An American classic, a porch swing adds a touch of homey comfort to a larger porch, deck, patio or veranda. Sometimes called a patio swing, a porch swing usually seats two to three people comfortably, is suspended from a standalone frame or exposed home joists, and does not swing in a wide arc. Porch swings can be made from wood (with metal supports and hardware), wood-look composite, wicker, wrought iron, or metal-and-plastic combinations. Some porch swings include shade canopies attached to the top of the support frame.
Typical costs:
A pre-made porch swing costs $100-$2000, depending on the quality, materials used and brand name.
Discount big-box department stores and online retailers such as Target[1] and Amazon[2] sell porch swings for $100-$800, depending on the materials used.
Home improvement stores such as Lowes[3] and department stores such as Sears[4] sell pre-made porch swings for $300-$900.
The materials used to construct a porch swing from scratch cost $150-$1000, depending on the type of wood used and the size of the swing to be built. Pine, maple, and oak cost $150-$400, cedar costs $250-$400, and teak costs $500-$1000. Lumber yards and home improvement stores such as Home Depot[5] sell the materials to make porch swings.
Before purchasing a porch swing, check the list of items and accessories included with the package. What's included with a pre-made porch swing varies widely by retailer and type of swing. A porch swing may include all hardware and suspension apparatus, a standalone frame, and a canopy. Another swing may include the bench only, with almost no hardware, no suspension system, and no frame.
To make a porch swing from scratch, skilled do-it-yourselfers must purchase lumber, hardware, chains or material for suspension arms, outdoor paint or lacquer, and any other finishing accessories or hardware.
Additional costs:
Standalone frames to hang swings from cost $115-$400, depending on the quality of materials the frame is made from. Frames can be purchased from department store outdoor furniture sections such as Target[6] .
Suspension chains for a porch swing cost $20-$30, and can be purchased at home improvement stores such as Lowes[7] .
Cushions made with outdoor fabrics cost $45-$75+, depending on the size, style, and designer name at home improvement stores such as Lowes[8] .
For porch swings purchased online, factor in shipping costs based on weight. Many porch swings weight more than 70 pounds, which means that shipping may cost more than $100.
A porch swing can be installed by a handyman. For more information about finding a handyman, read How Much Does a Handyman Cost.
Discounts:
A homemade porch swing can cost less than a premade swing of comparable quality. This Old House[9] has an article about selecting a porch swing style that includes complete plans for a homemade porch swing and a list of materials needed to build the swing.
Shopping for a porch swing:
Before buying a porch swing, decide where the swing will be placed. Check to be sure that exposed joists or the standalone frame will hold the weight of the swing, plus the weight of people sitting on the swing. Factor in the possibility of children playing hard on the swing and the load that will put on chains or support structure.
Consider the climate the swing will sit in when choosing the material the swing will be made of. Cedar and teak are the lightest and most weather resistant woods that porch swings are commonly made from. Pine, oak and metal swings can be treated or painted with weather-resistant paint. Unfinished wooden porch swings can be painted, stained, and finished in almost any color at home to create a unified decorative look.
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