able to and a trim detail to either side of the 2x4 and paint it all to match and it looks fine